Environmental Studies Courses | Spring 2015

Environmental Studies Courses | Spring 2015
ENVR 102 – Global Carbon Science & Policies
Instructor: John O. Niles
Climate change is one of the most serious, complex and game-changing issues. This course gives students an overview of the science and politics of global warming, carbon politics, climate finance, and
international environmental negotiations. Class topics include global carbon science, terrestrial carbon
cycle, international environmental politics, the history and status of UN negotiations, US politics and
global warming legislation, California’s cap-and-trade program, carbon accounting, and forest measurements. The issue of tropical deforestation will be used as a case study for deeper analyses. Students are expected to participate in class, attend a field session to estimate carbon in a campus forest, pass two quizzes and an exam, and submit a final
research project. **Please note: ENVR 102 may be taken up to three times when on different topics.
ENVR 102 – Urban Ecology
Instructor: Meg Eckles
An introduction to the urban ecosystem of San Diego County with special attention paid to the complex
ecological systems present on the university campus itself. Students will learn the principles of urban
ecology, field data collection skills, experimental design and execution, and data interpretation. We will
closely examine the roles of classically urban species (such as pigeons), wild species which have opportunistically moved into urban areas (such as insects or ravens), and species which were deliberately introduced by people. We will then examine how these unique and sometimes artificial assemblages of organisms form communities which are adapted to survive under urban conditions. **Please note: ENVR 102 may be taken up to three times
when on different topics.
ENVR 120 – Coastal Ecology
Instructor: Theresa Talley
A field course that will focus on the ecology and natural history of southern California coastal ecosystems
including coastal bluff, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, freshwater stream, rocky intertidal, salt marsh, and
sandy beach. We will also discuss the interactions of humans with these ecosystems. The class will mostly
consist of field trips and will often involve getting wet and/or dirty, having fun, and learning as much as
possible about the plants and animals around us. Mini-lectures and discussions of the various ecosystems and of basic principles of ecology and natural history will be held both in the classroom and in the field. **The first course meeting will take
place in H&SS 2148. The location of the following course meetings will be determined by the professor.
ENVR 140 – Wilderness & Human Values
Instructor: Mark Hineline
Generations have looked on wilderness as a focal point for environmental study, recreation, public policymaking, and political activism. Inspired by John Muir’s commitment to wilderness preservation, Wilderness & Human Values inquires into the meaning of wilderness and of nature today. A highly interdisciplinary course, to be enjoyed by students from all majors, Wilderness & Human Values also offers voluntary
opportunities for day hiking, overnight camping, and longer backpack trips at the end of the quarter so that students can experience wilderness firsthand and better understand the efforts of those who struggle to define and preserve the wild.
**Upper-division standing; please email envrstudies@ucsd.edu if you have less than 90 units and wish to enroll.
Environmental Studies Courses
Spring 2015
Departmental Courses Applicable to the Minor
Courses on this list may require prerequisites, especially courses within Group A.
If you have not met the prerequisites, you will need to contact the department to inquire about their
policy of enrolling in courses without prerequisites.
GROUP A
Natural Science
BILD 3 Organismic & Evolutionary Biology
#BILD 18 Human Impact on the Environment
BIEB 121 Ecology Laboratory
BIEB 140 Biodiversity
CHEM 173 Atmospheric Chemistry
ENVR 102 Urban Ecology
ENVR 120 Coastal Ecology
ESYS 103 Environ Challenges: Sci. & Soc.
SIO 10 The Earth
#SIO 50 Intro/Earth & Environmental Science
#SIO 138 The Coral Reef Environment
GROUP B
Social Sci & Humanities
ENVR 102 Global Carbon Cycle
ENVR 140 Wilderness & Human Values
PHIL 164 Technology & Human Values
USP 171 Sustainable Development
#VIS 110G Natural & Altered Environment
Please note: ENVR 102 is a topics course and may be
taken for credit up to three times on different topics.
# = course eligible for minor credit but must be
petitioned
Questions? Email envrstudies@ucsd.edu
Visit our website: http://muir.ucsd.edu/minors/index.html