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Contact Information
Joan Morrison
Trinity College
Biology Department
300 Summit Street
Hartford, CT 06106

860-297-4120
Joan Morrison@
trincoll.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Trinity College
The Study of Environmental Science

Fourteen courses and an integrating experience are required for the major. Only courses with a grade of C- or better may be counted toward the major.

  1. Five foundational requirements from the natural science and mathematics curriculum.
  2. Three Environmental Science core courses
  3. Two concentration courses
  4. Two elective courses from the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or engineering
  5. Two social science/humanities courses
  6. One integrating experience involving research or an internship

A. Natural Science and Mathematics Foundational Requirements
 Five courses, one from each discipline, are required. It is recommended that students take these courses by the end of the sophomore year. Students are encouraged to take a full year of each science and a full year of mathematics.  "L" refers to course with a full laboratory section.

  1. Biology 182L Evolution of Life (NEW IN 2008)
  2. Chemistry 111L Introductory Chemistry I
  3. Mathematics 107 Statistics; or 126 Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry; or 131 Calculus I
  4. Geoscience 112L Introduction to Earth Science
  5. Physics 101L Principles of Physics; or 131L Mechanics and Heat

B. Environmental Science Core Courses
 All three courses must be taken.

  1. Environmental Science 149L. Introduction to Environmental Science 
  2. Environmental Science 275L. Methods in Environmental Science
  3. Environmental Science 401.   Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science

C. Concentration Courses
Students must take two of these courses. The third may be taken as one of the two required science electives. Students are encouraged to take all three.

  1. Biology 333L Ecology
  2. Chemistry 230L Environmental Chemistry (prerequisite: Chemistry 112L)
  3. Geoscience 204L Earth Systems Science

D. Natural Science, Mathematics and Engineering Electives
 Two elective courses are required. These may be taken from any of the courses listed below. New courses may be offered as electives.

  • Biology 204.   Plant Diversity
  • Biology 215L. Botany
  • Biology 222L. Invertebrate Zoology
  • Biology 228L. Microbiology
  • Biology 233    Conservation Biology
  • Biology 319L  Animal Physiology
  • Biology 323L. Plant Metabolism and Behavior
  • Biology 336L. Marine and Freshwater Botany'
  • Biology 463L. Ecological Concepts and Methods
  • Biology 475.   Symbiosis
  • Chemistry 208L. Analytical Chemistry
  • Chemistry 211L. Organic Chemistry
  • Chemistry 312L. Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis
  • Chemistry 430    Environmental Toxicology
  • Computer Science 215L. Data Structures and Algorithms
    •
  • Environ. Sci. 286. Theory and Applications of Geographic Information Systems
    •
  • Mathematics 252. Introduction to Mathematical Modeling I
  • Mathematics 254. Introduction to Mathematical Modeling II
  • Mathematics 257. Intermediate Statistics
    •
  • Engineering 232L. Engineering Materials
  • Engineering 337.   Thermodynamics
  • Physics 231L. Electricity and Magnetism and Waves
  • Geoscience 305. Soil Science
  • Geoscience 312. Geophysics

E. Social Sciences and Humanities Courses
     Economics 101. Basic Economic Principles and one of the following courses are required:

  • Economics 209.  Urban Economics
  • Economics 301.  Microeconomic Theory
  • Economics 311.  Environmental Economics
  • Philosophy 227.  Environmental Philosophy
  • Political Science 224.  Public Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice
    •
  • Public Policy 302.  Law and Environmental Policy
  • Public Policy 303.  Policy Implementation Workshop
    •

F. Integrating Experience
An independent integrating experience, approved by the coordinating committee in advance, is required. This half-credit requirement is designed to provide students with environmental problem-solving experience and can be met through an internship, or through library, field, or laboratory research.

  • Environ. Sci. 405 Internship in Environmental Science
  • Environ. Sci. 419 Research in Environmental Science (Library)
  • Environ. Sci. 425 Research in Environmental Science (Laboratory)
  • Environ. Sci. 499 Honors Research
    •
  • Environ. Sci. 399 Independent study - Guidelines for approval

 

Advanced Placement - Students who have received an Advanced Placement grade of 4 or 5 in Environmental Science will be excused from Environmental Science 149L. and receive one credit towards the major.

Teaching Assistantship - Students wishing to serve as a teaching assistant should discuss their interest with the faculty.   Accepted students must fill out the required forms to register for Environmental Science 466.  College credit, but not major credit, is given for teaching assistants and grading is on a pass/low pass/fail basis.

Courses at Other Institutions - Students who wish major credit for course work at other institutions should: (1) receive approval from the Registrar for college credit, and (2) submit to the director of the Environmental Science program the name of the institution, the number, title, and catalogue description of the course and, if possible, the syllabus. This information must be submitted in writing before the work is initiated and formal permission must be obtained before the course can be credited toward the major at Trinity. Some students may also wish to participate in semester study away programs that focus on serious environmental science study.  Among the suitable programs in which Trinity students participate regularly are:

  • Duke University Marine Laboratory
  • Marine Biological Laboratory Semester in Environmental Science, Woods Hole
  • School for Field Studies
  • Sea Education Association, Woods Hole

Honors in Environmental Science - Students seeking admission to the honors program in Environmental Science must submit a written application to the director before the sixth week of classes of their sixth semester. The Environmental Science coordinating committee will act on each application. Students seeking honors must have completed a minimum of five courses for the major by their fifth semester and their grade point average in these courses must be at least a B+ (3.3). Students not qualifying for the honors program after five semesters may be invited by the faculty to enter the program at a later time.

