Undergraduate Programs

Why Study ENVS?

The Environmental Studies department is home to two majors and three minors across the disciplines. We offer a customizable course plan as well as multiple experiential learning experiences. Our students graduate from our program prepared for meaningful work in the environmental job sector, aiming to make a difference in the world. 

Incorporating faculty from over 30 departments, our programs offer a strong interdisciplinary curriculum and integrates the perspectives of the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, design fields and education, employing a variety of lenses to understand the environmental issues in front of us.


Major in Environmental Studies

We offer an Environmental Studies major as well as an Environmental Science major. Our majors are customizable, allowing students to tailor their coursework to meet specific education and career goals. Students have the option to concentrate on focus areas of their choosing as well as to select from a variety of courses across the disciplines, offering students a robust, well-rounded educational experience.



Students working in the field

Minor Overview

We offer two minors: Environmental Studies, and Environmental Humanities. Environmental Studies is strongly interdisciplinary, with a particular focus in social sciences, policy studies, environmental design, and the humanities. Environmental Humanities focuses on ways humanities disciplines and the arts can contribute to understandings of environmental change, ethics and policy, justice and sustainable futures.

Minor Requirements


Honors or Certificate

Honors or Certificate

Students are encouraged to participate in the Environmental Studies Honors Program. Writing the senior thesis provides an opportunity to develop students’ research and writing skills and is excellent preparation for future professional positions and graduate studies. Learn more about the honors requirements below.

Graduating with Honors


Students surveying plant species in field

Experiential Learning

Our experiential learning programs offer students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting, equipping them with the necessary skills to step into a career after graduation. The Environmental Leadership program matches student teams with non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and businesses to address local environmental needs. Our internships help students connect their academic studies to practical applications by offering academic credit for environmentally focused work experience.

Experiential Learning


Undergrad student measuring circumference of tree

What can you do with an Environmental Studies degree?

Our interdisciplinary majors prepare students for a wide variety of career paths. Graduates of our majors hold positions in government agencies, the nonprofit sector, and private business. From laboratory assistants, data analysts, environmental consultants, science teachers or restoration technicians, our alumni can be found across a wide variety of sectors.

Explore Careers


environmental leaders students on bridge

Environmental Leaders Community

If you’re interested in tackling complex environmental problems, the Environmental Leaders Academic Residential Community is for you. Enthusiasm and curiosity are the only requirements. This community welcomes students from any academic track, regardless of existing environmental knowledge.

Environmental Leaders ARC


Advising and Academic Support

The Environmental Studies Program has multiple undergraduate coordinators available to meet with students and map out successful graduation plans. Coordinators can walk through the unique program opportunities across the UO and connect current students to resources like Tykeson Advising and potential ENVS faculty research advisors.

Departmental Advising and Support


Scholarships and Awards

The University of Oregon offers multiple opportunities for undergraduate funding. Explore the environmentally related awards and scholarship opportunities as well as other financial aid opportunities below.

Explore Scholarships and Awards


Events

How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair
Oct14
How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair Oct 14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop
Oct14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics”
Oct14
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics” Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?"
Oct14
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?" Oct 14 Whirled Pies Downtown
Department of History Coffee Hour
Oct15
Department of History Coffee Hour Oct 15 McKenzie Hall
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Oct15
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Oct 15 Susan Campbell Hall
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars
Oct15
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars Oct 15 William W. Knight Law Center
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE)
Oct15
How to Be Ready for the Graduate Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event (GSPIRE) Oct 15
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair
Oct16
The BIG 10+ Academia Career Fair Oct 16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches)
Oct16
Resume Extravaganza! (Drop-In Resume Reviews with Career Coaches & Peer Coaches) Oct 16 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall