Every environmental science and environmentalstudies major is required to complete a SeniorCapstone Experience (SCE). Students enroll in thefour-credit SCE course during their finalsemester, although students must begin work ontheir SCE during the previous semester. The SCEcan take the form of a laboratory or fieldresearch project, monograph, or service learningproject. Selection of the nature of the SCE isbased upon discussion with Environmental Scienceand Studies faculty, and requires the approval ofthe department Chair. The SCE is gradedpass-honors, pass, or fail for students who meetall deadlines. Students not meeting all deadlinesare graded with letter grades, with B+ as thehighest possible grade. Grading will be based onjoint evaluation of the SCE by EnvironmentalScience and Studies faculty.

This course is an introduction to the disciplineof environmental studies. A multidisciplinary viewof human responsibility toward the natural worldis emphasized, focusing on significantcontemporary environmental issues. Topics coveredinclude environmental literature (both historicaland current), economic and ethical environmentalconcerns, scientific methods of assessment andanalysis of environmental problems, and possiblesolutions to representative environmentalproblems. The laboratory/recitation section isused for field trips, data collection,demonstrations, and discussions. This course is aprerequisite for all upper-level ENV courses. Thecourse should be completed by the end of thesophomore year if it is going to be counted towardthe major.

This is the lab for the Introduction toEnvironmental Studies lecture (ENV 101). The laboccurs both inside the lab and outside in thefield and consists of field trips, datacollection, data analysis, and discussions.

Exploration of the variety of past human societiesand cultures through archaeology, with an emphasisupon the interplay between environment andculture. The course covers a wide time span, fromthe biological evolution of hominids and theorigins of culture to the development of complexcivilizations and the more recent historical past.

Geographic Information Science and Technologies(GIS&T) is a multidisciplinary field focused onthe theories, methodologies, and tools forcollecting, analyzing, and visualizing spatialdata. It has applications in environmentalscience, urban planning, disaster management,public health, agriculture, transportation, realestate, utilities, telecommunications, sociology,archaeology, and geography. Professionals inacademia, business, and government use GIS&T tomanage and analyze extensive spatial datasets,enabling real-time navigation, optimizing routing,facilitating safe navigation for self-drivingcars, tracking wildlife migration, constructing 3Durban models, and providing insights foranthropological studies and traffic safety. Thiscourse covers fundamental GIS concepts, datainput, models, spatial analysis, and data output,balancing theory with hands-on lab exercises andstudent-led projects. Students gain practicalexperience with ArcGIS Pro, a popular GIS softwaretechnology. By completing this introductorycourse, students will build core competencies,understand basic GIS concepts, technical issues,and applications; learn how GIS contributes totheir academic studies and its unique importance;know the issues involved in obtaining, evaluating,implementing, and managing GIS data and projects;understand the technical language of GIS; and gainpractical experience using ArcGIS Pro.

An introductory course focusing on the chemicaldimensions of current environmental problemssuch as global warming, ozone depletion, water andsoil contamination, and non-renewable fuelconsumption. Fundamental principles of chemicalbonding, equilibrium and kinetics are studied asthey arise in connection with each environmentalissue. Interdisciplinary aspects are explored tofurther understand the multiple dimensions of theproblems. Intended for students planning to majoroutside the sciences.

This one-credit fieldwork course consists of aminimum of 20 hours of off-campus supervisedexperiences with organizations that emphasize theoverlap between the environment and education.Students observe, reflect upon, and participate inoutreach and education duties at a local park,nature center, outdoor school, or otherenvironmental agency.

Environmental and natural resource economicsfocuses on the economic sources of environmentalproblems and natural resource use in a marketeconomy and the evaluation of the alternativepolicies for dealing with these problems. Thisanalysis extends to the examination of regionalissues (local air and water pollution, recyclingprograms, and fisheries) and global issues(climate change and waste disposal). The courseis intended for students not planning to major ineconomics.

An examination of prehistoric and historicsocieties in the Chesapeake Region.Archaeological, historical, and environmentalevidence is used to understand culturaldevelopment and the relationships between peopleand their environment. Topics include the arrivalof humans in the region, Native American groups,colonial settlement in the Tidewater, and the 19thCentury.

This course investigates the composition,structure, and dynamics of the solid Earth. Thecourse reviews prominent theories for the originof matter, the accretion and differentiation ofthe planets, and the structure of the Earth'sinterior. The role of plate tectonics in drivingthe exchange of matter and energy between Earthsystems is a central theme of the course,providing the theoretical context forunderstanding geological phenomena such as seismicactivity, volcanism and mountain building. Thecourse is designed to provide the necessaryscientific and intellectual background forunderstanding a wide range of Earth phenomena,and to give students a greater appreciation forthe origin and evolution of their planet.

