2007-2008 CLA Catalog
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Environmental and Earth Sciences 
The Environmental Science program seeks to encourage students to develop an appreciation of the importance to life and society of the natural and humanized environment in the past, present and future; an understanding of nature's integrity, including both natural and human processes affecting environmental change; insight into basic causes of and possible solutions to important environmental problems; and skills for defining and furthering environmentally sound action. Attainment of these goals requires grounding in several disciplines as well as integrative study of environmental systems and environmental ethics and institutions. To accomplish these interdisciplinary objectives, the Environmental Science program has a two-tiered structure: a core set of courses, and upper level electives from which the student can choose to emphasize the natural or social sciences. At Willamette, the Environmental and Earth Science departmental offerings are concentrated in the fields of geography and geology. Geography is primarily concerned with explaining the spatial distribution of and relations among various features of the earth -- human and cultural as well as biological and physical features. Geology is the study of the Earth -- its chemical and mineralogical composition, the structure of its materails and the current and past processes that have acted upon it. Both disciplines are deeply concerned with the ties between the nature of our physical environment and the quality of human life. Four departments contribute additional faculty and courses to our program.
Education in environmental science may provide direct career opportunities in government service or business (e.g., resource management, environmental impact assessment) and in public interest work. It is useful preparation, especially in combination with a second major, for possible careers in teaching, journalism, politics, and business, or for those who plan to enter graduate or professional school in fields such as environmental science, biology, geography, public policy, law, public health or other sciences. For Environmental Science majors considering graduate study, a minor or second major in one of the contributing disciplines is strongly recommended.
The student in Environmental Science at Willamette is well situated to pursue his or her studies. For field study, a great diversity of environments and land-use practices can be found within a short distance -- everything from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascades, from wilderness to cities. As a state, Oregon has pioneered in many aspects of environmental management. The University's location, just across the street from the Capitol and other government offices, facilitates practical learning and involvement.
Requirements for the Environmental Science Major (14 Credits)
Common Core (9 credits)
- BIOL 110 (NW) Principles of Biology (1) or
- BIOL 125 Ecology, Evolution and Diversity (1) or
- BIOL 210 (W; NW) Biodiversity: Discovering Life (1)
- CHEM 115 (NW) Introductory Chemistry I (1)
- ECON 122 (US) Principles of Microeconomics (1)
- ENVR 105 Introduction to Enviromental Science (1)
- ERTH 110 (NW) Physical Geology (1)
- ERTH 112 (NW) Physical Geography (1)
- ERTH 333 (QA) Geographic Information Systems (1)
- POLI 210 (US) American Politics (1)*
- POLI 304 (W; AR) Politics of Environmental Ethics (1)
* A section of this course emphasizing environmental issues is recommended; please see a faculty member in the Environmental Science Department for additional information.
Senior Year Experience (1 credits)
- ENVR 495 (W) Senior Seminar in Environmental Science: Part I (.5)
- ENVR 496 (W) Senior Seminar in Environmental Science: Part II (.5)
Emphasis (4 credits)
Students will take 3 from one group and 1 from the other, depending on their emphasis.
Social Science Emphasis
- ECON 345 Environmental Economics (1) or
- IDS 347 Chemistry, Economics and the Environment (1)
- ENVR 326 (TH) Environmental History (1)
- ENVR 327 (W) Water Resources (1)
- ENVR 345/POLI 345 Forest Ecology and Policy (1)
- POLI 341 Environmental Policymaking: Politics and Process (1)
Natural Science Emphasis
- BIOL 255 General Ecology (1)
- CHEM 230 Environmental Chemistry (1)
- ENVR 333 Biogeography (1)
- ENVR 345/POLI 345 Forest Ecology and Policy (1)
- ERTH 350 Environmental Geology (1)
Requirements for the Environmental Science Minor (6 Credits)
- BIOL 110 (NW) Principles of Biology (1) or
- BIOL 125 Ecology, Evolution and Diversity (1) or
- BIOL 210 (W; NW) Biodiversity: Discovering Life (1) or
- CHEM 115 (NW) Introductory Chemistry I (1)
- ENVR 105 Introduction to Environmental Science (1)
- POLI 210 (US) American Politics (1)* or
- ECON 122 (US) Principles of Microeconomics
- POLI 304 (W; AR) Politics of Environmental Ethics (1)
- 2 electives from the social science and/or natural science groups
* A section of this course emphasizing environmental issues is recommended; please see a faculty member in the Environmental Science Department for additional information.
