Environmental Studies- Related Courses

related courses

AFR 226 Environmental Justice, Race, and Sustainable Development
| Steady | Fall | 1.0 unit |
An investigation of the extent to which the causes and consequences of environmental degradation are influenced by social inequality and the devaluation of indigenous peoples. The course will examine how the poor, indigenous peoples and people of color are subjected to environmental hazards. Topics include the link between negative environmental trends and social inequality; the social ecology of slums, ghettos and shanty towns; the disproportionate exposure of some groups to pollutants, toxic chemicals, and carcinogens; dumping of hazardous waste in Africa and other Third World countries; and industrial threats to the ecology of small island states in the Caribbean. The course will evaluate Agenda 21, the international program of action from the Earth Summit designed to halt environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.
Prereq: None
Dist: Social and Behavioral Analysis

BISC 108 Environmental Horticulture with Laboratory
| Jones, McDonough, Thomas | Spring | 1.25 unit |
This course will examine how plants function, both as individual organisms and as
critical members of ecological communities, with special emphasis on human uses of
plants. Topics will include plant adaptations, reproduction, environmentally sound
landscape practices, urban horticulture, and the use of medicinal plants. The laboratory
involves extensive use of the greenhouses, experimental design, data collection and
analysis, and field trips. Not to be counted towards the minimum major in biological
sciences.
Prereq: QR basic skills component.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science.

BISC 210 Ecology w/Lab
| Rodenhouse, Thomas | Fall | 1.25 unit |
An introduction to the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments. Topics include evolutionary adaptations to environmental constraints, foraging behavior, sexual reproduction and mate selection, population growth and regulation, species interactions, and the structure and function of biological communities and ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on experimental ecology and its uses in addressing environmental issues such as biological control of pests, conservation of endangered species and global climate change. Laboratories occur primarily in the field where exercises introduce students to local habitats including meadows, forests, alpine tundra, bogs, dunes, marshes, lakes, and streams.
Prereq: 108 or 111 or ES 100, or by permission of the instructor.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science. Fulfills QR overlay requirement.

BISC 202 Evolution w/Lab
| Buchholtz | Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.25 units |
Examination of evolution, the central paradigm of biology, at the level of populations, species, and lineages. Topics include the genetics of populations, the definition of species, the roles of natural selection and chance in evolution, the reconstruction of phylogeny using molecular and morphological evidence, and patterns in the origination, diversity, and extinction of species over time.
Prereq: 110 and 111
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

BISC 204 Ecology of New England Seascapes w/Lab
| 1.25 unit |

Prereq:
Dist:

BISC 210 Marine Biology w/Lab
| Hughes | Fall | 1.25 units |
Oceans cover more than 70% of the earth’s surface and are our planet’s primary life support system. This course examines adaptations and interactions of plants, animals and their environments in marine habitats. Focal habitats include the photic zone of the open ocean, the deep-sea, subtidal and intertidal zones, estuaries, and coral reefs. Emphasis is placed on the dominant organisms, food webs, and experimental studies conducted within each habitat. Laboratories will emphasize primarily field work outdoors in marine habitats where students will gather data for the testing of student-originated hypotheses.
Prereq: 111 or ES 101, or by permission of the instructor.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

BISC 308 Tropical Ecology w/Wintersession Lab
| Koniger, Helluy | Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.25 unit |
The ecology of coral reefs and rain forests is the focus of the course. Lectures and discussions during the fall prepare students for the field portion in Belize and Costa Rica. The first half of the laboratory takes place on an island bordering the world’s second longest barrier reef; the second half is taught in an intact lowland rain forest. Laboratory work is carried out primarily in the field and includes introductions to the flora and fauna, as well as testing of student-generated hypotheses. Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s Office approval.
Prereq: 201, 207, or 210, and permission of instructor. Application required.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

BISC 318 From Genes to Populations: Evolution on Islands
Prereq:
Dist:

