Environmental Sciences

The Department of Environmental Sciences (ENVS) is comprised of faculty who are dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to creatively address critical environmental challenges of our world, such climate change, disease ecology, food and water security, and human impacts on the environment. A degree in ENVS offers students opportunities to tackle the most pressing issues of our times through biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, ecosystem management, and other solutions.

Through the interdisciplinary perspectives of both natural and social sciences, and by integrating research, teaching, and service, our goal is to advance knowledge and prepare the next generation of scholars, researchers and citizens. Because environmental issues transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, the structure and content of the Environmental Sciences curriculum emphasizes systems thinking and integrative learning. The curriculum is designed to sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills by challenging students to translate theory and classroom learning into practice, engaging in real world issues at local to global scales. Methods-based, laboratory, and field classes provide direct connections to learned content, while internships, practicums, and research experiences provide opportunities to apply that knowledge via independent study. ENVS faculty offer a variety of opportunities for students to participate in research within the department as early as their first year.

The department offers BA and BS degrees, two minors (Environmental Sciences and Sustainability Sciences), and a concentration in Environmental Management with the Goizueta Business School. Students completing the BS degree will focus their electives within one of four tracks: Ecology & Conservation, Environment & Health, Earth & Atmospheric Science, or Environmental Social Science & Policy. The department participates in two undergraduate/graduate (4+1) programs which allows students to pursue both a BS in ENVS and an MPH with Rollins School of Public Health as well as a BS/MS degrees in Environmental Sciences.

Visit the Department Website

Concentrations

Courses

ENVS 100-Level Courses

Introduction to environmental sciences through overarching hot-button research topics in earth science, ecology, resilience, and sustainability. Human impact on the environment will be discussed and debated through interdisciplinary analysis of case studies. Appropriate for majors and non-majors.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course is an introduction to the concepts and methods related to the study of environmental sciences. Students will be introduced to relevant theories from physical, ecological and social sciences. This course is intended for majors and minors in Environmental Sciences.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Applies and integrates theories and concepts of environmental science through field study. Introduction to Piedmont geology, water, land and forest use, management and policy. Introduction to ENVS research and community engaged learning. This course is required for ENVS majors and minors.

Credit Hours: 2
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Human and environmental health are incredibly intertwined. This course will introduce the relationships emerging between humans, animals and environmental change and examine health issues, scientific understanding of causes, and possible future approaches to global environmental and health problems.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

The topics for freshman seminars are variable and change every semester. Past offerings include Climate Change, Global Earth Systems, Interpreting Behavior That You Can't See, Ecological Economics, Plants, People and Places and Ecological Restoration.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: FS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

ENVS 200-Level Courses

Environmental epidemiology centers on the application of epidemiological methods to examine how environmental determinants (physical environment, chemicals, and infectious agents) influence distributions of diseases within and among populations.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Geology and paleontology are essential sciences for understanding how the earth, its life, and environments changed through time. This class explores their 18th and 19th century roots by reading, discussing, and writing about books of those times to learn appreciation for their scientific influence.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 130 or ENVS 131 or ENVS _OX 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 4
GER: CW
Requisites: ENVS 130 or ENVS 131 or ENVS _OX 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

History of earth in context of changing global environments. Emphasizes biological systems interacting with global processes: plate tectonics, climate change, sea level; lab exercises on minerals, rocks, fossils, geologic maps.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: NS
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 120 or ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or OX BIOL 111 equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course investigates the interactions between economic systems and the environment, focusing on the economic drivers of and solutions to environmental change.Topics include food and water security, economic valuation and externalities, market failures, and socioenvironmental inequality.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Introduces theories of human interaction with the environment. Focus is on holistically examining the factors social science research suggests drives human behavior towards natural resources. Focused on Ostrom's IAD and SES Frameworks.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: HSC
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Introduction to basic concepts of American environmental policy. Topics include: history of federal environmental policymaking, environmental policy tools, controversies in environmental policy, and U.S. environmental policy in the age of globalization. Field trips required.

Credit Hours

GER

HSC

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111, or POLS 100 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.

Cross-Listed

POLS 227

Credit Hours

GER

HSCW

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111, or POLS 100 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.