Requirements For The Geography Minor (5 Credits)
Core courses
- ENVR 333 Biogeography (1)
- ERTH 112 (NW) Physical Geography (1)
- ERTH 230 World Geography (1)
- ERTH 333 (QA) Geographic Information Systems (1)
One from the following: (1)
- ERTH 331 Geography of Europe (1)
- ERTH 332 Geography of the Pacific States (1)
- ENVR 327 (W) Water Resources (1)
Faculty
- Karen Arabas, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, Chair
- Monique Bourque, Director of Sudent Academic Grants and Awards
- Joe W. Bowersox, Dempsey Chair in Environmental Policy and Politics, Professor of Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Kimberlee Chambers, Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Science
- David Craig, Assistant Professor of Biology
- Peter Eilers, Professor of Geography and Environmental Science
- David Goodney, Professor of Chemistry
- Donald H. Negri, Professor of Economics
- Scott Pike, Assistant Professor of Geology and Environmental Science
- Nathan Sivers Boyce, Assistant Professor of Economics
Course Listings
ENVR 105 Introduction to Environmental Science (1)
An introduction to environmental science designed to promote an understanding of the effect of human actions on the natural world. Topics include human impacts on atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems; human population dynamics; environmental perceptions and ethics; and the concept of sustainability. Lectures, discussion, films, readings.
- Offering: Every semester
- Instructor: Arabas, Eilers, Pike
ENVR 326 (TH) Environmental History (1)
This course will give students a general introduction to environmental history, using a wide range of sources including history textbooks, popular writing about nature and the environment, nature documentaries, and the landscape. The course will challenge students to think critically about the study of history, how history articulates ongoing human efforts to understand and control nature, and how history investigates current debates about the environment. Topics include: deforestation and the development of the agrarian landscape in Western Europe; European colonization and the effect of European contact on native populations in North America; industrialization and the use and development of natural resources; the definitions, planning, and management of public spaces such as national parks, game lands and zoos; establishment of environmental standards; the emergence of conservation ecology; "green" politics and ecofeminism.
Mode of Inquiry: Thinking Historically; Environmental Cluster
Prerequisite: Closed to freshmen
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Bourque
ENVR 327 (W) Water Resources (1)
This course examines water resources over short- and long-time perspectives and over small and large geographic areas. Emphasis is placed on evaluating water resources from a multidisciplinary perspective. Topics include: surface and groundwater hydrology; water quality; and the legal, political and environmental aspects of water use.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Arabas
ENVR 333 Biogeography (1)
This course provides an introduction to the study of plant and animal distributions, both past and present. This is a broad field which overlaps several other disciplines, including biology, geography and geology. The study of plant distributions will be emphasized and approached from historical, cultural and ecological perspectives. Applications of biogeographic knowledge and theory to conservation problems will also be discussed. The lab component will address quantitative aspects of biogeographic research.
Prerequisite: ERTH 112, BIOL 125, or consent of instructor
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Arabas
ENVR 351 (W) Archaeological Geology (1)
Archaeological geology applies methods and theories from the geologic sciences to archaeological problems. This course will cover the processs associated with sedimentation and stratigraphy at archaeological sites and learn how geological approaches can help uncover cultural traits associated with the deposits. The course also provides an overview of chemical characterization and provenancing techniques of archaeological material as well as geomorphological processes that impact site selection, formation, preservation, and identification. Geophysical survey methods and theories will also be addressed. Throughout the course, the theoretical foundation that underlies the union between geology and archaeology will be stressed. Writing Centered.
Prerequisite: ERTH 110
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Arabas
ENVR 445 Forest Ecology and Policy (1)
A case study approach to forests integrating forest policy and ecology. Using class and field instruction, students will design research projects that will emphasize the science and social science issues related to forest management. Course includes a mandatory pre-semester field trip in mid-August.
Prerequisite: POLI 330 or POLI 341 and ENVR 333 or BIOL 255
- Offering: Alternate falls
- Instructor: Arabas, Bowersox
ENVR 494 Environmental Science Internship (1)
Student participation off-campus with an agency, group or individual working on some aspect of the environment. The purpose is for the student to gain practical knowledge through involvement and for the student to provide research and other work capabilities; 10-12 hours per week.
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Staff
ENVR 495 (W) Senior Seminar in Environmental Science: Part I (.5)
Senior seminar: Part I begins the capstone experience for ES majors. Students design and begin to conduct their senior thesis, an original piece of interdisciplinary research related to human impact on nature. The thesis will demonstrate a familiarity with the literature and methods of analysis both within and across the relevant disciplines. In Part I students focus on proposal formulation, research design, and data collection, refining their work through peer and instructor review. Seminar discussion of relevant texts may be used to consider the complexities of the discipline of environmental science.
Mode of Inquiry: Writing Centered
Prerequisite: Senior majoring in Environmental Science
- Offering: Fall
- Instructor: Staff
ENVR 496 (W) Senior Seminar in Environmental Science: Part II (.5)
Senior seminar: Part II completes the capstone experience for ES majors. Students continue work on their thesis, focusing on data collection, analysis, and interpretation, refining their work through peer and instructor review. The final products of the seminar are the written thesis and a pubic presentation. Seminar discussion of relevant texts may be used to consider the complexities of the discipline of environmental science.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment: Writing centered
Prerequisite: Senior majoring in Environmental Science; ENVR 495(W)
- Offering: Spring
- Instructor: Staff