Undergraduate
Level Courses:
ESR 101
Environmental Sciences I (4)
Introduction to the study of the environment and sustainability with a focus on natural processes. Topics will include physical processes and concepts related to air, water, and land as well as ecological processes and concepts including ecosystems, communities, biodiversity, population dynamics, agriculture, and conservation ecology. One two-hour laboratory. The laboratory projects will focus on urban streams, ecosystems of the Portland metropolitan region, and environmental impacts of land use.
ESR 102
Environmental Science II (4)
Introduction to the analytical study of the interaction between humans and the environment. This term will focus on issues of environmental degradation. Topics will include human population growth, pollution of the air and water, energy resource use, and social and economic basis for sustainability. One 2-hour laboratory. The laboratory projects will focus on impact of population growth, pollution, and resource conservation.
ESR 199
Special Studies (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 220
Introduction to Environmental Systems (4)
Introduction to the structure and function of terrestrial, aquatic,
and atmospheric systems, including the human actions that affect them.
Includes a lab section that introduces basic quantitative techniques
for collecting and analyzing data from environmental systems; 2 lecture
periods, one 3-hour lab. Recommended prerequisite:
ESR 221
Applied Environmental Studies: Problem Solving (4)
Environmental sampling, Sampling design, and measurement. Recommended
prerequisites: ESR 220; Stat 243.
ESR 222
Applied Environmental Studies: Policy Considerations (4)
Introduction to environmental laws and the regulations promulgated
under them. Includes an examination of the genesis of these laws (e.g.,
NEPA, Clean Air and Water Acts, RCRA, Endangered Species Act) and their
history of compliance and violation. ecommended prerequisite: ESR 220
and 221.
* ESR 223
Applied Environmental Studies: Project (4)
Project work involving work with an environmental agency, industry,
service, or research organization. Recommended prerequisite: ESR 222.
ESR 320
Analysis of Environmental Systems I (4)
Structure and function of environmental systems, with an emphasis
on physical processes and environmental system dynamics. Includes a
laboratory section using quantitative techniques for conceptualizing
and analyzing environmental processes; 3 hours lecture, one 3-hour lab.
Recommended prerequisites: Mth 241 or 251, and four credits each in
biology, chemistry, and physics
or geology.
ESR 321
Analysis of Environmental Systems II (4)
Introduction to the structure and function of environmental systems
with an emphasis on ecological processes and human impacts. Includes
a laboratory focusing on the use of quantitative techniques for whole
system analysis; 3 hours lecture, one 3-hour lab. Recommended prerequisite:
ESR 320.
ESR 322
Environmental Risk Assessment (4)
Overview of risk assessment applied to environmental problems, including
the impact assessment process, application of cost-benefit
analysis, hazard identification, risk characterization, risk assessment,
and risk management. Recommended prerequisites: Ec 201, ESR 201, ESR
321.
ESR 323
Environmental Systems Laboratory I (2)
Laboratory work to accompany Environmental Systems I (ESR 320).
One 4-hour laboratory period. Requires concurrent enrollment in ESR
320.
ESR 324
Environmental Systems Laboratory II (2)
Laboratory work to accompany Environmental Systems II (ESR 321).
One 4-hour laboratory period. Requires concurrent enrollment in ESR
321.
ESR 325
Environmental Risk Assessment Lab (2)
Provides an overview of the main techniques used for environmental
risk assessment. Emphasis is on laboratory acute and chronic toxicity
tests and field biological stream assessment. Recommended prerequisites:
ESR 321, 322, 324.
ESR 330
Environmental and Ecological Literacy (4)
Introduces a broad range of thought about ecology and the environment, including supporters and critics such as Aldo Leopold, David Orr, Bjorn Lomborg, E.O. Wilson and Thomas Berry. Address the idea of ecological literacy as a key aspect in education and understanding the environment.
ESR 340
Research methods in Environmental Science (4)
Integrates quantitative skills into environmental research. This course introduces research methods commonly used in environmental studies with emphasis on environmental study designs, data analyses, and data interpretations.
