Geography and Earth and Environmental Sciences
This department serves students interested in careers or graduate education in geography, earth science or environmental studies.
The Geography program provides a broad-based background for students planning a career in public service, teaching, or advanced study in geography.
Objectives: To produce geographically informed citizens who understand the world in spatial terms; to support the education of geography teachers; and to graduate majors who can succeed in geography graduate school and apply geographical thinking in a wide range of activities and careers.
The Environmental Studies program prepares students for employment or graduate study through interdisciplinary education in both scientific and policy-related aspects of the earth’s ecosystems. The capstone course for all students in the major is the senior seminar, in which students from both tracks meet and study current research relevant to key debates on the environment. Each track contains appropriate contextual and support courses; a minor or contextual and support area is not needed for this program.
Objectives: To provide a basis for sound decision-making through knowledge of environmental science and policy; to create respect for the multi-faceted and interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems; to provide an awareness of the global dimensions of environmental issues, and of the links between local and global scales; to develop skills for analysis and communication proper to the field of environmental studies; to furnish students with service experience through internships in environmental organizations; and to forge stronger connections between the university and its region through service on local environmental issues.
Earth science courses are offered at Emory & Henry as an adjunct to and support for teacher licensure and for majors in environmental studies, geography, and land use analysis and planning. A full major is not offered in this area. Students seeking teacher licensure in earth science must complete a major in geography, biology, chemistry, or physics, and 24 semester hours in earth science, including geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology. Approved courses from environmental studies may be used as elective credit in the earth science licensure program.
EARTH SCIENCE LICENSURE
Students planning to teach may obtain licensure for geography and earth science by completing a geography major and 24 semester hours in earth science, including geology, oceanography, astronomy, and meteorology. Approved courses from environmental studies may be used as elective credit in the earth science licensure program. Students pursuing licensure to teach must notify the Neff Center and be assigned an individual advisor from the Education Department
Degrees and Certificates
-
Environmental Studies - Policy, B.A. -
Geography, B.A. -
Geography - Social Sciences, B.A. -
Geography - Teacher Preparation 6-12 (Earth Science Licensure), B.A. -
Environmental Studies - Science, B.S. -
Environmental Studies, Minor -
Food Studies, Minor -
Geography, Minor
Courses
ENVS 100: Intro to Environmental Studies
Study of the earth's environmental systems and of the role of humans in those systems. Focus on the major policy and scientific developments and debates, including such topics as nuclear waste disposal, depletion of stratospheric ozone, global climate change, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
ENVS 200: Environmental Monitoring
Study of human effects on the biosphere and the physical and chemical techniques used to monitor environmental quality. Waste disposal, recycling, energy utilization, industrial pollution, pesticide use, water quality, and regulatory instruments such as the Environmental Protection Act. Quantitative monitoring of air, water, and general environmental quality. Analytical methods and use of modern instrumentation, including gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, and potentiometric methods.
Prerequisites
CHEM 111.
ENVS 205: Environment & Planning
Introduction to contemporary environmental issues and problem solving at various geographic scales. Particular attention given to planning approaches to environmental issues.
ENVS 206: Organic Food Production
ENVS 207: Advanced Organic Food Production
ENVS 212: Environmental Geology
Relations between society and the geologic environment. Focus on geologic hazards such as floods, landslides, volcanoes, and earthquakes; geologic resources such as metals, fossil fuels, and water; and environmental challenges such as groundwater contamination. Lab includes required field trips.
ENVS 225: Sustainable Agriculture in Appalachia
Agriculture is the largest single land use on our planet. This course examines both conventional and unsustainable agriculture and their impacts on our environment. We review design and management of plant crops and animal husbandry systems and the sustainability of these procedures for our region and for our planet.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100.
ENVS 245: Applied Ecology and Field Biology
This course will cover ecology concepts and discuss human interactions within each level of ecology (population, community, and ecosystem ecology). We will focus on applying ecological concepts in laboratory and field studies, and experience how ecologists and field biologists design, carry out, and communicate scientific research.
ENVS 285: Research Experience Envs Study
Research experience through assistance in faculty-led research projects.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100 and permission of the faculty member directing the project.
ENVS 286: Res. Exper. in Environ'l Topic
Research experience through assistance in faculty-led research projects.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100 and permission of the faculty member directing the project.
