Environmental Science Course Descriptions
3 Credits
This course is an introduction to the history and technique of botanical illustration. Emphasis is on the development of observational skills and how they can be refined and used in conjunction with basic drawing principles to create aesthetically pleasing and scientifically accurate depictions of botanical specimens. Fee.
ART 312 - Green Art
3 Credits
An introduction to the concept of green art, or art that utilizes the philosophy of sustainability/environmental responsibility as a matrix for production. Students will gain exposure to international green artists and create projects using recycled materials or media that are environmentally friendly and/or made FROM the environment.
BIO 201 - General Biology: Cells, Genetics & Evolution
4 Credits
An in-depth study of the basic concepts of biology including cellular organization and function, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and Darwinian evolution. This course is designed to provide a foundation for advanced study in the biological sciences; laboratory included.
BIO 202 - General Biology: Botany, Zoology & Ecology
4 Credits
A survey of botany, zoology, and ecology; this lab based course will introduce students to current scientific research in these fields. Moving from basic understandings, students will begin to practice botany and ecology in an applied manner and learn to clearly communicate the results of that work, laboratory included.
BIO 224 - Botany
4 Credits
A survey of the plant kingdom including morphology, physiology, and ecology of plants and plant communities; laboratory included.
Prerequisite: BIO 202.
BIO 227 - Microbiology
4 Credits
A comprehensive study of the morphology, physiology, and genetics of algae, bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, and viruses (primary emphasis on bacteria). Included laboratory emphasizes
sterile culture techniques and identification of unknown cultures.&
Prerequisite: BIO 201. Co-requisite: CHM 110.
BIO 274 - Biological Evolution
BIO 330 - Ecology
4 Credits
An introductory course in basic ecology, the study of the flows of matter and energy
in nature, and the relationship between living things and the environment. This includes
relationships between individuals, populations, and ecosystems, and changes over time.
Include laboratory will be field and microcosm explorations.
Prerequisites: BIO 202 and CHM 109.
BIO 366 - Genetics
4 Credits
A survey of major principles of Mendelian, molecular, and population genetics and
the societal issues raised by recent advances in this field; laboratory included.
Prerequisite: BIO 201.
CHM 109 - General Chemistry I
4 Credits
Foundations of chemistry for Science majors. Topics include atomic structure, chemical
bonding, stoichiometry, phases of matter, chemical energetics, molecular geometry;
includes laboratory.
Co-requisite: MTH 102 or equivalent placement.
CHM 110 - General Chemistry II
4 Credits
Continuation of basic principles of chemistry: solutions, equilibria; acids and bases;
electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; descriptive inorganic and organic chemistry.
Laboratory experiments in conjunction with the theory.
Prerequisite: CHM 109 with a minimum grade of C.
CHM 229 - Organic Chemistry I
4 Credits
A study of the fundamental theory and laboratory techniques of organic chemistry.
Topics include reactions of functional groups, reaction theory, and stereochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHM 110. Co-requisite: BIO 201.
CHM 359 - Analytical Chemistry
4 Credits
Theory and methods of analytical chemistry including classical quantitative analysis
and introduction to instrumental analysis. Emphasizes chemical equilibrium principles,
statistical analysis of data, computer usage, and development of problem solving and
technical skills in the laboratory.
Prerequisites: CHM 110; MTH 160; junior standing.
ENV 111 - Astronomy
3 Credits
Study of the heavens. Topics include the life cycle of stars, phases of the moon,
a descriptive study of the planets and constellations, and the evolution of our concept
of the universe from Ptolemaic beliefs to modern cosmology. Includes laboratory.
ENV 113 - Geology
4 Credits
An introduction to physical geology with an emphasis on those processes acting to
create rocks and minerals, landforms, and structures in and on the earth. Includes
laboratory.
ENV 115 - Environmental Science
4 Credits
Study the complex relationships between the Earth, the atmosphere, and living things,
with a critical evaluation of human impacts on natural processes. This is an interdisciplinary
class that builds from topics that include meteorology, oceanography, biology, chemistry,
physics, and economics. Discover the science behind real world problems facing society
and emerging solutions to those problems. Includes laboratory.
Not open to students with credit for ENV 110 and 112 and 114.
ENV 240 - Understanding NEPA
3 Credits
An introduction to the working language of environmental policy and management as
mandated by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Clean Water Act.
Emphasis will be placed on learning to understand, comment on, and write Environmental
Assessments (EA), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and permits required by the
Clean Water Act.
Prerequisites: BIO 107 or BIO 203; ENV 110 or ENV 115.
ENV 279A - CORE: Applied Sustainability
3 Credits
What is sustainability? How is it addressed across a range of disciplines? How can
we understand how to live sustainably, in community from the local to global perspective?
An integrated approach will apply understanding and advances in architecture, business,
chemistry, biology, education, psychology, and ecology to living sustainability in
community with others and the environment. Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer
status.
Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111. This course fulfills the science requirement
for non-science majors. Not open to students with credit in ENV 230.
