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Exploratory Courses

Below is a list of courses which can help you to explore the different academic majors available at Portland State. Please refer to the  or the specific department's website for course descriptions and a full list of major requirements. Courses with an asterisk (*) have pre-requisites as noted in the Bulletin.

List of exploratory courses at PSU
MajorCourse(s)
AnthropologyANTH 101 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTH 102 - Introduction to Archaeology
ANTH 103 - Introduction to Social/Cultural Anthropology
Applied Health & FitnessPHE 250 - Our Community/Our Health
PHE 270 - Basic Biomechanics
Applied Linguistics (BA only)LING 232 - Language and Society 
LING 233 - Language and Mind
LING 390 - Intro to Linguistics (sophomore level and above)
ArchitectureARCH 100 - Intro to Architecture
ARCH 101 - Intro to Environmental Design
Art HistoryARH 106 - Intro to Visual Literacy (2 credits)
ARH 204, 205, or 206 - History of Western Art
Art Practice ART 131 - Intro to Drawing
Arts & LettersAny 100 or 200 level course from an Arts & Letters subject
BiologyBI 211 - Principles of Biology*
Biomedical Informatics (BS only; 5 year dual degreeCS 161 - Intro to Computer Science*
Black StudiesBST 202 - Intro to Black Studies
Business (all Business concentrations)BA 101Z - Intro to Business 
Chemistry or BiochemistryCH 221/227 - General Chemistry*
Child, Youth & Family StudiesCYFS 101 - Intro to Child & Family Studies (2 credits)
UNST 228 - Family Studies
Civil & Environmental Engineering (BS only)CE 111 - Intro to Civil & Environmental Engineering
CommunicationAny 100 or 200 level Communication course
Community DevelopmentUNST 220 - Community Studies
USP 300U - Intro to Urban Studies (sophomore level and above)
Computer Engineering (BS only)ECE 171 - Digital Circuits*
Computer Science (BS only)CS 161 or 162 - Intro to Computer Science*
Conflict ResolutionCR 301 - Intro to Conflict Resolution (sophomore level and above)
Creative Writing (BFA only)WR 212 - Intro to Fiction Writing OR
WR 213 - Intro to Poetry Writing OR
WR 214 - Beginning Non-Fiction Writing
Criminology & Criminal JusticeCCJ 200 - Criminology & Criminal Justice
CCJ 230 - Policing in America
CCJ 240 - Punishment & Corrections
Earth ScienceG 201/204, 202/205 - Geology and Geology Lab
EconomicsEC 201, 202 - Principles of Economics
Electrical Engineering (BS only)ECE 101 - Exploring Electrical Engineering
EnglishAny 100 or 200 level English course
Environmental Engineering (BS only)CE 111 Intro to Civil & Environmental Engineering
Environmental Studies/ScienceESM 150 - Orientation to Environmental Sciences & Management
ESM 220 - Intro to Environmental Systems
FilmFILM 130 - Intro to Digital Filmmaking for Non-Majors
GeographyGEOG 210 - Physical Geography
GEOG 230 - Environment & Society
GeologyG 201/204 or 202/205 - Geology and Geology Lab
HistoryAny 100 or 200 level History course
Indigenous Nations & Native American StudiesNAS 201 - Intro to Native American Studies
International & Global Studies (BA only)INTL 201 - Intro to International Studies
Judaic Studies (BA only)JST 201 - Intro to Judaism
MathematicsMATH 251 - Calculus I (or based on math placement)
Mechanical Engineering (BS only)ME 120 - Introduction to Engineering*
Music (BA, BS, BM)MUS 101, 102, 103 - Contemporary Music Theory
MUS 111 - Music Theory &  MUS 114 - Sight-Singing/Ear Training
PhysicsPH 201/204 - General Physics* or
PH 211/214 - Gen. Physics with Calculus*
Political SciencePS 101 - United States Government or PS 102 United States Politics
PS 204 - Intro to Comparative Politics
PS 205 - Intro to International Relations
PS 208 - Intro to Political Theory
PsychologyPSY 201Z Intro to Psych I - (formerly called PSY 200 - Psychology as a Natural Science)
PSY 202Z Intro to Psych II - (formerly called PSY 204 - Psychology as a Social Science)
Public Health Studies (all concentrations)PHE 250 - Our Community: Our Health
PHE 295 - Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
ScienceAny 100 or 200 level Science course
Sexuality, Gender & Queer StudiesUNST 231 - Gender & Sexualities OR
WS 332U - Race, Class, Gender & Sexuality
Social ScienceAny 100 or 200 level Social Science course
Social WorkPSY 201Z Intro to Psych I - (formerly called PSY 200 - Psychology as a Natural Science)
PSY 202Z Intro to Psych II - (formerly called PSY 204 - Psychology as a Social Science)
SOC 200 - Intro to Sociology
SW 301U - Intro to Social Work (sophomore level and above)
SociologySOC 200 - Intro to Sociology
Special EducationSPED 418 - Survey of Exceptional Learner (sophomore level and above)
Speech & Hearing SciencesSPHR 222 - Intro to Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences    
Theater ArtsTA 102 - Intro to Acting
TA 144 - Voice for the Actor
Urban & Public AffairsUPA 103 - Pathways to Success
UPA 335 - World Changing Jobs
Any 100 or 200 level course in CCJ, EC, PS
Women's StudiesWS 101 - Intro to Women's Studies
World Languages & Literatures (BA only)May depend on prior knowledge; student with prior knowledge should take a placement test prior to selecting a course - those without prior knowledge should choose 101 of language of interest