Environmental Sustainability
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Sustainability is usually defined as the ability to meet the resource needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. At UMW, we consider four aspects of sustainability: environmental, social, economic, and cultural sustainability. The goal of the Environmental Sustainability minor is to encourage students to analyze our natural and social worlds and to examine approaches to resolving critical resource issues for the long-term. The core classes provide a common introduction to the scientific study of the environment and issues of sustainability. Students then add three additional elective classes that appeal to particular interests and their respective applications of sustainability concepts. Completing this minor will better prepare students for the complex, interdisciplinary challenges our society faces.
Minor Requirements
Twenty-two to twenty-five (22–25) credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EESC 110 | Environmental and Ecological Systems | 3 |
| EESC 120 | Principles of Environmental Sustainability | 4 |
| EESC 230 | Global Environmental Problems | 3 |
| EESC 326 | Pollution Prevention Planning | 3 |
| or EESC 330 | Environmental Regulations | |
| Select at least 9 credits of the following: 1 | 9-12 | |
| Environment and Development Narratives: The Modern Myths of Nature and Progress | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Environmental Soil Science | ||
| Watershed Management | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Pollution Prevention Planning | ||
| Environmental Regulations | ||
| Energy Resources and Technology | ||
| Icehouse-Greenhouse Earth | ||
| Environmental Exploration | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Readings | ||
| Internship | ||
| Tropical Ecology | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Poverty, Affluence, and Equality | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Development Studies | ||
| Grassroots Development in Guatemala | ||
| US Environmental History | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Seminar: Ethics, Environment, & Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Ideas on Nature in Latin American Literature | ||
| Up to three (3) credits in applicable Special Topics Courses, Individual Studies, Internships, or Study Abroad experiences may count as an elective with approval by the minor program director. | ||
| Total Credits | 22-25 | |
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At least two of the three elective courses must be at the 300-level of higher.
Earth and Environmental Sciences Department
Jodie L. Hayob, Chair
Jodie L. Hayob, Career Advisor (Geology)
Melanie D. Szulczewski, Career Advisor (Environmental Science)/Program Director, (Environmental Sustainability Minor)
Faculty
Professors
Jodie L. Hayob
Ben O. Kisila
Grant R. Woodwell
Associate Professors
Melanie D. Szulczewski
Assistant Professors
Tyler E. Frankel
Pamela R. Grothe
Senior Lecturer
Sarah A. Morealli