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Environmental Studies and Environmental Science Curriculum

Major

Requirements for the Environmental Studies Major
13 courses 

Introductory Core
161, 162

10 additional courses taken from the following categories.  At least three courses must be ENST courses taught by ENST faculty and at least three must be at the 300-level or above.

Humanities/Arts & Environment – at least 1
Society & Environment – at least 2
Foundations of Environmental Science – at least 1
Applications of Environmental Science – at least 1
Environmental Studies Specialization - optional electives, no limit

Senior Seminar
406


Requirements for the Environmental Science Major
14 courses

Introductory Core
161, 162

The additional 11 courses are taken from the following categories.  At least three must be ENST courses taught by ENST faculty and at least five must be at the 300-level or above.

Humanities/Arts & Environment – at least 1
Society & Environment – at least 1
Foundations of Environmental Science – at least 3
Applications of Environmental Science – at least 5
Environmental Studies Specializations - optional electives

Senior Seminar
406

ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR ENST AND ENSC MAJORS: 
1) No more than two courses may be numbered 550 or 560.

2) For both majors, a single course may satisfy more than one requirement. However, this does not reduce the total number of courses required for the majors.

3) Students may not major in both environmental studies and environmental science.

Descriptions of course categories:
Humanities, Arts, & Environment courses.  Humanities, Arts, & Environment courses explore humanity’s relation to the earth from perspectives offered by the arts, literature, philosophy, and religion. Such classes may include aesthetic, spiritual, and ethical principles employed to assess natural and social scientific ideas.

Society and Environment courses. These courses address the ways human societies are affected by the environment and the ways that human actions alter that same environment. Courses focus on the roles of social, political, economic, and scientific processes in shaping various environmental challenges.

Foundations of Environmental Science courses. These courses present students with disciplinary knowledge from the natural sciences foundational to environmental science.  They may or may not consider how this knowledge relates to environmental science and they include courses at introductory through advanced levels.

Applications of Environmental Science courses. These courses apply scientific tools and methods to address environmental challenges.  A substantial component of the course must consider interactions between humans and the environment.

Environmental Studies Specializations courses. Interdisciplinary courses that study an aspect of human-environment interactions. Normally, courses would include one of the following: four weeks of environmental content or the application of a foundational concept or idea (e.g. inequality, sculpture, development, ethics, etc.) to an environmental issues for at least two weeks.

 

Suggested curricular flow through the major

Example four-year plans for meeting Environmental Studies and Science requirements including for students that declare the major in their second year.

B.A. Environmental Studies (starting in 1st year)

Yr Fall Semester Spring Semester
1 ENST 161
Humanities/Arts & Environment
ENST 162
Society & Environment
2 Environmental Studies Specializations
Foundations of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
3 Society & Environment
Environmental Studies Specializations
Additional major course
 
4 Environmental Studies Specializations
Additional major course
ENST 406

B.A. Environmental Studies (starting in 2nd year)

Yr Fall Semester Spring Semester
1    
2 ENST 161
Humanities/Arts & Environment
ENST 162
Society & Environment
3 Environmental Studies Specialization
Foundations of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
4 Society & Environmental 
Environmental Studies Specialization
Additional major courses
ENST 406
Environmental Studies Specializations
Additional major courses

B.S. Environmental Science (starting in 1st year)

Yr Fall Semester Spring Semester
1 ENST 161
Foundations of Environmental Science
ENST 162
Foundations of Environmental Science
2 Foundations of Environmental Science
Humanities/Arts & Environment
Society & Environmental
Applications of Environmental Science
3 Applications of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
Additional major course
 
4 Applications of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
Additional major course
ENST 406
Additional major course

B.S. Environmental Science (starting 2nd year)

Yr Fall Semester Spring Semester
1 Foundations of Environmental Science Foundations of Environmental Science
2 ENST 161
Humanities/Arts & Environment
ENST 162
Society & Environment
Applications of Environmental Science
3 Applications of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
Foundations of Environmental Science
Additional major courses
4 Applications of Environmental Science
Applications of Environmental Science
Additional major course
ENST 406
Applications of Environmental Science

Notes:

  1. For students that begin Environmental Studies or Environmental Science in their second year it is possible to complete the major.  In fact, many students go on and do it. 
  2. A significant majority of our Environmental Studies and Environmental Science students, go abroad for part or all their junior year. Foundations of Environmental Science, Applications of Environmental Science, Environmental Studies Specializations and Humanities/Arts & Environment can be earned at programs abroad. Generally, 1-3 abroad credits come back and count toward the major. 

