Environmental Science Faculty Sandra J. DeBano, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science (Program Chair) Saundra Herndon Oyewole, Professor of Biology Brunella Bowditch, Associate Professor of Biology Mary Kirchhoff, Associate Professor of Chemistry 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. Support for environmental protection is high among the American public, and satellite communication networks link nations together as never before, enabling scientists to communicate with the general public about environmental issues. The Environmental Science Program provides students with science credentials, knowledge of public policy and international relations, and good communications skills so they can pursue an increasing number of career opportunities. Students in the Weekday Program may pursue a major or a minor in environmental science. A minor in scientific literacy: the environment is also offered to Weekday and Weekend College students. 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 three supporting focus areas: research, education, and public policy. However, students may consider courses in combination from any of the three areas and propose a program plan that is unique to specific interests and goals. Many of these classes will also fulfill specific FLC requirements. All majors engage in either a research project or internship 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 supports two minors, an environmental science minor designed for science majors and a minor in scientific literacy: the environment for students not majoring in the sciences. Some ENV courses support major programs in biology and chemistry and the minor in environmental ethics (see Philosophy Program). Major Requirements (74-77 credits) ALL of the following courses: BIO 151, 152 General Biology I & II BIO 207 or ENV 325 Plant Diversity or Field Ornithology BIO 318 Ecology CHE 105, 106 Fundamentals of Chemistry I & II CHE 231, 232 Organic Chemistry I & II CHE 233, 234 Organic Chemistry Lab I & II ENV 241 Global Environmental Science ENV 245 Environmental Geology MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I NSM 491 Divisional Seminar (1 credit) PHY 115, 116, 117 General Physics I, II, & III ONE internship or research project selected from among: ENV 371 Junior Year Environmental Internship ENV 372 Junior Year Environmental Research ENV 471 Senior Year Environmental Internship ENV 472 Senior Year Environmental Research TWELVE additional credits approved in advance by the program chair from the focus areas described below, including at least one ENV course. Research Focus Area BIO 207 Plant Diversity BIO 222 Introductory Genetics BIO 405 Evolution CHE 315 Environmental Chemistry CHE 316 Chemical Analysis ENV 325 Field Ornithology ENV 425 Soil Biogeochemistry ENV 430 Conservation Biology MAT 126 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II MAT 335 Mathematical Probability and Statistics PHI 303 Readings in the Philosophy of Science Education Focus Area COM 209 Fundamentals of Speech Communication COM 250 Public Relations I COM 265 Introduction to Mass Communication COM 325 Intercultural Communication COM 383 Journalism EDU 255A or 255B* Human Growth and Development EDU 260* Foundations of Education EDU 383* Teaching and Learning EDU 643* Educational Evaluation and Measurement ENV 250 Environmental Field Camp INS 386 World Geography NSM 391 Instructional Assistantship * Course may be applied towards requirements of the B.A./M.A.T. program. Policy Focus Area BUA 337 International Business COM 325 Intercultural Communication COM 360 Small Group Communication COM 365 Advocacy and Argument COM 385 Organizational Communication ECO 122 Introduction to Economics II (Microeconomics) ECO 235 Environmental Economics ENV 435 Environmental Assessment and Federal Law INT 405 Model Organization of American States MGT 210 Introduction to Association and Nonprofit Management PHI 215 Environmental Ethics PSC 312 Introduction to International Relations PSC 322 International Law and Organization PSC 325 Congress and Public Policy Making PSC 352 Public Policy PSC 353 Politics of the Federal Budgeting Process PSC 413 Seminar in International Relations PSC 422 Political Power SOC 237 Community Development and Urban Problems SOC 254 Global Social Issues Minor Requirements: Environmental Science (19-20 credits) (for science majors) ALL of the following courses: BIO 151 General Biology I CHE 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry I ENV 241 Global Environmental Science ENV 245 Environmental Geology ENV 252 Independent Study MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics Minor Requirements: Scientific Literacy: The Environment (21 credits) (for non-science majors) ALL of the following courses: ENV 104, 105 The Science of Global Change ENV 250 Environmental Field Camp ENV 430 Conservation Biology NSM 205 Chemistry in the Environment ONE of the following courses: BIO 206 Flowering Plants BIO 225 Invertebrate Zoology BIO 318 Ecology   Program Policies Advanced Placement: A score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam will meet appropriate science and mathematics requirements. CLEP Policy: Satisfactory scores on CLEP examinations will meet appropriate science and math requirements. Grades in Major Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. Pass/No Pass: The pass/no pass option is not acceptable for courses taken to fulfill major 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. Transfer Credits: May be accepted with the approval of the program chair. Course Descriptions ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth 4 cr Introduces non-science majors to earth science, plate tectonics, and the evolution of life through time with a special emphasis on the Mid-Atlantic region. Labs involve use of scientific method, development of observational skills, computer-assisted learning and several field trips including Shenandoah National Park. FLC, Area V, Level 1; Core, III ENV 104, 105 The Science of Global Change 4 cr Uses an interdisciplinary approach to introduce students to the basic scientific concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics as they relate to human-induced global change. Science is learned in the context of case studies of environmental problems, such as global warming, ozone depletion, and the loss of biodiversity. Social, political, and economic connections will be discussed. