Search Results
Your search for courses · tagged with ENTS Environmenal Science · returned 18 results
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BIOL 224 Landscape Ecology 6 credits
In the Anthropocene, there has been dramatic change in the distribution of species and communities across the global landscape. The primary objective of this course is to introduce the theory and practice of landscape ecology. Throughout this course, we will consider the major themes of scale and hierarchy theory, compositional analysis, fragmentation, meta-populations, and landscape metrics, all within the broad context of how landscape patterns influence ecological process.
Requires concurrent registration in BIOL 225
Not offered in 2024-25
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
- BIOL 225
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BIOL 225 Landscape Ecology Laboratory 2 credits
Laboratory component of Biology 224.
Not offered in 2024-25
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BIOL 248 Behavioral Ecology 6 credits
Behavioral ecologists strive to understand the complex ways that ecological pressures influence the evolution of behavioral strategies. It can be argued that animals face a relatively small set of basic challenges: they must acquire food, water, and mates, and they must avoid danger. Yet we see a rich diversity of solutions to these problems. Consider foraging behavior, for example. All animals must acquire energy, but some filter particles out of sea water, others graze on nearly inedible grasses, while still others hunt in cooperative packs. In this course we will consider such topics as foraging, communication, sociality, and conflict. By focusing on the functions and evolutionary histories of behaviors, we strive to better understand the puzzle of behavioral diversity.
Not offered in 2024-25
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
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BIOL 262 Ecological Physiology 6 credits
This course examines the physiological adaptations that allow species to inhabit a wide range of environments including polar regions, deserts, high alpine, the deep sea, and wave-swept coastal habitats. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how organisms cope with environmental extremes (e.g., temperature, low oxygen, pH, salinity and pressure) and in using metabolic theory to predict the ecological impacts of climate change (e.g., global warming, ocean acidification, hypoxia). Associated laboratory will emphasize experimentation and application of physiological concepts in living organisms.
Requires concurrent registration in BIOL 263
- Fall 2024
- LS, Science with Lab
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
- BIOL 263
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BIOL 321 Ecosystem Ecology 6 credits
Ecosystem ecology involves the study of energy and material flow through systems, including both the biotic (animals, plants, microbes) and abiotic (soil, water, atmosphere) components. Topics include the major elemental cycles (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus), patterns of energy flow, and the controls of these fluxes for different ecosystems. Current environmental issues are emphasized as case studies, including climate change, land use change, human alterations of nutrient cycles, and biodiversity effects on ecosystems.
Not offered in 2024-25
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning WR2 Writing Requirement 2
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): BIOL 126 – Energy Flow in Biological Systems and Lab AND one 200 level Biology, Environmental Studies or Geology course with grade of C- or better.
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BIOL 350 Evolution 6 credits
Principles and history of evolutionary change in wild populations, with consideration of both microevolutionary and macroevolutionary time scales. Topics covered include causes of change in gene frequency, the nature of adaptation, constraints on evolutionary change, the evolution of genes and proteins, rates of speciation and extinction, and the major events in evolutionary history.
- Fall 2024
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
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BIOL 352 Population Ecology 6 credits
An investigation of the properties of populations and communities. Topics include population growth and regulation, life tables, interspecific and intraspecific competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, the nature of communities, and biogeography. Expected preparation: previous experience with calculus is necessary, but no specific course is required. Statistics 120 or equivalent exposure to statistical analysis is recommended.
Requires concurrent registration in BIOL 353.
Recommended course: Statistics 120 or equivalent exposure to statistical analysis
- Spring 2025
- QRE, Quantitative Reasoning LS, Science with Lab
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
- BIOL 353
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BIOL 363 Seminar: Ecomechanics 6 credits
All organisms, from Common loons to Redwood trees to Basking sharks spend much of their lives bumping up against forces associated with the non-biological world. The manner in which ecological challenges are solved (e.g., moving around vs. staying put, finding food, avoiding predators) is often related to an individual’s biomechanical design. This class will challenge students to view their physical surroundings from the perspective of an organism. How do mussels feed in a fast stream vs. stagnant pond? Why do healthy trees uproot rather than break in half? How can a sea urchin with no eyes “see”? We will use primary scientific literature to examine the physical principles that underlie fundamental ecological processes.
- Winter 2025
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better AND one 200 or 300 level BIOL course with a grade of C- or better.
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BIOL 374 Seminar: Grassland Ecology 6 credits
Grassland ecosystems cover one third of the Earth’s surface and occur on every continent except Antarctica. Grasslands provide habitat for millions of species, play a major role in global carbon and nutrient cycles, and are the primary source of agricultural land, making them an important ecosystem both ecologically and economically. This course will utilize scientific literature to explore the environmental and biological characteristics of the world’s grasslands from population dynamics to ecosystem processes. Topics include competition and succession, plant-animal interactions, carbon and nutrient cycling, the role of disturbances such as fire and land use change, and grassland management and restoration.
Waitlist Only.
Not offered in 2024-25
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning WR2 Writing Requirement 2
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Student must completed any of the following course(s): BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better AND either BIOL 210 – Global Change Biology or BIOL 238 – Entomology or BIOL 248 – Behavioral Ecology or BIOL 321 – Ecosystem Ecology or BIOL 352 – Population Ecology with a grade of C- or better.
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ENTS 225 Carbon and Climate 6 credits
This course will focus on the interconnections between the Earth’s carbon cycle and climate system. Particular interest will be given to how Earth system processes involved in the carbon cycle operate on geologic timescales and how these systems are responding to anthropogenic emissions. Required weekly laboratories will explore carbon cycle processes in local environments and will include outdoor field work, lab analyses, and computer modeling.
