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B.S. Environmental Sciences - Curriculum

The documents on this page will help you to chart your course to a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from OSU. Print these PDF files to use as a working documents when building your degree plan. View the Environmental Sciences Minor Curriculum here.

Program Curriculum Checklists

Please use the file below as an overview of Environmental Studies coursework. After you are admitted, your academic advisor will work with you to construct a detailed plan for the completion of your degree, using a similar guide. You will get your official advising guide from your advisor. This guide contains information on the ES core courses, the specialization options and some frequently asked questions.

View the Environmental Sciences Detailed Curriculum Guide for Prospective Students to see sample course curriculum.

Planning Your Courses

The Environmental Sciences program gives you many different course options for meeting the degree requirements. The Yearly Planner helps you plan out your courses several terms in advance, taking into account which terms courses are offered, and what combination of courses would work best for each term.

NOTE: Many courses have prerequisites. Check course descriptions by term (listed on our Schedule of Classes) and talk with your advisor once you are admitted into the Environmental Sciences program.

Environmental Sciences degree specialization options

The benefit of the OSU Ecampus Environmental Sciences degree is that students choose a specialization option that includes a curriculum plan that matches their personal interests and gives them the training to achieve their career goals.

Our new option in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability prepares students for today’s in-demand positions that require social, political and economical analysis while dealing with environmental and ecological preservation issues.  For those interested in pursuing environmental careers in policy and law, the option in Environmental Policy would provide a comprehensive and skilled knowledge base.   Our Applied Ecology & Resource Management Option or the Fisheries & Wildlife Minor would be ideal specializations for those working toward careers in government agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service or the Fish and Wildlife Service.  Ecampus Environmental Sciences majors may also choose the Business & Entrepreneurship minor as their specialization option if they look forward to careers in environmentally-related positions for the private sector and corporations.

Do I have to take all my classes through OSU?

No. In fact, you will be required to take some courses through another institution as they are not offered on-line. The full year General Biology sequence must be taken in-person, it must be a sequence intended for science/biology majors, and it must include labs. The Chemistry sequence is available on-line through Ecampus. The Physics sequence is offered online through Eastern Oregon University and Chemeketa Community College. You will still need to obtain approval from your OSU advisor to have these courses count for your degree. Please see the Guide for Basic Math and Science Requirements.

Other lower and upper division courses may also be transferred into the degree upon your advisor's approval. To get approval for a transfer, a course petition form must be submitted to your advisor (see below).

Course Petition

Students can petition to have courses count towards fulfilling specific requirements in the Environmental Sciences program. Your advisor will review your petition to determine if the course content and course level sufficiently meet program requirements. You will receive an email within two weeks letting you know whether your petition was approved or denied.

Access the Course Petition Form here.

Observational Experience

The Environmental Science degree has an "Observational Experience" requirement that can be met through the use of one or more of the following choices.

ENSC 410 Internship
A science internship provides a way for students to earn academic credit for on-the-job experience in the environmental field with government agencies, business or other organizations. It consists of full or part-time work, volunteer or paid, that furthers and enriches a student's education. Students must discuss the internship with their advisor and submit a completed ENSC 410 Internship Approval Form BEFORE enrolling in ENSC 410.

ENSC 401 Research
Students can earn academic credit for experience in environmental science research conducted in the academic, government or private sectors. Students must discuss the internship with their advisor, and submit a completed research approval form BEFORE enrolling ENSC 401.

Coursework
Courses that train students in lab or field research methods, mapping techniques (field or GIS), or environmental planning and project design can meet the "Observational Experience" requirement. Check with your advisor on course options.

How do I set up an appointment with my advisor?

Once you are admitted to OSU and have declared Environmental Sciences as your major, you are free to set up a phone appointment with your advisor. It is better to wait until your transcripts have been processed by Admissions before making your first appointment. Also, make sure you have reviewed the checklists, and know which transfer courses you would like to count toward your degree before making the appointment. Most appointments are over the phone, but you are always welcome to make an in-person appointment if you are in the area.

If you have questions please contact us.

Student Services Center
Phone: 541-737-9204
Toll Free: 800-667-1465
Email: ecampus@oregonstate.edu