Environmental Studies

Departments/Programs:

Environmental Studies Minor (21-24 hours)
Required Courses
BIO 1300 Introduction to Environmental Science or CHEM 1020 Chemistry and the Human Environment	4 hours
SOC 2530 Population and Environment	4 hours

Take at least two courses from:	7-8 hours
BIO 3500 Conservation Biology	4 hours
ECON 3150 Environmental Economics	3 hours
HIST 2610 Environmental History	4 hours
SOC 3530/SOC 4530 Environment, Food, and You	4 hours

Electives: at least two courses from:	6-8 hours
Select from the following (that are not already taken): BIO 3500 Conservation Biology ECON 3150 Environmental Economics HIST 2610 Environmental History SOC 3530/SOC 4530 Environment, Food, and You PHYS 1200 Energy and the Global Environment ANTHR 1100 Introduction to Anthropology or ANTHR 1150 Cultural Anthropology	6-8 hours

Additional Requirements
A student must have at least two courses each from natural/physical sciences and social sciences. No student may count more than two courses in the minor towards any specific major. Note that some courses in the minor also have prerequisites.

BIO 1300 Introduction to Environmental Science (4 hours)

An introduction to environmental science and scientific methodology using the environment as the system of study. The goals are to help the student develop a better understanding of the environment, gain insight into human-caused problems found in nature, explore the relationships of humanity with the environment, and provide practical experience in performing scientific measurements and experiments.
Three lectures per week.
One 3-hour lab per week.

CHEM 1020 Chemistry and the Human Environment (4 hours)

A course designed to acquaint non-science majors with some fundamental concepts of chemistry. The course emphasizes the role of chemistry in understanding the interaction of modern society with the environment. Credit will not be given for both CHEM 1110 Chemical Principles I and CHEM 1020 Chemistry and the Human Environment.
Three lectures per week.
One three-hour lab per week.

SOC 2530 Population and Environment (4 hours)

This course examines the demographic and social dynamics of population size, composition, and distribution. It addresses the relationships between population, human health, development and the environment. Strong cross-cultural emphasis.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

BIO 3500 Conservation Biology (4 hours)

A course devoted to exploring issues related to biological diversity, including how biodiversity is measured, where it is found, its value, threats to it, and measure taken at the population and species level to conserve it. The course includes examining links between conservation and economics, law, and the social sciences. Case studies and discussions of local and global topics will encourage students to understand the varied threats to global biodiversity and the principles necessary to overcome them.
Three lectures/discussions per week.
One 3-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1400 Introduction to Biological Inquiry, BIO 2200 Genetics and Cell Biology and BIO 2300 Ecology and Evolution and sophomore standing or instructor permission.
(Normally offered alternate springs.)
Note: Environmental Studies Minors are encouraged to register, please contact the instructor.

ECON 3150 Environmental Economics (3 hours)

This course allows students to investigate resource scarcity, the energy problem, and alternatives for the future. Emphasis is placed on benefits and costs of environmental preservation and the contribution that the economics descipline makes toward the solution of environmental problems. Selected current problems are integrated throughout the course.
Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C-" or better in ECON 1540 Microeconomic Principles or permission of the instructor.

HIST 2610 Environmental History (4 hours)

A study of environmental history focusing primarily on the United States and including Canada and Mexico as they involve border environmental conflicts. Emphasis will be placed on environmental philosophy, ethnic minorities, power and politics, regionalsim, industrialsim, gender, and literature. Course format will be lecture, class discussions based on assigned readings from assigned texts, as well as supplemental sources, reports, videos, and field trips.
Prerequisite(s): HIST 1010 Topics in United States History to 1877 or HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877, or permission of the instructor.

SOC 3530 Environment, Food, and You (4 hours)

This course identifies and explores issues that arise because of the impacts of human beings on the environment, and impacts of the environment on human activity. Students will be introduced to social impact assessment as a means for identifying the ways resources exploitation leads to both the development and decline of communities. Food production is used to illustrate these impacts because it plays a significant role in community organization, human survival, and environmental resilience. The requirements of the 4530 course will be the same as the 3530 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a semester length field project relevant to the course material.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 2530 Population and Environment.
(Normally offered alternate years.)

SOC 4530 Environment, Food, and You (4 hours)

PHYS 1200 Energy and the Global Environment (3 hours)

A course covering some of the most critical problems facing the world today - those relating to the production, distribution, and use of energy. The basic concepts of heat, work, electricity and energy as they apply to energy use around the world will be studied. The major source of energy, their value and importance, the historical and future demand for energy and the specific environmental problems and benefits encountered will be identified.
Three lectures per week.
One laboratory per week.

ANTHR 1100 Introduction to Anthropology (4 hours)

An introduction to human biological evolution, prehistoric cultural development and nature, and linguistics.
(Normally offered alternate years)

ANTHR 1150 Cultural Anthropology (4 hours)

This course reviews the origin and development of culture in preliterate human societies. It focuses on the major social institutions of family, economics, political organization, and religion.
(Normally offered each semester.)

Course Catalogs

Minor:

Environmental Studies

Departments/Programs: