ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STUDIES


Faculty

Department Webpage

Environmental Science Advisory Committee

SYLVIA BOZEMAN
Professor, Mathematics Department

BERNICE deGANNES SCOTT
Associate Professor, Economics Department

CORNELIA GILLYARD
Associate Professor, Chemistry Department

DERRICK HYLTON
Associate Professor, Physics Program

RENA JONES
Professor, Biology Department

ANDREA LAWRENCE
Associate Professor, Computer and Information Science Department

FATEMEH SHAFIEI
Associate Professor, Political Science Department

ALBERT THOMPSON
Professor, Chemistry Department

BRUCE WADE
Associate Professor, Sociology/Anthropology Department


Major
Environmental Science


Department Location
Science Center – 333
Director’s Office: Science Center – 377


Special Requirements
None

 

Placement Examinations
None

Requirements for Completion
Students must complete all core requirements and major cognate courses as well as 12 approved electives with a grade of “C” or better. A minimum of 120 course credits must be completed upon graduation.

Goals
Recognizing the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in teaching and research, the curriculum in Environmental Science and Studies (ESS) is designed to enhance scientific inquiry and to strengthen scientific competence. ESS aims to prepare students for graduate studies and provide opportunities for careers in environmental sciences, the natural sciences, public health and medical schools.

Objectives
Through the course sequence in ESS, students will be able to:

  1. recognize major concepts in environmental sciences and demonstrate in-depth understanding of the environment.
  2. gain analytical skills, critical thinking, and demonstrate problem-solving skills using scientific techniques.
  3. use their training as a framework to demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of the sciences.
  4. possess the knowledge and training for entering graduate school or for entering the job market related to the environment.

International/Women’s Studies Requirement
Courses that satisfy the International/Women’s Studies requirement are listed in the Course Sequence Booklet or on the Spelman Web page.

Minor Requirements

Major Cognate Courses
Courses other than those listed as ESS, with the appropriate department listings:

Electives
Students must select at least 12 credit hours from courses listed below.

Free Electives
Free electives may be chosen in order to complete the 120 hours for graduation.

Course Descriptions/Environmental Science Only

ES 211 – INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (4)
This course presents a global perspective for understanding the complex relationships among living organisms and how they interact with their biotic and abiotic environments. The topics are covered under six broad areas of environmental science and ecological principles; population and environmental health; food, land, and biological resources; environmental pollution; physical resources; and society and environment.

ES 225 – ECOLOGY (4)
The study of ecology is one that is central to an understanding of major areas of science, especially in biology and environmental sciences, and is increasingly included in national exams such as the GRE for graduate school. The course offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the great diversity of species and their interrelatedness. At the core of this course is an in-depth view of ecology through an integrated approach that focuses on the importance of individual species in their respective ecosystems. Central to this approach are six distinct areas that begin with (1) Ecology: Its meaning and scope, including experimentation models; (2) the organism and its environment; (3) the ecosystem; (4) comparative ecosystem ecology; (5) population ecology; and (6) the community.

BIO/ES 314 – ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY (4)
The primary goal of this course is to present the scientific information that will allow students to understand the complex environmental issues facing the global ecosystem. With the continuing growth of the human population and its impact on natural resources, and the resulting discharge of both municipal and industrial wastes, we are faced today with the global challenge of managing our dwindling resources and protecting the quality of the environment. Central to this course are concepts and applications that focus on Conservation Biology. Due to its complexity, this course will draw knowledge and methods from biology, physical sciences, economics, engineering, and sociology. The lecture topics fall under six broad categories of Ecosystems: Biodiversity, Pollution, Hazardous Waste Management, Toxicology and Human Health, and Energy Conservation.

ES 384 – INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY (4)
Industrial ecology is an emerging field of study requiring that industrial systems and activity be viewed from an environmental impact perspective. This system-based approach supports the integration of technological and environmental issues in all industrial activities. This course encompasses aspects of the natural sciences. It includes aspects of economics, political science, and sociology. There are seven lecture modules that range from microbial ecology, biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, political science, to sociology and anthropology. Students are required to complete a group project, report, and presentation, which incorporates each aspect of the lecture module.

CHEM/ES 411 – TOXICOLOGY (4)
This course is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals and physical agents on living organisms. It also examines the probability of hazardous materials and their effects on individuals, populations, and ecosystems ranging from acute to long-term exposures. The course is structured around the textbook selected. Appropriate supplementary texts and journals will be identified. Library research and extensive writing will be required.

CHEM/ES 453 – ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY (3)
This course will expose students to concepts in environmental chemistry as it relates to the sources, reactions, transport effects, and fates of chemical species in water, soil, and air. In addition, through reading assignments, problem solving, and group projects, students will learn the use of technology and its impact on the environment.

CIS/ES 437 – COMPUTER SIMULATION (4)
Simulation of real-world testing is too expensive, too dangerous, and time consuming. This course presents simulation techniques in many areas of science, as a way of modeling, understanding and predicting the behavior of complex systems. In addition, the course studies simulation in a variety of guises, using simulation software, including commercial software, building models of systems and investigating their behavior. The prerequisites are CIS 121 and MATH 205 (Statistics). The course is open to all science students, particularly science majors. It counts as an elective in the Computer Science and Environmental Science concentrations.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MINOR

Goals
The curriculum in Environmental Science and Studies recognizes that global changes and responses for attaining a more sustainable environment are implemented using multiple disciplines. The Environmental Studies minor is designed to respond to this requirement through our interdisciplinary curriculum that has the capacity to add and infuse associated policies and socio-economic issues.

Minor Requirements
Six course minimum requirement

Core courses (2 Courses)

Electives (3 Courses)
Students will be able to take courses in any of the following areas:

Capstone Experience
(One 4 credit hour Course)
The capstone experience may be a 4-hour independent study/research course, field research, or an approved seminar.