Course Offerings Descriptions Fall Term 2024

Introduction to Environmental Studies

ENV 110 - Betancourt De la Parra, Mauricio

  • Minor: Required
  • ENVCB: Required
  • ENVCC: Required
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Required
  • ENVSC: Required
  • ENVWR: Required

An interdisciplinary introduction to environmental studies with an emphasis on how societies organize themselves through their social, political and economic institutions to respond to environmental problems. The course begins with a discussion of the development of environmental thought, focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment. Participants then discuss alternative criteria for environmental decision making, including sustainability, equity, ecological integrity, economic efficiency, and environmental justice. The course concludes with an examination of contemporary environmental issues, including global warming, invasive species, energy and the environment, tropical deforestation, and the relationship between the environment and economic development in developing countries.

Applied Environmental Science

ENV 201 - Humston, Robert

  • Minor: Required
  • ENVCB: Required
  • ENVCC: Required
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Required
  • ENVSC: Required
  • ENVWR: Required

A foundation in the natural sciences for environmental studies students, this course introduces foundational concepts in earth ecological sciences and their application in understanding human-environment relationships. Local, regional, and global environmental case studies are considered.

Society and Natural Resources

ENV 202 - Betancourt De la Parra, Mauricio

  • Minor: Required
  • ENVCB: Required
  • ENVCC: Required
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Required
  • ENVSC: Required
  • ENVWR: Required

A foundation in the natural sciences for environmental studies students, this course emphasizes understanding how socio-economic conditions are studied to inform and shape environmental policy. Local, regional, and global environmental case studies are considered.

Special Topics in Environmental Studies: Food, Place and Power

ENV 295F - Humston, Robert

  • Minor: Social Science
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: Human Dimensions (by substitution)
  • ENVEE: 3 Additional (by substitution)
  • ENVEH: Religion/Soc & Anthropology OR 2 add'l (by sub)
  • ENVSC: Human Dimensions (by substitution)
  • ENVWR: Human Dimensions (by substitution)

This course illustrates how socioenvironmental, political, and economic systems are connected in the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food.  In addition to examining the emergence and dominance of the modern global industrial agro-food system, we will consider alternatives to it, and how those alternatives are also made to account for social, political, and ecological concerns. 

Pre-Capstone Research Seminar

ENV 396 - Betancourt De la Parra, Mauricio / Humston, Robert

  • Minor: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVCB: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVCC: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVEE: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVEH: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVSC: Strongly recommended for Seniors
  • ENVWR: Strongly recommended for Seniors

In this seminar, students develop a proposal for the research that they will conduct in the subsequent Winter-term class, ENV 397. Both quantitative and qualitative research projects are encouraged and all research projects must have an interdisciplinary component. Students develop their research questions, prepare progress reports, annotated bibliographies, discussions of data, methods, and the significance of their proposed research. The final product is a complete research proposal which serves as a blueprint for the capstone research project. Students are also responsible for reviewing the work of classmates.

Fundamentals of Biology

BIOL 111 - Lanier, Leah S.

  • Minor: Prereq for some BIOL course options in Natural Sciences
  • ENVCB: Prereq for BIOL 201; Prereq for many BIOL course options in Conservation Biology
  • ENVCC: Prereq for BIOL 201; prereq for several BIOL course options in Climate Change
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: Prereq for BIOL 201
  • ENVSC: Prereq for BIOL 201
  • ENVWR: Prereq for BIOL 201; prereq for several BIOL course options in Water Resources

An intensive investigation of scientific thought and communication applied to topics that vary among sections and terms. Specific subjects, chosen from within the scope of modern biological investigation according to the expertise of individual instructors, are examined in the context of major concepts such as evolution, regulation, growth, and metabolism. Suitable for First-Years interested in pursuing a major in biology, neuroscience or environmental studies or the pre-health curriculum. This course, and its companion laboratory (BIOL 113), are prerequisites for all higher level biology courses.

Ecology

BIOL 245 - Hurd, Lawrence E. (Larry)

  • Minor: Natural & Physical Sciences
  • ENVCB: Adv. Ecology Foundations or 3 add'l
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: N/A

An introduction to the study of interactions between organisms and their environments. Topics are arranged hierarchically: a) evolution and elementary population genetics; b) population dynamics and regulation; c) interspecific competition, predation, parasitism and symbiosis; d) community structure, energy and material flux in ecosystems. Laboratory is field oriented and investigative.