Independent study and independent research

According to the College Bulletin an independent research course "should be designed as original research and practice in presenting the results of an investigation. This pursuit must culminate in the student's own contribution to a discipline, whether in the form of fully-supported conclusions or in the form of a creative effort.” In other words, the goal of independent research is to answer a question, not simply to gather information. Unlike independent study, independent research projects must have the potential to yield new knowledge.

In the Environmental Studies and Science Department, independent research projects involve field, laboratory, and/or library research. Research questions may come from the independent research student, the faculty research advisor, or both. The work may range from very independent activity by the student under the guidance of a faculty member to collaborative work with one or more faculty members and, perhaps, other students. The process of conducting independent research begins early in a student's career by talking with faculty about research and by generating ideas for possible research topics. Detailed procedures for pursuing independent research is available here.

Independent study courses are those that allow students to pursue an academic interest outside the listed course offerings, and under the direction of a faculty member. The requirements for independent study are devised in consultation with faculty. Those interested in pursuing independent study should see their academic advisor.

Honors

Departmental honors is a distinction awarded at graduation to students who have successfully completed an outstanding independent research project and achieved a distinguished academic record. To be considered for honors the student must have:

  • Completed two semesters of independent research.  This research must be a significant project commensurate with a full year's worth of work. The student must have clear objectives, an appropriate study design, and explicit conclusions based on thoughtful analysis.
  • Orally presented their project at the Earth Issues seminar series in both the fall and spring semesters. 
  • Presented their research at a professional conference.
  • Submitted a written report (thesis) on their completed independent research project with references to key literature. The paper must be clearly written in the appropriate format, as determined by the faculty research advisor. 
  • Complete a formal discussion of their research projects with the faculty on their committee. During this discussion, the student must demonstrate a deep understanding of their work and its context. Faculty research advisors may set additional requirements.
  • Achieved a distinguished academic record, including a GPA of 3.4 or higher.

Detailed guidelines for department honors are available on the department website and through the department chair.

Internships

Internships are not required by the department, and do not count toward the environmental studies and science requirements. However, majors frequently pursue internships that allow them to gain professional experience, enhance their leadership skills, make connections and tackle real-world issues. Internship opportunities are available on campus, in the Carlisle community and, indeed, nationally and internationally. Internships are recognized through Dickinson’s Internship Notation Program and funding is often available for support. Interested students are encouraged to visit the Center for Advising, Internships and Lifelong Career Development or see their academic advisor.

Opportunities for off-campus study

Environmental Studies students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to participate in global study or another off-campus programs. These opportunities allow students to experience different countries, regions, cultures and perspectives, foster a deeper understanding of the forces that drive environmental changes, and, if desired, carry out research. Students can choose from Dickinson Programs in places like England, Spain, Italy, Cameroon, China, France, Ecuador, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Russia or partner programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Bhutan, Cambodia, Denmark, India, Israel, Morocco, South African, Tanzania, Senegal and Jordan, to name a few. A sample of programs is available here.

Students can also elect to take part in a research Semester in Environmental Science at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, join the Washington Center in Washington DC, or pursue an exchange with an Eco-League school. Other students elect to participate in a Mosaic or Globally-Integrated Course.

The opportunities are endless and exciting! For information see your academic advisor or see the Center for Global Study and Engagement.

Co-curricular activities/programs

Students in the Environmental Studies and Science Department frequently engage and participate in the college’s numerous co-curricular activities and certificate programs. 