Cross-Listed

POLS 227W

Prerequisite: ENVS 131, POLS 100 or permission. An introduction to basic concepts of American environmental policy in the age of globalization. Topics include the history of federal policymaking, policy tools and controversies in environmental policy. Field trips and weekly lab required.

Credit Hours

GER

HSC

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 228

Credit Hours

GER

HSCW

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 228W

Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere and the weather it produces. It seeks to understand the dynamics of the system in terms of available energy and how those dynamics produce the daily weather and long-term climate of the globe. This course will include a weekly lab.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: NS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Introduction to earth processes. Topics include minerals, the rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle, stream dynamics, glacial and coastal processes, energy resources, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanism.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: NS
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Overview of ecology, including ecosystem structure and function, ecosystem dynamics, methods of ecosystem analysis, energy flow, nutrient dynamics, population and community ecology and human dominated ecosystems.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: NS
Requisites: ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Application of basic ecological concepts to the design of architectural structures. In addition, the course will explore the concept of 'biophilia'(inherent love of nature) and 'biomimicry'(using nature to inform design) in architectural design.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course focuses on interactions between human activities and geologic processes. Topics include floods, earthquakes, volcanism, risk and resilience, air and water pollution, mineral and energy resources and climate change.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Overview of ocean processes, including the causes and effects of waves and currents, geology of the sea floor, coastal erosion, and related environmental and economic effects.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Overview of ecosystem ecology, including dynamics of large scale systems, landscape ecology, ecosystem structure, and function. Topics in the course will include: methods of ecosystem analysis, energy flow, nutrient cycling, community dynamics, issues of scale, models, and ecosystem properties.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This is the laboratory portion of the ENVS 240 Ecosystem Ecology class. Field studies and laboratory exercises will be conducted in various ecosystems around north Georgia.

Credit Hours: 1
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Modern and ancient tropical environments of The Bahamas. Topics: sea level, island biogeography, reef ecology, geology, human effects on environments. Required weekend field trip to Georgia barrier island. Must be taken with ENVS 242 to fulfill ENVS field course.

Credit Hours: 1
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Field-based study of modern and ancient tropical environments on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Topics: terrestrial, intertidal and subtidal environments; rocky and sandy shorelines; hypersaline lakes; caves; reefs; lagoons; biological and geological methods in the field. Fulfills ENVS field course.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 241 as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course emphasizes soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties concerning plant growth, environment, and soil's place in our daily life. Students will learn the importance of soils to humans through the study of their morphology, properties, distribution, and biological significance.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: NS
Requisites: ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

This course provides an overview of the principles of ecology and the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. Processes and properties of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems will be emphasized. Lectures will emphasize active and collaborative learning.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

(BIOL 142 and BIOL 142L) or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 247

This is the laboratory portion of the Ecology class. Field studies will be conducted in various natural areas in Georgia, including a weekend trip to the mountains. Pre- or corequisite: Biology/ENVS 247. (This course meets the upper-level laboratory requirement for the biology major.)

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

This course requires BIOL 142, BIOL 142L or BIOL_OX142 AND BIOL/ENVS 247 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 247L

Credit Hours

GER

Requisites

This course requires BIOL 142, BIOL 142L or BIOL_OX142 AND BIOL/ENVS 247 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 247LW

Explores the study and design of maps and geographic information systems (GIS) as a problem-solving tool for geographic analysis with focus on applications of GIS, data collection and processing, cartographic design, and trends in geospatial technology.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Environmental issues that are often misunderstood can be communicated with effective writing and presentation methods. This class provides tools for addressing environmental misconceptions while also developing communication skills for a variety of personal, public, or academic situations.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 4
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Quantitative methods in environmental studies, with a focus on statistical methods.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Students will learn to summarize and explore patterns and relationships in social and environmental data, conduct independent research, effectively communicate results and implications, and critically assess data-driven assertions.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

We examine the interaction between the human and natural world in Japanese cultural and scientific history by looking at maps, literature, scriptures, visual media, and current journalism.

