Course Listings

Environmental and Earth Sciences: Environmental Science

ENVR 105 Introduction to Environmental Science (1)

An introduction to environmental science designed to promote an understanding of the effect of human actions on the natural world. Topics include human impacts on atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems; human population dynamics; environmental perceptions and ethics; and the concept of sustainability. Lectures, discussion, films, readings.

• Offering: Every semester
• Instructor: Arabas, Eilers, Pike

ENVR 326 (TH) Environmental History (1)

This course will give students a general introduction to environmental history, using a wide range of sources including history textbooks, popular writing about nature and the environment, nature documentaries, and the landscape. The course will challenge students to think critically about the study of history, how history articulates ongoing human efforts to understand and control nature, and how history investigates current debates about the environment. Topics include: deforestation and the development of the agrarian landscape in Western Europe; European colonization and the effect of European contact on native populations in North America; industrialization and the use and development of natural resources; the definitions, planning, and management of public spaces such as national parks, game lands and zoos; establishment of environmental standards; the emergence of conservation ecology; "green" politics and ecofeminism.

Mode of Inquiry: Thinking Historically; Environmental Cluster

Prerequisite: Closed to freshmen; BIOL 110 and HIST 115 or HIST 116 or equivalent recommended

• Offering: Spring
• Instructor: Bourque

ENVR 327 (W) Water Resources (1)

This course examines water resources over short- and long-time perspectives and over small and large geographic areas. Emphasis is placed on evaluating water resources from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics include: surface and groundwater hydrology; water quality; and the legal, political and environmental aspects of water use.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

• Offering: Spring
• Instructor: Arabas

ENVR 333 Biogeography (1)

This course provides an introduction to the study of plant and animal distributions, both past and present. This is a broad field which overlaps several other disciplines, including biology, geography and geology. The study of plant distributions will be emphasized and approached from historical, cultural and ecological perspectives. Applications of biogeographic knowledge and theory to conservation problems will also be discussed. The lab component will address quantitative aspects of biogeographic research.

Prerequisite: ERTH 112, BIOL 125, or consent of instructor

• Offering: Fall
• Instructor: Arabas

ENVR 445 Forest Ecology and Policy (1)

[Crosslisted with POLI 345]

A case study approach to forests integrating forest policy and ecology. Using class and field instruction, students will design research projects that will emphasize the science and social science issues related to forest management. Course includes a mandatory pre-semester field trip in mid-August.

Prerequisite: POLI 330 or POLI 341 and ENVR 333 or BIOL 255

• Offering: Alternate falls
• Instructor: Arabas, Bowersox

ENVR 494 Environmental Science Internship (1)

Student participation off-campus with an agency, group or individual working on some aspect of the environment. The purpose is for the student to gain practical knowledge through involvement and for the student to provide research and other work capabilities; 10-12 hours per week.

• Offering: Fall
• Instructor: Staff

ENVR 495 (W) Environmental Science Integration Seminar (1)

This course is the first semester in a two-semester senior year experience. Students will collaborate on research projects emphasizing the science and social scientific aspects of a chosen environmental issue. Specific topics will vary from year to year, but might include global warming, acid rain, forests, energy, biological diversity, ozone depletion, and sustainability.

Mode of Inquiry: Writing Centered

Prerequisite: Senior majoring in Environmental Science; Other students may be admitted by permission of instructor

• Offering: Fall
• Instructor: Staff

ENVR 496 (W) Senior Seminar in Environmental Science (1)

Individually or in small groups, students design and conduct a research project which includes: proposal formulation, development of research methodology, information analysis, draft and final report preparation and oral presentation. Seminar discussion, outside resource persons and examination of specific problems of the environment are used to advance research projects.

General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered

Prerequisite: Senior majoring in Environmental Science

• Offering: Spring
• Instructor: Arabas, Eilers, Pike