Courses

111 Environment, Culture & Values
A study of the effects of scientific, religious, and philosophical values on human attitudes toward the environment and how these attitudes may affect our way of life. By focusing on a particular current topic, and by subjecting the basis of our behavior in regard to that topic to careful criticism, alternative models of behavior are considered together with changes in lifestyle and consciousness that these may involve.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, ENST Humanities/Arts (ESHA), Humanities, LAWP Ethics Elective, Sustainability Investigations

121 Environmental Science for Non-Majors
This introductory environmental science course will explore the integrated, interdisciplinary study of natural environmental systems and human interactions with them. Students will use scientific principles to explore the consequences of human activity. Students will be exposed to basic techniques for investigating environmental topics in lectures, laboratory exercises, and fieldwork. This is an introductory course for non-majors. Students intending to major in Environmental Studies or Environmental Science should enroll in ENST 161.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. This course does not count towards the B.A. in Environmental Studies or B.S. in Environmental Science.
Attributes: Lab Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

161 Environmental Connections
This introductory environmental studies course draws from the influences of the humanities and natural sciences on the social sciences in relation to the environment. The course will examine the ideas, concepts, and debates central to the field. Students will examine the relationship between humans and the environment and become familiar with a range of environmental challenges, with an emphasis on how these challenges have emerged over time and space. The course will investigate and evaluate a variety of strategies that are currently being pursued to address these environmental challenges. The course stresses the importance of “seeing connections”, thinking carefully and critically about environmental issues, and appreciating that complex questions rarely have a single solution. This is an introductory course for those majoring in environmental studies and environmental science. Non-majors should enroll in ENST 121 Introduction to Environmental Science.
This course has no laboratory section.
Attributes: Appropriate for First-Year, Sustainability Investigations

162 Integrative Environmental Science
This course is an introduction to interdisciplinary environmental science. Students will learn to draw upon a variety of natural sciences to identify and address environmental challenges. Students will examine environmental issues analytically, learn to evaluate existing data, and begin to develop skills for acquiring new knowledge via the scientific method. They will be exposed to basic techniques for assessing environmental problems in lectures, laboratory exercises, and fieldwork.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: 161
Attributes: Lab Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

218 Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful technology for managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data and geographically-referenced information. It is used in a wide variety of fields including archaeology, agriculture, business, defense and intelligence, education, government, health care, natural resource management, public safety, transportation, and utility management. This course provides a fundamental foundation of theoretical and applied skills in GIS technology that will enable students to investigate and make reasoned decisions regarding spatial issues. Utilizing GIS software applications from Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), students work on a progression of tasks and assignments focused on GIS data collection, manipulation, analysis, output, and presentation. The course will culminate in a final, independent project in which the students design and prepare a GIS analysis application of their own choosing.
Three hours per week. This course is cross-listed as ARCH 218, GEOS 218 and GISP 218.
Attributes: ARCH Area A Elective, ARCH Area B Elective, Biology Elective, ENST Foundations (ESFN), Quantitative Reasoning, Sustainability Connections

250 Environmental Data Analysis in Practice
Realms of environmental study as different as climate change, land/water management, environmental health, environmental justice, and many others share something in common: they often depend on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course will introduce students to data analysis as it is used to answer environmental questions. Lecture will include activities to understand data organization and statistical concepts, and to critique environmental data as it is presented and interpreted in scholarly and popular sources. During lab, students will learn to write code in the R statistical language to import, wrangle, analyze, and visualize data. These skills will be applied to a real-world project in collaboration with a campus or community partner, culminating in a final product that is shaped by the needs of the partner. No previous coding experience is expected or required.
Three hours lecture and three hours lab a week. Prerequisites: 162 or BIOL 131.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP), Food Studies Elective, Service Learning

280 Environmental and Social Justice
This course reviews social inequalities in relation to environmental issues. We examine the social construction of equity and justice, and apply this learning to understand how societies frame environmental risk. Drawing from domestic and international case studies, we explore how marginalized people and communities disproportionately experience environmental externalities. The social and environmental consequences of uneven development across place exemplify justice and capitalism contradictions. Examples of community agency to re-appropriate or reframe their environment will allow us to understand collective action to counter social and environmental injustices.
This course is cross-listed with SOCI 230.
Attributes: AMST Struct & Instit Elective, ENST Society (ESSO), Food Studies Elective, Social Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

302 Topics in Humanities/Arts & Environment
An interdisciplinary course in Humanities/Arts & Environment. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest.
Three hours classroom a week. Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week. Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.
Attributes: ENST Humanities/Arts (ESHA)

303 Topics in Society & Environment
An interdisciplinary course in Society & Environment. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest. Three hours classroom a week.Br> Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week. Prerequisite: dependent upon topic.
Attributes: ENST Society (ESSO)

304 Topics in Foundations of Environmental Science
An interdisciplinary course in Foundations of Environmental Science. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest.
Three hours classroom a week. Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week. Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.
Attributes: ENST Foundations (ESFN)

305 Topics in Applications of Environmental Science
An interdisciplinary course in Applications of Environmental Science. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest.
Three hours classroom a week. Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week.Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP)

306 Topics in Environmental Studies Specializations
An interdisciplinary course in Environmental Studies Specializations. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest.
Three hours classroom a week. Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week. Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.
Attributes: ENST Env Stud Spec (ESSP)

307 Topics in Disciplinary Specializations
An interdisciplinary course in Disciplinary Specializations. The topic is determined by faculty availability and student interest. Three hours classroom a week.
Depending on the topic, this course may also include three or four hours of laboratory a week. Prerequisite: Dependent upon topic.

318 Advanced Applications in GIS
The course is intended as a continuation of the introductory course on Geographic Information Systems, 218, and will concentrate on more advanced discussions and techniques related to spatial analysis and GIS project design. The main focus of the course will be on using higher-level GIS methods to investigate and analyze spatial problems of varying complexity; however, the specific project and topical applications will vary depending on student interests. Students will be required to develop and complete an individual spatial analysis project that incorporates advanced GIS techniques.
Prerequisite: 218 or GEOS 218 or ARCH 218 or GISP 218 or equivalent GIS experience. Three hours classroom per week. This course is cross-listed as GEOS 318, ARCH 318 and GISP 318. Offered every two years.
Attributes: Biology Elective, ENST Applications (ESAP), Quantitative Econ Elective, Sustainability Connections

330 Environmental Policy
This course examines the effect of environmental policies on environmental quality, human health and/or the use of natural resources at local, national and international levels. It considers the ways scientific knowledge, economic incentives and social values merge to determine how environmental problems and solutions are defined, how risks are assessed and how and why decisions are made. The course examines a range of tools, processes and patterns inherent in public policy responses and covers issues ranging from air and water pollution and toxic and solid waste management to energy use, climate change and biodiversity protection. A combination of lectures, case studies, and field trips will be used.
Prerequisite: 161 and 162, or permission of instructor.
Attributes: AMST Struct & Instit Elective, ENST Society (ESSO), Social Sciences, Sustainability Investigations, Writing in the Discipline

335 Analysis and Management of the Aquatic Environment
An interdisciplinary study of the aquatic environment, with a focus on the groundwater and surface waters of the Chesapeake Bay drainage basin. This course provides a scientific introduction to the dynamics of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuarine systems as well as an appreciation of the complexity of the political and social issues involved in the sustainable use of these aquatic resources. Students conduct an original, cooperative, field-based research project on a local aquatic system that will involve extensive use of analytical laboratory and field equipment. Extended field trips to sample freshwater and estuarine systems and to observe existing resource management practices are conducted.
Three hours classroom and four hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: 162.
Attributes: Biology Elective, ENST Applications (ESAP), Sustainability Connections

338 A Just Energy Transition
With advancing climate change, many nations are undertaking energy transitions, which involve a comprehensive effort to shift to low or no-carbon energy systems. This major undertaking, perhaps the largest global transition since the industrial revolution, focuses predominantly on the economics of the energy debate, with corporations, countries, and institutions rarely mentioning the need for the transition to be ‘just’. Students in this course will explore what the energy transition and nascent efforts to prioritize justice. The ‘just transition’ term encapsulates efforts to undergo these energy transitions using justice as a guiding principle, acknowledging that environmental and social inequalities will endure as nations pursue lower-carbon alternatives unless power and resource inequalities are acknowledged and addressed. As energy access is intimately connected to human development indicators, a just energy transition prioritizes equity concerns, including disproportionate pollution exposure, health access, and educational attainment. A key step to implementing a development-centered approach to an energy transition that is socially and environmentally responsible is to consider recognitional, procedural, and distributional justice concerns in all decisions regarding renewable energy. In this Writing in the Discipline course, students will select and research an energy transition case study. Through research, peer review, and multiple rounds of editing, students will explore the elements of justice in relation to their energy transition case study.
ENST 161 or permission of instructor.
Attributes: ENST Society (ESSO), Social Sciences, Sustainability Connections, Writing in the Discipline

