See online college catalog for detailed course listing and requirements for the Environmental Science major and the Environmental Studies minor.
Environmental Science Courses:
EVS 101 Environmental Education (1)
A course designed to provide an understanding of the earth's natural systems and the human role in those systems. Basic teaching methods specific to this educational field include completion of environmental education programs such as Project WILD. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the understanding and exhibit the skills needed to teach concepts related to human interdependence with ecological systems. Prerequisite: BlO 101, Environmental Science major or Environmental Studies minor, or permission of instructor. Offered fall term.
GEO 101 Environmental Geology (4)
An examination of how geologic processes and hazards influence human activities. The geologic aspects of earth resources and environmental issues related to water, soils, minerals, and fossil fuels are investigated. Hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding, volcanism, and surface deformation are included. A geologic framework for environmental issues, including rocks and minerals, tectonic processes, and geologic time is provided. Upon successful completion of this course, student will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and dynamism of geology as well as the natural and human-induced changes in geologic systems. Lecture and Laboratory. Offered alternate spring terms.
EVS 271, 371, 471 Selected Topics (1-3), (1-3), (1-3)
An investigation of topics not offered in other courses, selected on the basis of student interest and available instruction.
EVS 290, 390, 490 Directed Study (1-3), (1-3), (1-3)
An opportunity for supervised, independent study of a particular topic based on the interest of the student and the availability and approval of the faculty.
EVS 301 Environmental Science (4)
An examination of the role of humans in altering the quality of the environment. Topics include pollution, population, global warming, wildlife conservation, and environmental politics. Topics related to basic ecosystem structure and function are explored, as well as the human impact on ecosystems. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of environmental issues, science content, and the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science. Prerequisite: BIO 101.
EVS 351 Environmental Science Research I (2)
In this introduction to research, each student chooses an environmental topic, investigates it thoroughly in the scientific literature, and presents both a written and a formal report in a formal setting. The report will include a proposal for further research. The topic will then be investigated during the student's senior research project. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have developed information retrieval skills in regard to primary scientific literature and will have developed skills in formal scientific writing, speaking, and experimental design. Prerequisite: Environmental Science major and junior standing. Offered fall term.
EVS 421 Environmental Science Internship (0-12)
On-the-job experience in environmental science. Prerequisite: CED 205 or permission. (Pass/Fail)
EVS 495-496 Environmental Research II, III (2) (2)
A two-semester laboratory or field project required of all senior environmental science majors. This course is a continuation of the student's Environmental Science 351 Environmental Science I topic. Students conduct an environmental study concluding with a report in an appropriate format. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have developed skills in experimentation, scientific writing, presentation, and critical thinking. Prerequisite: Senior Environmental Science major, EVS 351. EVS 495 offered fall term; EVS 496 offered spring term.
Earth Science Courses:
GEG 112 Physical Geography (3)
An introduction to the living and non-living environments of the earth. Topics addressed include the weather and climate, land forms, solar energy, seasons, the hydrologic cycle, biogeography, and natural hazards. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the principles that govern the circulation of the atmosphere, the processes that produce the physical landscape, and the role of both in contributing to distribution of living things upon the earth. Offered alternate spring terms.
GEG 301 Social-Cultural Geography (3)
A course that examines the social, cultural, economic, and political interests and topics of geography. Its content provides integration for all of the social sciences and the necessary spatial and systems viewpoints. This course fulfills the Cultural Perspectives requirement of the Doane Plan.
GEO 103 Physical Geology (4)
A study of the Earth including earth materials, processes of weathering and erosion, and processes acting to elevate earth surfaces. Lecture and laboratory. Study includes oceanography.
GEO 107 Introduction to Meteorology (3)
An introduction to the principles of meteorology. Study of weather, climate, paleoclimate, and instruments used in the field. Work at the Doane College Weather Station maybe included in the course. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the principles that govern the circulation of the atmosphere and the short and long term sequences of weather events.
GEO 107L Introduction to Meteorology Laboratory (1)
An examination of day-to-day weather events and the circulation of the atmosphere by laboratory demonstrations, exercises, and problem solving. Basic concepts of weather forecasting are introduced. Investigations will include examination of precipitation processes, severe weather, circulation systems, and air pollution. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of the physical factors that affect the atmosphere as well as experience analyzing meteorological data and forecasting weather. Must be concurrently enrolled in GEO 107.
SAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY-ORIENTED COURSES OFFERED IN OTHER AREAS
See online college catalog for detailed course listing and requirements for the Environmental Science major and the Environmental Studies minor.
ECO 309 Environmental Economics (3)
An examination of the relationship between economic analysis and the quality of the natural environment in which we live. Students successfully completing this course will be able to: 1) understand economic theory and terminology as they relate to issues of environmental quality; 2) apply economic theory, where appropriate, to various environmental problems; 3) comprehend the interactions between both the private and public sectors in the struggle to find workable solutions to environmental problems; 4) appreciate the global dimension of environmental issues; and 5) analyze and evaluate environmental policy proposals to determine feasible solutions. Prerequisite: ECO 203. Offered alternate fall terms.
ENG 318 Environmental Literature (3)
An examination of diverse literary responses to the environment. Through poetry, fiction and non-fiction, students explore the role of the environment in the development of human language and literature. Even as environmental literature seeks to explain human relationships with the physical world, students will be able to identify; categorize and interpret the literary meanings of various environments. Moreover, by examining "Ecocriticism," an approach that emphasizes the role of the natural environment in literature, students will be able to recognize and use important environmental concepts in their own critical writing. Offered alternate spring terms.
HIS 320 American Environmental History (3)
Examines American Environmental History from colonial times to the present. Students who successfully complete this course will gain a deeper understanding of topics such as changing interpretations of nature and resources, the conservation and environmental movements, the roles of art, literature, and culture in American visions of nature, as well as issues of public health, government interaction with the environment, and more recent environmental debates. The primary objective of this course is to explore the question "What is environmental history?" Students will also demonstrate knowledge of major authors and their works and will demonstrate the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of environmental history and its interpretations of human interactions with the environment. Offered fall term.
BIO 353 Environmental Microbiology (4)
An examination of the roles of microbes in the environment and of several distinctly different ecosystems and their microbial components. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have an understanding of the roles of microbes and microbial processes in shaping the earth's biosphere as we know it today. Prerequisite: BIO 348. Offered alternate spring terms.
HIS 352 American West (3)
An examination of the major themes of conquest, migration, water, agriculture, urbanization, government, myth, race, region, class, and gender, with special emphases on the Great Plains region and environmental history Students will gain a deeper understanding of social, racial and cultural diversity in the West with emphasis on Native American "Indian" cultures. Students also will gain a deeper understanding of the significance of region and the environment as forces in history and the West as a source of themes in U.S. history. Offered spring terms.
PSI 243 Contemporary Political Issues (3)
A course in policy analysis. Includes selected policy issues facing government. Offered alternate years.
BlO 342 Ecology (4)
Ecology is the study of how individuals cope with their environment, how populations grow and cycle in the environment and how energy and matter cycle at the level of the landscape. Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the importance of inter and intraspecific competition, predator prey relationships, coevolutionary interactions such as parasitisms and mutualisms as well as community level processes such as nutrient cycling and productivity Prerequisites: BlO 120, 121, 260. Offered fall terms.
BIO 320 Botany (4)
A survey of three major groups of organisms - algae, fungi and plants - with an emphasis on life histories, diversity, evolutionary relationships, ecological significance, economic importance and vascular plant anatomy and physiology Upon the completion of this course students will gain an understanding of the role of plants in the environment, the significance of many of their adaptations and the diversity of the plant community Prerequisites: BIO 120, 121, 260. Offered spring term.
BIO 330 Zoology (4)
A survey of the animal kingdom, stressing evolutionary relationships, anatomy, ecology, special adaptations, and biological significance of the various groups. Upon successful completion of this course students will have a broad understanding of the diversity of animal forms and their mechanisms for survival and evolutionary relationships. Prerequisites: BlO 120, 121, 260. Offered fall term.
BUS 410 Regulatory Compliance (3)
An introduction to the American legal system, focusing on the roles and authority of the federal and state regulatory agencies. Students learn the rights and responsibilities of individuals and business entities in the context of several regulatory schemes, including: environmental issues (EPA), employment issues (EEOC), and safety issues (OHSA). Students will be able to identify and analyze business situations involving regulatory issues, and will be able to apply legal concepts to determine a recommended course of action for individuals and organizations.