Laboratory time is divided between experiences in ecology and environmental education and small group discussions of current environmental issues. Laboratory exercises will focus on experimental ecology and the basic techniques used to describe and measure environmental quality. Topics include plate tectonics, geologic time and paleontology, the rock cycle, geomorphology, ground water hydrology, and the interrelationship between geologic principles and environmental problems. Laboratory exercises will focus on the basic techniques used to describe and measure geologic structure and geologic processes. Global actors, their values and policies, and the potential futures they create are investigated in the context of issues such as economic development, energy, food and population.
Global interdependence is stressed.
The academic perspective is interdisciplineary, and the geographic focus is non-North American. Topics include energy patterns in natural ecosystems, alternate energy systems, the role of energy in national and international economics, and the relationships between energy use and life style patterns. Topics include mapping and surveying, remote sensing, and the analysis of climate, soils, hydrology and vegetation for land use planning. The laboratory component includes experiences in soil analysis, geographic information systems, air photo interpretation, and earth orbiting satellite data retrieval. Lecture material is heavily oriented toward case studies, and the laboratory assignment is an integrated class project designed to provide practical experience.