• 2009-2010 Courses:
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Fall 2009

• ENTS 100: Science, Technology and Public Policy

  Science and technology have led to profound effects upon public life over the past century. This course will study the social and political impacts of scientific and technological developments on modern life. We will investigate particular cases drawn from across the sciences, such as genetics, energy production and consumption, nuclear weapons, and the information revolution. The relationship between government, the public, and the science/technology enterprise will be examined. What is, and what should be the role of the practitioners themselves? 6; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Fall 2009 -- J. Weisberg

• ENTS 120: Introduction to Geospatial Analysis

  Spatial data analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, global positioning, and related technologies are increasingly important for understanding and analyzing a wide range of biophysical, social, and economic phenomena. This course serves as an overview and introduction to the concepts, algorithms, issues, and methods in describing, analyzing, and modeling geospatial data over a range of application areas. 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; offered Fall 2009 -- T. Nega

• ENTS 260: Comparative Agroecology

  As the world human population continues to expand, while at the same time the arable land base and fossil fuel supply shrink, the need for a sustainable food system is imperative. This course explores factors influencing food production and distribution at both local and national levels, with an eye towards how these factors affect choices made by the ultimate stewards of the land - the farmers. While the course focuses on the scientific aspects of agroecosystem sustainability, comparisons will be made among various production models both in the U.S. and China, bringing in social, economic and policy issues. Prerequisites: Biology 125 or 126 or Chemistry 123 or 128 or Geology 110 or 120 and permission of the instructor. This course is part of the OCS winter break China program, involving two linked courses in fall and winter terms, this class is the first class in the sequence. 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; offered Fall 2009 -- D. Hougen-Eitzman

• ENTS 288: Abrupt Climate Change

  The field of abrupt climate change seeks to understand very fast changes, or "tipping points," in historical climate records. Course topics will include interpretation of historical climate data, methods of measuring abrupt changes in ancient climates, theories for abrupt change, the role of complex earth systems, and the connection to current trends in global climate change. The course will also directly address our future vulnerability to abrupt climate change through cases studies of past human civilizations (Mayans, Anasazi). Prerequisites: One introductory course in Biology (125 or 126), Chemistry (123 or 128), Geology (110 or 120), or Physics (two five-week courses from 131-162). 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; offered Fall 2009 -- T. Ferrett

• ENTS 398: Senior Colloquium: Urban Biodiversity Conservation

  Urbanization is one of the largest-scale drivers in altering biodiversity and ecosystem functioning from local to global scales. This seminar will explore the environmental and social forces that drive urbanization and the prospects for a sustainable metropolis through a series of case studies that consider why and how urban places can be made greener. Issues explored include green corridors, protected areas, and social inequality in accessing open space. 2; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Fall 2009 -- T. Nega

Winter 2010

• ENTS 261: Field Investigation in Comparative Agroecology

  This course is the second part of a two-term course sequence beginning with Environmental and Technology Studies 260. The course begins with a two-week visit in December to Beijing and Sichuan province. Field work will include visits to Chinese farms at the forefront of an incipient sustainable agriculture movement in China, as well as discussions with Chinese sustainable agriculture researchers. In regular weekly meetings during the winter term on campus, data will be analyzed and presented in oral and written reports. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 260. 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; offered Winter 2010 -- D. Hougen-Eitzman

• ENTS 271: Environmental Economics and Policy

  This course will explore the economic and political institutions affecting the environment. The major questions of the course will be: When are individual economic incentives not aligned with society's environmental interests? How can policies and regulations be changed to best accomplish environmental goals? Will the economic development of economies like India and China lead to more or less environmental destruction? How can we best balance costs and benefits over long time horizons as we must in issues of non-renewable resource management and climate change? Topics to be discussed may include: climate change, agriculture, transportation, energy efficiency, population growth, and water. 6; Social Sciences; offered Winter 2010 -- A. Swoboda

• ENTS 391: Senior Capstone Project

  Execution of project described in a proposal prepared the prior fall term. Only approved projects will be supported. Projects will be presented in public. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 398. 4; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- Staff

Spring 2010

• ENTS 215: Environmental Ethics

  This course is an introduction to the central ethical debates in environmental policy and practice, as well as some of the major traditions of environmental thought. It investigates such questions as whether we can have moral duties towards animals, ecosystems, or future generations; what is the ethical basis for wilderness preservation; and what is the relationship between environmentalism and social justice. 6; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Spring 2010 -- K. Smith

• ENTS 391: Senior Capstone Project

  Execution of project described in a proposal prepared the prior fall term. Only approved projects will be supported. Projects will be presented in public. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 398. 4; S/CR/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; offered Winter 2010, Spring 2010 -- Staff