Course looks at the earth as an ecosystem composed of biological, chemical, and physical systems. Focus is on the interaction of these systems with each other and with human population, technology, and production. Students should acquire the fundamentals of a scientific understanding of the ecological implications of human activities. Specific topics treated within the context of ecosystem analysis include energy flows, nutrient cycles, pollution, resource use, climate changes, species diversity, and population dynamics.

The earth as an ecosystem composed of biological, chemical, and physical systems. Focus is on the interaction of these systems with each other and with human population, technology, and production. Students should acquire the fundamentals of a scientific understanding of the ecological implications of human activities. Specific topics treated within the context of the ecosystem analysis include energy flows, nutrient cycles, pollution, resource use, climate change, species diversity, and population dynamics. Students read important original research on topics. All students participate in a semester long project that applies the principles of the course to a real environmental issue.

Examines Western cultural values and personal beliefs toward the environment. Teaches critical thinking skills to analyze issues to make informed choices that may impact the earth, its resources and their management as consumers, leaders, professionals and moral agents.

Consideration of the ethical dimensions of human interactions with the natural world and with each other in the context of complex societal needs. Students will employ critical thinking skills to integrate insights from the biological sciences, social sciences, and humanities to make ethical decisions about controversial environmental topics. Students are encouraged to examine multiple perspectives on these issues through debate, discussion and personal reflection. No prior experience with philosophy is required.

Prerequisite: ENVS 10 or ENVS 10H or ENVS 11 or permission from instructor.

Global perspective on current problems of environmental protection and resource use. Population growth, food production, industrialization, technology and cultural change are considered, with heavy emphasis on the social dynamics of environmental problems. A variety of political views is studied, and an attempt is made to develop a perspective useful to students in personal and political decisions.

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X. Environmental Studies majors only.

Note: PCR/IR students are encouraged to contact the department regarding enrollment into this course.

Research tools and methods used by environmental professionals including selected statistical procedures, data sources and presentation and interpretation of results. Students will become familiar with the wide range of equipment available to fit their special needs including the computer time-sharing system.

Prerequisite: Must be an ENVS major or minor; STAT 1 or instructor permission.

This field course includes the direct observation of human impact on specific environments and examples of mitigation strategies. Students will learn information gathering and data presentation methodologies useful in environmental impact assessment. Lecture three hours per week; one-day and weekend field trips will be arranged.

Note: Course also substitutes for ENVS 175.

Prerequisite: Must be an ENVS major or minor

Review of legislative and judicial requirements for environmental impact analysis. Students will be asked to review actual project environmental impact reports, analyze the methods employed, understand the relationship of the report to the planning process, and prepare such a document.

Note: It is recommended that students complete ENVS 128 or have some actual experience with environmental impact documentation before taking this course.

This course covers the concepts and tools necessary to understand society's diverse technology and policy choices around energy production and use. Students will apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze opportunities and impacts of energy systems with consideration for environmental sustainability, international development, and social equity. We will consider a range of energy technologies, their historical trajectories, current drivers, and prospects for addressing energy challenges at different scales, from households to the global climate.

Prerequisite: Upper division standing

This course uses campus initiatives in food and bio-waste recycling, combined with vermiculture and aquaponics, to address larger topics in urban food production. This subject has significance for addressing concerns about food access, security, quality, and even local economic development. The course will include hands-on activities on campus, projects with local urban agriculture organizations, and reports connecting the specifics of the course with core questions in environmental science and policy

Introduces and discusses characteristics of wetland systems; principles of wetland ecology; functions of wetlands; and regulations and permitting process regarding development near and within wetlands. Appropriate for students planning careers in natural resource management. Though not a substitute for professional training in wetlands delineation and functional assessment, students will gain a basis for such assessments. Familiarity with basic principles of chemistry, physics, and biology recommended.

Note: Field trips required.

Evaluates sustainable management of ecosystems by local indigenous people, using traditional resource management, traditional ecological knowledge and Western science. Familiarizes students with the fields of ethnobiology, ethnoecology, and historical ecology. Students learn about the relationship between people and plants, with a focus on how traditional plant knowledge reflects and is reflected by environmental perceptions.

Note: Field Trip. Required field trip to Chawse Indian Grinding Rocks State Park. Fee Course. $15 per student.

Politics of human interaction with land, air and water. Political analysis of agenda setting, policy formation and administration (national, state and local) of environmental programs. Focus on contemporary issues such as energy alternatives, management of toxics, land development, and pollution control. Course also substitutes for ENVS 128.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

Cross Listed: POLS 171; only one may be counted for credit.

Students will participate in the semester-long University seminar and will be exposed to a variety of environmental issues and topics presented by speakers from CSUS, the USGS, government and professional organizations, among many others. Topics include issues such as climate change, water use and conversation, environmental sustainability, environmental policy and decision-making, and many important regional issues.

Explores an environmental problem or issue in great depth. It includes a detailed review of the scientific literature, synthesis, and integration of information from the literature, and evaluation of the information leading to conclusions and recommendations that address the problem or issue. Thesis subjects are chosen by the student and can be from a myriad perspectives addressed in the Environmental Studies curriculum including scientific, social, political, economic, and cultural issues. Enrollment ordinarily occurs in a senior's final semester.

Prerequisite: ENVS 112 (International Environmental Problems, writing intensive), or instructor permission.

Note: The course is usually taken in a student's final semester but might be taken in the penultimate semester with the instructor's permission.

Supervised work experience in an approved legislative or administrative office at some level of local, state or federal government, or in a public or private organization that is concerned with the environment. Supervision is provided by the faculty instructor and responsible officials in the work situation.

Note: Open to majors only, subject to instructor permission.