Business, government, nonprofit and community leaders need to be prepared to effectively address complex social, environmental and economic issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequities, water and food scarcity. The Sustainability Double degree was designed to complement all OSU degree programs and is to be earned as a second Bachelor’s degree in addition to a major area of study.

This is one of the natural resources professions important to the social, economic and political development of Oregon, the nation and the world. It is based upon ecological principles and is concerned with the restoration, improvement, conservation and use of rangelands. Concepts of integrated land use are included in the curriculum. The program includes a balance among soil, domestic animal, wildlife, ecology and other biological sciences.

A student studying horticulture will be uniquely prepared to work in diverse fields of the plant sciences, ecological landscapes, sustainable food and farming systems, and pest biology and management. Depending on your focus, you'll gain experience managing turf, applying cutting-edge viticulture techniques, or selecting new varieties.

Food science and technology involves the chemistry and engineering to deliver safe, convenient food products from the farm to the market. The program integrates principles and concepts in the physical, biological, and engineering sciences, and applies them to the scientific and technological aspects of food processing. The role of the food scientist is to successfully integrate these disciplines to assure an abundant, high quality, and nutritious food supply.

Students will cover the educational foundation of fish and wildlife conservation, and specializations provide the student with an opportunity to build a curriculum to meet specific goals. Sample specializations include forest wildlife management, stream ecology, fish and wildlife law enforcement, marine fisheries, aquaculture, conservation education and extension, fisheries business, human dimensions of resource management, conservative biology and many others.

Students majoring in Environmental Economics and Policy develop skills in agricultural economics, resource economics, economic development, marine economics, international agricultural trade and related fields. This program provides flexibility to meet a wide variety of educational and career goals, including policy specialist, economic analyst, land use planning and law school preparation.

As an undergraduate, you'll have many chances for hands-on learning. Research opportunities for students include projects in breeding plants for food, oil and other uses, the science behind soil health, small farm operations and more. Student internships and club activities will help you hone your leadership skills, positioning you for an exciting career in agronomy, soil science, or plant breeding.

Plant scientists in the 21st Century will be called upon to provide information useful for producing food, fiber, and medicine for an increasing population, and for increasing our understanding of the diversity of plant and ecological systems and their interactions with humans. Students studying botany and plant pathology at OSU receive the basic science background necessary for such contributions, and may choose to focus in a particular area within plant science.

Bioresource research students acquire research experience and broadly based knowledge in interdisciplinary fields of agricultural, environmental, food, health, and forest sciences. Many become industrial or academic research professionals in science, while others will enter graduate and professional schools in the life sciences or become secondary school science teachers.

Program provides up-to-date information on methods of rearing domestic livestock, poultry, and horses, and producing meat, milk, eggs, wool, and other animal products. Students also develop an appreciation of the applied scientific disciplines of Nutrition, Physiology, Genetics, and Behavior and how they relate to livestock and domestic animal management and production. In addition, students can prepare for advanced studies in animal sciences, veterinary medicine and education.