Environmental Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree program with a solid base in biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and calculus, upper division courses in natural environmental systems (atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere), and humans and the environment (economics, ethics, human environment, law and policy, and management).  In addition to this core, all students select from among 10 specializations.  For a marine focus, the most appropriate options are:

Aquatic Biology Option

The Aquatic Biology option in Environmental Sciences draws on Oregon State’s rich faculty and course resources across the Colleges of Science, Agricultural Sciences, and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. Within these three colleges, courses in the option focus on ecology in fresh, estuarine, and marine (saltwater) environments. They also include opportunities for in-depth study of plants, invertebrates, insects, fish, and mammals of aquatic environments. In addition, students can also study at the Hatfield Marine Center in Newport. For more information, see the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences' website.

Applied Ecology option

The Applied Ecology option in Environmental Sciences builds on the broad natural and social sciences base of the degree program with a focus on ecological studies, field methods, and geographic methods. Students may select marine-oriented topics and courses within the broader applied ecology context. 

For more information, contact the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences undergraduate student services office.