Not offered in 2024-25
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student must have completed any of the following course(s): One Lab Science course with grade of C- or better.
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ENTS 254 Topics in Landscape Ecology 6 credits
Landscape ecology is an interdisciplinary field that combines the spatial approach of the geographer with the functional approach of the ecologist to understand the ways in which landscape composition and structure affects ecological processes, species abundance, and distribution. Topics include collecting and referencing spatial data at broad scales, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), landscape metrics, simulating change in landscape pattern, landscape connectivity and meta-population dynamics, and reserve design.
Not offered in 2024-25
- IS, International Studies QRE, Quantitative Reasoning SI, Social Inquiry
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Student has completed the following courses: BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution, and Development & Lab with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam AND BIOL 126 – Energy Glow in Biological Systems & Lab with a grade of C- or better or equivalents.
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ENTS 288 Abrupt Climate Change 6 credits
Abrupt climate change is very fast change related to “tipping points” and threshold crossings. Such change is evident in historical climate records going back millions of years. Includes interpretation of historical paleoclimate data and proxy measurement methods, evolving theories for abrupt change, the role of complex earth systems processes, and trends in global climate change today. Link to human concerns will be made by exploring several case studies on past human civilizations affected by abrupt climate change. Includes a final project on the emerging science of abrupt climate change.
Not offered in 2024-25
- No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution and Development & Lab or BIOL 126 – Energy Flow in Biological Systems & Lab or CHEM 123 – Principles of Chemistry I & Lab or CHEM 124 – Principles of Chemistry I with Problem Solving & Lab or CHEM 128 – Principles of Environmental Chemistry & Lab or one 100 Level Geology course or 6 credits of Physics from courses 131-165 with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam.
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ENTS 289 Climate Change and Human Health 6 credits
This course will survey the relationship between climate change and human health. The course will begin by exploring the science of the Earth’s climate before turning to an exploration of topics that illuminate the intimate relationship between climate change and human health. These include short-lived climate forcers and the climate and health impact of mitigation measures, extreme heat/drought, mosquito-borne diseases, indoor air pollution/biomass combustion/cookstoves, and biodiversity conservation.
- Fall 2024
- QRE, Quantitative Reasoning SI, Social Inquiry
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): BIOL 125 – Genes, Evolution and Development & Lab or BIOL 126 – Energy Flow in Biological Systems & Lab or CHEM 123 – Principles of Chemistry I & Lab or CHEM 124 – Principles of Chemistry I with Problem Solving & Lab or CHEM 128 – Principles of Environmental Chemistry & Lab or one 100 Level Geology course or 6 credits of Physics from courses 131-165 with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam.
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GEOL 210 Geomorphology and Lab 6 credits
A lab and field-focused introduction to water resources–the processes driving the water cycle, the methods used to quantify and understand the flow of water, and the relationship between humans and water. Weekly field trips to nearby locations such as streams, wellfields, caves, and water infrastructure to develop skills including streamflow measurements, water quality monitoring, pump tests, and measuring soil properties. No previous outdoor experience required.
Not offered in 2024-25
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): One 100-Level GEOL course with grade of C- or better.
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GEOL 260 Coastal Marine Ecology & Lab 6 credits
Modern (and ancient) coastal marine benthic communities and their ecology. Topics include: structure of coastal communities, organisms’ interactions with each other and their environment, inshore physical oceanography, intertidal rocky shorelines, kelp forests, mangrove and coral reefs. Readings focus on landmark papers in nearshore marine ecology. Students explore research topics related to modern or ancient crises in marine ecosystems. Some years, an optional, multiday field trip over mid-term break may be provided; no experience or equipment is required, but participants must be prepared to spend time in the water and be competent swimmers.
Extra time
Not offered in 2024-25
- LS, Science with Lab WR2 Writing Requirement 2
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Student must have completed any one of the following course(s): One 200 level GEOL course or one 200 Level BIOL course with grade of C- or better.
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GEOL 340 Hydrogeology: Groundwater & Lab 6 credits
The principles of groundwater flow through the subsurface, and the functioning of aquifers. Topics include the properties of porous media, hydraulic head gradients, contaminant transport, and fractured and karstified aquifers. Labs will include working with physical sandbox models and soil columns, as well as an outdoor pumping well test (weather permitting). We will simulate groundwater flow using simple numerical modeling, beginning with an introduction to Python coding, and develop an increasingly complex groundwater model over the course of the term. No previous programming experience required. Geology 210 recommended preparation.
Not offered in 2024-25
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): One 100-Level GEOL course with grade of C- or better.
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GEOL 358 Soils and Lab 6 credits
The study of soil formation including the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils especially as related to land use and climate. Laboratories and field trips will include how to describe and interpret soils.
- Fall 2024
- LS, Science with Lab
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): Two 200 level GEOL courses with grade of C- or better.
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GEOL 370 Geochemistry of Natural Waters & Lab 6 credits
The main goal of this course is to introduce and tie together the several diverse disciplines that must be brought to bear on hydrogeochemical problems today. This course will explore: principles of geochemistry, applications of chemical thermodynamics to geologic problems, mineral solubility, stability diagrams, chemical aspects of sedimentary rocks, geochemical tracers, radiogenic isotopes and principles of stable isotope fractionation. Laboratories included.
- Fall 2024
- LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning WR2 Writing Requirement 2
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Student has completed any of the following course(s): Chemistry 123 – Principles of Chemistry with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 5 or better on the Chemistry IB exam.