Environmental Studies
(413) 662-5303
www.mcla.edu/envi
Chairperson: Elena Traister, Ph.D.
Email: Elena.Traister@mcla.edu
Environmental Studies Major
Students in the Environmental Studies major select one of two concentrations: Environmental Science or Environmental Sustainability. The environmental studies major at MCLA prepares students to address challenges of global sustainability. Environmental studies students are part of a close-knit academic community who work to find solutions to regional environmental challenges beginning their freshman year of college in collaboration with local partnering environmental institutions. Hands-on learning takes place in the classroom, in the field, in the laboratory, and as part of research and internships. As an interdisciplinary program, students take courses in departments and disciplines including biology, chemistry, geology, law, and public policy.
Students graduating with a major in Environmental Studies will be able to:
- Use classical skills such as critical thinking, research, speaking and writing as they apply to contemporary environmental issues;
- Use particular technologies necessary for modern professionals in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities;
- Quickly assess environmental problems and work effectively in a team to suggest realistic solutions;
- Enter either the professional world or graduate school with broad understanding, specific skills and significant experience in environmental studies.
Environmental Studies Major Foundation Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
BIOL 160 | Introduction to Biology II: Organisms | 4 |
or BIOL 235 | Botany | |
ENVI 100 | Environmental Studies: Entering Student Seminar | 1 |
ENVI 150H | Honors: Introduction to Environmental Systems | 4 |
ENVI 152H | Honors: Environmental Sustainability | 4 |
ENVI 260 | Green Living Seminar | 2 |
ENVI 325 | Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
ENVI 400 | Environmental Studies: Senior Seminar | 1 |
ENVI 401 | Independent Research | 3 |
or ENVI 540 | Internship in Environmental Studies | |
ERTH 152 | Introduction to Physical Geology | 4 |
Total Hours | 27 |
Environmental Studies Courses
Introduces students to environmental studies in order to inform students about academic and professional opportunities in the field. Supports incoming students in beginning to develop a professional portfolio, and provides information about research, internships, graduate schools, and jobs through presentations and interactions with peers and mentors. This seminar is required for all MCLA environmental studies majors and will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Provides a foundation in the physical, chemical and biological principles of environmental science in order to explore Earth's terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric systems. Directly investigates freshwater and forest environments of the northeast in the context of the scientific method.
Provides an interdisciplinary foundation in the physical, chemical and biological principles of environmental science in order to explore earth's terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric systems. Historical case studies illustrate political and ethical dimensions of environmental issues. Lab exercises familiarize you with the forest and freshwater environments of the northeast and how the scientific method is used to analyze and understand the relation between humans and the natural environment.
Provides a foundation in the nature and properties of natural resources in the context of sustainable environmental management. Students will consider and apply the paradigm of social, environmental and economic sustainability to a variety of natural resource issues such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, wastewater, forestry and wildlife, land protection, food production, urbanization and solid waste and recycling.
Surveys the nature of New England and focuses on the natural history and identification of representative vertebrate animals of the region. It will introduce the physical setting of New England, investigate various communities and ecosystems of the region, and discuss nature in winter and how animals cope with the extremes of winter. The class format includes lecture, student presentations, and class discussions of assigned readings. Required lab component that includes field based activities.
Surveys the nature of New England and focuses on the natural history and identification of representative vertebrate animals of the region. The first part of the course will introduce the physical setting of New England. Subsequently, it will cover various communities and ecosystems of the region, identify the distinguishing vegetation for selected ecosystems, describe the natural history of those ecosystems, and emphasize the identity, biology, and ecology of representative vertebrate animals.
Prepares outdoor leaders by introducing and applying outdoor leadership skills and knowledge. Focuses on history, theory, ethics, and techniques needed to safely conduct outdoor programs. Includes Leave no Trace, wilderness conditions, judgement and decision making, group dynamics, and program logistics. This course includes three mandatory weekend activities: overnight hike, survival skills weekend, and survival skills practicum.
Focuses attention on a special environmental topic or issue at an introductory level of investigation.
Utilizes the format of individual reports and/or group discussions of current papers, topics or problems in environmental studies. May also be organized around a seminar series with invited speakers. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Offers environmental studies students an opportunity to gain practical experience in an appropriate professional situation. The student will work with a faculty sponsor and an off-campus supervisor in gaining experience significant to the major. Course can be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits.
Focuses on the history, management and natural habitats of the Adirondack Park in New York. Includes travel to the Adirondacks with visits to natural areas and interpretive sites as well as meetings with scientists and land managers. The Adirondack Park will be examined as a case study in sustainability, with a focus on understanding the tensions inherent with simultaneously managing for the region's wilderness, residents, and visitors.