ESR 342
Field Methods (2)
Presents crucial safety, field and research skills for environmental research. Presents different skill sets for different types of field work for example in lakes, wetlands, forests or marine environments. Students may count two sections of this class toward an Environmental Science or Environmental Studies major.
ESR 335
Introduction to Environmental Management (4)
Course will focus on environmental project management. Survey of agencies and entities that currently do management and under what authority. Introduction to general theory of environmental management and strategies that are being used. Case studies of local management project and issues.
ESR 355
Understanding Environmental Sustainability I (4)
Emphasizing sustainability, study of the scientific and ecological
principles that govern human interactions with the physical and biological
systems of the earth. Topics will include ecosystem properties, earth
system properties, human population dynamics, and the roles of technological
and ethical decisions. Not intended for science majors.
ESR 356
Understanding Environmental Sustainability II (4)
Introduction to the concepts and principles necessary to understand
the complex relationship between humans and environmental sustainability.
Topics will include energy and pollution as well as biodiversity and
land use. Not intended for science majors.
ESR 399
Special Studies (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 401
Research (Credit to be arranged.)
Consent of instructor and program director.
ESR 404
Cooperative Education/Internship (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 405
Reading and Conference (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 407
Environmental Seminar (1)
Weekly seminar series involving student-led discussion of topical
environmental issues. May be repeated for up to 3 credits.
ESR 410
Selected Topics (Credit to be arranged.)
Consent of instructor.
ESR 450
Case Studies in Environmental Problem Solving (6)
Evaluation of selected cases of environmental problems, including
field studies and project work with government and private agencies.
Recommended prerequisites: ESR 320, 321, 322.
Graduate/Undergraduate
Level Courses:
ESR 420/520
Ecological Toxicology (4)
Effects of environmental contaminants at the individual, population,
and ecosystem level. Topics will include toxicity test methods, environmental
fate of contaminants, and the physiological and ecological effects of
selected heavy metals, chlorinated organics, and pesticides.
ESR 424/524
Wetland Ecology (4)
Structure and function of wetland ecosystems, with an emphasis on
the diversity of regional wetland systems. Topics also include wetland
soils, plants, and hydrologic setting and requirements for wetland delineation.
ESR 425/525
Watershed Hydrology (4)
Study of the movement and storage of water in watersheds, emphasizing
physical processes.
Includes systems analysis of watersheds, precipitation, snowmelt, infiltration,
evapotranspiration, groundwater flow, streamflow generation, open channel
flow, hydrograph analysis and an introduction to watershed hydrologic
modeling. Recommended prerequisites: Mth 252, Ph 201, Stat 244; ESR
320.
ESR 426/526
Ecology of Streams and Rivers (4)
Evaluation of streams and rivers from an ecosystem perspective,
including stream development, biological communities, ecological processes,
and methods of assessment as applied to evaluation of common environmental
problems.
ESR 427/527
Watershed Biogeochemistry (4)
Study of the chemistry of watershed-based eco-systems, emphasizing
physical and biological processes. Mechanisms of atmospheric input;
rock weathering and soil development; physical and biological controls
on the storage and flux of minerals, carbon, and nutrients in terrestrial
ecosystems; and impacts of management on bio-geochemical processes in
watershed-based eco-systems.
Recommended prerequisites: Bi 253, Ch 223, ESR 320, Mth 252.
ESR 428/528
Urban Ecology (4)
Study of ecological processes in urban environments. Emphasis on
responses of flora and fauna to changes in climate, hydrology, geomorphology,
geochemistry, soils and available habitat in urban areas. Includes issues
of species conservation, ecosystem management and sustainability in
urban systems. Recommended prerequisite: an undergraduate biology course
or permission
of instructor.
ESR 429/529
Environmental Impact Assessment (4)
Environmental assessments and impact assessment techniques; regulatory
and technical requirements of impact assessment. The
National Environmental Policy Act, its implementation, implications
and uses.
