Environmental Science and Policy, BS
Our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy integrates natural sciences and social sciences to address complex environmental issues.
Environmental Science – Bachelor of Science
Environmental Science and Policy, BS
Offered as a Bachelor of Science Major
Built as a truly interdisciplinary program, the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy (ES&P) provides an equal balance of social, political, biological and earth systems science courses. This interdisciplinary foundation is unique in that it provides students training and experience across the sciences, and fosters a systems-thinking approach to environmental issues.
Our field-oriented curriculum takes advantage of the unique environmental setting of our region and provides opportunities to work with local agencies. Southern Oregon, with its Klamath and Cascade Mountains and interior valleys, is an ideal location for studying and experiencing a variety of environmental issues, including water resources, endangered species, timber, natural hazards, and urban growth issues.
The Environmental Science and Policy Program encourages and gives academic credit for work experiences with governmental entities, local agencies and businesses that provide a wide variety of real-world applications of the concepts learned in the classroom. These experiences are carried in defined practicum and internship opportunities which include work in on- or off-campus settings. Opportunities include working with the USDA, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service (Crater Lake and others), local watershed councils, Jackson County, local city and county planning departments, state and federal agencies, and local environmental organizations.
In addition to being a truly interdisciplinary program that leverages our awesome location, ES&P majors acquire vital employable skills including:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Global positioning Systems (GPS)
- Remote Sensing
- Statistics and Environmental Data Analysis
Our Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science & Policy not only prepares students for a wide variety of employment in governmental agencies, industry, non-profits and environmental consulting firms, but also prepares students for graduate and professional schools in environmental policy and management, geography, law, public policy, wildlife management, and environmental science.
Suggested Course Plans
Two Year Plan
(Assumes all lower-division courses completed including our 100 series and MTH 243 complete)
Year 1
Fall:
ES 210, ES 100, ES 360, J STrand – 14 Credits
Winter:
ES 310, ES 423, ES 349, ES 327 – 17 Credits
Spring:
ES 330, ES Elective, BI 340, ES 314 – 16 Credits
Year 2
Fall:
ES 494A, ES 386, ES 351, SOAN 420 – 15 Credits
Winter:
ES 494B, ES UD, ES 421, ES 498, ES Elective – 18 Credits
Spring:
ES 494C, ES Elective, ES Elective, ES Elective – 14 Credits
Three Year Plan
(Assumes all or most university studies complete but no ES&P courses completed)
Year 1
Fall:
ES 100, ES 102, ES 103, U Studies – 14 Credits
Winter:
ES 101, CH 101, MTH 243, U Studies – 16 Credits
Spring:
ES Elective, BI 340, ES 314, J Strand – 12 Credits
Year 2
Fall:
ES 210, ES Elective, ES 360, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Winter:
ES 310, ES 423, ES 349, ES 327 – 17 Credits
Spring:
ES 330, ES Elective, ES Elective, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Year 3
Fall:
ES 494A, ES 386, ES 351, SOAN 420 – 15 Credits
Winter:
ES 494B, ES Elective, ES 421, ES 498 – 14 Credits
Spring:
ES 494C, ES Elective, ES Elective, ES Elective – 14 Credits
Four Year Plan
(Assuming no coursework transfers)
Year 1
Fall:
ES 100, ES 102, USEM 101, U Studies – 14 Credits
Winter:
ES 101, CH 101, USEM 102, U Studies – 16 Credits
Spring:
ES 103, USEM 103, MTH 243, U Studies – 16 Credits
Year 2
Fall:
U Studies ,ES 360, SOAN 420, ES 351 – 16 Credits
Winter:
ES 349, ES 327, ES 423, U Studies – 17 Credits
Spring:
BI 340, ES 314, ES Elective, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Year 3
Fall:
ES 210, MTH 243, ES Elective, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Winter:
ES 310, ES 421, ES Elective, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Spring:
ES 330, J Strand, ES Elective, ES Elective – 16 Credits
Year 4
Fall:
ES 494A, ES 386, ES Elective, ES Elective – 15 Credits
Winter:
ES 494B, ES 498, ES Elective, ES Elective – 14 Credits
Spring:
ES 494C, ES Elective, ES Elective, ES Elective – 14 Credits
Suggested Upper-Division Elective Courses
ES 309 – Principles of Meteorology
ES 315 – Hydrogeology
ES 353 – Oceanography
ES 379 – Biodiversity
ES 399 – Special Topics
ES 408 – Ecoadventure Series
ES 431 – Urban Watersheds
ES 433 – Soil Science
ES 435 – Water Resources
ES 439 – Land Use Planning
ES 440 – Planning Issues
ES 442 – Valuation of Ecosystem Goods & Services
ES 445 – Ecosystem Man & Conservation
ES 451 – Intro to GIS
ES 453 – Introduction to Remote Sensing
ES 475 – Environmental Modeling
ES 479 – Biosphere, Eco, & Global Env Change
ES 480 – Fire Ecology
ES 481 – Geomorphology
ES 483 – Restoration Ecology
BA 374 – Principles of Management
BA 411 – Sustainable Tourism
BA 430A – Grant Writing
BA 483 – Sustainability Leadership
BA 490 – Case Studies in Corporate Sustain.
