Environmental science major
Proposed curriculum changes
Fall 2003 (REVISED)
This document contains a description of proposed changes to the existing environmental science major. The
proposal is organized into the following sections: I) Rationale for proposed changes, II) Proposed new courses,
III) Proposed curriculum, IV) Staffing considerations, V) Example programs from other schools.
I. Rationale
This proposal seeks to improve our major in environmental science by:
(a) increasing the number of environmental science courses (i.e, those designated ESC) offered at the
intermediate and advanced levels;
(b) adding instruction in important areas not included in the existing program;
(c) revising the major requirements to accommodate the new courses and allow more choices within the
sciences; this would enable students to better customize their programs to suit their interests.
(a) More ESC courses. We currently require only 3 ESC courses for majors: 2 introductory-level
courses (ESC 113 and 114) and 1 senior capstone course (ESC 450). Consequently, the environmental science
program offers few opportunities for growth during the sophomore and junior years and advanced study during
the senior year. The small number of ESC courses also diminishes the perceived relevance and rigor of the
major. Environmental science majors have expressed dissatisfaction with both the small number of course
offerings, particularly in the upper division, and the lack of choices within the environmental science
curriculum.
(b) Instruction in areas essential to environmental science. The current program in environmental
science lacks instruction in important areas.
·Environmental geology and groundwater. One basic tenet of environmental science is the
inextricable link between organisms and their environments; without some exposure to geology,
students cannot easily integrate that concept. Moreover, since groundwater movement,
availability, and pollution are critical topics within environmental science, our students would
be better served if we provided coverage in these areas. Employers and graduate schools will
expect environmental science graduates to have some knowledge of these subjects as well.
Environmental science programs at other institutions typically include some kind of instruction
in geology. A new course in environmental geology is proposed to fill this need (catalog
description is below).
·Environmental toxicology / Environmental chemistry. The sources, behavior, and effects of
environmental pollutants are of great interest to environmental scientists and regulators alike.
Toxicology focuses on the ways that organisms and ecosystems respond to and are affected by
toxins, and chemistry is a study of reactions of pollutants in air, water, and soil. By providing
upper-level courses in these subjects, we would allow our students opportunities for advanced
study and better preparation for graduate school. Courses in these important subdisciplines are
offered by many institutions with environmental science programs. One new course in each
area is proposed (catalog descriptions are included below). Note that environmental Toxicology
was offered as a special topics course during the spring of 2003.
(c) Revisions.
·ESC 450 (Capstone) would be eliminated from the curriculum to allow for the inclusion of
more science courses in the core. The integrated capstone approach in which students research
and discuss topics using the primary literature would be incorporated into both environmental
toxicology and environmental chemistry (students would be required to take at least 1 of these
new courses). Students would fulfill the W requirement (currently done through ESC 450) in
ESC 201, Environmental geology. Additionally, a seminar course in environmental science will
be offered, and students will be advised to register for it during their junior and senior years.
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·To accommodate new core courses in environmental science and allow students more choices
in their science courses, the 2 courses in physics would become electives. Students with
specific interests within environmental science for which physics is crucial would be advised to
take the appropriate physics courses (see example programs at the end of this proposal).
·Students would be required to take a course in statistics (MTH 144 or MTH 104). Students
would no longer choose between Calculus II and Statistics for their second math course.
Experimental environmental science necessitates a knowledge of statistics, and all graduates of
the program should have a background in the area. Students with an interest in modeling or
similar areas would be advised to take Calculus II in addition to the required courses.
·Electives in chemistry and physics would be added to broaden choices and allow more
flexibility in the design of individual programs.
·The number of non-science electives would be changed from 2 to 1 course. This change would
provide more choices within the sciences. The effect of this change would be negligible as
students are able to fulfill a number of their perspective requirements by taking additional
courses from the list of non-science electives (and would be advised to do so).