Credit Hours

GER

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

JPN 275
EAS 275

A course designed for second year students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. This course may count as elective credit for the ENVS major and minor; relevant topics may count towards the ENVS Sustainability Sciences or Earth and Atmospheric Sciences minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for second year students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with weekly lab sessions. This course may count as an upper level lab for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for second year students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with required field trips. This course may count as an upper level field course for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Variable credit. Permission of faculty supervisor required prior to enrollment. Designed primarily for sophomores, this course provides ENVS students with foundational skills for research under the supervision of a faculty member. A stepping stone to more advanced research work.

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

ENVS 300-Level Courses

Introduction to Adaptive Natural Resource Management. The course will review existing theories, concepts and methods of adaptive assessment, management, and case histories of systems where adaptive management approaches have been applied.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or or BIOL_OX 111 AND ENVS 240 or ENVS 247 OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

The class will question the extent to which current food systems are socially desirable and environmentally sustainable and explore tools, theories, and interventions to envision and create food systems that are sustainable, resilient, and just.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course introduces the fields of environmental and ecological economics. Our focus is on how economic thinking can be used to interpret and inform environmental policy and management of pollution, climate change, fisheries, forestry, water, biodiversity, and food production.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 and ENVS 260 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite
Cross-Listed: None

This course draws upon the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a way to explain issues related to the science, policy, and business of climate change from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course will provide knowledge in atmospheric chemistry, focusing on the physical and chemical processes. Students will be able to: 1) explain important atmospheric phenomena from the local to global scale; and 2) critically assess public discussions and media coverage on air pollution.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

This course requires PHYS 141 and PHYS 142 or PHYS 151 and PHYS 152 and CHEM 141 as Pre-Requisite

Cross-Listed

CHEM 328

Historical, philosophical, and ethical relationships between religion and ecology; other dimensions include Eastern thought, ecofeminism, animal rights, and literary nature writers.

Credit Hours

GER

HAP

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

REL 329

Climatology studies the properties of the atmosphere and ocean and the resulting climates. We emphasize the energy cascade of the climate system and climate change.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: SNT
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course covers how the atmosphere, oceans and land work together to produce the characteristics of the planet, how this synergy has changed in the past, and how human activity affects the system.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: SNT
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course will focus on plant identification in the field. Students will learn sight identification and the use of taxonomic keys. We will also discuss the natural history of plants and plant communities. This course fulfills an ENVS lab requirement. Includes a required weekend field trip.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Overview of barrier islands, integrates geology and ecology to understand barrier islands as places denoted by dramatic and rapid change. Includes human-related factors related to barrier islands and effects of climate change. Weekend field trip to Georgia barrier islands.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

History of the relationship between the American people, land, weather, and natural resources, with special attention to the environmental movement since 1960.

Credit Hours

GER

HSC

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

HIST 344

This course focuses on the conservation of biodiversity and introduces students to ways that ecological and evolutionary principles can be used to conserve and protect species and ecosystems at risk.

Credit Hours

GER

SNT

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or OX BIOL 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor. .

Cross-Listed

BIOL 345

This course examines cultural and physical landscapes and their temporal and spatial changes of natural and built environments and by incorporating the use of geospatial technologies and methods in their examination.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite
Cross-Listed: None

This lab/field experience is a supplement to ENVS 347 Landscapes and Geomorphology which examines cultural and physical landscapes and their temporal and spatial changes through the study of natural and built environments and by incorporating the use of geospatial technologies.

Credit Hours: 1
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 347 as co-requisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Topics include the hydrologic cycle, surface and groundwater hydrology, effects of human activity on water quality and supply, water management, water scarcity and conflict. Special emphasis on sustainable practices in water resource management. .

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course will familiarize students with principles of ecological invasions and methods for assessing the spread and impacts of invasive species on a global scale. Students will also become familiar with major sources of exotic species introductions and methods available for prevention and control.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or OX BIOL 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor. .

