Courses: Environmental Studies

ENS 101-E - Prospects for Planet Earth
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None

An introduction for non-science majors to global environmental change. Exploration of the natural science of Earth’s environment; the scientific, socioeconomic, and political issues that influence human impact on the global environment and responses to environmental changes; the strategies for humans to live in greater harmony with planet Earth. Global issues are related to the particular issues of the United States, the Northeast, and the greater metropolitan New York City-Long Island area.

ENS 119-E - Physics for Environmental Studies
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: MAT 123; CHE 131

The principles of physics as they apply to environmental issues. A review of mathematics is followed by a discussion of Newton’s laws, conservation principles, topics in fluids and wave motion, optical instruments, and radioactivity. Three lectures and one laboratory session per week. This course is offered as both ENS 119 and PHY 119.

ENS 301-H - Contemporary Environmental Issues and Policies
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: One of the following: GEO 101, MAR 104, ATM 102, or ENS 101

The scientific, socioeconomic, legal and legislative aspects of current environmental issues and policies. Invited experts address current environmental issues and policies of local, regional and global significance. Topics may include: land use practices and reform, farmland and open space preservation; soil and water conservation; wetlands protection and rehabilitation; waste management and reduction, recycling and composting; air pollution, global warming and sea level rise; and marine wilderness areas.

ENS 311-H - Ecosystem Ecology and the Global Environment
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 201; CHE 131. Advisory Prerequisite: MAR 104

Ecosystem ecology with an emphasis on biogeochemical cycling in oceans and on land, as well as on biosphere- atmosphere interactions. Topics include earth system processes such as climate and atmospheric composition, the hydrological cycle, cycling of chemicals such as nutrients and metals in the oceans, the soil cycle, and the fate and transport of materials in the atmosphere. Natural and perturbed systems are discussed. This course is offered as both BIO 386 and ENS 311.

ENS 312-H - Population, Technology and the Environment
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 113, MAR 340

A study of the biological, social, and economic factors that influence population growth. The development of new technologies and their influence on resource use and the effects that increasing population and changing technologies have on the environment are explored.

ENS 380 - Stony Brook in Tanzania
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing

This course investigates the relationship between environmental quality, human health and welfare. The focus is on Lake Victoria environment and the ways in which people have perceived, used/misused, and conserved it from pre-colonial times to the present. Students will examine changes in attitudes and behaviors toward nature and the interplay between environment and human health. This will be done through interviews and collection of basic environmental and health data, e.g., energy source and consumption, agricultural practices, malnutrition prevalence, and public health records. The class will also evaluate the effectiveness of the disease control activities and their effects on the environment. By course's end students will have gained a deeper understanding of the interaction between environment and health.

ENS 443 - Environmental Problem Solving
Credits: 2
Prerequisites: U3 or U4 standing; ENS major or minor

The integration of information and skills from the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and the humanities to address important environmental problems. An environmental problem of current interest is presented. Working in small groups, students develop a proposal to solve the problem, collect and analyze data, and present results. Data collection may include field and laboratory work outside of scheduled class meeting.

ENS 487 - Independent Research in Environmental Studies
Credits: 0-6
Prerequisites: Permission of a supervising faculty member and SoMAS Undergraduate Programs Director

An independent project, developed out of advanced coursework in environmental studies, designed in consultation with and supervised by a faculty member. The project should be formulated before the start of the semester in which the research will be done and should culminate in a substantial written paper. May be repeated.

ENS 488 - Internship in Environmental Studies
Credits: 0-6, S/U grading
Prerequisites: Permission of the SoMAS Undergraduate Programs Director

Internships provide students with an opportunity of gaining experience working in the community at government agencies, environmental groups, aquaria, summer camps, field studies, etc. A suitable proposal must be presented by the student and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies before the internship begins. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits for the ENS major, 3 credits for the ENS minor.