ENVS 112 Introduction to Environmental Studies

Credit: 0.5

This course examines contemporary environmental problems, introducing the major concepts pertaining to human interactions with the biosphere. We will explore this interaction at both local and global scales. Course topics include basic principles of ecology (flows of energy, cycling of matter and the role of feedback), the impacts of human technology, the roots of our perceptions about and reactions to nature, the social and legal framework for responding to problems, and economic issues surrounding environmental issues. We will discuss methods for answering questions regarding the consequences of our actions and, using a systems approach, focus on methods for organizing information to evaluate complex issues. The format of the course will be three-quarters discussion and lecture, one-quarter workshop. The workshops will include field trips, experience with collecting data, and application of computer modeling. This course counts as a biology course for the purpose of diversification. No prerequisites. Offered every spring.

Instructor: Staff

ENVS 251 Field Experience: Environmental Outreach

Credit: 0.13

In "Field Experiences", students will examine special topics in environmental science, gaining subject knowledge so that they can lead educational experiences for elementary school classes visiting the Brown Family Environmnetal Center. Students will participate in two workshops at the beginning of the semester and then participate in at least four programs for visitors. Participants will keep a journal and submit a final report on their experiences along with evaluations of the effectiveness of the programs.Prerequisites: ENVS 112 or BIOL 112 or equivalent or permission of the instructor. Offered each semester.

ENVS 253 Sustainable Agriculture

Credit: 0.5

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the principles of sustainable agriculture through hands-on experience on local farms and through readings of current literature. The course thus combines fieldwork and seminar-style discussion. Work on the farm will be varied, determined by the seasons and farm projects under way. In addition, students may be taken to the local Producers Livestock Auction and other off-farm sites as the time and season allow. Students can expect to handle and feed animals, clean barns, harvest and plant crops, prepare farm products for market, build and repair fences, bale hay, and work with, repair, or clean equipment and buildings. Readings will be drawn from relevant books, current environmental literature, and the news media. Discussions will be student-led and combine readings and their experiences in the field. There are no prerequisites for this course, although completion of ENVS 112 is strongly encouraged. However, students must have available in their academic schedule four continuous hours one day per week to spend working at a local organic farm (travel time will be in addition to these four hours). In addition, students will participate in a weekly seminar discussion of assigned readings, lasting from an hour and a half to two hours. Participation is limited to eight to ten students, and permission of the instructor is required. Preference will be given to upperclass students. Offered every fall.

Instructor: Staff

ENVS 261 Geographic Information Science

Credit: 0.5

This course is for all students interested in improving their spatial literacy, or the ability to use spatial information to communicate, reason, and solve problems--in this case environmental problems, nearly all of which have a spatial component. Following a review of maps (coordinate and projection systems, cartographic principles, etc.) we will survey a number of online mapping applications (e.g., Google Earth) and use these to produce informative maps. We will also explore the nature of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and how data can be collected in the field for future analysis and presentation. The focus of the course will eventually settle onto the nature of computer-based geographic information systems (GIS) and the ways in which this powerful suite of tools can be used to analyze geographic data, model spatial processes, and make informed decisions. Lectures will introduce fundamental concepts such as scale and resolution, the nature and structure of spatial data models, and the construction of GIS queries. A series of laboratory case studies will present real-world applications of GIS while offering students opportunities to apply the fundamental concepts discussed in lectures. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or above and permission of the instructor.

Instructor: E. Holdener

ENVS 461 Seminar in Environmental Studies

Credit: 0.5

The intention of this capstone seminar is to draw together and apply the concepts learned in earlier courses in the Environmental Studies Concentration. The focus of the course will be on case studies of natural-resource management, with specific topic areas to be determined. In this strongly interdisciplinary effort, we will explore ecological, economic, social, and legal issues that influence how people exploit natural resources, and whether that exploitation is sustainable. Students will be expected to develop and communicate their understanding of the complex and inseparable relationships of human well-being, ecosystem services, and environmental management. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing; students must also be pursuiong the concentration in environmental studies. Offered every year.

ENVS 493 Individual Study

Credit: 0.25-0.5

Because the Environmental Studies Concentration has no faculty of its own, the nature of an individual study will necessarily vary dramatically depending on the home discipline of the faculty member guiding the course. Details regarding the expected number of contact hours per week, workload, and assessment will be left to the discretion of the faculty member guiding the individual study. There are no formal restrictions on who can pursue an individual study in ENVS. Individual studies are not intended to replace an elective course in fulfilling the requirements of the Environmental Studies Concentration.