Current Courses

This course introduces you to Environmental Studies, an interdisciplinary field of inquiry and action, examining the complex relationship between people and their environments. In this class, we explore how natural and cultural forces interact to form our ecosystems, shape our experiences, and influence our imaginations. Analyzing evidence, arguments, and concepts from across multiple disciplines, we explore important environmental justice issues, as well as efforts to understand and address those issues. ENST100 draws lessons, insights, examples, and evidence from scientific, artistic, economic, political, historical, and philosophical sources. 

This course satisfies a requirement for the Environmental Studies major and minor. This course fulfills the CORE Curriculum requirement for the Climate Inquiry. 

This course on Earth systems explains how water, air, land, and life interact to shape our planet. Students learn the basic components and core processes of the solid Earth (geosphere), fluid systems (hydrosphere and atmosphere), and the living world (biosphere). Students explore the drivers and consequences of the dynamic interactions between these systems (e.g., plate tectonics, erosion, evolution, and climate change). Throughout the course, we discuss how the physical characteristics of the Earth and human actions impact environmental change, global climate, and other issues. The course includes a laboratory providing hands on experience with the subject matter. 

This course satisfies elective credit in the Environmental Studies science track for the ENST major and minor. This course fulfills the LEAD Curriculum requirement for Natural Science with a lab.

This course covers the uses and maintenance of physical and digital natural history collections (biological, paleontological, and geological collections). Students explore different types of objects and information that are stored in natural history collections, as well as the methods used to preserve/conserve these collections. Students learn about the societal significance of these natural history collections, especially in relation to biodiversity, conservation, and climate change. As we engage with these topics, we also explore different career paths that relate to the curation, research, and teaching of natural history collections.

This course satisfies elective credit in the Environmental Studies science track for the ENST major and minor. This course is cross-listed with Marine Science and Museum Studies.

This course addresses the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in modern society, with a focus on applications in science and conservation. A core theme is on the collection and organization of big data and databases to identify patterns. Students explore the design process for developing a machine learning model and contribute data to improve existing models. Students produce their own machine learning computer vision models based on a topic of their choosing. As we engage with these topics, we explore AI ethics and the risks of human bias. 

This course satisfies elective credit in the Environmental Studies science track for the ENST major and minor. This course is cross-listed with Computer Science. 

In this course, students reflect on their role as environmental professionals and start preparing for life beyond graduation. Students engage with a wide variety of readings on climate from diverse perspectives to help contextualize the importance and complexity of environmental stewardship. Students complete a literature review on an environmental topic of their choosing in preparation for their capstone or St. Mary's Project (SMP). Students also start preparing a professional portfolio, including a resume and personal website. 

This course satisfies a requirement for the Environmental Studies major and minor.