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. FLC, Area V, Level 1; Core, III ENV 204 Natural History of the DC Area 3 cr Explores the educational resources available in the DC area for learning about flora, fauna, and geology. Involves trips to local museums, parks, and preserves. Ideal for future or current teachers. ENV 210 Insects and Culture 3 cr Introduces students to the importance of insects in human cultures. Topics explored include the role of insects in art, cooking, agriculture, religion, film, and literature. Includes lectures, movies, hands-on activities, and day trips to local museums and field sites. ENV 241 Global Environmental Science 3 cr Examines contemporary human impacts on the biosphere using the methods of science. Lectures present and analyze empirical data as one input to contemporary policy decisions on air and water quality, resource extraction, and conserving biodiversity. Several arranged field trips. FLC, Area V, Level 2; Core, III   ENV 245 Environmental Geology 4 cr   Relates principles of modern geology, rock and mineral identification techniques, concepts of geologic time and plate tectonics. Discusses geologic hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides), resources (groundwater, energy, minerals), and public health concerns (waste disposal, radon, asbestos). Most labs involve fieldwork. Prerequisites: Strong high school science preparation or completion of any Trinity science course. FLC, Area V, Level 1; Core, III ENV 250 Environmental Field Camp 3 cr Travels to Mountain Lake Biological Station in the Appalachian Mountains of southern Virginia for outdoor natural history programs in biology, ecology and geology. Students read books on human connections with nature, perform biological surveys, keep a field journal, and have a solo wilderness experience. Involves daily on-trail hiking. FLC, Area V, Level 2; Core, III ENV 252 Independent Study 1-3 cr Involves student-led inquiry into an environmental topic of interest as approved by the program chair in support of the environmental science minor. Culminates in a written report and 20-minute public oral presentation. ENV 260 Nature In Winter 3 cr Explores natural history of local environments using subtle but observable wintertime clues to the lives of wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, insects, mammals, and birds. Course includes lectures, readings, and day trips to a Potomac wetland, the Delaware coast, and the Shenandoah mountains. ENV 270 America's Public Lands: Policy and the 21st Century 4 cr Travels cross-country in vans to Utah to meet local citizens and land management professionals to examine issues of state and federal rights, growth, logging, grazing, wilderness, and visitorship to national parks. Several texts, seminar format. Involves camping, hiking, and a two-day backpacking trip for four weeks in the summer. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor FLC, Seminar, Level 2 ENV 301 Field Entomology 4 cr Prepares students to identify commonly encountered insects in the field and to understand their important roles in ecosystems. Emphasizes how this enormously abundant and important group of animals has resolved the basic challenges of survival and reproduction. Beneficial and detrimental effects of insects are discussed. Laboratories integrate field trips, census work, and preparation and collection of adult insect specimens. ENV 325 Field Ornithology 5 cr Prepares students to identify local birds by sight and sound, to appreciate the role of birds as environmental indicators, and to understand aspects of avian biology and ecology including flight, migration, and courtship behavior. Labs integrate early morning field trips, census work, and electronic instructional modules. ENV 357 Special Topics in Environmental Science: Florida Ecology (357A), Hawaiian Ecology (357B), and Costa Rica Ecology (357C) 3 cr Uses an experiential, interdisciplinary approach to gain a more complete knowledge of the natural environment, and the threats facing it. Employs the scientific method to gain an appreciation of the empirical aspect of nature, including quantifying and investigating patterns of biodiversity. Exposes students to a variety of environmental problems that threaten the natural environment, and examines some of their ethical, political, and cultural dimensions. FLC, Area V, Level 2; Core, III   ENV 371 Junior Year Environmental Internship 2-4 cr 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. Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of program chair ENV 372 Junior Year Environmental Research 2-4 cr Encourages on- or off-campus experience that concerns 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. Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of program chair ENV 425 Soil Biogeochemistry 4 cr Explores the complex interactions that occur within soil, which represents the critical boundary between the biosphere and the lithosphere. Soil formation and biological productivity in different environments are discussed along with global strategies to reduce soil degradation and erosion. Prerequisites: CHE 105, CHE 231-232 ENV 430 Conservation Biology 3 cr Considers present and future human management of natural biodiversity by examining major philosophical and legal traditions, the latest ecological theories, and case histories (e.g., gray wolf, migratory birds, wetlands and old-growth communities). Genetic techniques, zoos, gap analysis, and local stewardship agreements are evaluated. ENV 435 Environmental Assessment and Federal Law 3 cr Analyzes environmental assessment and impact statements related to use of federal lands. Discusses existing regulations, methods of data collection, and presentations in the policy-making arena. Features guest speakers, field trips to mitigation sites and attendance at congressional hearings. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status ENV 471 Senior Year Environmental Internship 2-4 cr Provides for senior opportunities in areas described under ENV 371 but requires a more comprehensive written report and presentation of a public seminar upon completion. In some cases, projects started under ENV 371 may be continued under ENV 471. Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of program chair ENV 472 Senior Year Environmental Research 2-4 cr Provides for senior opportunities in areas described under ENV 372 but requires a more comprehensive written report and presentation of a public seminar upon completion. In some cases, projects started under ENV 372 may be continued under ENV 472. Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of program chair NOTE: Descriptions for courses listed as NSM (natural sciences and mathematics) appear in the interdisciplinary courses section of this catalog.