Requirements and Curriculum
Note: This information reflects the requirements and curriculum printed in the 2007-08 course catalog.
Requirements
Required for a major
Twelve courses in approved environmental studies courses including the five core courses and a concentration in one area. Students pursuing the major must choose one of the four options for a concentration listed below. Six of the 12 courses must be at the 200 level or above. No more than three disciplinary courses counting for another major or minor may be applied to the environmental studies major.
Core Courses
Environmental studies 134, 485; philosophy 140, biology 152, political science 258.
Concentrations:
1. Bioscience: biology 256 and 365; one of biology 243, 248, 255; and 4 credits from approved organisms courses (biology 244, 246, 251, 252, 253, 258)
2. Geoscience: biology 256 and 365; environmental studies 320 and 330
3. Social Science: economics 255; political science 355; two of sociology 356, philosophy 230, history 239
4. Individualized: Student develops a proposed course of study for their concentration in consultation with an environmental studies faculty member. This proposal must explain the four courses to be taken for the concentration, how they link together, and the rationale behind the proposal. Such proposals are typically completed during the spring semester of the sophomore year and must be submitted to the Environmental Studies Steering Committee no later than Dec. 1 of the junior year.
Required for a minor
Five courses in approved environmental studies courses including environmental studies 134 or biology 152, philosophy 140 or political science 258, and environmental studies 485. No more than two disciplinary courses counting for another major or minor may be applied to the environmental studies minor.
Courses in Other Departments Approved for Environmental Studies
Anthropology 101,102, or 104 Cultural or Physical Anthropology or Archaeology
Art 264 Scandinavian Fine Handcrafts
Bio 112 Insects, Humans, and the Environment
Bio 151 Principles of Biology I
Bio 152 Principles of Biology II
Bio 243 Microbiology
Bio 244 Plant Taxonomy and Identification
Bio 245 Ecology of the Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos
Bio 246 Ornithology
Bio 247 Subtropical and Marine Biology
Bio 248 Genetics
Bio 251 Entomology
Bio 252 General Botany
Bio 253 Invertebrate Zoology
Bio 255 Physiology
Bio 256 Biostatistics
Bio 257 Aquatic Biology
Bio 258 Vertebrate Natural History
Bio 365 General Ecology
Chem 114 The Environment: A Chemical Perspective
Chem 151, 152 General Chemical Principles I & II
Econ 255 Environmental Economics
Hist 239 Global Environmental History
Paideia II 450 Biodiversity
Paideia II 450 Food and the Environment
Paideia II 450 Stewardship and Sustainable Development
Phil 120 Ethics
Phil 140 Environmental Philosophy
Phil 230 Philosophy of Science
Pols 258 Environmental Politics and Policy
Pols 355 Constitutional Law
Rel 341 Environmental Ethics
Sci 123 Introduction to Meteorology
Soc 356 Environmental Sociology
Thd 126 Movement Fundamentals I
Curriculum
112 Energy and the Physical World 4 hours
The unifying theme of energy molds the physical concepts of motion, gravitation, electromagnetism, heat, radiation, and nuclear physics. Solar, wind, nuclear, tidal, hydroelectric, and thermal electric energy conversion processes are also included. This course is intended for the general student with no special background in mathematics or science. (Same as physics and science 112.) (NWL)
130 Environmental Forays 4 hours
In this course students will explore the relationship between humans and the physical environment by 1) reading seminal texts that address this relationship, such as A Sand County Almanac and Silent Spring, 2) studying basic ideas and concepts central to environmental studies, and 3) using the prairie-forest border region of Northeast Iowa as a laboratory for investigating how humans interact with the natural world. (NWNL)
133 Environmental Conservation 4 hours
An introduction to conservation of the natural environment. Emphasizing ecological principles, the course covers the history of environmental conservation, the soil, air, and water components of the biosphere, and biological diversity. Laboratory/field trips emphasize the ecology of major habitats of northeastern Iowa and human efforts to solve environmental problems. (Same as science 133.) (NWL)
134 Environmental Geology 4 hours
The study of geology as it relates to human activities, with an emphasis on applied environmental studies. Rocks and minerals; plate tectonics; earthquakes; volcanoes; streams and flooding; water, soil, and mineral resources; mass movements; energy resources; field geology techniques. Laboratory/field trips emphasize the environment of northeast Iowa. (Same as science 134.) (NWL)
139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics Credit arr.
140 Physical Geography 4 hours
Physical geography synthesizes and connects elements of our physical environment, emphasizing patterns of interaction between elements and with humankind. This course will provide a framework for understanding the spatial relationships and processes that operate in the physical environment around us. The course will cover the major components of the earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere) including regulatory processes, distribution patterns, and impacts of human activity. (NWNL)
175 Introduction to GIS 2 hours
This course is an applied practicum in geospatial technology that fosters effective use of Geographic Information Systems. Students who successfully complete the course will be able to create, manipulate, and manage geographic data to perform analysis tasks, to visualize geographic data, and to use geographic data analyses to support decision making. No prerequisite.
185 First-year Seminar 4 hours
A variety of seminars for first-year students offered each January term.
320 Soil Genesis, Morphology and Classification 4 hours
Simply put, life depends on soil. Soils effectively link the physical, biological and chemical environments and the study of soils is paramount to understanding and integrating concepts in archaeology, biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science. Students will gain a basic understanding of soil formation processes and the relationships between soils and other Earth systems as well as conducting basic field description of soils and interpreting the environmental history recorded in soil profiles. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: One lab science course. (NWL)
330 Geomorphology 4 hours
This course will focus on the study of Earth surface processes in modern and ancient geological environments. Emphasis is on the classification, description, origin, and development of landforms and their relationship to underlying structure and lithology, using a process-response approach. Topics will include: weathering, erosion, sediment production, and landform genesis in fluvial, glacial, periglacial, karst, eolian, and coastal environments. Laboratory exercises will emphasize topographic map interpretation and aerial photo and satellite image analysis and will emphasize engineering and environmental applications. Prerequisite: 134. (NWL)
375 Directed Readings 1-2 hours
380 Internship 1, 2, or 4 hours
Supervised work-study placement with a public or private organization engaged in environmental concerns. Prerequisites: consent of department head.
389 Directed Research 1, 2, or 4 hours
395 Independent Study 1, 2, or 4 hours
485 Seminar 4 hours
This course will be an interdisciplinary seminar for students completing the environmental studies major or minor. It will be topical in nature and will combine lecture and seminar approaches to the exploration of environmental issues and policies. Prerequisites: completion of all other courses for the major or minor, or consent of instructor.
490 Senior Project 1, 2, or 4 hours
493 Senior Honors Project 2 or 4 hours