Bachelor of Arts
Environmental Science and Policy
The mission of the Environmental Science and Policy program is to develop the values, knowledge and skills needed to solve environmental problems. We emphasize an experiential, interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning.
Class projects, independent and group research, and/or community engagement are a part of all of our courses. We expect our graduates to understand relevant content areas and demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking, problem solving, inquiry and analysis, information literacy, quantitative skills, communication, technological literacy, teamwork, and civic engagement, as well as specific career and professional skills needed in the environmental field.
The BS serves as preparation for careers in more heavily science-oriented fields. The BA emphasizes the human dimensions of environmental issues, including the ethical, psychological, social, political, and economic factors involved in creating sustainable solutions. Successful completion of either of the Environmental Science and Policy majors provides students with a solid foundation for specialized graduate study, and the depth and breadth needed to find employment in the diverse fields addressing environmental problems.
Majors, Minors and Certificates
Courses
ES103: Intro Ecosys/Wildlife Conserve Lab
Credits 4Using real-world data from local and global sites, students will explore the issues related to species conservation around the world. Issues of habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, overhunting and human overpopulation will be investigated, as well as basic concepts of evolution, biogeography and human attitudes towards the environment. Students will examine trends in biodiversity, and learn how ecosystems can be preserved, managed and restored in order to save wild biodiversity and create a sustainable society. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Critical Thinking and Inquiry & Analysis. Note: ES103 is the first of a two-semester laboratory science sequence with ES104.
ES103L: Intro Ecosys/Wildlife Conserve Lec
Credits 0Using real-world data from local and global sites, students will explore the issues related to species conservation around the world. Issues of habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, overhunting and human overpopulation will be investigated, as well as basic concepts of evolution, biogeography and human attitudes towards the environment. Students will examine trends in biodiversity, and learn how ecosystems can be preserved, managed and restored in order to save wild biodiversity and create a sustainable society. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Critical Thinking and Inquiry & Analysis. Note: ES103 is the first of a two-semester laboratory science sequence with ES104.
ES104: Intro Natural Resource Cons Lab
Credits 4Using real-world data from local and global sites, students will explore the issues related to natural resource conservation around the world. Topics covered will include impacts of mining and processing natural resources, recycling and waste management, renewable and non-renewable energy resources, global climate change and management of water resources, as well as basic concepts of geology, energy and human attitudes towards the environment. Students will examine trends in global resource use, learn how natural resources can be used more wisely through problem solving, and take action through civic engagement to move towards creating a more a sustainable society. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Problem Solving and Technology Literacy. Note: ES104 is the second of a two-semester laboratory science sequence with ES103.
ES104L: Intro Natural Resource Cons Lecture
Credits 0Using real-world data from local and global sites, students will explore the issues related to natural resource conservation around the world. Topics covered will include impacts of mining and processing natural resources, recycling and waste management, renewable and non-renewable energy resources, global climate change and management of water resources, as well as basic concepts of geology, energy and human attitudes towards the environment. Students will examine trends in global resource use, learn how natural resources can be used more wisely through problem solving, and take action through civic engagement to move towards creating a more a sustainable society. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Natural Sciences, Problem Solving and Technology Literacy. Note: ES104 is the second of a two-semester laboratory science sequence with ES103.
ES108: Nature and Culture
Credits 3This introductory course seeks to answer the question: what are the current types of relationships between nature and culture and what might these relationship look like to better protect natural resources, such as land, water and soil? The course draws from several disciplines that are traditionally designated as humanities. We critique a variety of literature to understand the diverse ways humans value the natural environment; we examine the ethical dilemmas inherent in environmental problems; we investigate traditional and current understanding of nature among different cultures; and, we review the political discourse of different environmental issues and their policy implications. Addresses GLE Learning Outcomes Humanities (HM), Critical Thinking (CT) and Intercultural Knowledge (IK).
ES202: Sustainability Seminar
Credits 1Students will be introduced to the three parts of Sustainability – Environmental, Economic and Social Justice, and will learn, through hands-on activities, about concepts and actions related to ecological sustainability. Each student will identify an individual sustainability project to work on at FP or in local communities.