This course examines processes and features thatcharacterize the Earth's surface. The coursefocuses on the major Earth systems of land(lithosphere), air (atmosphere), and water(hydrosphere) and explores how these systemsevolve and interact through geologic time.Examples include studying global air circulationand its effect on weather, examining linksbetween ocean currents and global climate, andexploring how stream processes help to shapelandscape. The role of plate tectonics in drivingthe exchange of matter and energy between Earth'ssystems is also a central theme. The course isdesigned to provide the necessary scientific andintellectual background for understanding a widerange of Earth phenomena, and to give students agreater appreciation for the natural environment.

Students earn credit for pursuing a full-timeinternship outside of WC. Students must applythrough the WC internship office and find a WCadvisor and an on-site advisor. Participantsproduce a final paper, poster or video detailingthe findings of their work. Internships must firstbe approved by the Chair of the Department. 1 or 2credits. 45 hours per credit is required.

Topics not regularly offered in a department'snormal course offerings, chosen based on currentstudent interest and faculty expertise. Specialtopic courses can only be offered 3 times; afterthis, the course must be approved as a regularcourse. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.

The cycling of natural chemical species andpollutants in the water, soil and air of ourearth system is a major component of our complexecosystem. In this environmental chemistry course,we develop an understanding of the transportand reactions controlling natural chemicalspecies in our environment, as well as the cyclingof pollutants. We focus primarily on currentissues of water, soil and air pollution and studyhow scientists are cleaning up currently pollutedsites, such as through bioremediation, and thenlook forward to how society is working towardsreducing the movement of pollutants through ourenvironment. In the laboratory portion of theclass, we investigate the water quality of localwater bodies, including the Chester River, as wellas conduct hands-on experiments to the environmental issues studied in class.

This second course in geographic informationsystems builds upon the theories discussed inintroduction to Geographic Information Systems,and focuses on the more technical aspects of GIS.Laboratory activities teach the student to usemore advanced functions of GIS software, and thefundamentals of advanced GIS analysis and displayprograms. The student will also learn to operatea precision GPS field data collector.

This summer course investigates the complex marineecology of the Bermuda Islands, the impact ofhuman habitation and tourism on the naturalhistory, and current environmental concerns andmeans of mitigating those concerns. Studentsstudy the geology of Bermuda, biogeography andcolonization, coral reef ecology, sponge and seagrass ecology, culture and history of Bermuda andits major towns, and the environmental impacts ofpeople living on and visiting such a small area ofislands.

This three-week-long summer course, offered inconjunction with the Universidad San Francisco deQuito, investigates many of the world's mostdistinctive species of plants and animals found inthe richly diverse ecosystems of Ecuador. Studentsgain an understanding of Ecuador's social andeconomic issues and the challenges it faces as adeveloping country while attempting to conserveits natural resources. Topics investigated includeconservation of the Amazon rainforest and oilexploration, ecotourism, biodiversity concerns,mangrove conservation and the fate of Galapagostortoises and the Galapagos fisheries.

This course features a detailed examination ofthe unique interaction between the Earth'sgeosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere,and how these systems contrast with those of theother planets in the solar system. The courseincludes a lecture and an integrated labcomponent. The lecture discussion and readingemphasizes the history of Earth systems, from thebirth of the solar system and differentiation ofthe Earth, to the emergence of biological life,chemical evolution of the modern atmosphere, andthe changes to the Earth's climate, ocean andlithosphere throughout geologic history. The labintroduces students to important tools inEarth Science research, including radiometricdating, chemical studies of natural materials,remote sensing and data base analysis. The courseprovides advanced students with the necessaryscientific and intellectual background forpursuing further studies in Earth and planetaryscience, geography, and environmental studies.

This seminar course introduces students to thebasic concepts of environmental art through aseries of environmental art projects made bothinside and outside, in the field. The curriculumcenters on deepening student awareness of how arange of materials, spaces, and approaches can beused to make environmental art projects. Thecourse explores both individual and collaborativestrategies. Students engage in creative work andbasic environmental research, supported by relatedclass discussions and critiques. Readings andscreenings about environmentally engaged artistscoincide with creative projects.

