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Environmental Studies Curriculum

Program Highlights

Integrated Environmental Studies

This course focuses on the principles of chemistry and geology and their application to environmental problems. Laboratory experiences consist of tours of local environmentally related facilities, design of experiments, outdoor field studies, analysis and presentation of quantitative data, and written and oral communication.


Environmental Studies Learning Community

This course is designed to provide students with a hands on approach to environmental studies. In addition to classroom work, students learn through various activities including weekend camping trips, local tours and environmentally related service projects.


Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems are combinations of data management and mapping software that allow users  to organize, query, and map multiple forms of spatial data such as road networks, lakes and streams, vegetation or soil types, land use, property ownership, zoning codes, elevations, or census tract data. In this class, students will learn how these systems work and will produce a series of maps, some from existing data and others from new data collected during the course with global positioning systems (GPS). In order to do this successfully, students will learn spatial analysis techniques, some principles of cartography, and will consider the ethical and social justice implications of the use of GIS and GPS technologies


Senior Research Capstone

The capstone seminar for majors/minors is an intensive research project and formal presentation in a collaborative setting. This is an opportunity for environmental studies students to research and present on an environmental issue of particular interest to them. 
 

Check out some research projects of graduating seniors:

Sophia Gossman('08) Organic vs. Local Foods: Which is best for a St. Joseph/Collegeville community member?:
Paper Poster

Ben Olsen('09) Green Building: A comparative look at the progress of other institutions and St. John's University:
Paper Poster

Katie Peterson('09) Strategies for combating Waterborne Diarrheal Diseases in the Developing World:
Paper Poster