After acceptance into the honors program, students must maintain a GPA of B+ in their Environmental Science courses. In addition, they must perform research in environmental science (Environmental Science 425) for two semesters. The honors program culminates in an Honors Thesis (Environmental Science 499) and a public presentation. Upon completion of these requirements, the Environmental Science coordinating committee will vote to award honors to those candidates it deems qualified. Under exceptional circumstances, the coordinating committee may consider for honors research students who are not enrolled in the honors program but who produce particularly distinguished work.

Instructions for preparing an Honors Thesis in Environmental Science

New Courses Created in Support of the Environmental Science Major

Chemistry 230L. Environmental Chemistry --This course will cover basic chemical concepts, such as polarity, volatility and solubility, as they relate to chemical behavior in the environment. The ability to predict environmental behavior from chemical structure will be emphasized. Human and environmental toxicology will be discussed, and specific pollutants will be examined. Case studies will be used to illustrate concepts. The laboratory will emphasize techniques used for environmental analysis.  1.25 Credits  Prerequisites: Chemistry 112L. or 121L., one semester of college mathematics, and Environmental Science 149L. 

Chemistry 430. Environmental Toxicology -- This course will cover basic toxicological principles by examining the biological and chemical factors that influence toxicity, the impact of natural and synthetic toxins on the environment and health, toxicity testing protocols and toxicological mechanisms. Human and ecological toxicology will be discussed with particular emphasis on the influence of chemical structure on toxicity. Case studies will be used to illustrate concepts.  Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or CHEM 230.

Environmental Science 149L. Introduction to Environmental Science -- An introduction to interrelationships among the natural environment, humans, and the human environment, including the biological, social, economic, technological, and political aspects of  current environmental challenges. This course focuses on building the scientific framework necessary to understand environmental issues.  It will explore the structure, function, and dynamics of ecosystems, interactions between living and physical systems, and how human enterprise affects natural systems.  It will also examine current issues regarding human impacts on environmental quality, including global warming, air and water pollution, agriculture, overpopulation, energy, and urbanization.  Labs will incorporate both laboratory and field exercises that complement lecture material.  No prerequisites

Environmental Science 275L. Methods in Environmental Science --A field-oriented, problem-based course covering data collection and analysis methods commonly used to conduct environmental assessments and to solve environmental problems. This course includes methods for risk assessment, land management and land use history determination, habitat analysis, bio-monitoring, soil composition analysis, soil and water chemistry analysis, and GIS mapping.  A strong emphasis is placed upon research design, statistical analysis, and modeling.  As a culminating exercise, students in the course prepare a final report that integrates all the topics and techniques learned throughout the course and that addresses the focal problem.  Prerequisite:  ENVS 149L or permission of instructor

Environmental Science 286. Theory and Application of Geographic Information Systems -- A lecture/lab course that focuses on the theory and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using the ESRI ArcGIS software package.  ArcGIS is a powerful mapping tool that facilitates the compilation, analysis and presentation of spatial data for a wide variety of disciplines including the natural and social sciences and any other field that uses spatial data.  This course will provide students with the fundamental skills needed to design and manage digital databases and map sets so that they may integrate GIS into future courses, research or careers.  Topics include basic and advanced navigation and functionality within the ArcGIS workspace; database management and querying; and methods of data acquisition for GIS project building.  Class projects will be an integral component of the course and will be tailored to the specific interests and goals of individual students.

Environmental Science 401. Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science -- -- This seminar will engage students in the interdisciplinary study of an environmental issue. The course will include interaction with community groups and government agencies, library research, and the collection and analysis of data to explore the connections between science, public policy, and social issues. Prerequisites or concurrent: ENVS 149L and ENVS 275L and two core ENVS courses.

Geoscience 112L. Introduction to Earth Science -- The course will introduce students to the basic principles of geology, such as rock and mineral identification, the interpretation of the geological record, and the theory of plate tectonics. These principles will allow us to reconstruct the Earth's history, to interpret sedimentary records in terms of environmental change, and to assess the impact of human activity on the Earth system. Additional topics include volcanoes and igneous rocks, sedimentary environments, the Earth's climatic history, the formation of mountain ranges and continents, and an introduction to the Earth's interior. Two one-day field trips focus on the local geology and the various rock types found within the state.

Geoscience 204L. Earth Systems Science -- Over recent centuries humans have evolved as the major agent of environmental change and are altering the global environment at a rate unprecedented in the Earth's history. This course provides the scientific background necessary for knowledgeable discussions on global change and the human impact on the environment. The major processes that affect the geo- and biosphere, as well as connections and feedback loops, will be discussed. The course also explores techniques that enable us to reconstruct short and long-term environmental changes from geological archives. Particular emphasis will be placed on climatic stability on Earth, the effects of global warming, the human threat to biodiversity, and the depletion of the ozone layer. Prerequisites: Geoscience 112L. and Mathematics 107. or higher.

Geoscience 305. Soil Science -- After a brief introduction to the soil profile, its nomenclature and classification, the course will concentrate on the processes and factors that influence weathering and soil development. Topics to be covered include: physical and chemical weathering of rocks; the influences of parent material, topography, climate, and time on soil formation; and the relationships between soils and the biosphere. The remainder of the course will be taken up with the application of soils to geological and environmental problems. Two half-day field trips will familiarize students with the various soil types found in Connecticut. Prerequisites: Geoscience 112L. and Chemistry 111L. or 121L.

Geoscience 312. Geophysics -- A study of the physical properties of the Earth, how they are measured, and how they can be used to explore the interior of the Earth, inaccessible to direct observation. Topics for discussion include the shape of Earth and gravitational potential, seismology, and the Earth's thermal, magnetic and electrical properties. Prerequisites: Physics 131. and Mathematics 132.

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