Courses
Below are the core Environmental Studies courses.
Browse the to see a list of current courses (offered within 3 years) that apply toward the Environmental Studies program.
ENV 200 - Introduction to Environmental Studies Research Methods
This course is designed to provide an introduction to environmental studies research methods and design, including widely used techniques in natural and social sciences. Specific topics include spatial analysis, statistical modeling, document coding, case study, and archival research; students will also learn about and practice field study design and oral and visual data presentation. This course is designed for first- and second-year students.
ENV 300 - Junior Seminar
This is a project-based course for ES majors that gives students an opportunity to experience and practice the way environmental themes can be analyzed from interdisciplinary perspectives by working on a stakeholder-identified environmental problem related to climate change.
ENV 470 - Thesis
Examples of ES300 Class Projects
- Bringing Negawatts Home: a weatherization program proposal for the Portland Climate Action Plan (2013)
- Biomass to Boardman: a feasibility assessment of replacing coal with agricultural waste (2014)
- Reed College Climate Impact Assessment: reducing Reed's carbon footprint, one watt at a time (2015)
- Vulnerability and Climate Change Adaptation Planning: Heat and Floods in Portland, Oregon (2017)
- Green Infrastructure Distribution in Portland, Oregon (2018)
- A Two-Part Investigation: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Portland's Urban Forests (2019)
2017 fieldtrip to the Boardman power plant and wind energy farms.