Environmental Sciences
Environmental sciences consists of curricula that foster interdisciplinary education for students seeking to better understand earth systems. The undergraduate curriculum leads to the BS degree in Environmental Sciences and requires students to complete courses that develop a broad base of knowledge in basic science disciplines, social sciences, and an area of specialization. A minor in environmental sciences is also available for those undergraduate students completing their degrees in other fields. The theme of the Environmental Sciences Program is central to the mission of OSU and reflects the strengths of OSU and other agencies and institutions in Corvallis and throughout the state of Oregon. The BS degree in Environmental Sciences provides excellent training for careers with agencies responsible for environmental protection and natural resource use, consulting firms, and those seeking opportunities for graduate studies.
Carolyn Fonyo Boggess, Interim Program Director
Environmental Sciences Graduate Program
104 Wilkinson Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
Phone: 541-737-5095
Website: http://envsci.science.oregonstate.edu/
ENSC 003. UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH. (0 Credits)
Engage in research activities appropriate to the discipline; and through the research experience, acquire skills, techniques, and knowledge relevant to the field of study. In consultation with a faculty mentor, engage in research activity, and make and execute a plan for a project.
ENSC 004. INTERNSHIP. (0 Credits)
Provides basic personal and professional skills that can be used within and outside of a work setting. Through practice, this experience guides students in building and maintaining positive professional relationships, networking/mentoring relationships, and enhances students’ understanding of the connection between theory and practice in their respective disciplines.
ENSC 101. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ORIENTATION. (1 Credit)
Introduction to the Environmental Sciences Program and related professional and educational opportunities. Recommended for all freshman and first-year transfer environmental sciences majors, but open to all students interested in learning about career options in the environmental sciences. Graded P/N.
ENSC 399. SPECIAL TOPICS. (1-16 Credits)
Equivalent to: ENSC 399H
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 401. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ENSC 402. INDEPENDENT STUDIES. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ENSC 403. THESIS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ENSC 405. READING AND CONFERENCE. (1-12 Credits)
Equivalent to: ENSC 405H
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 406. PROJECTS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
ENSC 407. SEMINAR. (1-16 Credits)
Equivalent to: ENSC 407H
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ENSC 407H. SEMINAR. (1-16 Credits)
Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: ENSC 407
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ENSC 408. WORKSHOP. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ENSC 410. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE INTERNSHIP. (1-12 Credits)
Supervised practical experience working with professionals at selected cooperating institutions, agencies, laboratories, or companies. Graded P/N.
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
ENSC 452. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. (3 Credits)
Environmental site assessment is a primary tool for environmental science professionals. Apply environmental science concepts to evaluate features of a specific natural area and conduct a land suitability analysis. Create a conceptual site design and management plan that complies with federal, state, and local regulations and environmental laws.
Equivalent to: GEOG 452
ENSC 479. *^ENVIRONMENTAL CASE STUDIES. (3 Credits)
Improves students' ability to ask questions, gather and synthesize information, and communicate ideas on environmental topics. Instruction and information necessary for the course is entirely Web based. (Bacc Core Course) (Writing Intensive Course)
Attributes: CSST – Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society; CWIC – Core, Skills, WIC
Equivalent to: BOT 479
Recommended: One year of college biology or chemistry
ENSC 499. SPECIAL TOPICS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 501. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 503. THESIS. (1-16 Credits)
PREREQ: Departmental approval required.
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
ENSC 505. READING AND CONFERENCE. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 506. PROJECTS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 507. SEMINAR. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 508. WORKSHOP. (1-16 Credits)
PREREQ: Departmental approval required.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 510. INTERNSHIP. (1-12 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
ENSC 515. ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVES AND METHODS. (3 Credits)
Unique perspective or method each quarter. Possibilities include: remote sensing, modeling over a range of scales in time, space, and levels of system organization; and risk analysis.
ENSC 516. USING BEST PRACTICES IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT. (4 Credits)
Explore foundational project management concepts using a real world case-study to practice both soft and hard skills through individual and group assignments, discussions and presentations. Apply best practices, methodologies and tools using a global standards framework to achieve successful outcomes in environmental project management work. Active learning and networking are incorporated throughout the course to provide a full perspective on project management.
ENSC 520. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS. (3 Credits)
Develop analytical thinking, explore analytical approaches, enhance writing skills, and gain experience in oral communication about environmental issues.
ENSC 540. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE OF FOOD. (4 Credits)
Examines the newest developments in environmental science research and on-the-ground best management practices for achieving food security and sustainability for growing U.S. and global populations in a dynamic environment and climate.
ENSC 541. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, SCIENTISTS, AND SOUND DECISIONS. (4 Credits)
Focusing on analyzing the role of environmental science and scientists in decision-making in a variety of professional contexts at various scales (local through global) using a case-study approach and proposing a draft model process.
ENSC 542. MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NITROGEN CASCADE. (4 Credits)
Analyzes the environmental science behind reducing excess reactive nitrogen entering the environment through our provision of food, power, and transportation for future populations. Identifies emerging complementary suites of interventions and legislation innovating management practices at local, regional, national and international scales.
ENSC 543. EXCELLING IN AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM. (4 Credits)
Identifying, examining and practicing the top skills, attributes and leadership dynamics involved in working in interdisciplinary environmental science teams in industry, government, and research organizations, informed by experienced experts across these areas.
ENSC 555X. FOOD FOR CHANGE. (3 Credits)
Focusing on traditional regional recipes, explore and document how global change has affected food production and demand until today and how projected climate change will affect it in the future by analyzing the ingredient lists. Focus on one recipe/ingredient, find maps of past/current crop ranges, document changes, and identify possible replacement ingredients projecting future culinary solutions.
Recommended: GEOG 472
ENSC 599. SELECTED TOPICS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 601. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 603. THESIS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
ENSC 605. READING AND CONFERENCE. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 606. PROJECTS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 607. SEMINAR. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
ENSC 699. SELECTED TOPICS. (1-16 Credits)
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.