BISC 319 Population Genetics and Systematics w/Lab
| Sequeira | Spring | 1.25 Units |
In this course we will focus on patterns of population differentiation and speciation in oceanic islands. Little is known about the ecological and historical forces responsible for speciation although these are key for the generation of biological diversity. By looking at relationships between organisms, populations and species, we can interpret how historical processes can leave evolutionary footprints on the geographic distribution of traits. After a series of introductory lectures, the course will involve student presentations and discussion of primary literature examining cases in archipelagos (Hawaii, Canaries and Galapagos). In the laboratory we will explore computational biology tools for analysis of DNA sequences, and apply methods of phylogeny, phylogeography reconstruction and population demographics. We will also explore the growing field of molecular dating of evolutionary events.
Prereq: 201 or 202 or 210 or 219 or by permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have taken [318].
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

ECON 228 Environmental and Resource Economics
| Sneeringer | Spring | 1.0 unit |
This course considers the economic aspects of resource and environmental issues. After examining the concepts of externalities, public goods, and common property resources, we will discuss how to measure the cost and benefits of environmental policy, in order to estimate the socially optimal level of the environmental good. Applications of these tools will be made to air and water pollution, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and global climate. In addressing each of these problems we will compare various public policy responses such as regulation, marketable permits and tax incentives.
Prereq: ECON 101
Dist: Social and Behavioral Analysis

GEOS 102 The Dynamic Earth with Laboratory
| Besancon, Mattison | Fall, Spring | 1.25 unit |
Introduction to geologic processes ranging from microscopic growth of mineral crystals
to regional erosion and deposition by water, wind, and ice to volcanism and earthquakes
associated with global plate motions. A particular focus of the course will be to better
understand the interactions between human activities and the geologic environment.
Laboratory and field trips.
Prereq: QR basics skills. Not open to students who have taken GEOS 101 or [GEOL 102].
Dist: Natural and Physical Science, Fulfills QR overlay requirement.

GEOS 208 Oceanography
| Argow | Spring | 1.0 unit |
Covering 71% of the Earth’s surface and encompassing 98% of Earth’s water, the oceans are perhaps the most distinctive feature of our planet. Why does Earth have water? Why are the oceans salty? And what should every Congresswoman know about the largest habitat on Earth? Oceans impact humanity in countless ways, by controlling climate, navigation, and food and mineral resources. Come explore shoreline processes, submarine volcanism, tsunamis, tides, waves, ocean currents, ocean basin sediments, el niño events, coral reefs, the deep abyss, and more.
Prereq: One of the following: 101, 102, ES [100], ES 101, CHEM 105, CHEM 120, PHYS 103, PHYS 104, PHYS 107, ASTR 100 or permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have taken [GEOS 100].
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

GEOS 211 Geology and Human Affairs
| Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.0 unit |
Meeting challenges like groundwater protection, nuclear waste disposal, and future petroleum production must start with an understanding of the characteristics and history of a variety of geologic settings. This course will illustrate this approach through case studies highlighting Cape Cod glacial deposits contaminated by chemical spills from the Massachusetts Military Reservation, volcanic geology of the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada and sedimentary rocks hosting oil resources in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge. There will be emphasis on reading and interpreting topographic and geologic maps as well as one required field trip. Normally offered in alternate years.
Prereq: 101, 102, ES [100] or 101.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

GEOS 240 Climate Past and Future
| Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.0 unit |
The documented phenomenon of global warming raises pressing questions about future climate trends and what the world’s population might expect if temperatures continue to rise. The science of this problem spans many spheres of Earth activity from present-day oceanic and atmospheric circulation to the geologic record of Pleistocene ice sheets and more extreme climatic events in the far distant past. Even plate motions have climatic impacts as increased volcanism associated with rapid sea floor spreading increases atmospheric carbon dioxide. This course will explore the dynamics of the modern climate system as well as multiple factors influencing climate history. All of these approaches are important for geoscientists and nonscientists alike who must promote intelligent action on global initiatives addressing problems such as anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Normally offered in alternate years.
Prereq: 101, 102, ES [100] or ES 101.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