ES205: Environmental Geology Lab
Credits 4Provides a broad overview of the environmental impacts associated with resource extraction and use, with soil use, and with water use. Particular attention is paid to the roles of human population growth and growth in per capita consumption in these various environmental impacts. Prerequisite: GL101 or ES103.
ES205L: Environmental Geology Lecture
Credits 0Provides a broad overview of the environmental impacts associated with resource extraction and use, with soil use, and with water use. Particular attention is paid to the roles of human population growth and growth in per capita consumption in these various environmental impacts. Prerequisite: GL101 or ES103.
ES206: Cultural Resource Management Lab
Credits 4Examines theory and methods of archaeological research, the modern practice of cultural resource management, the place of archaeological resources in modern environmental review processes, and the use of modern survey technology and data including LiDAR, GIS, and NRCS soil surveys. Students will complete a Phase IA study for a section of campus land and complete a full day of archaeological excavation on a Native American site near campus.
ES206L: Cultural Resource Management Lect
Credits 0Examines theory and methods of archaeological research, the modern practice of cultural resource management, the place of archaeological resources in modern environmental review processes, and the use of modern survey technology and data including LiDAR, GIS, and NRCS soil surveys. Students will complete a Phase IA study for a section of campus land and complete a full day of archaeological excavation on a Native American site near campus.
ES210: Evolution Environmental Thought
Credits 3Surveys human understanding of and attitudes toward the natural environment as expressed by naturalists and writers from the 1600s to the present. Emphasis is placed on the development of these ideas as it took place in North America. Prerequisites: permission of instructor; sophomore, junior, or senior standing.
ES214: Coastal Ecology
Credits 3This field study course runs in May as part of spring semester. It will explore New England coastal ecology, with special focus on outer Cape Cod. Course topics include coastal geomorphology; barrier island dynamics and estuarine ecology; plant succession on active dune systems; threatened and endangered coastal and marine species; human impacts to coastal ecosystems; and natural resource management issues in New England coastal systems. Prerequisite: BI101 or ES103 or GL115.
ES218: Ecology Lab
Credits 4ES218L: Ecology Lecture
Credits 0ES229: Special Topics the Environment
Credits 1 4Special Topics-1-4 credits. Constructed around a timely issue in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, generally in a field of expertise of the faculty member facilitating the course. Prerequisites may vary.
ES229L: Special Topics Environment Lecture
Credits 0Constructed around a timely issue in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, generally in a field of expertise of the faculty member facilitating the course. Prerequisites may vary.
ES236: Environmental Educ Citizen Engage
Credits 3This course is designed for environmental studies or environmental science majors as a critical course for preparing students for careers doing non-formal education and citizen engagement about environmental issues. Topics covered in the course will enhance the student's ability to develop and deliver programs appropriate for a targeted audience (e.g. 5th graders versus town stakeholders). New advances in education and citizen engagement will be discussed to give the student an appreciation of this relatively new field. Students will create an education tools and techniques portfolio that they can utilize in the workplace upon graduation.
ES240: Creating Sustainable Communities
Credits 3Students learn what it takes to create a sustainable community through hands-on service- learning projects. Students conduct research and propose specific plans to address a specific existing environmental issue in a local community, such as assessing the impacts of a proposed development, reducing air pollution, or increasing recycling.
ES299: Indept Study in Environmental Sci
Credits 2 6Independent Study-2-6 credits. Independent study offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor, and must meet with the approval of the Dean or Dean's designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or the Dean or Dean's designee. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.
ES301: Place, Community & Regional Studies
Credits 3An introduction to the natural and cultural history of a place - using the campus and nearby Rindge as a laboratory. Students will learn to observe nature and culture first hand, "read" the landscape, link local history to larger regional patterns, and understand the sense of place. Prerequisite: GLE120.