II. Proposed new courses—catalog descriptions (see accompanying course proposals)
(a) ESC 201: Environmental geology
Organisms are inextricably bound to their physical environments. An understanding of the interactions between
the earth’s geology and biology is therefore fundamental to a study of environmental science. This course
examines earth’s physical environments as they relate to environmental science. Topics will include the basic
principles of geology, natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, mass wasting, and flooding, and the
global hydrologic cycle. Global water resources will be examined, with an emphasis placed on groundwater
supply, movement, and pollution. Three hours of lecture / discussion and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: any 100-level science course or permission of the instructor. Meets general academic
requirement W. Offered alternate years (spring).
(b) ESC 310: Environmental chemistry (would be cross-listed with CHM 310)
The behavior of chemical pollutants in earth’s natural systems is critical to a study of environmental science.
This course will examine the chemistry of soil, air, and water, the interactions and cycles of elements between
them, and the pollutants that can adversely affect these important resources. Topics will include an overview of
the physical chemistry of soils, reactions and fates of pollutants in soil, reactions and movement of pollutants in
water, wastewater treatment, and chemical reactions in the atmosphere, including the mechanisms a smog
production, ozone depletion, and global warming. The chemistry of power generation involving fossil fuels,
radioactive isotopes, solar energy, fuel cells and other resources will also be considered. Three hours of lecture /
discussion per week. Prerequisite: CHM 103 and CHM 104 or permission of the instructor. Offered alternate
years (fall).
(c) ESC 312: Environmental toxicology
Toxicology is, in broad terms, the science of poisons. This course will provide an overview of the many
branches of toxicology and examine the effects of poisons, or toxins, on individual organisms and ecosystems.
Of specific interest will be the uptake (ingestion), metabolism, storage, and excretion of toxins and the adverse
effects experienced by organisms exposed to toxic substances. The mechanisms by which substances induce
cancer, birth defects, and nervous and immune system damage will be studied. Additionally, fundamental
principles of toxicology such as dose-response and selective toxicity will be described. The sources, chemical
properties, environmental fates, and regulation of toxins will also be addressed. Three hours of lecture /
discussion per week. Prerequisites: CHM 104; BIO 150 or 151 (recommended); CHM 201 (recommended), or
permission of the instructor. Offered alternate years (fall).
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III. Proposed curriculum (**indicates proposed course)
PROPOSED
CURRENT
A. CORE SCIENCE COURSES (10 courses)
CORE SCIENCE COURSES (11 courses)
-BIO 150 (Principles of biology I)
-BIO 151 (Principles of biology II)
-CHM 103 (General chemistry I)
-CHM 104 (General chemistry II)
-MTH 121 (Calculus I)
-MTH 144, Intro. to statistics OR MTH 104, Statistical methods
-ESC 113 (Environmental science I)
-ESC 114 (Environmental science II)
-ESC 201 (Environmental geology)**
-ESC 310 (Environmental chemistry)** OR
ESC 312 (Environmental toxicology)**
-BIO 150 (Principles of biology I)
-BIO 151 (Principles of biology II)
-CHM 103 (General chemistry I)
-CHM 104 (General chemistry II)
-MTH 121 (Calculus I)
-MTH 122 (Calculus II OR
MTH 144 (Introduction to statistics)
-PHY 211 (General physics I)
-PHY 212 (General physics II)
-ESC 113 (Environmental Science I)
-ESC 114 (Environmental Science II)
-ESC 450 (Capstone)
B. SCIENCE ELECTIVES (choose 4)
-BIO 255 (Ornithology) OR BIO 272 (Marine biology)
OR BIO 242 (Entomology)
-BIO 275-279 (Investigations in field biology)
(only 1 can be taken for environmental science credit)
-BIO 270 (Ecology) OR
BIO 260 (Field botany and plant ecology
-BIO 460 (Physiological ecology) OR BIO 465 (Conservation
biology) OR BIO 260 (Cultural and economic botany)
-CHM 201 (Organic chemistry I)
-CHM 202 (Organic chemistry II)
-CHM 311 (Analytical chemistry)
-ESC 310 (Environmental chemistry)
[If not taken as part of A]
-ESC 312 (Environmental toxicology)
[If not taken as part of A]
-ESC 480 (Special topics in environmental science)
-PHY 211 (General physics I)
-PHY 212 (General physics II)
-PHY 250 (Simulating science)
Other science courses as approved
C. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ELECTIVES (choose 1)
-COM 336 OR COM 337
(Environmental communication)
-ECN 245 OR ECC 246 (Environmental economics)
-EST 350 (Env. and cultural conservation in Latin Am.)
