Studies the interactions between organisms-the biosphere-and their environments. The course investigates the nature of ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, and characteristics of populations and communities of organisms, and it considers imbalances in various areas of human concern. Fulfills general education requirement in natural sciences. [4 credits]

Studies the spheres that comprise Earth: the lithosphere, which contains both the crust and underlying material; the hydrosphere, which contains all of the planet's solid, liquid, and gaseous water; and the atmosphere, which contains all of the planet's air. Students also study events that cause changes to occur in one or more of the spheres, and the results of interactions within and among the Earth's physical spheres. Fulfills general education requirement in natural sciences. [4 credits]

Incorporates laws of natural science to examine how environmental carrying capacity ultimately limits economic activity, beginning with the fundamental problem of scarcity. The course examines the economic activities of consumption and production as a subset of a broader ecosystem, particularly investigating how these activities impact and are impacted by women. The unintentional consequences, externalities, and benefits of economic activity are considered with a focus on ideas for internalizing the externalities and for providing incentives to consider such things as aesthetics, ethics and biodiversity in our valuation of economic choices. Fulfills general education requirement in social sciences. [3 credits]

Addresses global ecological system dynamics as well as policy alternatives at the local, state, national and international level. The course focuses on fiscal, regulatory and trade policies at the national level as well as green international efforts, and investigates how environmental injustice disproportionately affects women. It analyzes policy alternatives that would move the U.S. from an economy reliant on fossil fuels to a country based on green energy sources. In Kenneth Boulding's terms, the course analyzes how to move from a "cowboy economy" to a "spaceman economy." And in the Iroquois tradition, it asks the question, "How will it affect the seventh generation?" Fulfills general education requirement in social sciences. [3 credits]

Addresses a variety of challenging issues in environmental ethics. Topics considered may include the status of non-human animals, farming and the environment, global climate change, inter-generational justice, issues of land use, the preservation of forests and wilderness, and the use and development of energy resources. Through an examination of some of these issues, the course also introduces students to a variety of moral theories, from both philosophical and religious perspectives.The social, gender and environmental justice implications of ecological issues are a major concern of the course. Fulfills general education requirement in upper-level Philosophy and Values. Cross-listed with PHL-336. [3 credits]

Provides a practicum, internship or study abroad experience focused on environmental issues, including such possibilities as the PLEN seminar in Washington, D.C.; participation in the biology partnerships in Florida; study abroad trip to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, New Zealand, Australia, or at SSND sites worldwide; or internship at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Herring Run Watershed Association, the National Aquarium or the Maryland Zoo. [3 credits]

Seeks to replicate the historical context of a particular event, such as Hurricane Katrina, with its causal forces: environmental, sociological, political and others. Students will investigate and debate case studies in the area of environmental sustainability, considering the science, policy and business aspects. This course, though set in the past, is constructed as a game. The game will unfold in ways that are not predetermined; what students do affects what will happen. Serves as the capstone for the environmental sustainability program; course is restricted to majors only. [3 credits]

Through multi-disciplinary, hands-on lessons which are aligned with the Maryland Learing Standards K-12 for Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies, as well as the new Environmental Literacy Standards, teachers will gain content knowledge, learn about scientific practices of resource professionals, and learn about different methods to investigate Maryland related resource issues. Teachers will learn about student engagement in environmental education action projects and where to get funding in Maryland to do these projects with their students. [3 credits]

Through multi-disciplinary, hands-on, and field-based lessons, aligned with the Maryland Learning Standards K-12 for Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies, as well as the
new Environmental Literacy Standards, participants will gain content knowledge, learn about scientific practices of resource professionals, and learn about different methods to investigate Maryland related resources issues. Participants will learn about student engagement in environmental education action projects including green schools/centers. Participants will design and carry out research field studies and complete a comprehensive write up. Participants also have the opportunity to earn an environmental educator certification through the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). [ 1 credit ]

This course gives teachers a thorough introduction to Harford County's variety of natural habitats. Techniques for studying, identifying, and collecting data on the flora and fauna are emphasized. Instruction will take place in the field throughout the county and will include a canoe trip. [ 3 credits ]

This course will examine the physical, structural, and historical geology of Harford County including the investigation, collection, and identification of local rocks and minerals and the interpretation of geologic maps and local fatures to describe past and current geologic settings. The environmental geology and hydrology of Harford County will be studied in the contexts of groundwater resources, dams and quarries. [ 3 credits ]

This course focuses on the watershed of the Lower Susquehanna and its connection to the Chesapeake Bay. Participants will investigate the diversity of life within the watershed and the positive and negative impacts of human actions on the health of the local environment. They will acquire the necessary skills to do environmentally related projects on their own and with their students. [ 3 credits ]

This course is designed as a capstone content course that will integrate knowledge from all other STEM courses. Sessions provide an overview of content that focuses on the interactions among the physical, chemical, biological, political and social forces which impact the environment. Content will be delivered in ways K-8 teachers will be able to implement in their classrooms. [3 credits]

This course will include studies of the interactions among the physical, chemical, biological, political and social forces which impact the environment. Students will participate in field studies focusing on human impacts on the Chesapeake Bay and other environmental projects. [ 1 credit ]

Through multi-disciplinary, hands-on lessons which are aligned with the Maryland Learing Standards K-12 for Science, Math, Language Arts and Social Studies, as well as the new Environmental Literacy Standards, teachers will gain content knowledge, learn about scientific practices of resource professionals, and learn about different methods to investigate Maryland related resource issues. Teachers will learn about student engagement in environmental education action projects and where to get funding in Maryland to do these projects with their students. [3 credits]

This course is designed to integrate environmental science content, knowledge of local issues and field-based science pedagogy. Participants will conduct hands-on investigations in the field and laboratory utilizing a variety of curricular resources that align local standards, Maryland Environmental Literacy standards and the Next Generation Science Standards. [ 3 credits ]