ESR 433/533
Natural Resource Economics (4)
An examination of the economic concepts and theories for analyzing
natural resource use and related environmental pollution, including
the economics of sustainability. Discussion of renewable and nonrenewable
natural resource issues in the Pacific Northwest and policy alternatives.
Recommended prerequisite: Ec 201. This course is the same as Ec 433/533;
course may be taken only once for credit.
ESR 434/534
Business Environmental Management Economics (4)
Examines the economic costs and benefits that affect the decisions
of business firms to develop integrated environmental management systems.
Analysis of policy options to foster business environmental management
for public goods. Case studies of selected firms. Recommended prerequisite:
Ec 201. This course is the same as Ec 434/534; course may be taken only
once for credit.
ESR 443/543
Global Environmental Economics (4)
An examination of the economic forces and theories to understand
the causes of global environ-mental problems, and to evaluate policy
options to remedy serious problems. Analyses of the economic effects
of global environmental agreements and the environmental effects of
trade and global commerce in developed and developing countries. This
course is the same as Ec 443/
543; course may be taken only once for credit.
ESR 445/545
Old-growth Forest Ecology (4)
Exploration of the ecological characteristics of west-side old-growth
forests, including their outstanding biodiversity. Landscape level aspects
of forest ecosystems, including the role of fire; plus the use of basic
forestry measurements to contrast old-growth, second-growth, and plantation
stands of trees. Emphasizing field study, this eight-day course is based
at an off-campus location
for easy access to forest ecosystems. Field site costs in addition to
tuition. Recommended prerequisite: upper-division or graduate standing
required and an undergraduate sequence in biology.
ESR 460/560
Air Quality (4)
An overview of urban air quality issues facing cities in the US and globally. Examine effects of air pollution on public health and environment, as well as technologies and regulatory practices. Review pollution measurement and modeling techniques.
ESR 471/571
Atmospheric Physics (4)
Cycles of trace gases in the Earth's atmosphere and their role in
the environment. Emission, dispersal, and removal of natural and man-made
trace constituents in the atmosphere that determine the Earth's climate
and stratospheric ozone layer. Prerequisites: one year each of calculus
and calculus-based physics. Recommended: introductory course in differential
equations. This course is the same as Ph 471/571, may only be taken
once for credit.
ESR 473/573
Phytoplankton Ecology (4)
Examination of photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, regulation and cell
growth processes in the con-text of algal growth in natural waters.
Recommended prerequisites: Bi 251; ESR 321 or Bi 357.
ESR 474/574
Biodiversity of Oregon’s Wetland Plants (4)
Introduces and defines the characteristics of wetlands. Focusing on a range of wetland communities (emergent marsh, prairie, forested wetland, bog and others) and the ecology and taxonomy of plants associated with those communities. The course will feature field-based identification of plants in comparison to preserved specimens.
* ESR 475/575
Limnology and Aquatic Ecology (4)
Kinds, origins, and ecological features and dynamics of freshwater
environments. Recommended prerequisite: Ch 223.
ESR 477/577
Limnology Laboratory (2)
Techniques in field and laboratory analysis of freshwater systems.
Recommended pre- or co-requisite: ESR 475/575.
ESR 478/578
Aquatic Vascular Plants (4)
Classification, biology, ecology, and management of aquatic vascular
plants. Course will focus on
freshwater systems and include a laboratory featuring field identification
and laboratory experimentation. Recommended prerequisite:
Bi 357.
ESR 479/579
Fate and Transport of Toxics in the Environment (4)
Chemical, physical, and biological principles that govern the behavior
of toxic materials such as heavy metals and synthetic organic com-pounds
in the environment. Course emphasizes practical ways to represent chemical
processes in models of pollutant behavior. Topics include: adsorption
of pollutants on soils and sediments; transport across sediment-water
and air-water interfaces; bioamplification of pollutants; multiphase
fugacity models of organics; case studies of contaminated surface water,
sediment and
groundwater. Recommended prerequisite: senior or graduate standing.
