Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences (PEPS) is a multidisciplinary science that promotes the understanding of complex agricultural and urban problems created in the global ecosystem.

Students receive interdisciplinary exposure to entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and environmental science, and can focus on one of these areas in their upper division studies. This holistic program is developed so each student has the opportunity to learn pest management, crop protection, biotechnological approaches, environmental regulations, economics, toxicology, and rural and urban sociology as these relate to their focus areas.

The instructional program is structured to achieve the following student learning outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate growth in the ability to analyze and communicate an environmental issue
2. Students will recognize and be able to explain the biology of at least 10 insect orders
3. Students will recognize and be able to describe biology and management methods for at least five significant plant pathogens in each category: fungi, viruses, bacteria, nematodes
4. Students will be able to describe the biology and damage of at least 5 invasive insects, pathogens, or plants (weeds), and explain the limitations and implications of control strategies
5. Students will be able to explain and provide examples of economic injury level and threshold based pest management options
6. Students will demonstrate ability to apply skills learned to a real world situation or employment experience and effectively describe the experience
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate the results of self analysis and critical thinking

Requirements
(128 credit hours)

PEPS offers a flexible and individualized degree program that allows students to select among several different options to fulfill university core requirements. In accord with their own particular interests and in consultation with their advisor, students also choose from a variety of departmental courses and general electives. PEPS 499 (Independent Research) is a unique requirement that provides students with the opportunity to work individually with faculty members throughout their program.

• BIOL 171, 171L, 172, 172L;
  or BIOL 102, 102L, 103, 103L;
  or BIOL 102, 102L, 123, 123L;
  or BIOL 102, 102L, 124, 124L
• CHEM 161, 161L, 162, 162L
• SP 151
• ENG 100
• HIST 151, 152
• TPSS 200
• NREM 310
• PEPS 363, 405, and 495;
  one course numbered from 200 to 399;
  6 credits of 499;
  15 credit hours of courses numbered from 400 to 499
• A total of 29 additional credit hours of approved electives based upon students' academic interests
• Additional credit hours as necessary to meet UH Manoa general education requirements
• Hawaiian / Second Language Requirement: Undergraduate students in PEPS, in consultation with their undergraduate advisor, will be asked to select one of the following three options:

  • Option 1: Show proficiency in a Hawaiian / Second Language at the 202 level.
  • Option 2: Show proficiency in a Hawaiian / Second Language at the 102 level, and take one additional 3-credit semester course in the Social Sciences and one additional 3 or 4-credit semester course in Natural Sciences.
  • Option 3: Take two additional 3-credit semester courses in Social Sciences and two additional 3 or 4-credit semester courses in Natural Sciences. One of the courses in the Natural Sciences must include a laboratory.

  The Social Science and Natural Science courses chosen can be any 100 or 200 level course offered at Manoa in those areas.

Prospective majors should consult with the department to design an appropriate curriculum tailored to their interests.