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 112: Conservation Biology

The current global rate of extinction of species is probably unprecedented in the history of the world, and the rate will increase dramatically in the coming decades. Conservation biology is a new synthetic discipline that emerged in the early 1980s to simultaneously address the scientific and social dimension of biodiversity conservation. The course presents an overview of the founding principles of conservation biology by examining the historic and present-day causes of species extinction, the biological bases central to species conservation, and the social dimension of conservation for sustainable management of biological diversity. 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; not offered 2009-2010

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 180: Basic Principles of Sustainable Design

A holistic and integrated look at the fundamental and interdependent aspects of architecture and sustainable design, the impacts our buildings and choices have on the environment and ecology of the planet, and what we can do to mitigate those impacts. This course will provide students with a basic holistic knowledge of microclimate and siting, energy and resource efficiency, water, waste reduction, materials, and biological influences in sustainable design. 3; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010

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 244: Biodiversity Conservation and Development

How can the need for intensive human social and economic development be reconciled with the conservation of biodiversity? This course explores the wide range of actions that people take at a local, national, and international level to address this question. We will use political ecology and conservation biology as theoretical frameworks to examine the role of traditional and indigenous approaches to biodiversity conservation as well as contemporary debates about integrated conservation development across a spectrum of cultures in North America, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Prerequisite: Sociology/Anthropology 110, 111, or permission of instructor. 6; Social Sciences; not offered 2009-2010

ENTS 245: Field Investigation of Biodiversity Conservation and Development

This course is the second part of a two-term course sequence beginning with Environmental and Technology Studies 244. The first part of the course consists of a two-week field trip to Tanzania investigating the relationship between biodiversity conservation efforts and meeting the livelihood of local communities. The course will conclude on campus, meeting once a week to enable students to analyze, write a report, and give oral presentation on topics chosen fall term and researched during the field trip. Prerequisite: Environmental and Technology Studies 244. 6; Social Sciences; not offered 2009-2010

ENTS 254: Topics in Landscape Ecology

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. Prerequisites: Biology 125 and 126. 6; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; not offered 2009-2010

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 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 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 301: Science and Society

Science today is hardwired into virtually every aspect of our lives and the world we inhabit so much so that there is no 'space' outside science. Our societies can equally well die of the production of science (e.g., global warming, species extinction) or safeguard itself from them. In such a context, how we understand science and with what tools is a key question. The aim of this course is to explore major approaches for understanding and explaining scientific knowledge and the implications of these approaches for understanding the place and importance of science in an age of global environmentalism. Prerequisite: Sociology/Anthropology 110, 111, or permission of instructor. 6; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010

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

ENTS 395: Senior Seminar

This seminar is a topic-based course whose purpose is to prepare ENTS majors for doing the research for their comprehensive exercise. It is a required course for all ENTS majors choosing the group comps option. Prerequisites: Biology 221, ENTS 271, History 195, ENTS 120 OR Mathematics 215. 3; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010

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

ENTS 400: Integrative Exercise

In this course, ENTS majors complete a group-based comprehensive exercise. Each group is expected to research and execute a group project on the topic chosen by the group, under the guidance of an ENTS faculty member. Toward the end of winter term, all groups present their research at a Symposium sponsored by ENTS. Prerequisite: ENTS 395. 6; S/NC; Does not fulfill a distribution requirement; not offered 2009-2010