This required course gives students anopportunity to study ecological patterns andprocesses as they relate to human impacts on theenvironment. Through engaging in experimental andfield data collection, in addition to usingexisting data sets from ecosystems around theworld, students in this course explore the impactof human-induced environmental changes (e.g.,climate change, chemical spills, trash disposal,agricultural and road runoff, energy production)on basic ecological interactions. By applying thefoundational concepts of ecology to ouranthropocentric landscapes, students will be ableto critically analyze current managementstrategies while developing novel approaches toecological challenges.

Environmental communication is a powerful tool toconvey important environmental topics to diverseaudiences. In many environmental careers, acentral skill will be communicating about complextopics, such as climate change, biodiversityconservation, urban sprawl, and many others. Inthis project-based course, students practicecommunicating in many forms (through writing,speaking, creative visual displays, etc.) aboutenvironmental topics of their choosing.

Students earn credit for pursuing a full-timeinternship outside of WC. Students must applythrough the WC internship office and find a WCadvisor and an on-site advisor. Participantsproduce a final paper, poster or video detailingthe findings of their work. Internships must firstbe approved by the Chair of the Department. 1 or 2credits. 45 hours per credit is required.

Topics not regularly offered in a department'snormal course offerings, chosen based on currentstudent interest and faculty expertise. Specialtopic courses can only be offered 3 times; afterthis, the course must be approved as a regularcourse. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.

Lecture examine patterns in local and globalbiological diversity and current causes forbiodiversity loss. Conservation strategies fromthe genetic to ecosystem scale are evaluatedto inform students about tools scientists can useto prevent species loss and restore naturalwildlife habitats and populations. Laboratoryexercises allow students to gain familiaritywith hands-on techniques for monitoring wildlifepopulations and include field trips that focus onlocal conservation efforts. ENV/ESI Majors musthave taken ENV 101.

A study of the nature and history of theenvironmental movement and our ethicalresponsibilities with regard to such currentissues as teh preservation of species, animalrights, the value of ecosystems, ozone depletion,and deep or radical ecology.

Marine ecosystems are experiencing unprecedentedrates of change caused by human activities. Humansrely on marine ecosystems for life-supportingservices (e.g., oxygen, food) as well as income,shoreline protection, recreation, and inspiration.Conserving marine systems requires understandingthe threats and what is unique about the marineenvironment (physically, biologically, chemically)and applying that knowledge to conservationaction. This course is grounded in marine ecologybut also discusses key ideas and concepts fromeconomics, history, philosophy, and otherdisciplines as they relate to marine conservationscience.

Students learn to be environmental fieldresearchers through two collaborative projectsconducted throughout the semester. For thesecollaborative projects, student begin with aliterature review and then ask questions, formhypotheses, establish an experimental design,execute the design, analyze the data, andcommunicate the findings through writing. Otherenvironmental research methods are demonstratedthrough lab activities including groundwater,river, and stream sampling.

The study of physical, chemical, biological, and,geological processes and reactions that governthe, composition of and changes to Earth.Students, examine water, carbon, nitrogen,phosphorus, and, sulfur cycles and discuss howhumans have impacted, these cycles. The classexplores potential, management solutions relatedto anthropogenic, disruptions of biogeochemicalcycles. The, laboratory component involvesbiogeochemical field, sampling and laboratoryanalysis techniques.

This course provides an in-depth examination ofthe function and types of wetlands with anemphasis on ecosystem services, biodiversity andconservation. Lecture include a broad overview ofthe role wetlands play in larger ecosystems aswell as the hydrology, geology, chemistry, trophicinteractions and species common to these uniqueaquatic systems.Laboratories include a largefield-based component where students learn toidentify wetlands and their associated flora andfauna.

This course explores general topics of energygeneration, distribution, and use, as well as themany ways that the energy industry affects theenvironment. Topics include fossil fuels, heatengines, renewable energy sources, global effectsof energy use, politics and energy policy, nuclearenergy, and energy conservation.

This course provides a broad overview of restoration ecology with a focus on localecosystems. Although people have been activelyrestoring ecosystems for hundreds of years, thescientific field of restoration ecology isrelatively new. It is an interdisciplinaryendeavor that seeks to use ecological theories andmethods to help ecosystems recover their structureand functions after disturbance, degradation, ortotal destruction and to help assess theeffectiveness of restoration techniques. Thiscourse is composed of a variety of differentlearning approaches including lectures, site fieldtrips, labs, paper discussions, and hands-onrestoration projects.

