The following descriptions should give you a good idea of what will be covered in each class. The syllabi have been included but may not be up to date.
ENS 101 - Environmental Studies I - Natural Science
4 hours. An introductory science course for environmental studies majors, which may also be used by other students to fulfill graduation requirements in natural sciences. This course provides an understanding of basic ecological principles and an awareness of the interaction of physical, chemical, and biological forces on Earth. (F)
ENS 102 - Environmental Studies I - Social Science
4 hours. This interdisciplinary social science course examines the environmental implications of various socio-cultural, economic and political patterns in primitive, agricultural and industrial settings. These problems in contemporary America receive special attention.
ENS 103 - Principals of Geography
4 hours. Geography is the study of the location and interrelations of the earth's features, including landforms, climate, water, natural resources and people. We will study the interactions among these systems, using maps as one tool for analysis. (F).
ENS 120 – Hazardous Materials
3 hours. This course will acquaint the student with the complexities and dangers of environmental work involving hazardous wastes. Aspects of hazardous materials chemistry, legal and regulatory aspects of hazardous materials, safe work practices, and basics of toxicology will be covered.
ENS 200 - Special Topics
1 - 4 hours. Further consideration of environmental issues introduced in 100 and 200-level courses.
ENS 201 - Environmentalism
2 hours. This course investigates the causes and consequences of the environmental predicament by examining the historical traditions and values that compose the present-day environmental movement. Technology, growth, and resource depletion are considered in the context of our obligation to the future.
ENS 205 - Environmental Data Analysis
4 hours. Basic techniques and tools for manipulation of quantitative data, emphasizing environmental studies; data collection, analysis on spreadsheets and statistical packages, graphical presentation. Prerequisites: ENS 101/102 or permission of instructor. (III).
ENS 211 - Environmental Problem Solving
4 hours. Discussion and implementation of techniques to analyze and solve environmental problems, including literature research, public opinion surveys, data analysis, and environmental regulation. Prerequisite: ENS 101; score greater than 60 on math exam.
ENS 220 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
4 hours. This class will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of computerized geographic information systems (GISs). It will combine an overview of the general principles of GIS and spatial data management with training on one of the most widely used GIS software packages, ArcView (Environmental Systems Research Institute). Students will learn ArcView computer skills to manipulate data and create maps. A large selection of natural and social science data will be used for independent projects.
ENS 240 Environmental Research Procedures I
2 hours. In this course, students are taught contemporary methods for studying and solving environmental problems. These include geological, biological, and geographical methods. Students are given the opportunity in the course to learn and practice the procedures while working on relevant problems.
ENS 241 Environmental Research Procedures II
2 hours. Continuation of ENS 240. In this course, students are taught contemporary methods for studying and solving environmental problems. These include geological, biological, and geographical methods. Students are given the opportunity in the course to learn and practice the procedures while working on relevant problems. Prerequisite: ENS 240.
ENS 250 – Spirituality and the Environment
2-4 hours. This course will survey past and present beliefs of major religions and spiritual movements in respect to the way those beliefs have shaped adherents’ attitudes toward the environment. Reading will include ancient creation myths, medieval mystical writings on nature, and current interpretations and re-interpretations of religious beliefs about nature. The course will focus as well on the contemporary debate about religion and its place in the environment.
ENS 260 – Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants
2-4 hours. How to feed and heal oneself with wild plants. Ancient herbal principles; environmental and safety considerations; nutraceuticals; gathering, preparing, and preserving foods (soups, salads, stews, stirfires, desserts) and medicines (poultices, tinctures, oils, salves); lore of native and pioneer cultures.
ENS 300 - Special Topics
1-4 hours. Further considerations of environmental issues introduced in 100 and 200-level courses.
ENS 308 - International Environmental Issues
4 hours. How environmental issues differ in other places due to governmental, social, cultural, and historical policies and legacies. Topics include Eastern European pollution, tropical deforestation, marine resources depletion, etc. Also considers how women fill a role as resource caretakers. Prerequisites: ENS 101 or ENS 102 or ENS 103 or permission of instructor.
ENS 320 Advanced GIS Applications
4 hours. Students will use GIS technology to input primary data, generate spatial statistics, and design and produce maps for their own research areas such as community development and planning, ecology, or any traditional academic discipline. Prerequisite: ENS 220 or permission of instructor.
ENS 325 – Water Quality Management
4 hours. Inquiry into the need for and means of managing freshwater resources, with emphasis on application of contemporary methods to local and state concerns. Prerequisite ENS 101-102 or permission of instructor.
ENS 340 - Oral & Written Communication Skills
3 hours. Students will hone their written and oral communication skills as they gain experience with preparing essays, articals, posters, and grant and research proposals for topics in the natural and social sciences. Use of library resources, both archival and on-line, will be expected. Prerequisite: EGL 102; ENS 101 or 103.
ENS 345 Global Ecopolitics
4 hours. A course designed to acquaint students with the transnational factors of political economy affecting the environment. Special attention devoted to resource-utilization, in particular, the new frontiers of oceans, polar regions, and climactic forces. Also examined are the effects of global ideologies (animism, Judaeo-Christianity, Eastern religions, liberalism, socialism and deep ecology), transnational development agencies and enterprises and international law on the "development" of planetary resources. (Cross-listed as POL 345).
ENS 351 - Environmental Biogeochemistry
4 hours. Transformation and movement of elements on Earth, with emphasis on effects of humans and potential global change. Projects involve field and instrumental analyses. Prerequisite: ENS 101 and CH 105 or permission of the instructor.
ENS 363 - Tracking and Stalking
4 hours. Principles and techniques of tracking and stalking wildlife. Topics: transition times and places; gaits; compression shapes; toes 'n claws; tracking-stick and measurements.
ENS 365 - Junior Seminar
1 hour. Students in this course will attend weekly seminars on pertinent topics related to Environmental Studies. Required of all ENS majors.
ENS 397 - Water Laboratory1 hour. Methods for monitoring and analyzing surface and groundwaters using contemporary techniques such as pump tests, channel rating curves, field instruments, wet chemistry, and bioassay. Prerequisite: BIO 101 or ENS 101 or permission of instructors.
ENS 400 - Environmental Studies Seminar2
hours. In a multidisciplinary, issue-oriented seminar, students, instructors
and consultants from various fields combine their talents to develop solutions
to local and regional environmental problems.
3
hours. Development of a management plan for a local natural resource will
provide the focus of this course. The class will work as a team to satisfy
the needs of a project sponsor and those of the local community. Prerequisite:
junior standing. (Cross-listed as BUS 495.)
2 hours. How research in environmental fields is developed, proposed, performed, and presented, with an emphasis on research projects to be conducted as required independent studies for ENS majors.
ENS 450
- Independent
1 - 4 hours. An off-campus independent study project. Students gain experience by serving as interns at public agencies or private firms which deal with environmental problems.
ENS 465 - Senior Seminar
2 hours. Students
in this course will be guided through some of the common aspects of their
senior research projects, such as literature searches, task mapping, and
development of analytical protocols. All students will be required to
present a weekly report on the progress of their senior research. Students
will also attend the weekly ENS seminar series and learn about research
techniques and procedures used by professionals. Required of all ENS majors.
2 - 4 hours. Independent
research under an instructor's supervision. Required for graduation.
ENS 495 - ARGUS Project
3 hours/semester;
maximum 6 for two semesters. Undergraduate research project for ARGUS
program students who are majoring in a natural science. Proposal acceptance
by faculty committee.