Topics in Biology: The Biology of Symbiosis and Microbiomes

BIOL 297E - Parker, Alicia M.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Adv. Ecology Foundations or 3 add'l (by substitution)
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: N/A

All life depends on a web of beneficial, parasitic, and commensal symbiotic interactions that shape ecosystems. Most biology classes give only cursory attention to the intricacies of symbiosis. This course will explore the evolutionary and ecological drivers that develop and maintain symbioses, and examine the implications of changing global environments on the maintenance of symbiotic interactions. The class will also delve into the complex symbioses of environmental and host-associated microbiomes. Students will explore these questions by examining primary literature and popular press about model symbioses such as the bobtail squid and the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, the parasitic fungi Cordyceps and carpenter ants, corals and their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates, and even the gut microbiota of humans.

Business Ethics

BUS 345 - Bower Maxham, Amanda

  • Minor: Humanities
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: Ethics
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: N/A

An examination of the moral and ethical issues associated with management policy and executive decisions. The course examines the basic approaches to moral reasoning, macro-moral issues concerning the justice of economic systems, and micro-moral issues, such as the following: conflict of interest, whistle blowing, discrimination in employment, product safety, environment, and advertising. Preference to BSADM, ACCT, or JMCB majors OR ENTR minors during first round of registration.

Social Entrepreneurship

BUS 381 - Landry, Emily

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: Required
  • ENVWR: N/A

Social entrepreneurship is an approach to creating system-level change though the application of entrepreneurial thinking and problem solving to social ventures, non-profit organizations, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations to create economic, environmental, and social value for multiple stakeholders. The purpose of this class is to (a) introduce students to the strategic thinking that forms the foundation of successful entrepreneurial ventures, (b) engage students in the application of these strategic tools and frameworks through case analyses and discussion, and (c) to encourage students to change the world in a meaningful way by thinking about a social venture of their own.

Introduction to Economics

ECON 100 - Shester, Katharine L.

  • Minor: Prereq for advanced ECON courses
  • ENVCB: Prereq for advanced ECON courses
  • ENVCC: Prereq for advanced ECON courses
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Prereq for advanced ECON courses
  • ENVSC: Prereq for advanced ECON courses
  • ENVWR: Prereq for advanced ECON courses

Economics is the study of how a society (individuals, firms, and governments) allocates scarce resources. The course includes a survey of the fundamental principles used to approach microeconomic questions of consumer behavior, firm behavior, market outcomes, market structure, and microeconomic policy, and macroeconomic questions of performance of the aggregate economy, including unemployment, inflation, growth, and monetary and fiscal policies. Open only to students who have not taken ECON 101 and/or ECON 102. No retakes allowed.

Statistics for Economics

ECON 202 - Blunch, Niels-Hugo (Hugo)

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Can be used for Stats requirement; Prereq for ECON 203 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVCC: Can be used for Stats requirement; Prereq for ECON 203 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Can be used for Stats requirement; Prereq for ECON 203 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVSC: Can be used for Stats requirement; Prereq for ECON 203 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVWR: Can be used for Stats requirement; Prereq for ECON 203 in Adv. Quant. Skills

Fundamentals of probability, statistics, estimation, and hypothesis testing and ending with an introduction to regression analysis. The topics are critical for success in upper-level economics electives and are important for careers that rely on empirical research in the social sciences. Students engage in a dialogue between theory and application and learn to think formally about data, uncertainty, and random processes, while learning hands-on methods to organize and analyze real data using modern statistical software. Not open to students with credit for BUS 202 or INTR 202.

Econometrics

ECON 203 - Anderson, Michael A.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVCC: Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVEE: Required
  • ENVEH: Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVSC: Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVWR: Adv. Quant. Skills

Explorations of regression models that relate a response variable to one or more predictor variables. The course begins with a review of the simple bivariate model used in INTR 202, and moves on to multivariate models. Underlying model assumptions and consequences are discussed. Advanced topics include non-linear regression and forecasting. Examples in each class are drawn from a number of disciplines. The course emphasizes the use of data and student-directed research.

Development Economics

ECON 280 - Casey, James F. (Jamie)

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: 3 additional
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: Core Social Science
  • ENVWR: N/A

A survey of the major issues of development economics. Economic structure of low-income countries and primary causes for their limited economic growth. Economic goals and policy alternatives. Role of developed countries in the development of poor countries. Selected case studies.