ENVS 287: Res. Exper. in Envir'l. Topics
Research experience through assistance in faculty-led research projects.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100 and permission of the faculty member directing the project.
ENVS 288: Research Exp. in Envir. Topics
Research experience through assistance in faculty-led research projects.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100 and permission of the faculty member directing the project.
ENVS 300: Wildlife Monitoring & Mgmt
Modern techniques used by field researchers for monitoring individuals and populations of various animal groups important in the Appalachian region. Modern issues and approaches to habitat and species management. Emphasis on research methods.
Prerequisites
ENVS 100 and STAT 161.
ENVS 320: Hydrology
Study of the movement, distribution, and quality of fresh water throughout the Earth. Focus on the hydrologic cycle, water resources, watershed sustainability, hydrologic modeling, and the influence of climate, geology, and human activity on the hydrosphere. The lab component requires fieldwork.
Prerequisites
ESCI 111 or 112, and MATH 124.
ENVS 322: Environmental Policy
Historical development and current assessment of policy for environmental protection. Emphasis on the geographic nature of policies, resulting from the interplay of local, state, and federal governments and non-governmental organizations.
ENVS 350: ST: Environmental Studies
ENVS 450: Seminar in Environmental Studies
Advanced study of selected topics in environmental policy and science, including guest lectures and presentations by faculty and students. Open to senior Environmental Studies majors or by permission of instructors.
ENVS 460: Independent Study
Independent research under faculty supervision by students either in the policy track or in the science track.
Prerequisites
Senior status or instructor permission; permission of program director.
ENVS 470: Internship I
field. Although the usual internship will carry either three or six hours credit, a student may elect to arrange an internship carrying between two and six hours credit with the permission of the department. Each hour of credit will require forty hours at the internship site.
Prerequisites
Junior or senior status, departmental permission, and completion of coursework appropriate to the field work.
ENVS 471: Internship II
field. Although the usual internship will carry either three or six hours credit, a student may elect to arrange an internship carrying between two and six hours credit with the permission of the department. Each hour of credit will require forty hours at the internship site.
Prerequisites
Junior or senior status, departmental permission, and completion of coursework appropriate to the field work.
ENVS 490: Honors Thesis I
Independent research in a special topic for honors.
Prerequisites
Senior status, GPA of 3.0 or higher.
ENVS 491: Honors Thesis II
Independent research in a special topic for honors.
Prerequisites
Senior status, GPA of 3.0 or higher.
ESCI 111: Physical Geology
Study of rocks and minerals, forces and processes that alter the earth's surface, and mechanisms that contribute to the constantly changing earth. Earth materials, plate tectonics, erosion, volcanism, and diastrophism. Lecture, laboratory, and field work hours.
ESCI 112: Historical Geology
Past events in earth's history as interpreted by record of the rocks. Major geologic periods, continuity of change, and evolutionary progress of life.
Prerequisites
ESCI 111 or departmental permission.
ESCI 201: Weather & Climate
ESCI 202: Geomorphology
ESCI 350: St: Geog. & Earth Science
GEOG 111: Human Geography
Natural forces influential in shaping cultural patterns that evolved in human history. Relationship of humankind to such elements as climate, terrain, vegetation, and world location. Cultural forces affecting humankind.
GEOG 201: Weather & Climate
Meteorological and climatological principles presented as background to understanding the global geography of climates. Special emphasis on understanding the relationships between climate and vegetation, and climate and human activities.
GEOG 202: Geomorphology
Examination of landforms in relation to tectonics, climatic environment, and geologic processes. Special emphasis on understanding the development and evolution of the Appalachian Mountains. Required field trips.
GEOG 245: Geography of the Middle East
The Middle East as a cultural crossroads; the region's rich diversity of people, life, and landscape; and its dependence on oil production and scarce water supplies.
GEOG 316: History and Geography of VA and TN
Comparative study of geography and history of two southern states. Emphasis on teacher responsibilities in the public schools with regard to the standards of learning.
GEOG 331: Geography of US & Canada
GEOG 340: Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 350: Selected Topics in Geography
Special studies offered according to needs of students. Emphasis on remote sensing, cartography, environmental geology, and other topics for students in geography, land use planning, environmental studies, and archeology.
GEOG 370: Field Study in Geography
GEOG 390: Adv Geog Information System
GEOG 460: Independent Study
Advanced independent research in a specific area of geography, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisites
Junior or senior status, departmental permission.