ENV 100(3-0-3)
Introduction to Environmental Science
This course introduces students to environmental concepts and issues from an interdisciplinary approach. Environmental issues and controversies will be explored from ecological biological, social, economic, ethical and governmental policy positions. The students will gain an understanding of the basic scientific method, tools and techniques needed to understand and analyze environmental issues such as populations growth, resource depletion, industrial and municipal pollution (air, water & trash), global warming and ozone depletion. Students will be required to make several field trips to environmental sites as part of this course and will complete a project dealing with a current local environmental issue. Fulfills non-lab science elective requirement for except the Mathematics/Science program.
ENV 203(3-3-4)
General Ecology
Through lecture and laboratory experiences this course focuses on the study of major ecological principles including: population and community biology, competition and predation, physiological ecology and adaptations, ecosystems, nutrient cycles, energy flow, and ecological succession. The ecological basis of contemporary environmental problems is examined and related to human activities. Quantitative perspectives and analysis will be used throughout.
PR: BIO 142 and CHM 122, or equivalent
ENV 205(3-0-3)
The Environment and Social Issues
This course is designed to provide a multidisciplinary introduction to the understanding of social issues that impact humans and their relationship to the environment as well as their participation in decision making roles that lead to environmental problem solving. The course will concentrate on: varying factors that influence individual and cultural differences in identification and perception of environmental issues, the social processes involved in addressing the identified environmental problems, and introductory techniques for the integration of different human values and cultural processes into environmental planning and management strategies.
PR: BIO 142 and CHM 122, or equivalent
ENV 260(2-4-4)
Subtropical Coastal and Marine Ecology
This course focuses on the current environmental and ecological issues of a subtropical ecosystem (Indian River Lagoon). The lectures and field experiences will emphasize the application of basic ecological principles to life in the coastal ecosystem, then focus on characteristics of marine and coastal habitats and the groups of organisms that occur there. The course will include physical, chemical and biological aspects of these salt/fresh-water environments, and will explore several different marine ecosystems: reefs, seagrass beds, salt water marshes, mangrove, and cypress swamps. Students will analyze the role of human impact on these environments, spending a maximum amount of time in the field. Through direct observations, species collection, water analysis, and lecture the students will develop an understanding of how such issues as food production, energy consumption, population growth, greenhouse effect, all impact upon these environments, their usage and quality. The laboratory portion of the course will involve two weeks of intensive field work at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Florida. There is a separate field trip cost, which will include air fare, transportation, room and board, and site costs. Because the field experience occurs after the May Commencement, graduating students may not use this course to meet graduation requirements. Graduating students may take this course if a) they are willing to miss Commencement and b) they meet all graduation requirements without this course. Graduates may also choose to postpone graduation until the following semester.
PR: One year of college biology or chemistry or consent of Department