Environmental Science and Policy 2008-2009
Course Listing
The ESP program is focused on students with an interest in the science behind the myriad environmental problems that face our world, the political policy mechanisms that may provide solutions to these issues, and the interface between the environment and the human condition. Students in the ESP program choose either a BS degree in Environmental Science or a BA degree in Environmental Policy. The BS degree emphasizes the biological, chemical, geological sciences, and also physics and engineering. The BA degree emphasizes the social sciences and humanities, and there is considerable overlap between these two tracks. All students take a common introductory course, a core of between 8 and 11 required courses, and 4-6 courses that define an area of concentration. During the senior year, students complete 2 terms of independent research, and participate in a senior seminar.
Environmental Science
Includes ENS 100, between 11 and 13 science courses; 2 math/statistics courses; 2 policy courses; senior seminar, and 2 thesis credits, for a total of 18-20 courses. Specific requirements include completion of A-D below:
A. 8-10 required core courses (ENS 100; BIO 102; BIO 101 recommended; BIO 315 or 320 or 324 or 350T; CHM 101, CHM 102 or 110; GEO 101, 102, or 107; GEO 203 or 204; MTH 110; MTH 104 or 112)
B. 2 environmental policy courses (ECO 228, HST 335, PHL 273, PHL 274, SOC 270, 358T, 359; 450.)
C. 6 upper level science courses in one of five areas of concentration (no more than 4 courses from any one department except for Environmental Engineering and Technology students; no double counting from A-C, above):
• Ecology (BIO 256T, 257, 315, 320, 322, 323, 324, 325, 328, 350, 350T, 351, 352T; GEO 202, 254, 300, 301)
• Water Lakes and Oceans (BIO 328, 352T, CHM 231, 240, 340; GEO 207, 301, 302, 304; ENS 250)
• Global Climate Change (BIO 257, 315, 320, 323, 324, 328, 350T; CHM 231, 240; GEO 109, 254, 300, 301, 302, 304)
• Energy and Environmental Physics (PHY 110 and PHY 111; or PHY120 and PHY 121; or IMP 111-113; and 4 from the following: ENS 200, MER 471; PHY 122, 123, 220, 300, 310).
• Environmental Engineering and Technology (PHY 120; and 5 from the following: MER 231, ENS 200, 208, 209, 250, 251, 252, 253, 307, 310, 370, GEO 203, 204)
D. Senior Seminar (ENS 460)
E. 2 terms of thesis research (ENS 498 and 499)
Environmental Policy
Includes ENS 100, 4 core policy courses, 1 quantitative method spatial analysis; 3 required science courses; 4 upper level policy courses; 1 environmental seminar; 1 senior seminar; 2 thesis credits for a total of 17 courses. Specific requirements include completion of A-G below:
A. introductory course (ENS 100);
B. 4 required policy courses (ECO 228; and 3 from: HST 335; PHL 273, 274, PSC 272, SOC 358T, 359)
C. 1 quantitative methods and spatial analysis course (one course from ECO 243; MTH 104; SOC 300; or GEO 203 or 204)
D. 3 required science courses (BIO 102 or 113; and BIO 320 or 350T or 324; and GEO 100 or 102)
E. 4 upper level policy courses in one of four areas of concentration (no double counting from A-D, above; up to 2 internships may be counted toward any of the tracks below, provided the subject of the internship is selected with that track in mind and approved in writing by both the relevant internship director and the Director of the Environmental Science and Policy Program; specific internships include: ANT 232T, 490T; ECO 390; PSC 277; PSC 279T; SOC 385):
• Environmental Law and Management (ENS 208, HST 335; PHL 273, 274; PSC 264, 273; SOC 240, 270, 358T, 359)
• Environmental Problems and Response (ANT 241; EGL 251; ENS 208; HST 335; PHL 273, 274; SOC 202, 270, 359, 370; TAB 355T)
• Marine Studies (BIO 256T, 328, 352T; SOC 358T, 359, TAB 355T)
• Energy and Sustainability (BIO 322, CHM 101; ENS 200, 208, 209; PSC 272, SOC 359; TAB 333T)
F. Environmental Seminar (SOC 450)
G. Senior Seminar (ENS 460)
H. 2 terms of thesis research (ENS 498 and 499)
Minor in Environmental Science and Policy:
Includes ENS 100, 3 science courses, and 3 policy courses. Science courses must be selected from: BIO 320, 322, 323, 324, 328; CHM 101; ENS 200, 208, 209, 250, 251, 252, 253, 307, 310, GEO 102, 104, 107, 108, 109, 202, 203, 204, 207, 252, 300, 301, 302, 304, 355T; no more than 2 courses may be taken from any one Department and no more than one course may be taken at the 100 level. Policy courses must be selected from: ANT 241; ECO 228, ENG 251; ENS 208, HST 335; PHL 273, 274, PSC 272, SOC 358T, 359, 450; no more than 2 courses may be taken from any one Department.
Requirements for Honors:
The major requirements as specified above are required, as are the GPA requirements of Union College described elsewhere in this catalogue.
Program Director: Professor Rodbell (Geology)
Program Advisors: B. Boyer, Corbin, LoGiudice, Rice,(Biology); Hagerman, Macmanus-Spencer,(Chemistry); Kenney (Economics); Cockburn, Frey, Garver, Hollocher, Shaw (Geology); Morris (History); Wilk (Mechanical Engineering); Ghaly, Jewell, Mafi (Engineering); Kaplan (Sociology).
