ENS - Environmental Studies

An interdisciplinary study concerned with the historical, ecological, social, political and economic ramifications of the global environmental crisis. Addresses issues such as demographics, energy, pollution, natural resources and environmental policy. Partially satisfies natural science distribution requirements of the baccalaureate experience but is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only. *BIO 112T - study abroad courses are 4 credits when offered.

This course examines how humans utilize resources in a variety of subject areas and how resources are or could be consumed in a sustainable manner. Topics covered include: energy production, agriculture, harvesting, transportation, biodiversity, and ecological services. These subjects will be discussed from social, cultural, political, ecological, and economic perspectives with an emphasis on comparative sustainability between different locations on the planet. This course requires two weeks of international travel after the semester.

Explores the question, "How did species of plants and animals end up where they are?" The course focuses on the ways that millions of years of geological, oceanographic and climatic processes have directed the evolution of the earth's inhabitants. Topics include the general features of the earth's major biomes, the unique biotic features of the earth's major geographic regions, and the ways in which the study of biogeography has played an important role in the history of science. This course also examines the ways that our own species has been affected by, and continues to influence, the distribution of the planet's species. Partially satisfies natural science distribution requirements of the baccalaureate experience but is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only.

An experiential learning course focused on sustainability issues and solutions in urban areas around the world. Main topics include water, waste, energy, transportation and food. Includes cross-cultural comparison of lifestyles and resource usage, and site visits to relevant local facilities are included. Satisfies general distribution requirements. Partially satisfies natural science distribution requirements of the baccalaureate experience but is not applicable toward a biology or marine science major or minor. Lecture only.

A broad survey of the geological processes at work on and within the earth. Topics include the origin and composition of rocks, as well as the origin, location and characteristics of volcanoes, earthquakes and mountain belts, within the framework of plate tectonics. Also covers the modification of the earth's surface by wind, rivers, glaciers, groundwater, waves and currents, and the evolution of continents and ocean basins. Lecture only.

Teaches students the applications of geographic information systems technology to a variety of biological issues including delimiting species and habitat distribution, identifying landscape-level relationships between abiotic and biotic factors and their spatial effects on populations; identifying potential effects of human activity on natural areas and populations; and developing management and regulatory policies including defining potential protected areas.

Covers many of the most threatening environmental problems facing society. When possible, these issues are discussed at local, national and global levels to demonstrate how policy and cultural differences impact the various threats to the environment and to the human population. Environmental threats are discussed both in the context of their impact on natural ecosystems and their potential threat to human health and economic growth.

Covers many of the most threatening environmental problems facing society. When possible, these issues are discussed at local, national and global levels to demonstrate how policy and cultural differences impact the various threats to the environment and to the human population. Environmental threats are discussed both in the context of their impact on natural ecosystems and their potential threat to human health and economic growth.

This lecture course covers the struggle between rapid human population growth, the availability of clean water, and the health of aquatic and wetland systems and the wildlife within. Covers a broad range of topics from three major themes: 1) water resource use and water pollution impacts and policy; 2) wetlands biology, impacts, legislation, jurisdictional determination and policy; and 3) the biology, impacts, assessment and conservation of aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife. International case studies will augment a focus on water issues in the U.S.

Sustainability is an inherently interdisciplinary field despite the fact that its constituent sub-disciplines are often taught in isolation. The purpose of this seminar is to encourage synthesis of sustainability knowledge across major disciplines (i.e., natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities), which will be developed through student-led discussion of relevant literature and team-based projects. Through these projects, students will identify a sustainability issue in the local community, develop economic and environmental impact assessments, create a solution proposal, and present their findings to the local community. This course is a required component of the Minor degree in Sustainability.