ENV 320 - Water Resource Management
3 Credits
An exploration of watersheds, stream ecology, and water as a human resource. The course
will examine aquatic ecosystems, human impacts on water resources, and the growing
freshwater crisis. Course contains a significant field-based lab experience.
Prerequisite: BIO 107 or BIO 202.
ENV 330 - Ichthyology: Natural History of Fish
4 Credits
An introduction to fish, a very important and familiar group of living organisms.
Examines fish diversity, adaptations, and ecology. The social and economic importance
of fish in modern society will also be touched upon, especially as these relate to
conservation and management of populations. Included laboratory will involve hands-on
fish capturing and identification.
Prerequisites: BIO 107 or 201.
ENV 335 - Ornithology: The Science of Birds
4 Credits
This course provides an introduction to the world of birds. It covers ecology, behavior,
anatomy, physiology, and diversity of this common, widespread, and fascinating group
of organisms. Included laboratory will be primarily field based, and will include
observing and interacting with wild birds.
Prerequisites: BIO 107 or 201.
ENV 497 - Internship & Capstone
1-3 Credits
An intensive class investigation into an environmental problem in central Ohio. Students
will be involved in the direction of the course. Students will also be active in an
internship of their choice, working at least 50 hours per credit hour on real world
environmental problems. Class time will involve reflections on this experience. Three
credits are required for program completion.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or permission of the instructor, and successful completion
of at least 12 semester credits in the major.
GEO 125 - World Geography
3 Credits
An introduction to the academic discipline of geography; a comprehensive study of
representative world regions. Interdisciplinary in content (culture, history, politics,
economics, etc.), geographic in focus. This course fulfills the diversity, global,
and multicultural requirement.
MTH 140 - Introduction to Statistics
3 Credits
An introduction to the basic concepts and computations used in statistical analysis
as well as their application to problems in other disciplines, especially biology,
business, education, and social sciences. Topics include the description of data graphically
and numerically, the collection of data via samples and experiments, and the process
of drawing inferences or conclusions from data.
The laboratory component of the course emphasizes conceptual understanding, interpretation
of statistical quantities, and written/oral communication and will require the use
of mathematical software.
Prerequisite: MTH 102 or placement.
PHL 242 - Applied Ethics
3 Credits
An examination of ethical principles and their application to ethical issues. Specific
areas of application announced when the course is offered.
Prerequisites: For two-credit sections, one prior PHL course other than PHL 101.
PHL 243 - Bioethics
3 Credits
An examination of ethical principles and their applications to ethical issues in medicine,
health care, and biological sciences.
Not open to students with credit in PHL 348B.
PHL 379A - CORE: Principles of Justice
3 Credits
An examination of some fundamental questions about how people should live and how
societies should allocate their resources. To answer these questions, students will
study the basic tenets of different theories of justice and economic systems. The
course will focus on justice in the allocation of a society’s resources, but it also
will address how different forms of justice are related.
Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status; ENG 102 or ENG 111. Not open
to students with credit in PHL 230. This course partially fulfills the Philosophy
requirement.
PJU 279G - CORE: Interpersonal Negotiation & Mediation
3 Credits
This course introduces basic and intermediate level skills useful for resolving interpersonal
conflicts and reconciling relationships post trauma. Building on an understanding
of conflict theory and communication, the course uses skills of active listening,
problem-solving and bargaining in family, work and community conflicts. Emphasis will
be placed on training through simulations and role-play.
Particular attention will be focused on the areas of interest-based negotiation, principled
mediation and victim-offender reconciliation. These topics will serve as the vehicle
for addressing the question of the seminar: How shall we live in the world in the
light of divine and social justice?
Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status; ENG 102 or ENG 111. Not open
to students with credit in PJU 230, CRJ 237, CRJ 379B, or PJU 379C. This course partially
fulfills the Social and Behavioral Science requirement.
POL 279A - CORE: Environmental Values & Policymaking
3 Credits
This course explores how the “common good” might be considered a way of judging government’s
actions with respect to the natural environment. Some environmentalists wonder if
conventional thinking—even democracy itself—is up to the challenge. Course will illustrate
real-world technical complexities and uncertainties, and the existence of competing
worthy (and costly) common objectives besides environmental protection, stand in the
way of any easy solutions to environmental problems. This course is necessarily interdisciplinary
since neither nature nor policymaking is organized by academic departments.
Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111. Not open to students with credit in CRJ/POL
258.
POL 279C - CORE: American Political Thought: Nature & the Common Good
3 Credits
A study of the concept of nature as used in Anglo-American thought and how these usages
influence an understanding of the natural, social, and political environments of the
United States. Special emphasis given to American political theory, its illustration
through the 19th century American landscape movement, and the inability of U.S. thinkers to appreciate
the common good.
Not open to students with credit in POL/HST/ART 335 or POL 348F.
POL 290 - Politics & Government: Process & Issues
3 Credits
An overview of Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court; consideration of the
political process and the ideas that inform, modify, and alter the United States political
system. Emphasis on citizenship, political culture, socialization, public opinion,
voting patterns, political parties and competing ideologies.
Not open to students who have taken POL 268.