100. Introduction to Environmental Studies. (Fall, Winter, Spring, Staff) An introduction to the study of environmental studies from both a policy and a scientific perspective. Topics include human population dynamics, pollution and remediation, global warming, acid rain, and biodiversity. Fieldwork during lab periods involves the investigation of local environmental problems. This course is intended for sophomores in the environmental studies program, but it is open to all students.
200. Energy. (Winter, Shaw,) Designed to acquaint the student with the many societal and technological problems facing the United States and the world due to the ever increasing demand for energy.
201. Nuclear Technology in War and Peace: A Study of Issues and Choices. Explores the technology of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy for electric power generation. Associated problems of nuclear weapons proliferation and technological alternatives are considered.
208. Waste Management and Recycling. (Fall, Ghaly) Waste Management: This course will introduce students to various sources of solid waste materials including hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Focus areas are overview of landfill systems, geosynthetics, geotextiles, geomembranes, geonets, single clay liner, single geomembrane liner, composite liner systems, leak detection and leachate collection, removal and treatment of leachate, and capping and closure systems. The recycling segment will explore natural resources of raw materials including origin and use. It will also investigate the potential and limitation for recycling of materials. The focus area will be various applications of recycling recyclable and non-recyclable materials especially non-biodegradable waste. Discussion of methods of manufacture and compositions of such materials will concentrate on advanced industrial applications for the reuse of non-recyclable waste materials. Application areas include production of new materials, materials with superior qualities for special purposes, and materials with high level of resistance against certain environmental conditions. The course will also touch on the political aspect of recycling including consumer attitude and government incentives to encourage recycling.
209. Renewable Energy Systems. (Spring, Wilk) The study of renewable energy resources and the conversion technologies available to utilize them to meet society’s energy needs. Topics include forms of energy; First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics; energy conversion and efficiency; sustainability; energy storage. Historical perspective on world and U.S. energy usage, conversion technologies, and energy resources. Fundamentals of the conversion processes and systems involved in the use of solar thermal and photovoltaic, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, thermoelectric, hydro and ocean technologies. The use of hydrogen as a fuel and technologies to produce and use it. Economic and environmental issues relevant to renewable energy resources. Class will be supplemented with laboratory demonstrations and field trips to visit existing renewable energy systems. Prerequisites: MER 231 or PHY 122.
250. Water Resources and the Environment. (Winter, Jewell) Fluid mechanics as applied to water resources and environmental engineering. Study of pollution in streams, lakes, and reservoirs from point and non-point sources. Introduction to hydrology, water supply development and treatment, and wastewater collection and treatment. Prerequisites: Math 112 or 113, and Physics 120.
251. Environmental Science and the Atmosphere. (not offered 2008-09) The study of the atmosphere and air pollution. Fundamentals of the chemical and physical processes associated with the atmosphere. Basic meteorology; sources, effects, and control of air pollution. Global climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain. Air pollution law and air quality management. Indoor air quality. Prerequisite: College-level math and science.
252. Environmental Geotechniques. (Spring, Ghaly) This course explores the natural characteristics, techniques of coring, methods of classification, and testing of soils as a material impacted by the surrounding environment. The utilized methods of testing are those standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Basic topics covered are soil exploration, composition, flow and permeability, compaction, compressibility, strength, slope stability, and environmental geotechnology with focus on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) testing and design specifications.
253. Environmentally Friendly Buildings. (Fall, Spring, Mafi) A large percentage of energy consumption and negative effect on environment is attributable to buildings and their use. In this course, through hands-on experience, computer simulation and research, the students will become acquainted with the inner-workings of the subsystems in buildings, such as: Structures, lighting and appliances, heating/air-conditioning, plumbing, basement/crawl space/attic, water and moisture management; enclosure, interior, exterior. The students will become aware of indoor and outdoor environmental and life cycle costs of the existing systems and will learn the latest science and technology to reduce the negative effect of these subsystems on the environment. Laboratory: hands-on experience with the above subsystems, site visits, Computer simulations, research, projects, presentations. Prerequisite: open to sophomores and up.
307. Hydrology. (not offered 2008-09) The study of the processes of surface water hydrology; including the rainfall/runoff process, river and stream routing, and reservoir analysis and design. Introduction to drainage system design, culvert design, and groundwater hydrology. Spreadsheets and computer software are used to assist in analysis and design. Four lecture hours per week. Prerequisite: ENS-250 or MER331.
310. Environmental Engineering. (not offered 2008-09) Analysis and design of water supply and wastewater conveyance systems. Study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes involved in water supply and wastewater treatment. Four lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisites: ENS-250 or MER331, and Chemistry 101 or 110.
460. Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies. (Winter) This capstone course for the environmental studies program brings together the expertise and experience of all environmental studies seniors to study contemporary environmental issues, usually related to a single topic or small number of topics. Issues may include legal cases, legislation and regulation, application of technology to social problems, and national and global environmental policy. Class time may include discussion, debate, field trips, class presentations, and outside speakers. Research and presentation of findings will be stressed. Prerequisite: Senior standing (open to all seniors).
490-491. Independent Study in Environmental Studies. Independent work on an environmental topic of particular interest under the direction of a faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
498-499. Research in Environmental Studies. Senior-level research on an environmentally-related topic. Work may take the form of two independent study term projects, or as a two-term senior thesis. Substantial writing is required for ENS 499 (must satisfy WAC-WS requirements, for which WS credit is awarded). Topics are chosen in consultation with and conducted under the direction of the student’s advisor. Thesis research must follow the guidelines of the host department. The results of senior research are presented in the senior seminar. Prerequisite: Senior standing in the environmental studies program and permission of the instructor.
Other courses are listed under their individual departments.