ES 131CH. Earth Science/Physical Geology - CH Onsite. (4 Credits)

Basic principles governing the dynamic Earth including plate tectonics,volcanism, earthquakes, geologic time, rocks, minerals, weathering and erosion. Three class periods; one 2-hour laboratory period per week. Field trips and/or term projects may be required.

ES 146CH. Sustainable Earth - CH Onsite. (4 Credits)

This course explores historical and contemporary environmental issues in Earth science with an emphasis on human-environmental relationships and their influences on sustainability. Inquiry into regional and global environmental issues in geoscience allows students to identify causes, effects, and potential solutions to problems. The course supports the development of geoscience literacy, informed by current scientific understanding of Earth, which is critical to the promotion of good stewardship, sound policy development, and the understanding of diverse perspectives, behaviors and outcomes. Three class periods; one 2-hour laboratory period per week.

ES 200CH. Climate Change - CH Onsite. (4 Credits)

This course examines the science of climate change, including how the climate system operates, the factors that cause climate change across different time scales, 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 possible consequences of climate change for our planet. The course explores evidence for changes in ocean temperature, sea level and acidity due to global warming and looks at how climate change today is different from past climate cycles. Finally, 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. Three class periods; one 2-hour laboratory period per week. (Every other semester)

ES 220CH. Sustainable Ecosystems - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

This course explores the basic principles of ecology, with a particular emphasis on biological and environmental relationships and their influences on sustainable ecosystems. Inquiry into regional and global issues allows students to identify causes, effects, and potential solutions to ecological challenges facing us today and in the future. Topics include energy flow, nutrient cycling, population structure and dynamics, species interaction, succession, and applications to current environmental management issues. (Spring on sufficient demand)

Course Fees: $60

ES 251CH. Environmental Systems - CH Onsite. (4 Credits)

This course introduces methods of modeling dynamic systems, with particular emphasis on environmental systems which are foundational to interdisciplinary perspectives of sustainability, A focus in understanding sustainability is placed on predicting the behavior of systems through time. Three class periods; one 2-hour laboratory period meets each week. Prerequisite: ES 131 or ES 133. (Fall, Spring)

ES 301CH. Water Resources - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

How much water does the world need to support growing human populations? What are the potential effects of climate change on the world's water resources? Water and water resources are critical issues for the sustenance of nearly every society. This course examines the occurrence, use, management, and conservation of water and water resources in the U.S. and around the world. It further discusses the environmental, economic, and social implications of floods, droughts, dams, and water usage as well as current issues in water quality, water pollution, and water resource regulation. Students will gain an understanding of the environmental, societal, and political impacts of water, water resources, and changes in water supply and availability, and they will be introduced to current and emerging trends in water resource issues, development, and technology. (Fall on sufficient demand)

Course Fees: $60

ES 302CH. Energy - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to energy systems and energy resources. The class will explore society’s present needs and future energy demands, examine conventional energy sources and systems, including fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and then focus on alternate, renewable energy sources such as solar, biomass (conversions), wind power, geothermal, and hydro. Energy conservation methods will be emphasized. (Spring on sufficient demand)

ES 303CH. Sustainable Food and Agriculture - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

In this course, we will examine the social, economic and environmental dimensions of agriculture, the emerging global challenges revolving climate change, resource depletion, and various movements within agriculture including the Green Revolution, integrated crop management, conservation agriculture, organic, sustainable, regenerative, permaculture, and “climate smart” agriculture. We will explore the concept of food security in all of its dimensions including production, storage, distribution, access and stability. We will place special emphasis on challenges to global food security, constraints on the modern “conventional” farming system, and sustainable strategies to increase global food production. (Even-numbered years, Spring on sufficient demand)

ES 304CH. Waste - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

Exploration of the relationships among consumption, waste, pollution, and environmental sustainability. Students will examine challenges involving management of various kinds of waste streams (municipal, hazardous, toxic, and wastewater); assess consumption trends past and present; and explore the connection of waste production and disposal. Through activities such as measuring their own waste stream and assessing community-level waste management (landfilling, recycling and composting), students critically evaluate the economic, political, and ecological impacts of linear vs. circular waste stream practices. (Spring on sufficient demand)

ES 320CH. Environmental Justice - CH Onsite. (3 Credits)

This course examines the fundamentals of environmental justice - the idea that all people and communities have the right to equal environmental protection under the law, and the right to live, work and play in communities that are safe, healthy and free of life-threatening conditions. It explores current and emerging issues, as well as the application of environmental justice to environmental policy and planning. While this course focuses mainly on the United States, international issues and perspectives are also considered. (Spring on sufficient demand)

ES 480CH. Topics in Earth Science - CH Onsite. (1-4 Credits)

Topics will be selected from astronomy, environmental science, geology, marine geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Departmental approval required. Special fee: $30.00 (may be required depending on the topic). (Offered upon sufficient demand)

ES 481CH. Topics in Earth Science - CH Onsite. (1-4 Credits)

Topics will be selected from astronomy, environmental science, geology, marine geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Departmental approval required. (Offered upon sufficient demand)