Environmental Studies

This course focuses on the concepts and practical use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for problem solving in both the social and physical sciences. Topics include vector and raster data formats and their analytical functions. Practical laboratory exercises utilizing GIS software such as ArcGIS are a core component of the course.

This course explores the governance initiatives that are emerging in response to the phenomenon of anthropogenic climate change which, as a truly global problem, implicates and affects all parts of the world and makes these initiatives necessarily more speculative, less established, and more rapidly evolving than most other governance initiatives. The topics and readings for the course foreground the theme of governance and explore the various institutions and techniques that have evolved, or might evolve, to address the phenomenon of climate change.

The delicate art of eating has many implications for sustainability. Food production and consumption affect the climate, the natural environment, and the landscape. Food also affects the sustainability of societies and individuals. Both bodily functions and length of life are partly determined by how, what, where, and when we eat. The course gives a broad introduction to the study of food and eating concerning sustainability. The course has an interdisciplinary approach, combining cultural, nutritional, and geographical perspectives. Local field studies are combined with a global outlook, based on literature studies.

This course explores how to create a sustainable future by moving away from dependence on fossil resources to biomass resources for the production of food, chemicals, and energy carriers. Microorganisms and catalysts to create biobased products are discovered and then learning how to market and sell those products within a profitable business model is reviewed. This course provides a solid foundation of relevant concepts in the biobased economy and biobased products by reviewing an introduction to biobased sciences, production of biomass, biorefining, achieving sustainability, consumer behavior, bioconversion, (bio)chemical conversion, business, logistics and supply chains, and economy and regulations.

Access to clean water, fertile soil, critical metals, and cheap energy is crucial for modern society. However, the unsustainable use of these natural resources is changing the face of our planet at an unprecedented rate. This course builds on the understanding of planet Earth gained in ES1001, and it highlights the work done by earth scientists to solve 21st century resource and environmental challenges. The course investigates the geological processes that generate Earth's "traditional" resources, such as metals and hydrocarbons, and their environmental impact. Equally, students study "new" alternative energies such as geothermal and hydro power, and discuss resource requirements of a "Green New Deal" and potential environmental solutions, such as carbon capture and pollution remediation strategies. There is a fully-funded six-day residential field excursion to the Highlands of Scotland.

This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the principles of energy, air pollution, and global climate change to provide an understanding of the importance of various natural processes and human activities that shape the modern Earth and lead to global environmental change. The course also discusses the energy crisis, alternative energy, nuclear energy, air pollution, and global change assessment and policy measures.

This course is an introduction to the application of knowledge and principles of agroecology and forest ecology to global agroforestry systems. It includes a one-weekend field trip.