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Environmental Science (ENV)
Professor: Newman
Assistant Professor: McClelland, Rieck (Coordinator)
Lecturer: Kaunert
- Major: Environmental Science
- Courses required: 13 (B.A.), 16 (B.S.)
- Non-credit Colloquium: 4 semesters
- Capstone requirement: Practical Experience, Presentation in Colloquium
- Minor: Environmental Science
The interdisciplinary Environmental Science major may be applied to either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degrees. The program prepares students with the background necessary to obtain internships and employment with government agencies, educational institutions, research and conservation non-profit organizations, as well as graduate coursework in numerous interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability programs.
Students majoring in Environmental Science may not double major in Environmental Studies. Students with a minor in Environmental Science may not obtain a second minor in Environmental Studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Major Requirements
The B.A. Degree
To complete the major, students must complete BIO 110, 111, 224; ENV 200, 220; CHEM 122/123, 124/125, one course from CHEM 219, 222/223, or 232; three courses from Group 1 and two courses from Group 2.
Group 1: Natural Science electives (choose three):
- BIO 225 Plant Sciences
- BIO 325 Microbial Ecology
- BIO 328 Aquatic Biology
- BIO 329 Tropical Marine Biology
- BIO 334 Invertebrate Zoology
- BIO 336 Vertebrate Biology
- BIO 342 Animal Behavior
- BIO 436 Evolution
- ENV 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- ENV 445 Ecology and Environmental Research Methods
Group 2: Non-Natural Science electives (choose two with different prefixes):
- ANTH 103 Cultural Anthropology
- ANTH 232 Environmental Anthropology
- BUS 228 Marketing Principles
- BUS 300 Business and Society
- ECON 225 Environmental and Resource Economics
- ENGL 337 Environmental Literature
- HIST 200 Energy, Security, and Global Competition
- PHIL 130 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
- PHIL 333 Philosophy of Natural Science
- PSCI 260 Globalization and Sustainable Development
Juniors and seniors are required to successfully complete four semesters of BIO 349/449 (non-credit colloquium) and complete the capstone experiences described below. Enrollment in student teaching and/or other similar off-campus academic experiences will be accepted by the department in lieu of that semester’s colloquium requirement.
Seniors must also complete the capstone experiences described below.
The B.S. Degree
To earn the B.S. degree, Environmental Science majors must complete the major described above and pass three additional courses chosen in any combination from the following:
- BIO 222 or above
- CHEM 200 or above
- CPTR 125 or above
- ENV 215 or above
- MATH 127 or above
- PHYS 225 or above
Capstone Requirements
In order to graduate, all environmental science majors must demonstrate to the Department their command of environmental science by meeting the following two criteria:
- Practical Experience: All students must complete at least one of the experiences in the following list: Internship, Practicum, ENV 445, Relevant Summer Experience, Independent Studies, Honors, Teaching Semester, Environmental Science Laboratory Assistant, Environmental Science-related volunteer work (Summer experiences, environmental science-related volunteer work, or working as a lab assistant must be approved by the program coordinator in order to be used to meet this requirement).
- Research & Presentation Component: All junior and senior majors are required to successfully complete Biology Colloquia (BIO 349/449) during all their semesters on campus. Students will research an environmental science topic and make an oral presentation at the Biology Colloquium during their final year. This will demonstrate information literacy in the environmental sciences.
Minor Requirements
A minor in Environmental Science consists of BIO 110 or CHEM 122/123, BIO 111, ECON 225, ENV 200 and 220, and one additional BIO or ENV course numbered 215 or higher.
200
INTRODUCTION TO GEOLOGY
A broad summary of the physical nature of the Earth, including its internal structure, surface processes, and natural resources. Topics may include how processes such as weathering/erosion through forces such as wind, water, landslides, and glaciers shape the earth and how internal forces such as plate tectonics cause earthquakes and volcanoes. Four hours of lecture per week. Alternate years.
