Faculty
Carolyn Bocian, Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor of Environmental
Science (Program Chair)
Saundra Herndon Oyewole, Professor of Biology
Brunella Bowditch, Associate Professor of Biology
Beverly Smith-Franklin, Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor of Biology
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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. 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 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 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 a minor in
environmental science designed for science majors. Some environmental
science courses support major programs in biology and chemistry.
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Major Requirements
Required Courses (62-65 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
BIO 151General Biology I
BIO 152 General Biology II
BIO 207 or ENV 325 Plant Diversity or Field Ornithology
BIO 318 Ecology
CHE 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHE 106 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHE 231 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 232 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 233 Organic Chemistry Lab I
CHE 234 Organic Chemistry Lab 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 General Physics I
PHY 116 General Physics II
PHY 117 General Physics 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
Focus Area Courses (12 credits)
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 201 Interpersonal 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
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Minor Requirements
Required Courses (19-21 credits)
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
Non-science majors may construct an individualized minor in
scientific literacy in consultation with the Program Chair.
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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.
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Course Descriptions
ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth
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.
4 credits
FLC Area IV
Core III
ENV 104, 105 The Science of Global Change
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.
4 credits
FLC Area IV
Core III
ENV 204 Natural History of the DC Area
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.
3 credits
ENV 210 Insects and Culture
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.
3 credits
ENV 241 Global Environmental Science
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.
3 credits
Core III
ENV 245 Environmental Geology
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.
4 credits
Prerequisites: Strong high school science preparation or completion of
any Trinity science course
Core III
ENV 250 Environmental Field Camp
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.
3 credits
Core III
ENV 252 Independent Study
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.
1-3 credits
ENV 260 Nature In Winter
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.
3 credits
ENV 270 America's Public Lands: Policy and the 21st Century
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.
4 credits
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and permission of the instructor
ENV 301 Field Entomology
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.
4 credits
ENV 325 Field Ornithology
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.
5 credits
ENV 357 Special Topics in Environmental Science: Florida Ecology
(357A), Hawaiian Ecology (357B), and Costa Rica Ecology (357C)
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.
3 credits
Core III
ENV 371 Junior Year Environmental 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.
2-4 credits
Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of Program Chair
ENV 372 Junior Year Environmental Research
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.
2-4 credits
Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of Program Chair
ENV 425 Soil Biogeochemistry
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.
4 credits
Prerequisites: CHE 105, CHE 231, and CHE 232
ENV 430 Conservation Biology
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.
3 credits
ENV 435 Environmental Assessment and Federal Law
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.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status
ENV 471 Senior Year Environmental Internship
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.
2-4 credits
Prerequisites: ENV major status and approval of Program Chair
ENV 472 Senior Year Environmental Research
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.
2-4 credits
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.
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