GEOS 304 Sedimentary Geology w/Lab
| Argow | Not offered in 2007-08, offered in 2008-09 | 1.25 units |
Sedimentary rocks cover most of the Earth’s present surface and contain evidence for past environments throughout billions of years of geologic time. Studying sequences of such rocks is important both for understanding recurrent environmental fluctuations like sea level change and for maximizing resources from coal and petroleum to salt and aluminum ore. Sedimentary processes take on further significance because they take place in popular human habitats including coastlines and flood plains. Lectures will cover production of sediment via weathering, principles of sediment transport, characteristics of sedimentary environments, and interpretation of sedimentary sequences. Laboratory will emphasize identification of sedimentary rocks and minerals based on hand specimens, microscope and x-ray methods, and include field trips in the Boston area. Normally offered in alternate years.
Prereq: GEOS 203 or permission of the instructor.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

GEOS 311 Hydrogeology w/Lab
| Besancon | Not offered in 2007-08, offered in 2008-09 | 1.25 units |
Investigation of water supply and use. Principles of surface and groundwater movement and water chemistry are applied to the hydrologic cycle in order to understand sources of water for human use. Quantity and quality of water and the limitations they impose are considered. Laboratory. Normally offered in alternate years.
Prereq: A 200-level course in Geosciences or permission of the instructor.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science or Mathematical Modeling

GEOS 308 Wetlands Science w/Lab
| Argow | Spring | 1.25 unit |
Wetlands are among the most important environments on Earth, yet are widely undervalued and misunderstood. Wetland science is an exciting, growing field, critical to addressing issues ranging from modern shoreline stabilization to fossil fuel extraction. This course will focus on sediment-water interactions that create and maintain saltwater and freshwater wetland environments, and on the roles played by organisms within the geologic framework. Field trips to nearby wetlands will provide opportunities to make observations, collect samples and develop research questions in consultation with scientists studying and managing wetlands. These will be complemented by laboratory sessions introducing techniques for sample analysis and by relevant readings. Final reports will be submitted to organizations like the National Park Service or National Estuarine Research Reserves. Two weekend field trips required. Normally offered in alternate years.
Prereq: 203, 208 or permission of the instructor.
Dist: Natural and Physical Science

PHIL 233 Environmental Philosophy
| Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.0 unit |
A study of conceptions of the natural world and our place in it, from the pre-Socratics and the Book of Genesis to the deep ecologists and ecofeminists of the present day. Readings in the history of philosophy (Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, Newton, Rousseau, and Hume, among others), in Emerson and Thoreau, and in contemporary nature writers and natural scientists. Discussion of ethical issues and of Third-World critics of Western environmentalism.
Prereq: None
Dist: Epistemology and Cognition or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy

POL2 312S Seminar: Environmental Policy
| DeSombre | Fall | 1.0 unit |
Focuses both on how to make and how to study environmental policy. Examines issues essential in understanding how environmental policy works and explores these topics in depth through case studies of current environmental policy issues. Students will also undertake an original research project and work in groups on influencing or creating local environmental policy.
Prereq: One 200 level unit in political science and permission of instructor. Enrollment limited; interested students must fill out a seminar application available in the political science department office or on the department Web site.
Dist: Social and Behavioral Analysis

POL3 325 International Environmental Law
| Not offered in 2007-08 | 1.0 unit |
Examines the basic legal instruments and their historical development in addressing international environmental issues. Under what conditions have states been able to cooperate to improve the global environment? Negotiation of, compliance with, and effectiveness of international environmental law, and specific environmental issue areas in which international environmental law operates will be addressed.
Prereq: One unit in international relations or legal studies, or permission of instructor.
Dist: Social and Behavioral Analysis

POL3 332 People, Agriculture and the Environment
| Paarlberg | Spring | 1.0 unit |
An examination of linkages between agricultural production, population growth, and environmental degradation, especially in the countries of the developing world. Political explanations will be sought for deforestation, desertification, habitat destruction, species loss, water pollution, flooding, salinization, chemical poisoning, and soil erosion – all of which are products of agriculture. These political explanations will include past and present interactions with rich countries, as well as factors currently internal to poor countries. Attention will be paid to the local, national, and international options currently available to remedy the destruction of rural environments in the developing world. This course may qualify as either a comparative politics or an international relations unit for the political science major, depending upon the student’s choice of research paper topic.
Prereq: 204 or 323. Not open to students who have taken POL3 332S.
Dist: Social and Behavioral Analysis