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Environmental Studies
(Undergraduate)
The environmental studies major provides undergraduates with a multidiscipline-based
BA program in which to study the interrelationships of humans and their
environment and the practical problems resulting from these relationships.
In addition to taking the courses required of all majors, an environmental
studies major completes a specialization of eight to nine courses developing
a cross-disciplinary perspective, with a problem-oriented focus. Within
the framework of the environmental studies major, a student may obtain the
multidisciplinary background prerequisite for such professional fields as
planning, policy analysis, and resource management.
Because of the diverse background required of students majoring in environmental
studies, prospective majors must plan their academic program carefully.
The environmental studies committee recommends that majors complete the
general requirements for the environmental studies major by the end of their
sophomore year (see below). This includes a college-level chemistry course
that is a prerequisite for required courses. At the time students declare
their intention to major in environmental studies they should, in consultation
with their advisor, decide on the courses making up their specialization
and plan their academic program for the junior and senior years.
Environmental Studies Major
I. Courses required of all majors, which should be completed by the end
of the sophomore year: ENVI 101, 201; MATH 147 (statistics) or MATH 221
(calculus); ECON 160; and ENVI 215 or PLSC 215, Environmental Policy.
II. Courses required of all majors, taken in the senior year: Two advanced
environmental studies courses selected from among ENVI 397, 413, 415, 495,
498.
III. A specialization made up of eight courses. Approved specializations
include: (1) ecosystems; (2) earth sciences and natural resources; (3) public
policy, administration, and law; (4) environmental planning; (5) environmental
economics; (6) ecological anthropology; and (7) environmental chemistry.
A list of the specific course requirements for each specialization is available
in the Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies Department Office.
Courses approved for environmental studies specializations are drawn from
the offerings of anthropology, biological sciences, chemistry, economics,
geography, geological sciences, political science, and others.
Except for internships, courses taken pass/fail may not be counted toward
the major. ENVI 101 and 201 may be used to fulfill the all-college science
requirement. A grade of D is not considered satisfactory for courses applied
to the major.
Course Offerings
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry 4 credits
and are offered every year.
ENVI 101. ENVIRONMENT AND MAN/WOMAN: AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Multidisciplinary approach to study of relationships between environment
and humans, from ecological perspective: scope and direction of human impact
on biosphere, exemplified by population, agricultural practices, pollution.
ENVI 201. ENVIRONMENT AND MAN/WOMAN: PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Interdisciplinary holistic view of interaction of human populations with
their physical environment. Environmental problems consequent to such interactions.
Energy in natural and human ecosystems: sources, environmental impacts,
relationship to ecological stability. Alternative forms of human interaction
with physical environment, human species as viable, long-term proposition.
Prerequisites: ENVI 101 or BIOL 114; and Introductory Chemistry.
ENVI 212. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY
Environmental laws as perceived and dealt with by various judicial, legislative,
and administrative units. Pollution case law. Impact of economics and technology
on environmental laws (as fashioned by legislatures and interpreted by the
courts). Policy as well as legal doctrine. Prerequisite: ENVI 101.
ENVI 215 (also PLSC 215). ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Introduction to public policy analysis combined with applications to environmental
problems and issues. Focus on political context of environmental issues
and policymaking; consideration of special problems arising from distinctive
scientific bases of environmental issues. Prerequisites: ENVI 101, and 201
or PLSC 111.
ENVI 270 (also GEOL 270). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY: THE CHANGING EARTH
Examination of important environmental issues through geochemical investigation
of the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Discussion of past
and present controls on the chemical composition of the atmosphere, freshwaters,
oceans, and groundwaters. Prerequisites: CHEM 107 (or consent of instructor),
and one of the following: GEOL 111, 113, and 114 or ENVI 201.
ENVI 317. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND PUBLIC POLICY
Case study analysis of interaction between scientists and policy makers
in selected environmental problem areas. Topics change from year to year,
with the most recent focus on global environmental problems. Recent publications
serve as the catalyst for study and analysis of numerous interrelated global
environmental problems. Students are expected to write term research paper
and make oral presentation. Prerequisites: ENVI 101, 201, and 215.
ENVI 320. ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Review of energy use and sources on a global scale. Focus on major sources
utilized today, including petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear energy, as
well as on alternative or renewable sources. Exploration of advantages and
disadvantages of presently used energy types, distribution of generating
and disposal facilities, and environmental impacts of choice of energy type
or site. Discussion of future needs, supplies, and sources. Review of alternate
and renewable sources and impact of new technologies. Prerequisite: one
of ENVI 201, GEOL 111, or GEOL 113.
