Environmental studies courses

ENVS 100 Introduction to Environmental Studies
Study of the earth’s environmental systems and of the role of humans in those systems. Focus on the major policy and scientific developments and debates, including such topics as nuclear waste disposal, depletion of stratospheric ozone, global climate change, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.

ENVS 200 Environmental Monitoring
Study of human effects on the biosphere and the physical and chemical techniques used to monitor environmental quality. Waste disposal, recycling, energy utilization, industrial pollution, pesticide use, water quality, and regulatory instruments such as the Environmental Protection Act. Quantitative monitoring of air, water, and general environmental quality. Analytical methods and use of modern instrumentation, including gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, and potentiometric methods. Prerequisites: Chemistry 111 and 112; Mathematics 151. Four semester hours.

ENVS 225 Natural History and Conservation in Appalachia
Natural history of the immediate and extended Appalachian region, including the different natural resources of the region. Current regional activities focusing on environmental sustainability, restoration, and recovery illustrating the balance between human and natural systems.

ENVS 450 Seminar in Environmental Studies
Advanced study of selected topics in environmental policy and science, including guest lectures and presentations by faculty and students. Open to senior Environmental Studies majors or by permission of instructors.

ENVS 460 Independent Study
Independent research under faculty supervision by students either in the policy track or in the science track. Prerequisites: senior status or permission of instructor; permission of program director. Three to four semester hours.

ENVS 470 and 471 Internship I and II
Work experience jointly supervised by the program director and a professional in the field. Minimum 120 hours of field work. Prerequisites: junior or senior status, permission of program director, and completion of coursework appropriate to the field work. Pass-Fail only.

ENVS 490 Honors Thesis
Prerequisites: senior status, GPA of 3.5 in the major and 3.3 overall, and permission of program director. Three to six semester hours.