Dynamic Earth: Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis

EEG 100 - Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

  • Minor: Prereq for several GEOL course options in minor
  • ENVCB: Prereq for GEOL 260 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVCC: Prereq for GEOL 260 and Prereq for many GEOL course options in Climate Change
  • ENVEE: Prereq for GEOL 260 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVEH: Prereq for GEOL 260 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVSC: Prereq for GEOL 260 in Adv. Quant. Skills
  • ENVWR: Prereq for GEOL 260 and Prereq for many GEOL course options in Water Resources

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; the origin of landforms; and the concept of deep time. Additional topics, with emphasis varying by instructor, include: climate change; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; energy resources; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment. Preference given to first-years and sophomores. Not open to students with credit for EEG 101 or 102. Involves moderate hiking and other physical activities outside in all types of weather. Laboratory course.

Earth's Freshwater: Introduction to Hydrologic System Science

EEG 103 - Chakraborty, Madhumita

  • Minor: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVCB: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVCC: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVEE: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVEH: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVSC: Same as EEG 100 above
  • ENVWR: Same as EEG 100 above

Freshwater is a limited, yet vital resource that supports life on this planet. In this course, we will be learning about the availability and distribution of earth’s fresh water and its movement through the hydrological cycle. We will gain a scientific understanding of the different hydrologic subsystems — surface water, groundwater, atmospheric water, and their interconnectedness. We will examine the challenges associated with the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption, exploring how human influences can contribute to or mitigate these challenges.

Geomorphology

EEG 247 - Harbor, David J.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: Science

Investigation of earth-surface landforms and processes from maps, aerial photographs, and digital data. Includes numerical analysis and modeling of surface process systems and the deep history of our palimpsest Appalachian landscape. Laboratory activities include identification and interpretation of topography, field measurements of soil, unconsolidated materials, landform shapes, and erosional processes. Laboratory course.

Environmental Field Methods

EEG 314 - Hinkle, Margaret A.

  • Minor: Natural Sciences
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: Science
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: Science

An introduction to the study of standard methods, equipment and tools used in environmental field investigations. Special attention is given to methods used by geoscientists to measure, record, and report field observations associated with groundwater, surface water, soil and air. Focus is given to the validity of data obtained using various investigative strategies as well as data handling and presentation. The course has an intensive field component using the local watershed as a model environmental system.

Introduction to Statistics

MATH 118 - Broda, James

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVCC: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVSC: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVWR: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)

Elementary probability and counting. Mean and variance of discrete and continuous random variables. Central Limit Theorem. Confidence intervals and hypothesis tests concerning parameters of one or two normal populations.

American National Government

POL 100 - Harris, Rebecca C.

  • Minor: Prereq for POL 233 in Social Science
  • ENVCB: Prereq for POL 233 in Adv. Social Science Found.
  • ENVCC: Prereq for POL 233 in Human Dim.
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: Prereq for POL 233 in Core Social Science
  • ENVWR: Prereq for POL 233 in Human Dim.

A study of the constitutional origins and historical development of the national government with special attention to Congress, the presidency, the judiciary, and the role of political parties, interest groups, and the media in the policy process.

Introduction to Global Politics

POL 105 - Rush, Mark E.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: Human Dimensions
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: N/A

A survey of the comparative study of national and international politics and the interaction between the two. Topics may include power relations among and within states, changes in the conduct of international affairs and conflict resolution, contrasting ideas about democracy, economic development, justice, globalization, terrorism, causes and alternatives to war, social movements and the role of the nation-state.

Applied Statistics

POL 202 - Ponce de Leon Seijas, Zoila

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVCC: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVSC: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)
  • ENVWR: Statistics Requirement (by substitution)

Not open to students with credit for BUS 202, ECON 202, or INTR 202. An examination of the principal applications of statistics to allow students to develop a working knowledge and understanding of applied statistics in the social sciences (politics, sociology, and economics), and accounting and business. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis

Public Policy

POL 232 - Harris, Rebecca C.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: Advanced Social Science (by substitution)
  • ENVCC: Human Dimensions (by substitution)
  • ENVEE: 3 additional (by substitution)
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: N/A
  • ENVWR: Human Dimensions (by substitution)

Introduction to public policy formation and implementation, decision making in government, the concepts and techniques of policy analysis, and ethical analysis of policy. Policy issues such as education, immigration, and public health are used as illustrations.

Poverty and Human Capability: An Interdisciplinary Introduction

POV 101 - Pickett, Howard Y.

  • Minor: N/A
  • ENVCB: N/A
  • ENVCC: N/A
  • ENVEE: N/A
  • ENVEH: N/A
  • ENVSC: Human Dimensions
  • ENVWR: N/A

An exploration of the nature, scope, causes, effects and possible remedies for poverty as a social, moral, political and policy, economic, legal, psychological, religious, and biological problem. The course focuses on domestic poverty but also considers poverty as a global problem.