-HST 416 OR HST 417
(Environmental history of the United States)
-PHL 246 (Environmental philosophy)
-PSC 216 OR PSC 217
(Environmental politics & policy making)
-PSC 330 OR PSC 331
(Comparative & international environmental policies)
-SOC 320 (Environmental sociology)
-Other courses as approved
ECOLOGY ELECTIVE (choose 1)
-BIO 260 (Field botany and plant ecology)
-BIO 270 (Ecology)
BIOLOGY ELECTIVE (choose 1)
-BIO 230 Botany
-BIO 255 Ornithology
-BIO 262 Cultural and economic botany
-BIO 265 Ethology
-BIO 272 Marine biology
-BIO 275-279 Investigations in field biology
-BIO 460 Physiological ecology
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
(choose 2)
-EST 201 Introduction to environmental studies)
-PSC 216 or 217
(Environmental politics and policy making)
-PSC 359 OR 360
(Political economy and philosophy of
environmentalism)
-ECN 245 OR 246
(Environmental economics)
-HST 416 OR 417
(Environmental history of the United States)
-PHL 246 (Environmental philosophy)
-Other courses as approved
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Additional notes on the new curriculum
(a) This proposed curriculum represents no change in the total number of courses required for
environmental science majors (currently at 15 courses). Although more than 9 courses are required for
this major, it should be noted that environmental science is an extremely diverse, interdisciplinary
major. Courses from 11 different majors in both the sciences and humanities are part of the
environmental science curriculum, and all students would need to roster courses in at least 5 different
departments to meet the environmental science requirements.
(b) The current curriculum separates major requirements into 4 categories: core science courses,
ecology elective, biology electives, and environmental studies electives. This proposal groups the
requirements into 3 categories: A, core requirements; B, science electives; and C, environmental studies
elective.
(c) As stated above, the new curriculum would provide more choices to students as they design their
programs. For instance, students with interests in the physical and chemical aspects of environmental
science would be advised to take physics and chemistry electives. Alternatively, students with interests
in biology and ecology could take science electives to explore these areas in more depth. Example
programs that could be taken by students with different interests within environmental science (each
student would take core courses plus the following electives):
Example 1: emphasis on physical sciences (e.g., groundwater movement and quality).
ESC 310
PHY 212
PHY 212
PHY 250
+ environmental studies elective
Example 2: emphasis on chemical issues (e.g., pollution abatement)
CHM 201
CHM 202
CHM 311
PHY 211 or ESC 310
+ environmental studies elective
Example 3: emphasis on ecology (e.g., wildlife management, conservation biology)
BIO 255 or 272
BIO 275
BIO 260 or 270
BIO 460 or 465
+ environmental studies elective (e.g., EST 350)
Example 4: emphasis on environmental health (e.g., toxicology, regulatory issues)
BIO 465
CHM 201
CHM 311 or BIO 220 (Biochemistry)
ESC 310 or 312
+ environmental studies elective (e.g., PSC 216 or 217)
IV. Staffing considerations
Environmental Science I and II, Environmental geology, and Environmental toxicology would all be taught by
our current full-time faculty (Jason Kelsey). Environmental chemistry would be team taught by Dr. Kelsey and
one member of the chemistry department (each teaching half of the course). Alternate-year cycling of
Environmental toxicology, Environmental chemistry, and Environmental geology would enable us to teach all
of the required environmental science courses (those designated ESC) with our existing full-time faculty. Note
that we are currently covering both Environmental toxicology and Environmental chemistry as special topics
courses (a special topics course in environmental science is offered each spring semester). We can continue to
do so with no changes in staffing if these courses become permanent. The addition of Environmental geology
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would add one course (plus one laboratory) to Dr. Kelsey’s teaching load every-other year. However, as it
would only be offered in alternate years, the impact on staffing would be minimal. The effect of adding
Environmental geology would be to reduce the frequency with which Dr. Kelsey could teach ESC 111, Topics
in environmental science. ESC 111 is a course for non-science majors seeking to fulfill the S perspective.
