Environmental Science

Faculty
Description
Requirements
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Carolyn Bocian, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Environmental Science (Program Chair)
Iliana Restrepo, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Saundra Herndon Oyewole, Professor of Biology
Brunella Bowditch, Associate Professor of Biology
Liliana Losada, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Biology
Hollis Williams, Associate Professor of Physics

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Description

Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the interaction between a rapidly expanding human population and our finite natural resources. Today, significant environmental problems exist, including global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, desertification, energy and mineral depletion, and loss of biodiversity, but in recent years we have also improved our scientific understanding of earth systems. The Environmental Science Program provides students with science credentials, knowledge of public policy and international relations, and good communication skills so that they can pursue an increasing number of career options.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may pursue a major or a minor in environmental science. The major requires competence in traditional science and mathematics areas plus the ability to integrate material across disciplines (emphasized in environmental science courses). Hands-on learning, site visits, and a variety of outdoor field experiences are key aspects of each student's training.

Trinity students customize their environmental science major in one of two supporting focus areas: research or public policy. However, students may consider courses in combination from either of these areas and propose a program plan that is unique to specific interests and goals. Many of the required and focus area classes also fulfill specific FLC requirements.

All majors engage in either a research project or internship during their junior or senior year. Research projects may be done at Trinity or in association with other academic, government, or private scientific institutions. Internships may be done on Capitol Hill, with law or consulting firms, conservation organizations, or at local parks. Study abroad options also exist through Trinity's Travel and Study Programs.

The Environmental Science Program also offers two minors: one in environmental science (for students majoring in other sciences) and one in environmental studies (for non-science majors). Some environmental science courses support major programs in biology and chemistry.

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Major Requirements

Required Courses (62-64 credits)

ALL of the following courses: 

BIOL 111 General Biology I
BIOL 112 General Biology II 
CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II 
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Lab II
ENVS 111 Environmental Science I 
ENVS 112 Environmental Science II
ENVS 351 Ecology
ENVS 443 Conservation Biology
MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics 
MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 
MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
PHYS 111 General Physics I

ONE internship or research project: 

ENVS 491 Internship (2-4 credits) OR
ENVS 497 Directed Research (2-4 credits)

ONE senior seminar:

NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar (3 credits)

Recommended Course (4 credits)

          PHYS 112 General Physics II

Focus Area Courses (12 credits)

TWELVE additional credits approved in advance by the Program Chair from the focus areas described below:

Research Focus Area 

BIOL 221 Plant Diversity
BIOL 231 Vertebrate Development and Anatomy 
BIOL 235 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 241 Introductory Genetics
BIOL 331 Histology and Cytology
BIOL 441 General Microbiology  
BIOL 451 Evolution 
CHEM 331 Environmental Chemistry 
CHEM 332 Chemical Analysis 
CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming
ENVS 299 Honors Seminar:  Biodiversity
ENVS 310 Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment
MATH 301 Linear Algebra
MATH 315 Mathematical Probability and Statistics 
PHIL 255 Environmental Ethics
PHYS 112 General Physics

Policy Focus Area

BADM 307 International Business 
ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECON 221 Environmental Economics 
ENVS 310 Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment  
INAF 201 Introduction to International Affairs
INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa and Asia   
PHIL 255 Environmental Ethics 
POLS 241 Introduction to International Relations
POLS 301 Congress and Policy Making 
POLS 305 Public Policy 
POLS 309 Environmental Politics   
POLS 341 International Law and Organizations
POLS 403 Political Power 
POLS 441 Seminar in International Relations 

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Minor Requirements

Environmental Science Minor
Required Courses (20-22 credits)

All of the following courses:

ENVS 111 Environmental Science I
ENVS 112 Environmental Science II
ENVS 498 Independent Study (1-3 credits)  
MATH 110  Introduction to Statistics

Two of the following courses:

ENVS 299 Honors Seminar: Biodiversity
ENVS 351 Ecology
ENVS 443 Conservation Biology

Environmental Studies Minor
Required Courses (21-23 credits)

The following course is required for all minors:

ENVS 498 Independent Study (1-3 credits)

Two of the following courses:

ENVS 111 Environmental Science I
ENVS 112 Environmental Science II
ENVS 299 Honors Seminar: Biodiversity

Four of the following courses:

ECON 101 Introduction to Microeconomics
ECON 221 Environmental Economics 
INAF 201 Introduction to International Affairs
INAF 251 Geography of the Americas and Europe
INAF 252 Geography of Africa and Asia   
PHIL 255 Environmental Ethics 
POLS 309 Environmental Politics 

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
A score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam will be accepted in lieu of either ENVS 111 or ENVS 112.

CLEP Policy:
Satisfactory scores on CLEP examinations will meet appropriate science and math requirements. 