Focuses on political science and government in national, regional and international organizations throughout the world. Topics include: United Nations, state and local government, politics and economics of the Pacific Rim.
Introduces students to the economic analysis of the conflict between our lifestyle of unlimited wants and the scarce resources of our biological environment. Examines economic theory and applications to explain the dynamics of conflict. Uses an economic approach to solving environmental problems; students will research, analyze, and report on environmental public policy issues.
Investigates the methods used by environmental researchers to formulate research problems, collect and analyze data and present results professionally; examines sampling techniques, field procedures, and limitations of equipment and research design.
Geographic Information Systems/Science is rapidly becoming the optimum approach for displaying and analyzing both spatial and temporal data in virtually every field. Through a series of "on the job" projects, students will learn the concepts, terminology and computer skills necessary to apply these skills to a variety of subject and occupational areas. Students will complete a final project, report and presentation using GIS in their area of interest.
Studies the development of an American consciousness toward the environment throughout our nation's history, emphasizing the political, economic and social forces at work in the consequent creation of United States environmental law. This law will then be considered in detail through the examination of federal, state and local environmental protection legislation, regulations and related court decisions.
Studies the development of American consciousness toward the environment throughout our nation's history, emphasizing the political, economic and social forces at work in the consequent creation of United States environmental law. This law will then be considered in detail through the examination of federal, state and local environmental protection legislation, regulations and related court decisions.
Focuses attention on a special environmental topic or issue at an advanced level of study.
Provides an overview of the fundamental principles of avian biology with emphasis on ecological and behavioral aspects of ornithology. Students will learn to identify about 100 regional species by sight and/or sound. A semester-long project will encourage students to investigate and read the ornithological peer-reviewed scientific literature. Lab activities will include field trips to practice identifying birds and collecting avian field data.
Explores the concept of environmental justice through interdisciplinary lenses, including sociological, scientific, literary, and philosophical perspectives. Examines the history of the EJ movement as a response to environmentalist movements that failed to consider differentiated impacts on people based on race, gender, and economic status. Historic and current case studies from around the world serve as concrete examples to enable us to grasp patterns and economic connections.
Explores the history, ecology, and current events of the Everglades and South Florida. Through an extended field trip through South Florida, students will explore the historical and contemporary interactions of people with their environment. Using an environmental history perspective, students will examine topics such as agricultural practices, development pressures, Everglades management, threatened and endangered species, water conservation, natural areas management, and prehistoric people.
Examines the aspects of environment predominantly from life science perspective. Courses may focus on particular taxa, or particular biological organization at the level of the organism, population, community, or ecosystem. Courses may also focus on various aspects of ecology.
Focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological environment of freshwater systems, as well as on common methods used in the study of these systems. Concepts will be applied to addressing current challenges in conserving freshwater resources.
Provides a culminating experience for graduating ENVI majors as they prepare to pursue graduate school or employment in the environmental field. Supports students in completing their academic portfolio and in finding and successfully applying for jobs and graduate school. Incorporates a variety of presentations by students and outside professionals. This seminar is required for all MCLA environmental studies majors and will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
For environmental studies majors who desire to conduct research on a specific topic in environmental studies. The research will be under the supervision and direction of the instructor and will require a scholarly report.
Builds on ENVI 325, providing opportunities for conceptualizing and solving spatial/temporal problems within the student's primary field of study. Complex spatial analysis, quantitative methods, process model building and the substantial use of remotely sensed data will be key elements of this course. Topics will also include geo-coding, mapping ethics and 3-D map visualization.
Provides the opportunity for the student to assist in the preparation and implementation of an environmental studies course. This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Open to juniors and seniors who wish to study a topic in depth. Written reports and frequent conferences with the advisor are required.
Offers the environmental studies major an opportunity to practice in an appropriate professional situation. The student will work with a faculty sponsor and an off-campus supervisor in gaining experience significant to the major.
Earth Science Courses
Studies the earth, including the origin and types of earth materials, volcanism and crystal deformation, external earth processes and development of landscapes, geological resources, and geological processes as natural hazards.
Analyzes and evaluates selected contemporary problems in Earth Science.
Focuses on soil formation, glacial sediments, chemical and biological soil processes, and soil fertility. Topics of special interest will include sustainable agriculture and permaculture, environmental contaminants, deforestation and erosion, and wetlands. Required laboratory with emphasis on field work.
Studies the topography, geology, climate, flora, fauna and scenic qualities of national parks and monuments by describing the history of the national park system and factors threatening its existence.
Independent effort directed to the in-depth study of some aspect of earth science.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES: TEACHER LICENSURE
Students majoring in environmental studies may opt to pursue initial teacher licensure as an early childhood teacher or elementary teacher. Students seeking any of these licenses must complete an environmental studies major, education major and a licensure program in education.