ENSC100. Env Sci Prof & Educ Developmnt
This course introduces incoming Integrated Environmental Sciences (IES) majors to the knowledge and skills that promote success, both within the major and post-graduation. Students will learn about the IES curriculum, professional opportunities for environmental scientists, and research, writing, and presenting in the environmental sciences. Additionally, students will apply best practices in time management, goal setting, and study skills critical for a successful and meaningful college and professional experience. Open only to Integrated Environmental Sciences majors and minors. 1 credit.
ENSC101. Intro Integrated Environ Sci
This seminar-style course overviews contemporary global issues in environmental science, including species extinction, pollution, resource depletion, and waste. Students examine behavior leading to environmental degradation; consider the scientific, ethical, and economic aspects of the resulting problems; and study policies intended to provide solutions. Students learn to recognize the integration of multiple disciplines in environmental issues and the complexity involved in environmental problem solving. 3 lecture hours. 3 credits.
ENSC162. Explorations in Environ Scienc
This course is an introductory-level survey course designed to provide an understanding of how science works to address environmental problems. Students will become familiar with the Earth’s major systems, how they function, and how they are affected by human activity. Fundamental concepts addressed by this course include ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, population growth, air, water, and soil pollution, climate change, natural resources, and waste management. 2 lecture and one 2-hour lab periods. 3 credits. WI, FSRC.
ENSC1SR. Env Sci SR Transfer Pillar
ENSC SR Pillar Course
ENSC1XX. Environmental Science Elective
Environmental Studies Elective
ENSC201. Integrted Envirmntl Investigat
This course introduces an interdisciplinary and investigative approach to the science underlying environmental issues and the analysis of environmental problems. Students engage in the process of science through guided inquiry, experiments, and field work, and they will practice design of experiments, analysis and presentation of quantitative data, and written and oral communication. Prerequisites: ENGL 165 or ENGL 265, ENSC 101 or ENSC 162, and MATH 171. 3 lecture and one 2-hour lab periods. 4 credits.
ENSC295. SpTp in Environmental Science
Specialized courses on a variety of topics that may be offered periodically. 1-6 credits.
ENSC2XX. Environment Science Elective
Environment Science Elective
ENSC310. The Ecological Imagination: In
This course considers the work of artists and scientists who model integrative approaches to literature and science as the means of addressing civic and global issues. Over the course of the semester we will investigate how scientific data are used as part of personal storytelling. We will consider how fictional personae have been used to promote scientific ideas. We will also examine how personal experience can be a vehicle for addressing environmental issues. Pre-requisites: Completion of the FSRC requirement and completion of the FAES requirement. PSRC, PAES, WI 3 credits.
ENSC315. Climate Chng Sci, Hist, Policy
This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to climate change through a combination of lectures, discussion seminars, team tasks, and hands-on data exploration. Students will learn how the climate system works; what factors cause climate to change across different time scales and how those factors interact; how climate has changed in the past; how scientists use models, observations and theory to make predictions about future climate; and the current and future consequences of climate change for our planet. The course explores evidence for changes in air and sea surface temperature, the cryosphere, ocean heat content, sea level, ocean acidity, and vegetation due to modern climate change. Students will learn how climate change today is different from past climate cycles and how satellites and other technologies are revealing the global signals of a changing climate. The course looks at the connection between human activity and the current warming trend and considers some of the potential social, economic and environmental consequences of climate change. Finally, students will examine local, regional, national, and international climate change policy and explore potential structural and non-structural mitigation and adaptation strategies.
ENSC321. A Sustainable Brain for Global
Global change concerns such as pollution, species extinction, and climate change are commonly referred to as “environmental problems,” yet at the root of these issues is human behavior. Ecologically unsustainable behaviors are influenced by the thoughts, attitudes, feelings, values, and decisions of individuals and the communities and societies they compose, and are not immutable. This course examines methods to accelerate sustainability solutions drawing on research in psychology and sociology, and discusses how human values shaping global behavior paradigms could be re-shaped by fostering sustainable behaviors that promote a more sustainable future. Pre-requisite: Completion of the HBSI pillar. 3 credits. PHBS.
ENSC340. Global Environmental Issues
This course requires students to apply the varied perspectives from the social sciences and natural sciences to gain a more integrated and multifaceted understanding of environmental issues at the global scale. It will examine the effects of globalization on the environment and economy in different parts of the world. Within the context of human population dynamics, the course will examine both physical and social sustainability issues associated with natural resource consumption and environment change. Prerequisite: ENSC 201 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. WR and SP.
ENSC350. Humans: Creatures of the Coast
This course examines the major issues affecting coastal zones of the world. The range of management and governance themes used in shaping coastal behavior is explored from both an integrative and multi-disciplinary perspective. In particular, the following three issues are examined: the threat to coastal environments from a rapidly growing human population and pollution; the destruction of critical resources and vital ecosystems through unsustainable economic activities; and the difficult challenges governments face in crafting effective coastal management initiatives. The course takes a global perspective, but some emphasis will be given to coastal zones of the United States. Prerequisites: Completion of Civitae Core FSRC and FHBS. 3 credits. PSRC, SI.