Cross-Listed

BIOL 349

This course exposes students to philosophical and ethical dimensions of human-nature relationships. Students will consider their own views toward nature. Philosophical and ethical concepts are examined through readings, discussions, and group activities.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: HSC
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 4
GER: HSCW
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Explores the role of business in "doing good" for society, how to develop a vision for sustainability within a company, what it means to work on environmental concerns in a major corporation, and compares the approaches of leading companies. Emphasis on readings, writing assignments and discussion.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 225 or ENVS 227 or POLS 227 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 4
GER: CW
Requisites: ENVS 225 or ENVS 227 or POLS 227 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

From prehistory to today, pathogens have played a central role in our existence. This course will provide insights into why we get sick and how we heal by examining human disease within the context of ecology and evolution. Required for ENVS BS/MPH students.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Using Global Cities and Atlanta as "laboratory" this course examines the urban environment and explores issues in urban planning and policy, sustainability, and environmental management while employing the use of geo-spatial computer applications.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Population Ecologists focus on the study of the distribution, abundance and interactions of taxonomically or functionally related organisms. This course will provide the foundations of Population Ecology.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: QTM 100 or QTM_OX 100 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

Open only to undergraduate students by permission of the instructor. Additionally, this course is required for all students seeking to apply for the fellowship in Community Building and Social Change.

Credit Hours

GER

HSC

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 370A
CBSC 370A
SOC 370A

Open only to students admitted as fellows in the program in Community Building and Social Change.

Credit Hours

GER

HSC

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 370B
CBSC 370B
SOC 370B

Open only to students admitted as fellows in the program in Community Building and Social Change.

Credit Hours

GER

HSCW

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 370BW
CBSC 370BW
SOC 370BW

Open only to students admitted as fellows in the program in Community Building and Social Change.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 370L
SOC 370L
CBSC 370L

Explores the diverse biomes of the tropics. Focus will be on tropical forests and grasslands, with an emphasis on ecological processes, biodiversity, human impact in the tropics, indigenous peoples, and ethnobotany.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or OX BIOL 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor. .

Cross-Listed

BIOL 371

Permission required. This is the field course to accompany the lecture course on tropical ecology. Field trip will take place during the spring recess.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 371 or BIOL 371 as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 372

Lectures and readings focus on the diversity, structure, and conservation of marine ecosystems, including experimental and analytic approaches to their study. Discussions of primary literature cover current topics such as biological invasions, disease, climate change, and marine protected areas.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

ENVS 232 or ENVS 240 or ENVS 247 or BIOL 247 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 373

This course will explore coastal and near-shore tropical marine ecosystems including mangroves and coral reefs. Readings will review key concepts of marine ecology with a focus on local ecosystems. Field excursions to local sites will provide opportunities to learn from researchers and managers.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL 141 or BIOL_OX 141 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.

Cross-Listed

BIOL 375

Focuses on the complexity of policy problems surrounding international environmental issues, the fragility of international environmental institutions, and specific policy problems such as free trade, sustainable development, population growth, climate change, and endangered species.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: HSC
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or POLS 110 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours

GER

HSCW

Requisites

This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or POLS 110 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.

Cross-Listed

POLS 384W

This lecture/field course is designed to give the student a broad view of these two classes of vertebrates (Amphibia and Reptilia). Class topics will include taxonomy, conservation, life histories, special senses and pheromones, biogeography, reproductive strategies, physiology, and behavior.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

BIOL 380

Variable topics that are offered as irregular courses. Past course topics have included: Finding Place: Technology, Stories, and the Environment; Introduction to Botany; Environment, Health, and Development; Conservation and Development; Booms and Busts in Resources of Georgia; and Paleoecology.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for intermediate students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with weekly lab sessions. This course may count as an upper level lab for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for intermediate students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with required field trips. This course may count as an upper level field course for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit, two hours. Weekly seminar on topics in Environmental Studies featuring speakers from within and outside the University. Students are required to read published articles authored by each speaker and submit weekly response papers. Group presentations on seminar topics are also required.

Credit Hours: 2
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Variable credit. Permission required. Intended for students who have had some prior introduction to research, either in ENVS 299 or in another class or field. In this individual research course, research skills are developed and refined under supervision of an ENVS faculty member.

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

ENVS 400-Level Courses

This course allows students to explore the ecological and legal dimensions of environmental issues of biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and sustainable development. The class will combine readings and case studies.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This class is offered to students selected to participate in a one-week fieldwork trip to the U.N. Climate Change Negotiation as a part of Emory's delegation. The course explores interdisciplinary climate change issues from science, policy, and business perspectives.

