Environmental Science

EVS minors use their experience in science as preparation for interdisciplinary work in journalism, business, creative writing, arts, political science, etc. The EVS program includes discussion-oriented seminar classes that let students from all disciplines bring their strengths and interests to the science classroom. The minor is an opportunity to reach for a solid understanding of how humans affect and are affected by the natural world, including current issues as well as the next decade’s headlines.

This 22 credit minor includes courses from five disciplines to give students a broad environmental training.  Here is a sample of some classes you will take:

EVS 476 Issues in Environmental Science

Prerequisites: 30 hrs. of science courses (MATH, BIO, CHEM, GEOL, PHYS); or for Environmental Science minors, all of the other courses in the minor

A detailed examination of the scientific dimensions of selected environmental issues, with discussion of the economic, political and ethical aspects of those problems. BIO/CHEM/GEOL credit.

PHIL 280B Environmental Ethics

This course is an examination of ethical theory and moral issues as applied to the context of environmentalism. Does nature have inherent worth independent of the uses to which it is put by human beings: Do humans have moral duties to animals, plants, or even ecosystems? These and other questions will be critically examined.

GEOL 103 Physical Geography and the Environment

Analysis of climatic elements and controls leading to an improved understanding of climatic types and their world distribution, followed by a study of the physical and cultural features within the major climatic regions, especially as these features relate to climatic conditions. The climatic regions form the framework for building up general geographic knowledge. Although memorization of geographic facts (including place names) is not stressed, the students are expected to improve greatly their knowledge of such facts. Offered every even fall.