ENVI 323 (also GEOG 323). SOILS, PROPERTIES, PROCESSES, AND DISTRIBUTION
Morphological properties of soils as natural bodies, factors in processes
of development, systems of classification at topographic, regional, and
global scales. Soil fertility and its role in land use. Prerequisite: GEOG
121 or ENVI 201.
ENVI 325. ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Agricultural systems in western and non-western systems in relationship
to ecological principles; factors affecting long-term stability. Plant-soil
relationships as dynamic system. Ecologically based agricultural techniques
in garden situation. Prerequisite: ENVI 101.
ENVI 326. FORESTS, ENVIRONMENT, AND CIVILIZATION
Basic ecology of forests and trees. Forest types of the world and factors
determining their occurrence. The role of forests in history. The significance
of forests in regard to current major environmental problems, e.g., global
warming, desertification, loss of biodiversity and flooding. The sociopolitical
factors threatening forests. Forest preservation efforts. Prerequisites:
ENVI 101 and 201, or permission of instructor.
ENVI 330. NATURAL HAZARDS/(every other year)
Analysis of physical, geographic, political, and perceptual aspects of natural
hazards. Discussion and evaluation of physical environments in which natural
hazards occur, land use and development patterns in hazardous areas, mitigation
measures, and risk assessment and perception of hazards and vulnerability.
Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201; and junior or senior standing.
ENVI 339 (also GEOG 339). ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Environmental, economic, geographic, and cultural determinants of resource
management. Policy goals and decision-making elements influencing management
of environmental and natural resources. Management policy, practice, and
theory. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201, or one of GEOG 121, 232, 233, or
235.
ENVI 342. SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE HYDROLOGY
Introduction to important descriptive and analytical elements of surface
and subsurface flow. Topics include: global and local hydrologic budgets;
stream hydrograph analysis; geology of groundwater; principles of groundwater
flow; water chemistry and contamination; groundwater modeling; and case
studies of contamination and remediation. Prerequisites: ENVI 101 and 201.
ENVI 381. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Intensive study of a particular topic announced in advance. May be repeated
for credit. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.
ENVI 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY variable credit
Independent study under guidance of faculty member. Prior to registration,
student must consult with the faculty supervisor and receive approval of
problem to be studied and amount of credit to be received.
ENVI 413. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
National Environmental Policy Act and its requirements. Environmental impact
statements: what they are, how they came into being, their role in environmental
decision making. Techniques of making environmental Impact assessments.
Analysis of actual impact statements made on highways, mining, and housing
projects. Prerequisites: ENVI 101, 201, and 215.
ENVI 415. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Environmental considerations of planning process. Past and present planning
programs examined; emphasis on techniques and methods used to integrate
environmental knowledge with other aspects of planning process. Land use
controls, planning for and protecting resource use and allocation alternatives,
use of regions as management units. Lab work involves practical applications
of techniques and tools to problem-solving. Prerequisites: ENVI 101, 201,
and 215.
ENVI 433 (also GEOL 433). CLAYS, SOILS, AND SEDIMENTS
Introduction to the role clay minerals play in a wide range of natural settings.
Emphasis on how knowledge of clays can be applied to solving environmental
problems. Prerequisites: CHEM 107, GEOL 270, or ENVI 270; and GEOL 111,
113, 114, or ENVI 201.
ENVI 482 (also PLSC 456). ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ANALYSIS
Environmental policy-making as a process and the substance of environmental
policy. Policy evaluation, different types of analysis, regulation and deregulation,
consideration of current environmental problems. Prerequisite: PLSC 213,
or PLSC 215, or ENVI 215.
ENVI 491. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING
Independent study by teaching ENVI courses, particularly ENVI 101 or 102.
Assignments include leading discussion sections, maintaining office hours,
reading papers and examinations. Closely directed by instructor. Open only
to seniors. P/F option only. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ENVI 495. INTERNSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/variable credit
Internship in public agency or consulting firms dealing with environmental
planning and management Issues. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. P/F
option only.
ENVI 498. SENIOR THESIS
Independent in-depth research under supervision of a faculty member. May
be taken as a one-semester project, or as a precursor to the Honors Thesis
(ENVI 499). Prerequisite: approval of the faculty supervisor.
ENVI 499. HONORS THESIS
Preparation and defense of an honors thesis. Usually an extension of the
work undertaken in ENVI 498. Prerequisite: ENVI 498 and recommendation of
faculty supervisor.
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