27 courses with the subject ENVR, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CORE 140 . Using Sweet Briar’s agricultural, forest, aquatic, and built areas as the laboratory, students will learn to collect, analyze and interpret biological, chemical, water, and soil samples to address environmental questions.
CORE 140 . Open to first-year students by permission. This course will introduce students to policy related to the environment and agriculture, with focus on the U.S. and selected international examples. Students will explore case studies at multiple levels of government, highlighting the social and economic implications of policies, and the processes of policymaking and change. Potential policy areas to be explored include climate, air and water quality, energy, wilderness and wildlife protections, parks, urban growth, agricultural land use, and food. Offered alternate years.
CORE 140 and instructor permission required A practical, hands-on introduction to spatial data acquisition, management, and display, applicable to a wide range of disciplines including science and engineering, business, government, education, and archaeology. The course introduces maps and map-making, global positioning systems (GPS), and the fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS) using ArcGIS software. Registration priority given to ARAS, ENVR, and Secondary education majors.
One ENVR course and permission of the instructor. The study of introductory level material by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
BIOL 111 , CHEM 131 / CHEM 141 , or ENVR 205 and sophomore standing. A study of freshwater systems including streams, lakes, and groundwater. Physical, chemical, and ecological components of aquatic environments are examined with an emphasis on water quality, hydrology, geomorphology, and water resource management. Includes hands-on field and lab experience applying concepts to real-world problems.
One 200-level ENVR course. Modern technology, from transportation to industry to individual homes, is completely dependent upon energy to function, yet most of the energy currently being used in much of the world is non-renewable and will be gone in a few decades. This course takes an in-depth look at renewable and non-renewable energy sources and production, focusing on the science of energy production and exploring environmental, social, political, and economic consequences of energy production and consumption in the U.S. and globally. Offered alternate years.
200-level ENVR course This course examines principles of soil science, processes leading to the deterioration of soil and water quality, and the impact of deterioration on soil use. Aspects of effective soil usage, including management techniques, composition, fertility, erosion, conservation, and irrigation, as well as the latest green methodologies from the perspective of farmers, horticulturalists, environmentalists, and others will be discussed. In addition, the latest updates on nutrient management and best practices on legal issues and government programs will be briefly discussed.
One BIOL or ENVR course at the 200-level or above. This class will use case studies to explore the major threats to biological diversity, and to understand the importance of biological, economic, cultural, and political factors both in producing, and solving, these threats. Readings and discussions will concentrate on the primary literature. Offered alternate years.
BIOL 111 , CHEM 131 , and one 200-level BIOL or ENVR ( BIOL 326 recommended). This course explores the principles of toxicology with a focus on toxic substances affecting animals, including naturally occurring toxins in plants. Students will learn about toxicokinetics, mechanisms of toxicity, dose-response relationships, environmental exposure, clinical signs, and treatment of toxicoses. Emphasis will be placed on species-specific differences in susceptibility and real-world case studies.
ENVR 205 , BIOL 324 or ENVR 215 and BIOL 111 . We will study how public and private organizations incorporate natural and social sciences, planning, and communications to manage natural resources. For a local site, we will address issues such as forest stewardship, minerals extraction, wildlife management, endangered species conservation, outdoor recreation, and/or the protection of waterways while developing skills in mapping, field inventory and monitoring, collaboration, and report preparation and presentation. III.O
100-level ENVR course and permission of the instructor. The study of an intermediate level topic by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
One ENVR course at the 200-level or above. A focused investigation of a particular area of environmental science. Topics will vary by semester. Course may be repeated when the topic is different.
ENVR or ENVS majors or minors with senior standing. A course designed to help students synthesize knowledge gained in previous courses with students’ analytical abilities and facilities for oral and written persuasive argument. Students are provided with intractable environmental problems, about which they learn to perform independent research, develop clear positions, persuade others of their positions, and defend those positions against competing views. III.O, III.W
ENVR 451Senior Research in Environmental Science
CR: 3 An independent laboratory, field, or computer research project selected and carried out in consultation with a faculty sponsor. A written report and an oral presentation are required. In addition to research time, a weekly one hour meeting with the advisor and periodic meetings with other research students will be required.
One 100-level ENVR course, one 200-level ENVR course, and permission of the instructor. Pursuit of an upper-level research project determined in advance by the student in consultation with a faculty member who will act as the sponsor.
ENVR 470Advanced Honors
CR: 3 Upper-level research or creative project determined in advance by the student in consultation with two faculty members who will serve as primary and secondary project sponsors. The course is required for the Honors Degree, and serves as the capstone experience for Honors students who do not pursue a senior Honors thesis project. This course is typically taken in the student’s junior or senior year.
CR: 3 During this course, a senior is expected to refine and submit their thesis proposal under the supervision of a thesis advisor. The senior will submit their thesis proposal to the Student Advancement Committee by the deadline determined by the Honors Program. Pending approval by the Student Advancement Committee, the student will spend the remainder of the semester beginning the research described in their proposal. If a student does not submit an acceptable thesis proposal as determined by the Student Advancement Committee, they will not be allowed to continue in the pursuit of the Honors Degree/Program Honors. This course will carry the rubric of the student’s major in which the thesis is based.
CR: 3 In this course, the student is expected to continue the research proposed and approved by the Student Advancement Committee in the 471 Proposal/Research course. This work is completed under the supervision of faculty advisors, culminating in the student defending their thesis before a committee.
