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The Environmental Studies Program: Courses
Lower level: 1000–1999 (freshman)
Lower level: 2000–2999 (sophomore)
Upper level: 3000–3999 (junior)
Upper level: 4000–4999 (senior)
Introduction to Environmental Science
ENV 1500 / 4 credits / Fall
Physical, biological, and cultural dimensions of environmental problems. The course surveys the historical roots of these problems and then considers components like population pressure, air and water pollution, land use planning, energy and other earth resources, and public health. An introduction to ecological principles is provided.
Environmental Justice
ENV 2080 Refer to POL 2080 in Political Science Courses for description.
Indigenous Peoples and the Environment
ENV 2120 Refer to ANT 2120 in Anthropology Courses for description.
Culture, Consumption, and the City
ENV 2165 Refer to SOC 2165 in Sociology Courses for description.
Environmental Sociology
ENV 2255 Refer to SOC 2255 in Sociology Courses for description.
Environmental Economics
ENV 2280 Refer to ECO 2280 in Economics Courses for description. Pre-requisites: ENV1500 and ECO1510
Physical Geography
ENV 2300 / 4 credits / Spring
Location and local landscape influence natural resource availability, biome type, and agricultural potential. This course explores the earth’s physical processes to understand the important links between geography and ecosystems. Students examine relationships between landforms, climatic variations, erosion processes, vegetation patterns, and hydrology. While this course focuses on the United States, broader linkages are made to regions around the world.
Looking at Cities: Jane Jacobs and Beyond
ENV 2610 Refer to ECO 2610 in Economics Courses for description.
Natural Resources
ENV 2700 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
Principles associated with the development and management of natural resources, including fossil fuels. Topics include sustainability, environmental and social implications of exploiting the natural environment, and renewable resources.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 or permission of instructor
Philosophy of the Environment
ENV 2820 Refer to PHI 2820 in Philosophy Courses (School of Humanities) for description.
Law, Energy, and the Environment
ENV 3020 Refer to POL 3020 in Political Science Courses for description. Pre-requisite: NV1500.
Environmental Policy
ENV 3030 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
The environment has become increasingly significant in national and international politics. This course examines the key concepts, players, and issues in environmental policy. Students evaluate the contributions by scientific, political, economic, and social systems to the generation of environmental policy. Environmental topics include population growth, natural resource use, global climate change and energy, endangered species protection, and pollution. Also offered as POL 3030.
Prerequisites: ENV 1500 or POL 1570, and Junior standing or permission of instructor.
Environmental Impact Assessment
ENV 3045 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
A practical guide to the quantitative assessment of potential impacts to the environment from a proposed development project. Topics include basic federal and New York State SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) requirements; use and interpretation of maps; and assessments related to physical, biological, and socioeconomic components. Students work as teams (using the map room, library, and computer resources) to prepare a sample Environmental Impact Statement related to ongoing development near the campus.
Prerequisite:s ENV 1500 or BIO1560, and junior standing, or permission of instructor.
Geology
ENV 3110 / 3 credits / Alternate years (Fall)
Energetics and interaction among the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Topics include earth materials and processes, the oceans, geologic hazards, climate change, and plate tectonics.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor
Geology Lab
ENV 3110.10 / 1 credit / Alternate years (Fall)
Introduction to rock and mineral identification, topographic and geologic maps, structural geology, and landform analysis.
Corequisite: ENV 3110
General Ecology
ENV 3120 / 5 credits / Fall
A rigorous examination of classical and emerging concepts of ecology. Topics include life histories, population growth, competition, sexual selection, symbiosis, predation, disturbance and succession, energy flow and material cycling, biogeography, and conservation ecology. Lab work includes field trips.
Prerequisites: ENV 1500 and BIO 1560, or permission of instructor.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
ENV 3150 / 4 credits / Fall
An introduction to one of the most widely used computer tools in environmental science. Used for storage, display, and analysis of spatially related data, this digitized mapping system is of primary importance in fields like land use planning, wildlife management, conservation biology, pollution monitoring, and geological resources. Students learn the ArcView system and become experienced in its use with a variety of data.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and a working knowledge of Windows, or permission of instructor; ENV 1500 suggested.
Advanced Spatial Analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
ENV 3155 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Advanced spatial analysis includes practical methods used in environmental, social, and technical disciplines to define spatial patterns, detect temporal changes, and make predictions. The course includes practical case studies from environmental data assessment, hydrologic modeling, environmental monitoring, and groundwater risk assessment. Topics include GIS data gathering and compilation, principles of spatial analysis and geoprocessing, 3-D modeling, and preparation of maps and GIS reports.
Prerequisites: ENV 3150 or practical knowledge of the ArcView GIS software, and junior standing.
Psychology of Sustainability
ENV 3230 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
The role of psychology in building a sustainable future is examined by studying the attitudes, behaviors, and ethics associated with critical environmental problems. Readings and class discussions apply psychological theories and empirical work to such topics as perception of environmental risk, environmental justice and conflict resolution, and psychological benefits of sustainability. Also offered as PSY 3230.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 or PSY 1530.