ES302: Sustainability Project
Credits 3This project course will connect the students with the individuals and resources needed to complete their Sustainability project successfully. The Coordinator will also make sure that the student demonstrates how he or she is applying the knowledge and skills from the Green Earth courses to the project. Prerequisite ES202
ES305: Health, Human Rights & Envron Just
Credits 3Public health has important political and moral implications. This course addresses central issues in the philosophy of health care from an environmental and human rights perspective. Students will consider what is health? What is health care? Does health enjoy a special moral importance? What is it? Who requires and/or deserves health care? Is access to health care a fundamental human right? Students will examine how geography and environmental justice influences the answers to these questions. Students will learn about the disproportionate burdens of environmental contamination and about the health disparities affecting communities of color across the US and internationally. We will review programs that have been organized to address childhood asthma reduction, lead poisoning prevention, waste recycling, clean-up and restoration of contaminated sites, sustainable/organic agriculture, clean energy programs and cancer and health disparities research. Students will be asked to critically examine these efforts and also explore unresolved, chronic problems with environmental injustices and health impacts. Pre-requisites: ES 240 Sustainable Communities is helpful but not required.
ES307: Natural Resources Law and Policy
Credits 3ES320: Wetland Ecology & Protection Lab
Credits 4ES329: Special Topics about Environment
Credits 1 4Special Topics-1-4 credits. Constructed around a timely issue in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, generally in a field of expertise of the faculty member facilitating the course. Prerequisites may vary.
ES329L: Special Topics Environment Lecture
Credits 0Constructed around a timely issue in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, generally in a field of expertise of the faculty member facilitating the course. Prerequisites may vary.
ES367: Water Resources Management Lab
Credits 4This course addresses the science and policy of maintaining a healthy and adequate water supply in the US and other countries. We will consider the watershed connections, the geologic setting, and the impacts of development on the physical, chemical and biological aspects of surface water and groundwater bodies. We will also learn the field tools and techniques used to sample surface water and analyze its chemistry. Pre-requisite: ES104 or BI218 or permission of the instructor.
ES367L: Water Resources Management Lecture
Credits 0This course addresses the science and policy of maintaining a healthy and adequate water supply in the US and other countries. We will consider the watershed connections, the geologic setting, and the impacts of development on the physical, chemical and biological aspects of surface water and groundwater bodies. We will also learn the field tools and techniques used to sample surface water and analyze its chemistry. Pre-requisite: BI218 or permission of the instructor.
ES399: Indept Study in Environmental Sci
Credits 2 6Independent Study-2-6 credits. Independent study offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor, and must meet with the approval of the Dean or Dean's designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or the Dean or Dean's designee. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.
ES429: Special Topics about Environment
Credits 1 4Special Topics-1-4 credits. Constructed around a timely issue in Environmental Science or Environmental Studies, generally in a field of expertise of the faculty member facilitating the course. Prerequisites may vary.
ES430: Forest Ecology Lab
Credits 4Examines the basic ecological processes that influence forest type and forest structure. Topics covered range from broad scale landscape patterns of natural and human disturbance to the specific habitat requirements of individual plant species. The laboratory section consists of weekly field trips to forests both on and off the campus, and will emphasize quantitative techniques for the collection and interpretation of field data, as well as basic natural history. Prerequisite: BI218 or permission of instructor.
ES430L: Forest Ecology Lecture
Credits 0Examines the basic ecological processes that influence forest type and forest structure. Topics covered range from broad scale landscape patterns of natural and human disturbance to the specific habitat requirements of individual plant species. The laboratory section consists of weekly field trips to forests both on and off the campus, and will emphasize quantitative techniques for the collection and interpretation of field data, as well as basic natural history. Prerequisite: BI218 or permission of instructor.
ES460: Internship in Environmental Science
Credits 2 6Internship-2-6 credits. An on-site, field experience with a public or private environmental agency or institution. Internships normally require a minimum of 55 hours of on-the-job work per semester hour of credit, a grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and demonstrated ability to complete the work expected. Internships are developed in consultation with a faculty internship advisor and require the approval of the advisor, prospective intern supervisor and the Dean or Dean's designee. Evaluation is made by the internship advisor in consultation with the employer. Prerequsites: Environmental Science major; junior or senior standing; permission of instructor.
