Environmental Studies Concentration

Since 2000, Furman has offered an academic concentration in Environmental Studies. The program teaches participating students how the Earth functions as a system and supports life as well as how the growing human population is transforming the Earth system. In addition, courses teach students about the complex relationships between culture (social, political, religious and economic systems) and how solutions are constructed in this social context.

The concentration consists of at least 20 credit hours chosen from a range of academic disciplines. All participating students must complete an interdisciplinary capstone course entitled "Environment and Society," in which they work in problem-solving teams to address environmental issues.

110 Earth Systems (formerly EES-11) - GER: NW (Empirical Study of the Natural World)

An introduction to Earth as an evolving, integrated, and cyclic system. Examination of major surficial and internal Earth processes that shape the human environment and control the distribution of geologic resources such as water, fossil fuels, strategic minerals, and soils. Students may not receive credit for both EES-110 (11) and EES-111 (16).

111 Earth and the Silver Screen (formerly EES-16) -GER: NW (Empirical Study of the Natural World ) and NE (Humans and the Natural Environment).

Basic concepts of earth and environmental sciences by exploring the portrayal of these concepts in mainstream television and film. Students may not receive credit for both EES-110 (11) and EES-111 (16).

112 Environmental Science (formerly EES-21) - GER: NW (Empirical Study of the Natural World) and NE (Humans and the Natural Environment).

Study of biogeochemical cycles and human modification of the natural Earth system. Includes consequences such as natural hazards, depletion of resources, waste disposal and pollution, population and the environment; and environmental regulation.

Introduction to use of geographic information system analysis to enhance geographic pattern and relationship recognition in geo-spatial data. Data collection and data quality. Data transformation and linkages. GIS modeling.

210 Surficial Processes (formerly EES-26) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 112, or 215

Introduction to the physical and chemical processes and their mechanics that operate within the Earth’s surficial systems to govern landform development. Includes quantitative analysis of geomorphic data in an interdisciplinary context, with emphasis on the interpretation of process.

The basic concepts in oceanography and marine geology, including oceanic circulation, plate tectonics, sea level rise, waves, tides and currents. Special emphasis on the coastal
environment and human impact. Helps satisfy the pre-fall 2008 general education requirement in natural sciences.

History, theory, and application of the plate tectonic paradigm to ancient and modern earthquake activity and contemporaneous crustal instability. Case studies of modern
earthquake activity, paleoseismicity, and prediction.

220 Mineralogy and Petrology I (formerly EES-32) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 112, or 215

Introduction to minerals as basic Earth materials in terms of their physical and chemical properties, use, environmental importance and stability, including their identification in hand specimen. Investigation of mineral assemblages found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks in order to understand their origin, evolution and use. Field trips
required. Should be enrolled with CHM-110.

Advanced study of minerals with emphasis on the crystallography, crystal chemistry and optical properties of silicate minerals. Advanced study of igneous and metamorphic rocks with emphasis on the integration of field, geochemical and optical techniques to determine their conditions of formation and evolution. Field trips required. Should be enrolled with CHM-210.

230 Watershed Hydrology (formerly EES-48) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 112, or 215, or BIO-111, or CHM-111

Study of the basic hydrologic concepts, the role of energy and biology in the hydrologic cycle, climate and precipitation, natural and anthropogenic inputs to water quality, and the concept of the watershed with emphasis on morphology, management and watershed functions.

The theory and application of remote sensing studies as a tool for environmental management. Topics include the fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation, different methods of remote sensing, platforms and sensor technology, visual image interpretation, and digital image processing.

310 Sedimentary Systems (formerly EES-41) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 112, or 215

Principles of sedimentology, sedimentary processes, and depositional environments. Description, classification, and interpretation of sedimentary rocks. 4 credits.
320 Advanced Mineralogy and Petrology.

325 Structural Geology (formerly EES-36) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 215 or 112

Origin and description of folds, faults, and fractures. Behavior of Earth materials under stress. Analysis of stress and strain. Modern structural concepts. Field trips required.

330 Hydrogeology (formerly EES-45) - Prerequisite: EES-110, 111, 112, or 215

Study of the hydrologic cycle, groundwater system, principles of groundwater flow, groundwater quality, monitoring and management techniques, computer modeling techniques.

343 Environmental Systems (formerly EES-43) - Prerequisite: BIO-111, CHM-111, EES-110 or EES-112

Same as BIO-343 (43). Interdisciplinary examination of the physical, biological and chemical processes that control the flow of matter and energy in surface environments on planet Earth. Emphasis on the interactions between abiotic and biotic processes. Lab includes field studies and weekend trips.

350 Field Study of Regional Geology (formerly EES- 59) - Prerequisite: EES-221

Field examination of lithologic and structural relationships and ore deposits to demonstrate the geologic history of a specific region of North America. Normally offered as a summer session course, which includes a two- to three-week field trip to the region being studied.

Distribution of the elements and geochemical evolution of the earth and solar system. Isotope geochemistry. Chemical equilibrium in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary
environments. Application of thermodynamics to geologic systems.

Theory and applied aspects of engineering geology; rock strength, soil mechanics, and slope stability studies; geophysical methods and remote sensing techniques as applied to problems in geological engineering.

Mineralogy, geochemistry and geologic associations of ore deposits. Geochemical and geophysical methods of exploration. Ore minerals in hand specimen and polished section. Several field trips.

Emphasis on the history of the tectonic development of North America as demonstrated by structure and stratigraphy.

Similar to Independent Study, but the investigation involves laboratory or field work. Results of the research are reported as in EES-503. The grade will depend largely on the
initiative of the student. Variable credit.

A topic of special interest selected by the student and a faculty member with whom the student chooses to work. The study is done mostly with geologic literature. Results of the investigation are reported in a paper written according to the style and format of professional geologic publications. The grade will depend largely on the initiative of the
student. Variable credit.

For more information, consult the 2008-2009 Academic Course Catalogue. Earth and Environmental Science courses can be found on page 72-74. Additional courses in other departments can be found under the "other classes" tab to your left.