Historically, it was covered by the science division (through team-teaching and other arrangements) and could
be offered that way in the future. Nevertheless, it is only one of many science courses that carries an S
perspective and does not need to be offered every semester. In fact, in typical semesters during which ESC 111
is offered, a number of other non-majors courses do not get fully enrolled (i.e., the demand for the slots in ESC
111 could be met by other courses). For example, during the fall of 2003, 9 courses in biology, 2 courses in
chemistry, and 4 courses in physics were all offered specifically for non-science majors. A total of 32 spaces
are open in those courses. In addition, 5 sections in introductory biology, 8 sections of introductory chemistry,
and 2 sections of introductory environmental science were offered (all of these courses carry the S perspective
and have no prerequisites). A total of 18 spaces are open in these introductory courses. Courses taught outside
the Science Division (e.g., Anthropology and Psychology) also carry the S perspective. Dr. Kelsey would be
able to teach ESC 111 in alternate spring semesters (cycling with ESC 201). Moreover, Pat Bradt, who is in
phased retirement, has expressed interest in teaching the course as an adjunct professor after she retires. Don
Shive, the Head of Interdisciplinary Science and the Department of Chemistry is supportive of this proposal
(with its staffing implications). See his attached note (received by Barri Gold) and signature on the original
versions of the 3 course proposals.
V. Example programs from other schools
Specific requirements for environmental science majors are highly variable among different colleges and
universities. Programs in environmental science do share some common attributes, however. For example,
most programs are highly flexible and allow students to tailor their programs to their interests and meet
graduation requirements in a number of ways. What follows are descriptions of programs found at schools
comparable to Muhlenberg.
(a) Dickinson College. Students major in Environmental Science. (14 courses)
Core courses:
·2 introductory courses in environmental science
·1 introductory course in environmental studies
·1 course in environmental economics
·1 300-level course in environmental problems in industrialized societies
·1 300-level course in ecology (students choose either marine or terrestrial ecology course)
·1 400-level seminar / research course
·1 course in elementary statistics
·1 introductory chemistry course
Electives
·1 introductory course in geology OR 2 introductory courses in biology OR
2 introductory physics courses
·4 other courses in the sciences (a cluster that allows depth in an area)
(b) Franklin and Marshall. Students major in Environmental Science. (16 courses)
Core courses
·Bio110 Principles of Evolution, Ecology & Heredity
·Bio220 Physiology & Development
·Bio323 Concepts & Appl. of Ecology
·Chm111 General Chemistry 1
·Chm112 General Chemistry 2
·Chm221 Chemical Analysis
·Geo114 Earth, Environment & Humanity
·Geo226 Surface of the Earth
·Geo326 Subsurface of the Earth
·1 upper-level seminar
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Electives
·2 from Biology, Chemistry, or Geosciences Departments
·2 quantitative & field skills courses (e.g., GIS, biostatistics, field studies)
·2 environment and society courses (e.g., social values, policy)
(c) Gettysburg College. Students major in Environmental Studies and choose a concentration. Environmental
Science is 1 of the concentrations. (17 courses)
Core courses in Environmental Studies
·ES 196 Environmental Science and Society
·ES 211 Principles of Ecology or Bio 205 Ecology
·ES 223 Introduction to Earth System Science
·ES 260 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
