This program is available at the following location:

• Corvallis

Options available:

• Animal Reproduction and Development
• Applied Genetics
• Bioproducts and Bioenergy
• Biotechnology
• Climate and Biosystems Modeling
• Environmental Chemistry
• Food Quality
• Genomics/​Bioinformatics
• Pest Biology and Management
• Plant Growth and Development
• Sustainable Ecosystems
• Toxicology
• Water Resources

BioResource Research (BRR) is an interdisciplinary biosciences major centered around research aimed at understanding and protecting the planet's biological resources and exploring their novel and sustainable uses. BRR students complete a comprehensive mentored research experience, in a cutting-edge area of agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental, food, or health science. BRR faculty research mentors come from across OSU, as well as from extension stations and state and federal agencies. Each student’s upper-division curriculum is individualized based on choice of option and research project. In addition to research expertise, BRR students graduate with a strong background in biosciences, job training, and problem-solving and communication skills. These skills lead to careers in industrial or academic research, natural resource management, and graduate and professional programs in the life sciences and medicine.

Major Code: 113

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Retain and articulate the fundamental concepts of biosciences and bioresource sciences, and of the physical and mathematical sciences that support these fields.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method by designing an experiment, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Convey the meaning of research results in written and oral format, to both professionals and the general public.
• Master and discuss the important contemporary issues in the specific discipline of the BRR option and research project.
• Demonstrate professionalism, including critical thinking, a strong work ethic, and the ability to contribute to a team.

The BRR curriculum requires biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Students must take an ethics class and a technical writing class. Each student chooses an option (area of concentration) and takes 27 credits of upper-division interdisciplinary coursework based on the option. In addition, students do 14 credits of mentored research, write a thesis, and give a seminar, all for course credit.

Completion of one option is required to earn a degree in BioResource Research; more may be possible. Course work for each option must total 27 credits.

The sample curriculum below allows BRR students to meet the University Baccalaureate Core requirements, the BRR core requirements and their selected option requirements, and graduate with the minimum of 180 credits.

*

Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)

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Writing Intensive Course (WIC)

+

Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards

¹

One option specialization is required (more are often possible). More research may be possible. Course work for each option must total 27 credits

Major Code: 113

Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.