ES461: Internship in Environmental Science
Credits 2 6Internship-2-6 credits. An on-site, field experience with a public or private environmental agency or institution. Internships normally require a minimum of 55 hours of on-the-job work per semester hour of credit, a grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and demonstrated ability to complete the work expected. Internships are developed in consultation with a faculty internship advisor and require the approval of the advisor, prospective intern supervisor and the Dean or Dean's designee. Evaluation is made by the internship advisor in consultation with the employer.Prerequsites: Environmental Science major; junior or senior standing; permission of instructor.
ES462: Internship in Environmental Science
Credits 2 6Internship-2-6 credits. An on-site, field experience with a public or private environmental agency or institution. Internships normally require a minimum of 55 hours of on-the-job work per semester hour of credit, a grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and demonstrated ability to complete the work expected. Internships are developed in consultation with a faculty internship advisor and require the approval of the advisor, prospective intern supervisor and the Dean or Dean's designee. Evaluation is made by the internship advisor in consultation with the employer. Prerequsites: Environmental Science major; junior or senior standing; permission of instructor.
ES465: Climate Change: Sci & Solutions Lab
Credits 4Earth’s climate is changing very rapidly, as a result of human activities which produce heat-trapping gases. The science, while still continuing to evolve, has clearly established both the causes and the effects, and ever-growing evidence supports the dire predictions of climate models. These predictions indicate that without immediate, large-scale action, climate change will threaten human health, food and water supplies, building infrastructure, and the productivity and diversity of all of Earth’s ecosystems. The goal of this course is to help students understand the of climate change, and develop the skills and tools needed to understand and implement solutions to the crisis. Prerequisites: ES104 or PH102, and one math class at least MT151 or higher
ES465L: Climate Change: Sci & Solutions Lec
Credits 0Earth’s climate is changing very rapidly, as a result of human activities which produce heat-trapping gases. The science, while still continuing to evolve, has clearly established both the causes and the effects, and ever-growing evidence supports the dire predictions of climate models. These predictions indicate that without immediate, large-scale action, climate change will threaten human health, food and water supplies, building infrastructure, and the productivity and diversity of all of Earth’s ecosystems. The goal of this course is to help students understand the of climate change, and develop the skills and tools needed to understand and implement solutions to the crisis. Pre-reqs: ES104 or PH102, and one math class at least MT151 or higher
ES480: Junior Seminar in Environ Science
Credits 3Readings, discussions, and projects on the history, philosophy and technical literature of environmental science. Students will conduct a literature review and design a research plan in preparation for the senior thesis. Required of all Environmental Science majors. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered spring
ES490: Environmental Issues Sr Capstone
Credits 4The Environmental Issues Senior Capstone Project allows Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors to collaborate on a project designed to help solve an environmental problem. Students will choose the project and lay the groundwork in ES480 Junior Seminar the previous spring. The projects allow the students to take a multi-disciplinary, inquiry-based approach to the issue. Facilitated by the faculty, students get out into the field and meet community members and environmental professionals. Students apply the skills and knowledge learned in earlier classes to a real-world situation. All students will develop individualized pathways within the larger project, to conduct research, devise a plan, and do the actual work to implement their solutions. Prerequisites: ES480, CIT222, MT151, or higher, and have Senior status. Offered fall
ES499: Indept Study in Environmental Sci
Credits 2 6Independent Study-2-6 credits. Independent study offers an opportunity to explore an area of study not included in the catalog listing of approved courses. The topic of an Independent Study should be selected and carefully designed by the student and faculty sponsor, and must meet with the approval of the Dean or Dean's designee. Normally, the student will be expected to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and possess the appropriate background and interest to pursue the proposed area of study. A “Proposal for Independent Study” form may be obtained from the Registrar or Dean or Dean's designee. Independent Study courses are assigned numbers of 299, 399 or 499, depending on the level of the course.