HE 331 – Environmental Health
COMM 355 – Comm, Culture, and Conflict
COMM 448 – Mediation
COMM 455 –Conflict Management
PS 340 –Law, Science, & Env.
PS 393 –Oil, Politics, & Env.
EC 310 The Environment and Local Economy
EC 315 Environmental Economics
ENG 329 Grant Writing and Workplace Literacy
ENG 383 Environmental Writing
SOAN 311 –Community Studies
SOAN 355 –People and Forests
SOAN 425 –Food, Power, & Agriculture
SOAN 462 –Cultural Resource Management
SOAN 452 – Global Environ. Movements
BI 314 – Comparative Animal Physiology
BI 317 – Vertebrate Natural History
BI 330 – Plant Physiology
BI 341 – Genetics
BI 342 – Cell Biology
BI 346 – Biogeochemistry
BI 348 – Evolution
BI 386 – Forest Ecology & Management
BI 455 – Mammalogy
BI 433 – Plant Systematics
BI 434 – Plant Form and Function
BI 438 – Conservation Biology
BI 444 – Vascular Plant ID
BI 450 – Fish and Fisheries
BI 454 – Plant Ecology
BI 461 – Invertebrate Natural History
BI 466 – Biology of Insects
BI 470 – Herpetology
BI 471 – Ornithology
BI 475 – Aquatic Ecology
NAS 318 – Native North America
NAS 380 – Native American Ecological Knowledge
PH 306 – Sust.: Materials, Technology, Design
PH 308 – Energy & the Environment
PH 309 – Energy Alternatives
Degree Fit
Program Preparation
Students committed to understanding our natural and human environments, developing sustainability plans, or those interested in more effectively managing our natural resources.
Degree Roadmap
While completing an ES&P degree, students have the flexibility to specialize in nearly anything related to the natural or human environment, but all come out with a core set of analysis, mapping, and research skills.
Capstone
Through a Capstone project, ES&P students build a deep portfolio of the work completed during their time at SOU, demonstrating how they have fulfilled the ES&P degree requirements, and setting them up for a successful launch to their career after graduation.
Guided Pathways
Contact: Jamie Tramell – 541.552.6496 – trammelle@sou.edu
Career Outlook
Conservation Scientists & Foresters – Environmental Scientists & Specialists – Geographers
Associate Degree Paths
Similar Majors
Similar Minors & Certificates
Environmental Science & Policy, Minor – Sustainability, Minor – Certificate in Geospatial Science – Sustainability Leadership, Certificate
Similar Micro-Credentials
Community Planning – Environmental Research & Data Analysis – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Sustainable Food Systems
Sample Graduate Degrees
Environmental Education, Bard – Environmental Science, OSU – Geography, UNR
Credit for Prior Learning – Learn More
Contact Environmental Science
Environmental Science, Policy, and Sustainability Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6802
– Questions About Environmental Science? –