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ENVIRONMENTAL
& EARTH
SCIENCES
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The Environmental Science program seeks to encourage
students to develop an appreciation of the importance
to life and society of the natural and humanized
environment in the past, present and future; an
understanding of nature’s integrity, including
both natural and human processes affecting environmental
change; insight into basic causes of and possible
solutions to important environmental problems; and
skills for defining and furthering environmentally
sound action. Attainment of these goals requires
grounding in several disciplines as well as integrative
study of environmental systems and environmental
ethics and institutions. To accomplish the above
interdisciplinary objectives, the Environmental
Science program has a two-tiered structure: a core
set of courses, and upper level electives from which
the student can choose to emphasize the natural
or social sciences. At Willamette, the Environmental
& Earth Science departmental offerings are concentrated
in the fields of geography and geology. Geography
is primarily concerned with explaining the spatial
distribution of and relations among various features
of the earth — human and cultural as well as
physical features. Geology concerns itself primarily
with description, classification and analysis of
the earth’s physical and chemical characteristics
and with the history of the earth and its life forms.
Both disciplines are deeply concerned with the ties
between the nature of our physical environment and
the quality of human life. Five university departments
contribute faculty and courses to our program.
Education in environmental science may provide direct
career opportunities in government service or business
(e.g., resource management, environmental impact
assessment) and in public interest work. It is useful
preparation, especially in combination with a second
major, for possible careers in teaching, journalism,
politics, and business, or for those who plan to
enter graduate or professional school in fields
such as environmental science, biology, geography,
public policy, law, public health or other sciences.
For Environmental Science majors considering graduate
study, a minor or second major in one of the contributing
disciplines is strongly recommended.
The student in environmental science at Willamette
is well situated to pursue his or her studies. For
field study, a great diversity of environments and
land-use practices can be found within a short distance
— everything from the Pacific Ocean to the
Cascades, from wilderness to cities. As a state,
Oregon has pioneered in many aspects of environmental
management. The University’s location, just
across the street from the Capitol and other government
offices, facilitates practical learning and involvement.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR (14
credits)
Common
Core
(10
credits)
BIOL
110
(NW) Principles of Biology (1)
OR
BIOL
125
Ecology, Evolution &
Diversity (1) OR
BIOL
210
(W;
NW) Biodiversity: Discovering
Life
(1)
CHEM
115
(NW) Introductory Chemistry I
(1)
ECON
122
(US)
Principles of Microeconomics
(1)
ENVR
105
Introduction to Enviromental
Science (1)
ERTH
110
(NW) Physical Geology (1)
ERTH
112
(NW) Physical Geography (1)
POLI
210
(US)
American Politics (1)
(A section of this course
emphasizing environmental issues
is recommended -- please see a
faculty member in the
Environmental Science Department
for additional
information.)
POLI
304
(W; AR) Politics of Environmental Ethics (1)
Senior
Year Experience (2 credits)
ENVR
495
Environmental
Science Integration Seminar (1)
may also be offered as
ENVR
445
Forest
Ecology and Policy (1) (Cross
listed with POLI 345) OR
IDS
347
Chemistry,
Economics and the Environment
(1)
ENVR
496
(W)
Senior Seminar in Environmental
Science (1)
Emphasis
(4 credits)
Students
will take 3 from one group and 1
from the other, depending on
their emphasis.
Social
Science Emphasis
ENVR
326 (TH) Environmental History (1)
ECON
345
Environmental
Economics (1)
ENVR
327
(W)
Water Resources (1)
*ERTH
333 (QA)
Geographic Information Systems (1)
POLI
341
Environmental
Policymaking: Politics and Process (1)
Natural
Science Emphasis
BIOL
255
General
Ecology (1)
CHEM
230
Environmental
Chemistry (1)
ENVR
333
Biogeography
(1)
*ERTH
333
(QA)
Geographic Information Systems (1)
ERTH
350
Environmental
Geology (1)
*ERTH
333 is an elective in each emphasis, but may not
be used as the social science elective by students
following a natural science emphasis or as a natural
science elective by students following a social
science emphasis.
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MINOR (6
credits)
BIOL
110
(NW)
Principles of Biology (1) OR
BIOL
125
Ecology,
Evolution & Diversity (1) OR
BIOL
210
(W,
NW) Biodiversity: Discovering Life (1) OR
CHEM
115
(NW)
Introductory Chemistry I (1)
ENVR
105
Introduction to Environmental Science (1)
POLI
304
(W;
AR)
Politics
of
Environmental
Ethics (1)
POLI
210
(US)
American Politics (1) OR
(A section of this course emphasizing environmental
issues in recommended -- please see a faculty
member in the Environmental Science Department
for additional information.)