Grades in Major or Minor Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major or minor. 

Pass/No Pass:
The pass/no pass option is not acceptable for courses taken to fulfill major or minor requirements. 

Sophomore Planning:
In their fourth semester, majors will submit a program plan describing intended focus area courses and desired options for internships or research projects. Sophomores will also participate in a brief, oral conference with the program chair and other division faculty on environmental science topics. 

Senior Assessment:
In their final term, majors will assess their intellectual growth by a capstone experience involving two components. The first involves written response (three hours maximum) to several broad, synthetic questions designed by each student in consultation with the program chair and other faculty. The second involves a public, student-led seminar based on additional exploration of one of these questions in an applied context (chosen by the Program Chair). 

TELL Policy:
TELL credits are not acceptable to fulfill requirements for the major or minor.

Transfer Credits:
May be accepted with the approval of the Program Chair.

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Course Descriptions

ENVS 111 Environmental Science I
Presents a comprehensive base in environmental science for majors and non-science majors. Examines case studies of environmental problems, including the loss of biodiversity, global warming, pollution, hazardous waste disposal, and dependency on fossil fuels. Social, political and economic considerations will be discussed. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Participation on several field trips will be required. Environmental Science I is not a prerequisite for Environmental Science II. Formerly ENV 104 The Science of Global Change I.
4 credits
FLC Area IV

ENVS 112 Environmental Science II
Serves as a continuation of ENVS 111, examining a different set of topics. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Participation on several field trips will be required. Environmental Science I is not a prerequisite for Environmental Science II. Formerly ENV 105 The Science of Global Change II.
4 credits
FLC Area IV

ENVS 299 Honors Seminar: Biodiversity
Explores the broad history of biological diversity, from the origins of life through the evolution of dinosaurs to the disappearance of prehistoric mammals during the last Ice Age. Current issues addressed will include the scope of present-day biological diversity, its usefulness to humans, and its importance to ecosystems. The course will emphasize the causes of extinction, its possible consequences, and strategies to conserve and restore biological diversity for the future. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course.
4 credits
Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors Program or ENVS 101.

ENVS 310 Toxicology and Health Risk Assessment
Provides tools to evaluate the hazards of exposure to toxic chemicals and their potential impact on public health from case study data. The basic approaches to risk assessment and toxicology principles will be emphasized, including dose response concepts, methods for identifying health effects and methods dealing with uncertainties in estimated risk.
4 credits
Prerequisites: ENVS 111 or112; MATH 110; basic computer skills

ENVS 351 Ecology
Introduction to the major subdisciplines in ecology:  behavioral, population, community and ecosystems ecology.  Topics studied will include mating systems and life history strategies; population growth; competition and coexistence; predation, herbivory and parasitism; composition and structure of natural communities; global patterns of biodiversity; and biological succession.  Students will learn how to collect ecological data in the field and in the laboratory, and to use statistics to analyze their results. 
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, MATH 123; MATH 110 recommended
Cross-listed as BIOL 351

ENVS 443 Conservation Biology
Considers current and future management of biodiversity by examining major philosophical and legal traditions, ecological theory, and case histories (e.g., protection of predatory mammals, migratory birds, wetlands and old-growth forest communities). Genetic techniques, the role of zoos, gap analysis, and local stewardship agreements are evaluated. Formerly ENV 430 Conservation Biology.
4 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, and BIOL 351

ENVS 491 Internship
Encourages off-campus experience that is policy- or education-oriented. This may involve legislative activities on Capitol Hill, work for environmental law or consulting firms, government agencies, conservation groups, or parks and nature centers. May be repeated for credit, although additional internships may require a more comprehensive written report and presentation of a public seminar upon completion. Formerly ENV 371 Junior Year Environmental Internship and ENV 471 Senior Year Environmental Internship.
2-4 credits
Prerequisites: Junior status as ENVS major and approval of Program Chair 

ENVS 497 Directed Research
Encourages on- or off-campus experience examining a particular research problem in environmental science. Students may propose their own projects or work closely with scientists from academia, government, or industry on existing projects. May be repeated for credit, although additional research projects may require a more comprehensive written report and presentation of a public seminar upon completion. Formerly ENV 372 Junior Year Environmental Research and ENV 472 Senior Year Environmental Research.
2-4 credits
Prerequisites: Junior status as ENVS major and approval of Program Chair 

ENVS 498 Independent Study
Allows for directed study on an environmental topic of interest as approved by the program chair in support of the environmental science minor. Culminates in a written report and a 20-minute oral presentation. Formerly ENV 252 Independent Study.
1-3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

NOTE: Descriptions for courses listed as NSCM (natural sciences and mathematics) appear in the interdisciplinary courses section of this catalog.

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