Environmental Education
ENV 3240 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Prepares students to become communicators and teachers of environmental values, concepts, and issues. Topics include environmental and educational philosophies, basic components of environmental literacy, teaching methods, cognitive development, effective practices for the classroom and nature center, informal education practices, reviews of local environmental education programs, and the daily activities of professionals in a variety of environmental education careers.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 and at least sophomore standing, or permission of instructor
Ecology of Urban Environments
ENV 3250 / 4 credits / Every year
Traces the evolution of the modern city, with emphasis on ecological issues including human population growth, urban wildlife ecology, energy, and material flows. These principles are used to consider the future of the city. The three focal cities are New York, Baltimore, and Phoenix.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 and junior standing, or permission of instructor
Added Spring 2009 (9/18/08):
Environmental Journalism
ENV 3260 Refer to JOU 3260 in Journalism Courses (School of Humanities) for description. Prerequisites: ENV 1500 or JOU 2515, and junior standing.
Field Biology of Local Landscapes
ENV 3280 / 2 credits / Alternate years (Fall)
Learn to identify local flora and fauna, use taxonomic keys, record field observations, interpret local landscapes, and conduct biological surveys. Off-campus field trips develop competency in these professionally valuable skills and provide opportunities to learn about a variety of ecosystems. The biota studied includes vertebrates, flowering plants, ferns, and butterflies. Some bird classes begin at 7:00 a.m. Also offered as BIO 3280.
Prerequisites: BIO 1560 and junior standing.
Environmental Regulations
ENV 3300 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Fall)
Acquaints students and environmental professionals with basic domestic and international environmental regulations and policies used by enforcement/regulatory agencies and donor/lender institutions. Specific federal acts include NEPA, Clean Air, Clean Water, RCRA, Superfund/CERCLA, TSCA, and FIFRA.
Prerequisites: ENV 1500 and junior standing, or permission of instructor
Aquatic Pollution
ENV 3720 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
Examines the sources and impacts of pollution in freshwater and marine environments, including eutrophication, pathogens, pesticides, heat, heavy metals, oil, acid rain, and plastics. The effects are examined through the lens of ecology.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 or BIO 1560 and junior standing, or permission of instructor
Human Ecology
ENV 3800 / 3 credits / Spring
An interdisciplinary review of the reciprocal relationships between culture and environment in both traditional and complex societies. Past human-induced environmental degradation provides lessons applicable to current problems. Topics include the Green Revolution; cultural change and population trends; traditional vs. industrial food production; and the impact of global change, concepts of sustainability, and the commons. Also offered as ANT 3801.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor
Conservation Biology
ENV 3805 / 4 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
The decline in biodiversity is a serious (and perhaps irreversible) threat to the biosphere. This course covers concepts and questions in a new synthetic discipline, which focuses on biodiversity protection. Beginning with the origin, patterns, and maintenance of biodiversity, the class explores the values of biodiversity, the nature of the threats to biodiversity, the demography and genetics of small populations, strategies to protect biodiversity, and ethical and legal bases of conservation efforts.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 and 1560 and junior standing, plus at least one upper-level BIO or ENV elective
Animal Behavior
ENV 3820 / 5 credits / Alternate years (Spring)
An evolutionary approach that addresses questions about the development, physiological basis, functional value, and evolutionary history of behaviors. Topics include foraging and antipredator behaviors, reproductive strategies of males and females, communication, habitat relationships, and sociobiology. Labs, films, and field trips illustrate concepts and research methods. One weekend field trip required.
Prerequisite: BIO 1560, or permission of the instructor.
Environmental Studies Junior Seminar
ENV 3880 / 2 credits / Spring
Prepares students for conducting research in environmental studies. Presentation of faculty research, analysis of research papers and proposals, and guest lecturers accompany student development of a senior project research proposal. Required for all environmental studies majors.
Prerequisites: ENV 1500 and junior standing
Independent Study and Tutorial
ENV 3900 and ENV 4900 / 1–3 credits / Every semester
Students with special interests may study independently under the sponsorship of a qualified faculty member. Independent study in general subjects is permitted if the board of study offers no formal course covering the material. Independent study may not be substituted for any course specifically required. It may be substituted for one lab study or for one 4000-level course required by the board of study.
Internship in Environmental Studies
ENV 3980 / 2–4 credits / Every semester
Students are introduced to techniques and strategies for applying theory to real-world problems. The internship also helps students make informed career decisions and provides contacts for potential postbaccalaureate employment.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Marine Ecology
ENV 4460 / 5 credits / Alternate years
This advanced course surveys the organizing ecological principles that structure all marine communities. The lecture and lab synthesize information from all levels of organization (organism, population, and community). Through texts and primary literature, students examine the biotic and abiotic factors controlling the abundance and distribution of marine organisms. Lab work is coupled with field experimentation and observation.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 and ENV 3120 and junior standing, or permission of instructor
Applied Terrestrial Ecology
ENV 4750 / 5 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Advanced work on the application of ecological principles to practical problems like resource management. Lectures, seminars, and field trips focus primarily on concepts and issues related to forest management, wetlands, landscape ecology, wildlife biology, and endangered species. Two weekend field trips required.
Prerequisite: ENV 1500 and ENV 3120 and junior standing, or permission of instructor
Tutorial
ENV 4900 Refer to ENV 3900–4900.
Senior Project
ENV 4990 / 4 credits (per semester) / Every semester
Two-semester independent study (8 credits total) leading to a senior thesis. The project and thesis may take one of several forms. Students may join in the faculty sponsor’s research, pursuing an identifiable problem; or choose a topic for critical review in the literature. Students with a special interest not represented by a faculty member may find research project supervisors in another board of study or at another institution, subject to approval of and sponsorship by a Purchase faculty member.
Prerequisite: 90 credits and ENV 3880
Updated Sept. 18, 2008