Sustainability at OSU

Undergraduate Programs

OSU offers offer many sustainability-focused undergraduate level programs. The programs below are just a sample!

Food Science and Sustainable Technologies Major

• From post-harvest to post-consumption, our food manufacturing systems are complex. It follows that the challenges and opportunities to change these systems to be sustainable are also complex. Food Science is the application of science and engineering principles to the design, analysis, processing, packaging, production, preparation, evaluation and storage of foods, food ingredients, and beverages.  OSU Food Science & Technology believes it has the responsibility and the opportunity to be a leader in evolving our food systems to better incorporate sustainable practices and technologies. Join us in crafting the sustainable future of food.

Ecological Engineering Major

• Biological and Ecological Engineering is the application of engineering and life-science principles and problem-solving techniques to the optimum use and sustainability of biological resources. The curriculum is engineering-based with strong emphasis on the life sciences. With undergraduate and graduate options, it brings the insights from biology and the methods of engineering together to provide the products and tools of the future.

Environmental Science Major

• Environmental sciences are central to the mission of Oregon State University - a university with extensive programs related to the environment and wide use of natural resources. OSU is only one of two U.S. universities recognized as a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant institution. OSU has exceptional strength in many of the disciplines that are required to provide a high-quality interdisciplinary education for future environmental scientists and to provide continuing post-graduate education to scientists who are already active in the field.

Natural Resources Major

• The Natural Resources (NR) Bachelor of Science degree program provides students with a detailed working knowledge of natural resources, their diversity and interdependence, and the critical relationships between humans and their environment. The program of study is interdisciplinary in nature, encompassing a broad spectrum of coursework, while mixing natural resources disciplines from colleges across campus, to include the Colleges of Agricultural Science, Forestry, Liberal Arts, and Science. Because of its flexibility, this program provides students the opportunity to combine areas of particular personal and/or professional interest, maximizing exposure to key natural resources issues and challenges.

Bioenergy Minor

• The new research-based interdisciplinary Bioenergy Minor provides an introduction to bioenergy concepts and issues, and a significant research experience. 

Environmental and Occupational Health Minor | Accelerated MPH Program

• The Environmental and Occupation Health minor can provide an accelerated path to a Master of Public Health degree. With this accelerated route, undergraduate students can take up to 12 graduate credits that count toward the EOH minor and a MPH. Course topics include environmental law, public health toxicology, emergency and disaster management, and applied ergonomics. These courses teach students the environmental and occupational related human health impacts and needed mitigation strategies with an emphasis on sustainability and just practices. 

Renewable Materials Minor 

• The renewable materials minor exposes students to the world of renewable materials science and technology, and enables them to enhance their education by gaining a specialization that makes them more competitive for careers associated with green materials and allied industries.

Sustainable Agroforestry Minor (within Natural Resources major)

• The student pursuing this option will develop skills and knowledge necessary to design and manage integrated sustainable land management systems involving co-production of woody plants and agricultural plants and animals.