Overview

ENVS offers a limited number of undergraduate courses, some of which are required for the degree; others can be used towards degree requirements and/or Arts and Sciences core requirements. Many of the courses taken by ENVS students are through other departments and disciplines because of the interdisciplinary nature of the ENVS undergraduate program.

ENVS Course Details

ENVS 1000-4 Introduction to Environmental Studies

Surveys ENVS, examining ecological, socioeconomic, political, aesthetic, and technological factors that influence the quality of life on earth.

Required

ENVS 2840 (1-6) Independent Study

Students work with an approved faculty sponsor to explore a topic in greater depth and to pursue an interest that is not offered in the formal curriculum. May be repeated for a total of 8 hours. Prereq: ENVS 1000.

Elective

ENVS 3001-3 Sustainable Solutions Consulting

Students gain experience in real world problem solving as they work with CU’s professional staff from the Facilities Management, Housing and Dining Services, Environmental Center, and CU Recycling on top priority projects to move CU-Boulder towards greater realization of the University’s goals for sustainability. All projects fill requested needs of operations units at the University. Prereq., any two-semester science sequence. Restricted to junior and senior ENVS majors, or by permission of the Instructor.

Elective; can count as Track A or B specialization. (please see ENVS advisor)
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ENVS 3003-3 Race, Class, and Pollution Politics

Examines communities affected by major toxic contamination threats in the US, evaluating race and class factors in levels of governmental and private sector responses and actions. Examines investigative research methods at case study sites to provide skills necessary for assessment of any environmental threat for protective action. Restricted to junior and senior ENVS majors.

Course option for Environmental Ethics requirement in Common Curriculum

ENVS 3020-3 Advanced Writing in ENVS

Offers training in critical thinking and analytical writing skills appropriate to upper-division classes. Writing assignments integrate the subject matter of different topical areas. Restricted to junior and senior ENVS majors.

Does not count toward any major requirements, but counts as A&S core requirement for upper-division writing.

ENVS 3040-3 Conservation Biology

Applies principles of population ecology, population genetics, biogeography, animal behavior, and paleobiology to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural systems. The resulting theory is then applied to conservation policy and management techniques. Prereq: EPOB 3020. Same as EPOB 3040.

Can count as specialization credit for Track A, Environment & Natural Resources.

ENVS 3070-3 Energy and the Environment

Examines contemporary issues in energy consumption and its environmental impact, including fossil fuel use and depletion, nuclear energy and waste disposal; solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources; home eating; energy storage; fuel cells; and alternative transportation vehicles. Included are some basic physical concepts and principles that often constrain choices. No background in physics is required. Same as PHYS 3070.

Counts as A&S core requirement for natural science.

ENVS 3520-3 Environmental Issues in Geosciences

Addresses current environmental problems in which an understanding of geology is needed.Topics include energy resources, climate modification, hydrology, waste disposal, and mining resources. Uses specific examples to illustrate restrictions imposed by nature and man on solutions to these problems. Prereq: a 2-course sequence in any natural science. Same as GEOL 3520.

Counts as A&S core requirement for natural science.

ENVS 3600-3 Principles of Climate

Describes the basic components of the climate system: the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and lithosphere. Investigates the basic physical processes that determine climate and link the components of the climate system, including the hydrological cycle and its role in climate, climate stability, and global change. Covers forecasting climate, its applications, and human dimensions. Prereq: one semester of calculus and physics. Same as ATOC 3600 and GEOG 3601.

Counts as A&S core requirement for natural science.

ENVS 3930-3 Internship

Relates classroom theory to practice. Provides academically-supervised opportunities for environmental studies majors to work in public and private organizations on projects related to students' career goals. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours.

Can be used as a specialization for both Track A and B.

ENVS4070-3 Inequality Democracy and the Environment

Focuses on the structural forces affecting environmental degradation and environmental behavior by examining the relationships between (a) inequality
and democratic decision making and (b) undemocratic decision making; U.S. and corporate food and energy policy; and global environmental degradation. The course also focuses on the role that global inequality plays in fostering environmental degradation.
Restricted to juniors/seniors. Same as SOCY 4027.

ENVS 4100-3 Topics in Environmental Policy

Covers a variety of topics not currently offered in the curriculum; offered depding on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated for a total of 9 credit hours, provided the topics vary. Restricted to junior and senior ENVS majors.

Can be used as a specialization for Track A (please see ENVS advisor). See Current Courses)

ENVS 4160-3 Intro to Biogeochemistry

Introduces fundamentals of biogeochemical cycling, emphasizing water, carbon, and nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. Covers chemical interactions of atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere, a well as natural and human-managed environments. Prereqs: GEOL 3320, EPOB 3270, or EPOB 4360, and CHEM 1011 or higher. Same as GEOL/EPOB 4160.

Can be used as a Track B specialization, Biogeochemistry.

ENVS 4201-3 Biometeorology

Introduces this interdisciplinary science, studying the interactions between atmospheric processes and living organisms (plants, animals, and humans). Discusses how organisms adapt to a changing environment. Uses a practical, problem-solving approach to explore these interactions. Prereq: GEOG 1001. Same as GEOG 4201.

Can be used as a Track B specialization, Climate.

ENVS 4800-3 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies

Examines a specific environmental topic in depth, synthesizing information from complex and controversial issues. Different course sections present different topics. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. Restricted to students with junior or senior status in Environmental Studies.

Can be used for Track A specialization, and counts as A&S core requirement in Critical Thinking. See Current Courses)

ENVS 4840 (1-6) Independent Study

May be repeated for a total of 8 credit hours. Prereq: ENVS 1000.

Elective

ENVS 4990-3 Senior Thesis

Supervised project involving original research. Open only to Environmental Studies majors with at least a 3.30 GPA. Thesis proposal must be accepted by Honors chairman.

Undergrad Program: