Lectures and readings are supplemented with video presentations and occasional guest lecturers. Meetings between the student and faculty member take place during the project to define goals and expectations and to facilitate the work. This course offers a broad overview of the physical, chemical, biological, and geological principles underlying the environmental sciences. Students are introduced to natural processes and interactions in the atmosphere, in the ocean, and on land. The course focuses on biogeochemical cycling of the elements, as well as on changes in these natural cycles with time, especially with recent anthropogenic effects.
Discussions cover the origins, present workings, and future of the oceans.
Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. An introduction to environmental issues and analysis emphasizing comparisons between the sustainable characteristics of ecosystems, both natural and human, and the human impacts on the Earth's life support systems. Topics include human population growth, food production, use of natural resources, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and conservation strategies. The internship requires a minimum of 100 hours of service doing environmental work with government, non-government, corporate, or research organizations. The program can assist students in finding appropriate internship placements.