·ES 400 Environmental Studies Seminar or ES 460 Individualized Study: Research
Electives in Environmental Studies
·Math 105-106 Calculus with Precalculus OR Math 111 Calculus
·Choose 1 option:
-Bio 111 Introductory Biology and Bio 112 Form and Function of Living Organisms
-Chem 107 Chemical Structure and Bonding and Chem 108 Chemical Reactivity
-Phy 103 Elementary Physics I and Phy 104 Elementary Physics II
-Phy 111 Mechanics and Heat and Phy 112 Waves and Electricity and Magnetism
·1 humanities course
·1 social science course
Requirements for Environmental Science concentration
·Bio 111 Introductory Biology
·Bio 112 Form and Function of Living Organisms
·Chem 107 Chemical Structure and Bonding
·Chem 108 Chemical Reactivity
·Phy 103 Elementary Physics I and Phy 104 Elementary Physics II or Phy 111 Mechanics and
Heat and Phy 112 Waves and Electricity and Magnetism
·Plus 2 more science courses from long list of biology, chemistry, environmental science, and
physics courses
(d) Lafayette College. Students may minor in Environmental Science by taking 6 courses from an approved list
of science courses. There is no major.
(e) Skidmore College. Students major in Environmental Studies and choose a concentration. Environmental
Science is 1 of the concentrations. (15 courses)
Core courses
·ES 100 Environmental Concerns in Perspective
·ES 104 Ecological Studies in Environmental Science OR ES 105 Field Studies in
Environmental Science
Requirements for Environmental Science concentration
·CH 112 Environmental Chemistry
·GE 207 Environmental Geology
·BI 240 Environmental Biology
·A concentration of 3 courses from biology, chemistry, or geology (a long list of options)
·1 additional science course chosen from a long list
·2 courses from humanities and social sciences
·1 course in statistics
·2 seminars (1 in each of junior and senior years)
·1 capstone project (research or internship)
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(f) Union College. Students major in Environmental Studies and choose a concentration. Environmental
Science is 1 of the concentrations. (17 courses)
Core courses in Environmental Studies
·Ecology, Evolution, and Heredity (Bio 10) or Cells and Organisms (Bio 12)
or AP Biology (Bio 13)
·Ecology (Bio 51)
·Fundamental Chemistry (Chem 10) or AP Chemistry (Chem 13 w/no Chem 12)
·Fundamental Chemistry II (Chem 12) or Introduction to Environmental Studies (ES 10)
·Physical Geology (Geo 10) or Environmental Geology (Geo 12)
·Differential Calculus (Math 10) or AP Calculus (Math 13)
·Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (Eco 28)
·Senior Seminar In Environmental Studies (1 course, half time over two terms)
·Senior Thesis in Environmental Studies (2 courses)
Electives
·Choose 1 course in economics, psychology, political science, or sociology
·Choose 2 policy courses from a long list
Requirements for Environmental Science concentration
Students take 5 courses within 1 of 4 areas (each area consists of a long list of elective courses): 1)
Surface Waters, 2) Conservation Biology, 3) Invertebrate Zoology, 4) Water Resources/Environmental
Technology.
(g) Ursinus College. Students major in Environmental Studies. (8 courses + required minor)
Required courses
·ENV-100, Issues in Environmental Studies
·ENV-BIO-250, Environmental Biology
·One synthesis course that requires completion of ENV-100, from among the following:
-ENV-272, Marine Mammal Conservation and Management
-ENV-360, Conserving Biological Diversity
-ENV-364, Managing Parks and Protected Areas
·ENV-470W, Senior Seminar: Advanced Environmental Problem Solving
Electives
·2 courses from Biology, Chemistry, or Geology Departments
·2 courses in the humanities or social sciences
Students are also required to minor in another field of study.
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