345 Agroecology
How can agricultural systems be designed to nourish a growing human population while sustaining the natural resources upon which agriculture ultimately depends? In this course, students will learn to use ecological principles as a lens to understand and improve the food system. Topics may include crop genetic resources, soil and pest management, the role of animals in agriculture, and agriculture as a producer and user of energy. Class meetings will incorporate significant student participation including presentation and discussion of primary scientific literature and other readings. Laboratory meetings will orient students to agroecosystems in the region and provide opportunities for hands-on learning and scientific investigation.
Three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: ENST 162 or BIOL 131.

Attributes: Biology Elective, ENST Applications (ESAP), Food Studies Elective, Sustainability Investigations

350 Environmental Health
This course will focus on the impact of humans on the natural environment and its consequences to human health. Interdependency of humans and the natural environment will be explored through a broad range of environmental topics including air pollution, water pollution, pesticide usage, solid waste management, and climate change. Students will learn how to assess the human health risks associated with each of the topic areas while focusing on the unique local and global challenges of protecting human health. This course includes a laboratory which will supplement lecture material while focusing on the measurements of local environmental toxicants and its applications to risk assessment.
Prerequisite: 161 and 162 or CHEM 131 or permission of instructor.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP), Health Studies Elective, Sustainability Investigations

355 Green Infrastructure
The majority of the global population lives in urban areas; therefore, studying ways to create more sustainable and resilient communities is a crucial part of environmental science. In Green Infrastructure, students will learn about and investigate concepts and challenges of urban design through an environmental lens by drawing on concepts from the natural sciences and urban planning/design. This interdisciplinary course examines different types of green infrastructure systems and how the components of each system work together to provide intended benefits. Topics may include rainwater harvesting, permeable pavements, bioswales/bioretention, green streets and parking, and green roofs. There will be an added focus on components of the water cycle within these systems including precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and evapotranspiration.
Prerequisites: 162 or BIOL 131.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP), Sustainability Connections

361 The Role of Natural Science in Environmental Studies
What can natural science contribute to our understanding of the interactions between humans and our environment? What makes it possible for natural science to provide this understanding? What are the limits on natural science’s capacity to contribute to environmental studies? Answers to these questions come from the humanities, social science, and natural science. From these perspectives, this course will examine natural science as a way of knowing, and explore the application of natural science to environmental challenges. Laboratory activities will provide opportunities for students to work with ideas and processes that are fundamental to natural science, and experience how natural science is applied in environmental studies.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: 162 or any three natural science courses or junior class standing.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP)

362 Principles of Natural Science for Environmental Studies
Understanding the interactions between humans and our environment requires integrating a wide range of perspectives. The fundamental principles identified by natural scientists, such as the conservation of matter and evolution via selection, are a key perspective. Knowing the principles of natural science and how to apply them provides for a stronger grasp of many environmental challenges and points to effective responses to these challenges. This course will explore a select, integrated set of principles from natural science that are especially relevant to environmental studies. The principles will be applied to better understand human-environment interactions.
Three hours classroom and four hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: 162 or any three natural science courses.
Attributes: ENST Applications (ESAP)

370 Environment and Society
Society defines how collections of humans are organized around shared bonds including cultures, contexts, or identities. Margaret Mead famously warned, “we won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.” Drawing from social science methods, this class highlights how societies are intimately dependent on natural resources, and how human actions alter the environment. Students will examine how collections of humans experience, use, and change the environment. The class will discuss the social construction and production of the environment, understand structures of power, and learn about social change at the local and national scales.
Prerequisite: 161.
Attributes: ENST Society (ESSO), Food Studies Elective, INST Sustain & Global Environ, Social Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

