Freshman (2020-2021)
~FALL 2020~
BIOL120 Integrative Biology
The first of a three-semester introduction to the study of biology. The course introduces students to the nature, methods, and applications of biology. Students will be asked to think critically on a broad range of biological topics, from the molecular, cellular, and developmental bases of life to the evolutionary and ecological relationships of individuals and populations. Open only to biology and integrated environmental science majors & minors. Biology majors and minors must earn at least a C- in this course before taking advanced courses. 3 lecture and one 2-hour lab periods.
ENGL 265 Writing & Rhetoric Citizenship
This course prepares students for the writing and speaking they will do throughout their university experience through an investigation of various aspects of citizenship. This course is specifically designed for students with an Associate’s Degree earned in high school through a dual enrollment program. By permission only.
ENSC 101 Into. Integrated Environmental Science
This seminar-style course overviews contemporary global issues in environmental science, including species extinction, pollution, resource depletion, and waste. Students examine behavior leading to environmental degradation; consider the scientific, ethical, and economic aspects of the resulting problems; and study policies intended to provide solutions. Students learn to recognize the integration of multiple disciplines in environmental issues and the complexity involved in environmental problem solving.
GEOG 370 Political Ecology
MATH 171 Statistical Decision Making
An elementary statistics course designed to give students a working knowledge of the ideas and tools of practical statistics and their usefulness in problem solving and decision making. Topics include graphical displays of data, measures of central tendency and variability, sampling distributions, and confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for means and proportions. Additional topics my include elementary probability concepts, correlation and regression, or Chi Square analysis. Special emphasis is placed upon the proper use and interpretation of statistics in real life situations.
~SPRING 2021~
COMM 101 Public Speaking
Students will create and evaluate presentations in a variety of speaking contexts with special emphasis placed on competencies in public speaking.
EASC 212 Atmospheric Science
This course examines the processes and patterns of the earth’s atmospheric system. Students interpret current weather (meteorology) and long-term trends (climatology) by bridging atmospheric chemistry, physics, and dynamics. Additionally, students analyze human-environment interactions in atmospheric systems, including human impacts on weather and climate and the effect weather and climate have on the environment in which we live. Topics include the Earth-Sun relationship, atmospheric structure and composition, air pollution, wind and global circulation, moisture and precipitation, air masses and fronts, severe weather, climates of the world, and climate change. 3 lecture hours. 2 lab hours.
ECON 217 Principles of Microeconomics
In this introductory course, students learn to think like an economist and apply microeconomic principles to the study of how individuals and societies make decisions in the face of scarcity. By the end of the course, students will be able to combine abstract concepts with formal analytical tools, such as supply and demand, in order to understand how markets work, how individuals and firms make decisions, and how the decisions impact real market outcomes. Applications to current public policy issues are highlighted throughout the course, for example, issues surrounding minimum wage laws and trade policy. Business applications include understanding profit maximization, consumer price sensitivity, and competitive and monopolistic industries.
ENSC 201 Integrated Environmental Investigations
This course introduces an interdisciplinary and investigative approach to the science underlying environmental issues and the analysis of environmental problems. Students engage in the process of science through guided inquiry, experiments, and field work, and they will practice design of experiments, analysis and presentation of quantitative data, and written and oral communication.
ENSC 380 Intro Environmental Law & Policy
This course provides an introduction to concepts, issues, and statutes in national and international environmental law. In addition to reviewing background constitutional provisions, students examine a representative selection of federal statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The class explores the differences between “Dillon Rule” states (like Virginia) and “Home Rule” states. Students consider the expanding field of multi-nation treaties, laws, and politics governing the global environment as they relate to significant contemporary issues such as global climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and transboundary air and water pollution. 3 lecture periods.