Professors G.Steehler (Coordinator),Warshawsky (Public Affairs); Associate Professors Cawley, Collins (Biology), Sarabia (Sociology); Assistant Professors O’Neill, Mihalache-O’Keef (Public Affairs); Teaching Associate M. Larson-Harris (Religion & Philosophy).
Environmental Studies examines interrelationships between human activities and the environment, an inherently complex challenge. The B.S. in Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major drawn from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Students specialize by following one of the tracks: Environment and Society or Environmental Science. All students majoring in Environmental Studies are encouraged to consult with their advisors regularly, and to consider internships, research projects, and affiliated coursework that will allow them to select and achieve their postgraduate goals.
Major in Environmental Studies
Students seeking a B.S. in Environmental Studies are required to complete 13 units: eight core units plus five additional units in one of the tracks.
The core:
• ENVI 130 Introduction to Environmental Studies
• ENVI 230 Earth Systems Science
• ENVI 240 Environment, Ethics, and Culture
• ENVI 250 Environment and Society
• ENVI 270 Geographic Information Systems
• BIOL 205 Ecology
• ENVI 430 Environmental Practicum
• One additional unit of ENVI at the 300-level or higher
Environmental Science Track:
Four additional units from a single discipline and one unit from a second discipline, with courses chosen from
• Any PHYS courses
• Any ENVI courses
• CHEM 111, 112, 221, 270
• Any BIOL courses except BIOL 105
(Students are encouraged to take courses at the whole organism or system levels such as BIOL 125, 235, 240, 265, 270, 275, 280, 300, and 360. Note that BIOL 125 must be taken first as it is prerequisite to other BIOL courses. BIOL 120 may be needed as it is prerequisite to most BIOL courses as well.)
Environment and Society Track:
One unit of social science methods chosen from
• SOCI 251, POLI 209, and ECON 448
Two units of environmental applications chosen from
• SOCI 337, POLI 351, and ECON 287
Two additional units chosen from
• ECON 121, 237, 287, ENVI 260, 305, 360, POLI 201,
202, 205, 351, 333, SOCI 215, 315, 324, 325, 335, 337, 340 and up to one approved INQ 260.
Note that students using courses that don’t focus exclusively on environmental topics should undertake environmentally-oriented projects within these courses whenever allowed by course design.
Minors in the Environmental Studies Program
The minor in Environmental Studies requires six units: four units of ENVI at the 200-level or higher plus any two additional units that are allowed for the Environmental Studies core or tracks.
130 Introduction to Environmental Studies
An introduction to the applied field of environmental studies,
this course encourages students to develop the interdisciplinary
analytical and research skills needed to frame questions, evaluate
environmental issues, and work toward solutions that are
environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially
equitable. Course activities will draw from a number of
disciplines including the natural and social sciences with
emphasis on sustainability and resource management. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Students may not receive credit for both ENVI 130 and ENVI 200.
230 Earth Systems Science
An examination of the interrelationships between matter and energy in the solid, fluid, and living Earth as well as the human interactions with these natural systems. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
240 Environment, Ethics, and Culture
An examination of conceptions of Nature, the environment, and sustainability drawn from the Humanities. Insights from these traditions will be used to explore contemporary environ- mental debates. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
250 Environment and Society
An examination of the major concepts, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks employed in the social sciences to study human ecological relations. The implications of social organization, whether political or economic, for ecosystems will pro- vide an opportunity to examine the impact of individual and collective decisions. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
260 Special Topics
Examination of special topics concerning the environment. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: None.
265 Special Topics
Investigation of a special topic not regularly offered, with the topic determined by the faculty member. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission.
270 Geographic Information Systems
An exploration of techniques for modeling environmental interactions using a specialized database management system known as Geographic Information System. GIS is a comprehensive set of tools for analyzing patterns, relationships, and trends across the landscape with applications in natural resource management, conservation biology, regional planning, and risk assessment. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
305 Environmental Impact Assessment
This course will examine the development of environmental
impact assessment policy in the United States and how such
policy is applied to current environmental issues and problems.
Examples will be taken from a variety of areas including toxicology,
bioremediation, wetland protection and work/home
environmental safety. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ENVI 200.
307 Appalachian Rocks and Waters
A systematic survey of Appalachian terrains, geology and paleoecology.
This course examines foundational concepts of geology
within a chronological scope associated with the
Appalachian Mountain Belt. Topics include introduction to
rock and mineral types, major index fossils, paleoecology, and
basic landform geomorphology and rock process. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ENVI 200 or permission of the instructor.
360 Special Topics
Examination of a special topic concerning the environment. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Permission
370 Landscape Analysis in GIS
An introduction to the spatial analysis of landscapes using remote sensing. This course will address consequences of spatial heterogeneity and include applications in environmental planning, risk assessment, and adaptive management. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ENVI 270.
400 Environment Clinic
In this capstone course, majors in Environmental Policy and
Environmental Science will work together to explore a single
topic in-depth. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.; Laboratory: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: Major in Environmental Policy or Environmental Science
and senior standing.
430 Environment Practicum
A team-based project where students work as environmental consultants to solve a real world problem. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk; Laboratory: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ENVI 230, 240, 250, and 270.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study and Research
Independent study or research related to the environment conducted
under the supervision of an Environment Program faculty
member. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: Major or minor in Environmental Policy or Environmental
Science, junior or senior standing, GPA of at least 2.0, and
permission of the Environment Program chair. ENVI 405 is a prerequisite
for ENVI 407.
416 Internship
Work experience related to the environment with a government
agency, non-governmental organization, or business under the
guidance of an Environment Program faculty member. (1)
Prerequisites: Major or minor in Environmental Policy or Environmental
Science, junior or senior standing, GPA of at least 2.0, and
permission of the Environment Program chair.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study or research concerning the
environment culminating in a written report. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major,
a student in his/her senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior
year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written
proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department.
A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. Environmental
Science 495 is a prerequisite for Environmental Science 497.