The University’s bachelor of arts in environmental studies is designed to provide students with a firm foundation in environmental science and ecology and the influence these sciences have on the development of political policy and environmental thought and practice in the humanities and social sciences. The program culminates in a capstone experience designed to challenge students to apply their area of study to specific issues germane to the Pacific Northwest.
UP Core Requirements — 40 credit hours
All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.
See UP Core Requirements
Two of the three core requirements for the Science & Problem Solving Habit are satisfied by economics and science requirements within the major.
ENV 324 and ENV 400 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Environmental Studies.
College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours
See College Requirements, B.A.
The College requirement for 15 credit hours of upper-division courses outside the primary major are fulfilled by the major requirements.
Major Requirements — 52 credit hours
Environmental Studies Tracks - 6 credit hours
Select one track from the following:
Track One
| BIO 208 | Introduction to Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| ENV 200 | Perspectives in Environmental Studies | 3 |
Track Two
| ENV 310 | Topics in Environmental Studies | 3 |
| And | |
| BIO 208 | Introduction to Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| Or | |
| Any 100-level ENV course | 3 |
Select Four Courses from the Following - 12 credit hours
Select One Course from the Following - 3 credit hours
| ECN 322 | Environmental Economics and Policy | 3 |
| ECN 325/ENV 325 | Metrics for Sustainability: Managing for Change in the 21st Century | 3 |
| ECN 326 | Climate Change and Clean Energy Economics: A Global Perspective | 3 |
Select Four Credit Hours from the Following - 4 credit hours
Select One Course from the Following - 3 credit hours
Select one course from the following not already used to fulfill the requirements above.
Major Electives — 24 credit hours
Select eight courses from the following:
| Any 300 or 400 level ENV course | 3 |
| COM 302 | Communicating Science | 3 |
| COM 401 | Media Effects | 3 |
| COM 470 | Plants, Nonhuman Animals, Food Systems, and Climate Communication | 3 |
| ECN 322 | Environmental Economics and Policy | 3 |
| ECN 326 | Climate Change and Clean Energy Economics: A Global Perspective | 3 |
| ENG 361 | Northwest Literature | 3 |
| ENG 363 | Environmental Literature | 3 |
| HST 357 | Environmental History of the Americas and the World | 3 |
| HST 358 | Disease and Medicine in World History | 3 |
| HST 359 | The Modern City | 3 |
| PHL 314 | Metaphysics: Philosophy and Feminism | 3 |
| PHL 324 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHL 422 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
| POL 302 | Perspectives on Social Justice | 3 |
| POL 335 | American Public Policy | 3 |
| POL 351 | International Law and Governance | 3 |
| POL 352 | Survival | 3 |
| SW 456 | Organizing for Environmental Justice | 3 |
| THE 304 | Sages and Singers, Songwriters and Storytellers | 3 |
| THE 325 | Catholic Social Teaching and Professional Ethics | 3 |
| THE 330 | Environmental Justice and Interreligious Dialogue | 3 |
| THE 343 | Ecological Spirituality | 3 |
| THE 351 | Religions of Africa | 3 |
| THE 353 | Religion and Science | 3 |
One time course offerings (designated 391/491) in THE, THEP or PHL may fulfill the major elective requirements if the topic is appropriate. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with your academic advisor.
Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours
48 hours of total credits must be upper-division. 120 overall credits or more required.