ENSC360. The Accommodating Oceans
This course examines the myriad of threats facing the world’s fisheries that include overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and global warming. The management approaches that have led to some of these problems and the environmental, social and economic implications are also explored. Fisheries case studies from around the world are highlighted but emphasis will be given to cases from the United States. Pre-requisites: One of the following FSRC courses (BIOL 101, BIOL 114, CHEM 111, ENSC 162) and completion of the FHBS requirement. 3 credits. PSRC. SI.
ENSC373. Quantifying Nature
This course focuses on the quantitative analysis of nature and specifically the ways that the quantitative tools of data analysis and data visualization can be used to understand and communicate the Anthropocene. During the course we will evaluate how quantitative tools are used in the scientific evaluation of the impacts that humans have on the environment. In particular we will focus on ways that the scope and nature of human impacts can be revealed, understood, and communicated through data analysis and data visualization. Pre-requisites: Completion of FSRC and MATH 171 3 credits.
ENSC380. Intro Environmental Law&Policy
This course provides an introduction to concepts, issues, and perspectives in national and international environmental law. In addition to discussing historical and evolving approaches to U.S. environmental regulation, students examine a representative selection of federal statutes, and explore how social, cultural, and political institutions, as well as human perspectives, opinions, and biases, influence the creation, enforcement, and modification of environmental policy. Students will also consider the expanding field of multi-nation treaties, laws, and politics governing the global environment as they relate to significant contemporary issues such as global climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and transboundary air and water pollution. Prerequisites: FHBS, and either ENSC 101 or ENSC 162. 3 lecture periods. 3 credits. SI. PHBS.
ENSC390. Directed or Independent Study
Must be approved by the head of the department. 1-8 credits.
ENSC395. SpTp in Environmental Science
Specialized courses on a variety of topics that may be offered periodically. 1-6 credits.
ENSC3XX. Environmental Science Elective
Environment Science Elective
ENSC401. Environmental Planning & Mgmt
This course utilizes a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to examine issues related to natural resource management and their impacts on the environment. Principles of land use planning are considered within a broad framework that includes topics such as urban and rural development, natural hazard mitigation, ecosystem and watershed management, edaphic and hydrologic features, forest and wildlife management, and marine and coastal planning. The course integrates knowledge from previous coursework to consider the associated social, legal, economic, and scientific aspects, as well as the applications of skills involved in environmental impact assessment, such as GIS and analytical methods. Emphasis is placed on understanding the collaborative nature of approaches, methods, and techniques for sustainability. Prerequisites: ENSC 340, ENSC 380, GEOG 275, EASC 211, EASC 212, and BIOL 251. 3 lecture and one 2-hour lab periods. 4 credits.
ENSC402. Environmental Decision Making
In this interdisciplinary capstone experience, students develop an understanding of and identify potential solutions to current environmental problems. Through a collaborative approach to encourage synthesis and analysis from multiple perspectives, students will develop research, communication (both oral and written), and collaborative work skills. Exploration of focal problems requires the integration of knowledge and skills from students' work in the natural and social sciences and the consideration of ethical, social justice, and economic perspectives. Further, a civic engagement component provides useful information to the community and provides students with real experience interacting with stakeholders. Prerequisites: GEOG/ENSC 340. 3 lecture periods. 3 credits.
ENSC490. Directed or Independent Study
A directed project administered by qualified specialists in the department. By permission of instructor and must be approved by the head of the department. 1-12 credits.
ENSC492. Intern Environmental Science
A semester-long, on-the-job learning experience designed to apply the principles of environmental science. May be repeated. 1-4 credits. Maximum of 4 hours total for ENSC 492 and/or ENSC 496.
ENSC494. Adv Intrnshp Environmental Sci
A semester-long, on-the-job learning experience designed to apply the principles of environmental science. May be a continuation of ENSC 492 or a new internship experience that involves advanced responsibilities and application of knowledge. May be repeated. 1-4 credits.
ENSC495. SpTp in Environmental Science
Specialized courses on a variety of topics that may be offered periodically. 1-6 credits.
ENSC496. Research in Envrmntl Science
With the approval of a faculty member and the department chair, a student may carry out an individual research project. May be repeated. 1-4 credits. Maximum of 4 hours total for ENSC 492 and/or ENSC 496.
ENSC497. Adv Rsch Environmental Science
With the approval of a faculty member and the department chair, a student may carry out an individual research project. May be a continuation of ENSC 496 or a new research project that involves advanced application of knowledge and skills. Students are encouraged to share the findings of their research through a poster or oral presentation. May be repeated. 1-4 credits.
ENSC498. Senior Thesis in Env Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in environmental sciences under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
ENSC498. Senior Thesis in Env Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in environmental sciences under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. May be repeated as 499. 3 credits.
ENSC499. Senior Thesis in Env Sci
Students conduct an in-depth project in environmental science under the direction of a faculty member and the Longwood Senior Thesis Committee. 3 credits.
ENSC4XX. Environmental Science Elective
Environment Science Elective