This course is a survey of the application ofeconomic analysis to environmental problems.Analysis will focus on: policy options availableto lawmakers and citizens, methods for assigningvalue to the environment, and air and waterpollution and the laws meant to control theseproblems.

This course surveys the economic theory behind,and the managemnet of, renewable and non-renewableresources including fisheries, minerals, timber,water, and biodiversity. Analysis of managementoptions is at the local, regional, and nationallevels. Analysis includes trade-offs of policiesand the effect of property rights on resource use.

This class examines the science of how we caninteract sustainably with our environment.Discussion topics for this class include waste,green living, green buildings, agriculture, andwater acquisition, as well as other topics.The laboratory component of this class focuseson discussion and field trips to explore localsustainability practices.

This class teaches students the basic sciencebehind climate change. Students evaluate theevidence that our climate is changing and that itis caused by humans. We also discuss our future ina changing climate and potential adaption,mitigation, and geoengineering strategies. Climatechange science is changing quickly, and we willread and discuss recent papers published in theliterature. The lab instruction includes fieldtrips, data analysis, and journal articlediscussion.

This course explores environmental issues in aglobal context, with particular attention paid tointernational cooperation, international law, andthe roles of governments, institutions, NGOs andsocial movements. The course also focuses on theimpact of environmental problems and cooperationon countries in the Global South/North.

The study of writing from an environmentalperspective is both an emerging field in literarycriticism and a rich tradition in Americanliterary history. What does it mean to be greenfrom a literary point of view? This courseexplores that question in looking at classic andcontemporary authors of American environmentalwriting, from Henry David Thoreau to Annie Dillardto recent examples of eco-criticism. Though theprimary focus is on nonfiction prose, thetraditional home of nature writing, the coursealso explores environmental perspectives inpoetry, fiction, and film as well ascross-disciplinary connections with the naturalsciences and social sciences.

This class explores the human dimension ofecosystem science. We use environmental sociologyas a framework for understanding the dynamicrelationship between humans and the environment,trends in environmental policy and public opinion,environmentalism as a social movement,human-induced environmental decline, andenvironmental justice. Students explore howchanges in ecosystems influence the achievabilityand sustainability of societal values such assecurity from natural disasters, health, goodsocial relations, and freedom to pursue personaland cultural interests.

Students earn credit for pursuing a full-timeinternship outside of WC. Students must applythrough the WC internship office and find a WCadvisor and an on-site advisor. Participantsproduce a final paper, poster or video detailingthe findings of their work. Internships must firstbe approved by the Chair of the Department. 1 or 2credits. 45 hours per credit is required.

A two-semester weekly seminar that preparesstudents for graduate education, careerdevelopment, and writing a successful SeniorCapstone Experience (SCE). Seminars are led byEnvironmental Science and Studies faculty andinvited guests. Students present their SCEproposals and findings as part of the seminar.Required of all Environmental Science and Studiesmajors.

Topics not regularly offered in a department'snormal course offerings, chosen based on currentstudent interest and faculty expertise. Specialtopic courses can only be offered 3 times; afterthis, the course must be approved as a regularcourse. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.

An individualized research project chosen by thestudent in consultation with a faculty memberdesigned to be the equivalent of a semester-longcourse. The student, with the help of the facultymentor, designs a project to be implemented duringthe semester. Students conduct an appropriateliterature search, carry out the research, andsubmit a written report.

Students earn credit for pursuing a full-timeinternship outside of WC. Students must applythrough the WC internship office and find a WCadvisor and an on-site advisor. Participantsproduce a final paper, poster or video detailingthe findings of their work. Internships must firstbe approved by the Chair of the Department. 1 or 2credits. 45 hours per credit is required.

ENV 491 is part of a two-semester weekly seminarthat prepares students for graduate education,career development, and writing a successfulSenior Capstone Experience (SCE). Seminars are ledby Environmental Science and Studies faculty andinvited guests (including from the Career Centerand Writing Center). Students present their SCEproposals and findings as part of the seminar.Required of all Environmental Science and Studiesmajors

Topics not regularly offered in a department'snormal course offerings, chosen based on currentstudent interest and faculty expertise. Specialtopic courses can only be offered 3 times; afterthis, the course must be approved as a regularcourse. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.

An individualized research project chosen by thestudent in consultation with a faculty memberdesigned to be the equivalent of a semester-longcourse. The student, with the help of the facultymentor, designs a project to be implemented duringthe semester. Students conduct an appropriateliterature search, carry out the research, andsubmit a written report.