371 Global Environmental Politics
Global environmental politics seeks to understand how the global environment is being changed by humanity and how states, organizations, individuals, communities, societies, movements and corporations are responding to planetary environmental issues. In this course, we discuss the causes of global environmental problems and how solutions have been conceptualized and put into practice over the last several decades. We examine trends in global environmental governance, and focus on the role of the sovereign state and global organizations in designing, implementing and enforcing effective international environmental agreements and regimes. We study the growing role in global environmental politics of ‘global civil society’ and multinational corporations. Finally, we consider the major tensions and controversies that characterize global environmental politics such as the impact of economics and trade, sustainable development, and the role of knowledge, power and science. This course engages with a broad range of materials from the global environmental politics literature and endeavors to represent different methodological and conceptual approaches. The course is not organized around environmental ‘issue areas’ but rather focuses on the underlying dynamics of power, authority, interests, legitimacy and ideas that ultimately shape environmental debates. We focus on how theory informs policy making and learn to recognize the constraints and opportunities available for addressing environmental challenges in a changing world. The course will incorporate lectures and seminar discussions as well as possible field trip and guest speakers. Prerequisite: ENST 161 or INST/POSC 170.
Attributes: ENST Society (ESSO), Social Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

372 Environment, Conflict and Peace
The goal of this class is to examine the complex relationships between the environment, conflict and peace. We will discuss the emergence of the environment as a topic of conflict and peace studies, and ask if the environment should be a security concern. We will scrutinize the extent to which environmental degradation, resource scarcity, natural resource wealth, and even climate change, increases the likelihood of violent conflict, and discuss the environmental consequences of war itself. We will explore whether environmental cooperation reduces the risk of violent conflicts, and whether responses to environmental problems can serve as catalyst for peace. We will strive to understand how international institutions—governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental—act to address security and peacebuilding challenges linked to the environment. The course approaches the topic from different levels of analysis (local, national, transnational and supranational), diverse theoretical frameworks and analytical methods and range of environmental issue areas. Finally, we will use a broad range of materials, employ lectures and seminar-like discussions and incorporate field trips and guest speakers.
Prerequisite: 161 or INST/POSC 170.
Attributes: ENST Env Stud Spec (ESSP), INST Global Security, INST Sustain & Global Environ, Security Studies Course

390 Environmental Research Methods and Civic Engagement
This participatory class provides the opportunity for students to apply research methods to a real-world environmental need. Students will learn core environmental research methods skills, complete Institutional Research Board ethics in research training, and will apply select research methods to complete a project for a community partner. While the research methods structure for the class will remain constant, the theme for the civic engagement component will adjust each time the course is taught, dependent on community need. The final project format will also vary dependent on community partner needs. The class will present findings to the community partner. Students will gain tangible environmental research method skills in the course while creating a product requested by a community partner.
ENST 161.
Attributes: ENST Env Stud Spec (ESSP), Social Sciences, Sustainability Investigations

406 Seminar in Advanced Topics in Environmental Studies
A keystone seminar designed to integrate and apply students' past coursework, internships, and other educational experiences, and to provide a basis for future professional and academic endeavors. The course format varies depending on faculty and student interests, and scholarly concerns in the field. Course components may include developing written and oral presentations, reading and discussing primary literature, and defining and performing individual or group research. Students in this course will be particularly responsible for acquiring and disseminating knowledge. This course is not equivalent to an independent study or independent research course.
Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the instructor. Normally offered in Spring semester.

The following course is offered during Summer School only

110 Wild Resource Management
This course will examine the management of natural resources (the manipulation of the environment to achieve human goals) at the state, national, and global levels. The course will examine natural resource management in Pennsylvania by studying the role of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as managers of Pennsylvania's 17 million acres of state forest and park land. The course will also examine the nature of wildlife management conducted by the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission. These state management practices and policies will be compared with national and global trends. Other topics will include: soil resources, farming technologies, water resources, and the current political controversy over water and wetlands at the state and federal levels. Other issues pertaining to natural resources will be discussed as appropriate.