This course is the same as CE 479/579; course may be taken only once
for credit.
ESR480/580
Coastal Marine Ecology (4)
Introduces the relationships between marine species and their environment, intra- and inter-specific interactions, and factors structuring marine communities. Community structure and distribution presented in the context of both oceanography and coastal zone ecology. Marine conservation issues, including fisheries, addressed. A field trip is required.
ESR 483/583
Marine Conservation and Management (4)
This course will be divided into three sections. We will begin by discussing the state of the oceans, and ecological differences between marine and terrestrial/aquatic systems. The second part of the course will discuss the major threats to ocean systems. The third part of the course will focus on solutions in terms of protected areas, management and policy strategies, and various aspects of the human dimension.
ESR485/585
Ecology and Management of Bio-Invasions (4)
Invasive, or nonindigenous, species present us with global ecological and economic problems and have been ranked as second only to habitat destruction as a threat to our natural areas and native species. These invasive species are a concern because they restructure ecosystems, affect the evolutionary trajectory of native species, lead to the extinction of species, and impact local industries.
ESR 501
Research (Credit to be arranged.)
Consent of instructor and program director.
ESR 503
Thesis (Credit to be arranged.)
All aspects of research and thesis writing for master's students.
ESR 504
Cooperative Education/Internship (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 505
Reading and Conference (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 506
Special Projects (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 507
Seminar (1)
Weekly seminar series on topical environmental issues. May be repeated
for up to 3 credits.
ESR 509
Practicum (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 510
Selected Topics (Credit to be arranged.)
Consent of instructor.
ESR 549
Applied Environmental Statistics (4)
Analysis of environmental data (mostly observational data) and the
presentation of data and results using graphics. Statistical estimation
and testing (including nonparametric procedures), analysis of variance,
linear models, tree-based models, nonparametric regression models, and
Bayesian decision making.
ESR 567 (formerly ESR 550)
Multivariate Analysis of Environmental Data (4)
Biological and environmental data are usually complex, consisting
of many observations and variables. This course provides an overview
of the main techniques of multivariate data analysis that are relevant
and useful in ecology and environmental sciences. Emphasis is on ordination
and cluster analysis. Prerequisite: one college-level statistics course.
ESR 570
Environmental Education (3)
Overview of the purpose and scope of environmental education. Provides
an educational framework and examples of the variety of sites where
environmental education is practiced. Specific examples of teaching
strategies, materials, and methods will be presented. Students will
be expected to carry out a site-based project utilizing some of the
materials developed in class.
ESR 588
Environmental Sustainability (4)
Sustainability in natural and human-influenced ecosystems, with a focus on processes of regeneration, maturity, collapse and renewal. Topic areas include natural provisioning of ecosystem services, processes of change in ecological systems, interactions among ecological and social systems, economic valuation of ecosystem services, and ecosystem management.
The Environmental Sciences and Resources Doctoral
Program consists of graduate courses available through the Departments
of Biology, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Geology, and Physics that
are approved by the student's advisory committee.
ESR 601
Research (Credit to be arranged.)
Research that is not normally part of the thesis.
ESR 603
Dissertation (Credit to be arranged.)
All aspects of thesis including thesis research and writing the
dissertation.
ESR 604
Cooperative Education/Internship (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 605
Reading and Conference (Credit to be arranged.)
Scholarly examination of literature including discussion between
student and professor.
ESR 607
Seminar (1)
Environmental Sciences Seminar. Consent of instructor. Pass/no pass
only.
ESR 610
Selected Topics (Credit to be arranged.)
ESR 620, 621, 622
Environmental Science (3, 3, 3)
A course in fundamental aspects of science and technology as they
relate to environmental problems. Primarily for students in the graduate
program in Environmental Sciences and Resources. Prerequisites: graduate
standing in science; major's level introductory courses in biology,
chemistry, civil engineering, geology, and physics, or equivalent.