215
INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the science of linking data of various types to locations in order to explore spatial patterns and processes. While GIS applications can be used to create maps, this course focuses on tools for spatial analysis. The course covers basic approaches that use spatial data to identify locations and pathways in landscapes and to summarize characteristics of locations for basic and applied purposes. Students learn about the spatial and non-spatial data used in GIS analysis, how projections and coordinate systems affect analysis, and how to summarize spatial relationships. Many examples and topics stem from ecology and environmental science, but approaches include applications for students in public policy, anthropology, archaeology, and any discipline that requires analyses of spatial data. Four hours of lecture and three one-hour labs per week. Not recommended for first-year students.
220
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
This course provides an introduction to principles and concepts of contemporary environmental problems. The effects of human population on the earth’s resources are studied against a background of principles in ecology and sustainability. Course material includes topics such as availability of food, processing of solid waste, alternative energy, clean water, and green infrastructure. Four hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Biology majors may not substitute this course for BIO 110 or 111.
445
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH METHODS
Focuses on the principles, theories, and methods of research in the ecological and environmental sciences. Students meet three times per week to discuss research approaches, data management, experimental design, methodologies, and data analysis. Each student designs and conducts a field- or lab-based experiment that can be supervised by any member of the biology faculty. Each student prepares a research proposal, an oral presentation, a poster presentation, and a scholarly manuscript. Three one-hour seminars and six to eight hours of laboratory work per week.
470-479
INTERNSHIP
N80-N89
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Departmental studies are experimentally oriented and may entail either lab or field work.
490-491
INDEPENDENT STUDY FOR DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Assistant Professor: Rieck (Coordinator)
- Courses required for the Major: 12 (B.A. Degree)
- Capstone Requirement: ENV 445
- Minor: Environmental Studies
The interdisciplinary major in Environmental Studies is offered as a Bachelor of Arts degree. The program prepares students to holistically engage with environmental topics in multiple areas of society from law to media. Students will obtain the background necessary for internships and employment in non-profit organizations, educational institutions, conservation, and government agencies as well as graduate coursework in environmental disciplines such as environmental law or environmental policy. With classes in Biology, Environmental Science, English, Anthropology, Business, Political Science, Economics, and others, this broad, interdisciplinary program prepares students beyond the sciences to engage with the social aspect of environmental issues.
Students majoring in Environmental Studies may not double major in Environmental Science. Students with a minor in Environmental Studies may not obtain a second minor in Environmental Science.
Major Requirements
ANTH 232 Environmental Anthropology
BIO 224 Ecology
ENGL 337 Environmental Literature
ENV 220 Environmental Biology
ENV 445 Ecology and Environmental Research Methods
One course from the following:
BIO 201 Introduction to Birdwatching and Ornithology
BIO 225 Plant Sciences
BIO 325 Microbial Ecology
BIO 328 Aquatic Biology
BIO 329 Tropical Marine Biology
BIO 334 Invertebrate Zoology
BIO 336 Vertebrate Biology
BIO 342 Animal Behavior
BIO 436 Evolution
CHEM 102 Chemistry of Food and Cooking
CHEM 122/123 General Chemistry I
CHEM 124/125 General Chemistry II
CHEM 130 The Chemistry of Energy
CHEM 219 Organic and Biochemistry
CHEM 222/223 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 224/225 Organic Chemistry II
ENV 215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
ENV 200 Geology
Three courses from the following:
ARHI 342 Art and Politics in Latin America
ARHI 345 Art and Environment
ENGL 343 Global Literature
CRWR 320 Environmental Writing
PHIL 130 Introduction to Philosophy of Science
PHIL 228 Philosophy and the Environment
PHIL 333 Philosophy of Natural Science
HIST 200 Energy, Security, Global Comp
When the topic is relevant to environmental studies, the program will support an ASC appeal for HIST 245/345 as an elective in this category.
Three courses from the following:
ANTH 101 Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives
ANTH 102 Patterns in Prehistory
ANTH 103 Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 310 Food and Culture
BUS 228 Marketing Principles
BUS 300 Business and Society
ECON 225 Environmental and Resource Economics
Capstone Requirements
To graduate, all Environmental Studies majors must demonstrate their command of environmental studies by successfully completing ENV 445, including a presentation of their work at an appropriate forum to be determined by each student’s advisors and the members of the Environmental Studies program.
Minor Requirements
A minor in Environmental Studies requires ANTH 232, BIO 224, ENGL 337, ENV 220, and one additional course that counts toward the Environmental Studies major.