Credit Hours: 2
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 326 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite.
Cross-Listed: None

This course will use ecological concepts to investigate the forests of the Emory campus.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course will use ecological concepts to investigate the forests of the Emory campus.

Credit Hours: 5
GER: CW
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_ OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or BIOL 142 or BIOL_OX 142 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This course investigates the influence of the physical environment on abundance and distribution of organisms in ecosystems and characterizes ecosystem structure and function for each ecosystem. Students will learn how to identify species and explore the natural history of dominant organisms.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: ENVS 131 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisite
Cross-Listed: None

This course is focused on the diverse ecosystems of the Southeast, including: Piedmont, coastal barrier island, long-leaf pine, Okeefenokee, lake and river, farmland, and urban ecosystems. Weekend field trips required.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

This summer field course will provide students with a hands-on experience in the southern African countries of Namibia and Botswana. Within a conservation biology perspective, students have the opportunity to learn about the unique habitats and conservation issues of southern Africa.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

BIOL 446

Advanced seminar exploring the challenges of fishing. Introduces social, economic, and technological aspects of the world's fisheries, then focuses on overfishing and means of controlling overfishing.

Credit Hours: 3
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Urban ecology is broadly defined as the study of interactions between organisms and communities with urban environments and of the linkages between them and human activities. By taking a global perspective, this course will provide the foundations of urban ecology.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course will provide the necessary skills and support for students to conduct research in a field of environmental studies through a series of lectures and engaged learning.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 260 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Required for all students completing the Environmental Management Concentration though ENVS and the Goizueta Business School. During this course you will develop a capstone portfolio to reflect on your experience in the concentration. The course should be taken in your final spring semester.

Credit Hours: 1
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course examines patterns of health in place and time, application of geospatial technologies for epidemiology, analysis of time-space relations, clusters and diffusion of disease, and the spatial ecology of selected infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 250 and ENVS 260 or equivalent transfer credit as prerequisites OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for advanced students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. This course may count as elective credit for the ENVS major and minor; relevant topics may count towards the ENVS Sustainability Sciences or Earth and Atmospheric Sciences minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for advanced students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with weekly lab sessions. This course may count as an upper level lab for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

A course designed for advanced students on topics of interest in environmental sciences. Lecture with required field trips. This course may count as an upper level field course for the ENVS major; relevant topics may count as elective credit for ENVS minors. See current course atlas.

Credit Hours: 1 - 4
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 5
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

This course is required for all ENVS majors (BA and BS) in their final semester prior to graduation.During this course you will develop a capstone portfolio that includes examples of past coursework and has written reflections evaluating your academic growth throughout the major.

Credit Hours: 1
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Student teams work on an environmental project for an external stakeholder, using problem identification, research and analysis, report and policy drafting, and public presentation skills. Project and stakeholders vary by semester. Fulfills an ENVS Independent Study.

Credit Hours: 4
GER: None
Requisites: This course requires ENVS 131 or ENVS_OX 131 or BIOL_OX 111 or equivalent transfer credit as a prerequisite OR permission of instructor.
Cross-Listed: None

Open only to students admitted as fellows in the program in Community Building and Social Change.

Credit Hours

GER

None

Requisites

None

Cross-Listed

POLS 492R
CBSC 492R
SOC 492R

Student research projects developed with the guidance of ENVS faculty. Permission required. Previous research experience is not required. Fulfills the ENVS independent study requirement (4 credit hrs).

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: XA
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: XAW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Permission of Honors Coordinator required. Restricted to students who are accepted into the departmental Honors program. Fulfills ENVS Independent Study requirement (4 credit hours).

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: XA
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Permission of Honors Coordinator required. Restricted to students who are accepted into the departmental Honors program. Fulfills ENVS Independent Study requirement (4 credit hours). May also be used to fulfill a continued writing requirement.

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

ENVS permission and internship pre-approval required. Credit for working as an intern in environmentally-related, approved settings. Fulfills ENVS Independent Study requirement (4 credit hours).

Credit Hours: 3 - 5
GER: XA
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Variable credit. Permission of ENVS faculty supervisor required prior to enrollment. Course allows for students to work with faculty to explore topics that are not normally offered. Fulfills Independent Study requirement for ENVS majors (4 credit hours).