ECON
122
(US)
Principles
of
Microeconomics
2 electives from the social science and/or natural
science groups
REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE GEOGRAPHY MINOR (5
credits)
ENVR
333
Biogeography
(1)
ERTH
112
(NW) Physical Geography (1)
ERTH
230
World Geography (1)
ERTH
333
(QA)
Geographic Information Systems (1)
One
from the following: (1)
ERTH
331
Geography of Europe (1)
ERTH
332
Geography of the Pacific States
(1)
ENVR
327
(W)
Water Resources (1)
FACULTY
Karen Arabas, Associate
Professor of Geography and Environmental Science,
Chair
Monique Bourque, Director
of Sudent Academic Grants & Awards
Joe Bowersox, Associate
Professor of Politics
David Craig, Assistant Professor
of Biology
Peter Eilers, Professor
of Geography and Environmental Science
David Goodney, Professor
of Chemistry
Donald H. Negri, Professor
of Economics
Scott Pike, Assistant Professor
of Geology and Environmental Science
Nathan Sivers Boyce, Assistant
Professor of Economics
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
(See
appropriate major program statements for descriptions
of other courses in the program.)
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. Every semester.
Arabas, Eilers,
Pike
ENVR
326 (TH) Environmental History (1)
This course is
designed as a chronological survey of human-nature
interrelationships in Western traditions. Following
an introductory unit on biomes and the origins
of human culture and civilization, human impacts
on nature (and vice versa) in the Mediterranean
basin will be traced from Mesopotamia and Egypt
to Greece and Rome. A unit on Western Europe focuses
on deforestation, development of the agrarian
landscape and European colonization after the
15th century. The focus of the course then shifts
to lectures on the ecological history of Europeans
in North America and discussion of the intellectual
history of ecological ideas since the 18th century.
The course involves lectures, weekly discussions,
and research papers or presentations. Recommended
prerequisites: BIOL
110 and HIST
115 or HIST
116 or equivalent. Thinking Historically.
Environmental Cluster. Spring. 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. Prerequisite: Consent of
instructor. Writing-centered. Spring. 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. Fall. Arabas
ENVR
445 Forest Ecology and Policy (1)
[Crosslist 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. It is open only to
seniors in Environmental Science
or juniors or seniors in
Politics.
Prerequisites: POLI
210,
BIOL 130
(or equivalent), and
ERTH
112
or consent of instructor.
Alternate falls. 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. Fall. Staff
ENVR
495 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. Prerequisite: Priority given
to senior Environmental Science majors. Other
students may be admitted by permission of instructor.
Fall. 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. Prerequisite: Senior majoring in Environmental
Science. Writing-centered. Spring. Arabas, Eilers,
Pike
Earth
Science
ERTH 110 (NW) Physical
Geology (1)
An
introduction to internal and external earth processes
within the framework of plate tectonic theory.
Laboratory work emphasizes identification of common
rocks and minerals and interpretation of topographic
maps, aerial photographs and geologic maps. Prerequisite
for Environmental Geology and Historical Geology.
Understanding the Natural World. Fall. Pike
ERTH
112 (NW) Physical Geography (1)
An
integrated study of the major components of the
physical environment — landforms, climate,
natural vegetation and soils — in the light
of their significance to mankind. Laboratory experience
includes fieldwork and emphasizes identification,
measurement, data analysis and presentation of
results. Understanding the Natural World. Spring.
Eilers
ERTH
230 World Geography (1)
Survey
of major patterns of physical features, culture
and human–land relations by region in today’s
world. Examples show present and impending resource,
environmental, social and political problems and
explore basic solutions. Methods include lectures,
films, student discussions and presentations,
and text and outside readings. Fall. Eilers
ERTH
331 Geography of Europe (1)
This
course is designed to provide basic knowledge
of the physical and cultural geography of Europe.
The course begins with a survey of systematic
themes, including historical, political, economic
and social geography, physiography, climates,
agriculture, resources, industry, settlement,
demography and transportation. Study of the regions
of Europe, including the nations of the former
Soviet Union, follows. Important present-day issues
are discussed in connection with relevant regions.
Alternate years. Eilers
ERTH
332 Geography of the Pacific States (1)
A
study of the physical and cultural elements of
the Pacific States with special reference to Oregon.
Topics for consideration include landforms, soils,
vegetation, climate, resource development, land
use, urbanization and current problems. Methods
include lectures, discussions, readings, student
presentations and field trips. Alternate years.
Eilers
ERTH
333 (QA) Geographic Information Systems (1)
A
comprehensive approach to cartography and spatial
analysis, including the use of the global positioning
system, computer-aided mapping and geographic
information systems. Lecture, field and laboratory
experience with an emphasis on class and individual
projects. Prerequisite: ERTH
112.
Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning nonstarred.
Fall. Eilers
ERTH
350 Environmental Geology (1)
This
course applies principles and techniques learned
in physical geology to such geologic hazards as
vulcanism, seismicity, erosion, mass wasting and
flooding and to mineral, fossil fuel and water
resource development and their related environmental
impacts. Prerequisite: ERTH
110.
Spring. Pike
ERTH
490 Independent Study in Geography and Geology
(.5 or 1)
Study
of a specific aspect of geography or of a geographical
problem, individually or in a group. May be taken
for .5 or 1 credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
On demand. Arabas, Eilers, Pike
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