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: None
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Credit Hours: 1 - 8
GER: CW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Students design a research project in collaboration with ENVS faculty. Permission required. Intended for students with previous research experience. Fulfills the ENVS Independent Study requirement.

Credit Hours: 1 - 12
GER: XA
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Students design a research project in collaboration with ENVS faculty. Permission required. Intended for students with previous research experience. Fulfills the ENVS Independent Study requirement.

Credit Hours: 1 - 12
GER: XAW
Requisites: None
Cross-Listed: None

Environmental Sciences

Concentrations

Faculty

Courses

ENVS 100-Level Courses

ENVS 120: Living in the Anthropocene

ENVS 130: Environmental Sciences

ENVS 131: Intro.to ENVS Field Studies

ENVS 140: Environmental Change & Health

ENVS 190: Fresh Sem:Environmentl Studies

ENVS 200-Level Courses

ENVS 210: Environmental Epidemiology

ENVS 215: Great Books of the Geosciences

ENVS 215W: Great Books of the Geosciences

ENVS 222: Evolutn of the Earth with Lab

ENVS 224: Economy and the Environment

ENVS 225: Institutions & The Environment

ENVS 227: Environmental Policy

ENVS 227W: Environmental Policy

ENVS 228: Environmental Policy with Lab

ENVS 228W: Environmental Policy with Lab

ENVS 229: Atmospheric Science with Lab

ENVS 230: Fundamentals of Geology w/Lab

ENVS 232: Fundamentals of Ecology w/Lab

ENVS 234: Biophilic and Green Design

ENVS 235: Environmental Geology

ENVS 239: Physical Oceanography

ENVS 240: Ecosystem Ecology

ENVS 240L: Ecosystem Ecology Lab

ENVS 241: Mod & Anc Trop Environments

ENVS 242: Mod & Anc Trop Env Field Crs

ENVS 245: Fund Concepts in Soil Science

ENVS 247: Ecology

ENVS 247L: Ecology Laboratory

ENVS 247LW: Ecology Laboratory

ENVS 250: Fundam. of Cartography & GIS

ENVS 255: Environmental Communication

ENVS 255W: Environmental Communication

ENVS 260: Quant Tech in Environ Stdy

ENVS 270: Environmental Data Science

ENVS 275: Nature and Culture in Japan

ENVS 285: Special Topics

ENVS 285W: Special Topics

ENVS 286: Special Topics w/Lab

ENVS 286W: Special Topics w/Lab

ENVS 287: Special Topics w/Field

ENVS 287W: Special Topics w/Field

ENVS 299R: Fundamentals of ENVS Rsrch.

ENVS 300-Level Courses

ENVS 320: Environ Assessment/Managemen

ENVS 323: Sustainable Food Systems

ENVS 324: Environmental Economics

ENVS 326: Climate Change and Society

ENVS 328: Intro.to Atmospheric Chemistry

ENVS 329: Religion and Ecology

ENVS 330: Climatology

ENVS 331: Earth Systems Science

ENVS 341: Field Botany

ENVS 342: Barrier Island

ENVS 344: American Environmental History

ENVS 345: Conservation Biology

ENVS 347: Landscapes and Geomorphology

ENVS 347L: Geomorphology Laboratory

ENVS 348: Sustainable Water Res.with Lab

ENVS 349: Ecology of Invasions

ENVS 350: Env Thgt:Ethics,Phil. & Issues

ENVS 350W: Env Thgt:Ethics,Phil. & Issues

ENVS 352: Green Business

ENVS 352W: Green Business

ENVS 359: Ecology & Evolution of Disease

ENVS 365: Urban Geography

ENVS 366: Population Ecology

ENVS 370A: Community Bldg & Soc Change I

ENVS 370B: Planning Community Initiatives

ENVS 370BW: Planning Community Initiatives

ENVS 370L: Planning Comm.Initiatives-Lab

ENVS 371: Ecology of the Tropics

ENVS 372: Ecology of the Tropics Field

ENVS 373: Marine Ecology

ENVS 375: Tropical Marine Ecosystems