Please see information under Current Announcements on the Environmental Studies Program home page for the status of the LS&A minor in Environmental Studies. The minor in Environmental Studies emphasizes a broad exposure to environmental issues as a complement to a disciplinary concentration. The introductory courses portray environmental issues and problems in terms of ecology, culture, politics, and values. The natural science courses include introductory, interdisciplinary surveys of environmental science, basic courses in ecology or earth sciences, and advanced courses that are especially relevant to environmental problems. The social science and humanities courses cover environmental literature, environmental policy, environmental history, ethics, environmental justice. The field courses introduce various biological and geological subjects through extensive field experience in southeastern Michigan, at the University of Michigan Biological Station in northern Michigan, or in other biomes of North America. The upper-level, problem-solving courses permit students to apply some of their training to solving environmental problems on campus or in nearby communities.   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   Prerequisites   There are no prerequisites for the minor, although some of the courses that count towards the minor may have prerequisites.   Requirements   Courses that count toward the minor are grouped into five categories (A-E below). (NRE = course in School of Natural Resources & Environment)   A. Introductory, interdisciplinary courses   Env. Studies 240, Big questions for a small planet Env. Studies 270/NRE 270, Our common future: Ecology, economics and ethics of sustainable development Env. Studies 356/NRE 308, Homeplace: Life in the Huron Valley   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   B. Basic courses in environmental natural sciences   Biol. 110/NRE 110, Global change I Biol. 281, General Ecology Biol. 282, General Ecology Laboratory Biol. 481, Population dynamics and ecology Biol. 498, The ecology of agroecosystems Env. Studies 263, Energy, entropy, and environment Env. Studies 280/Geol. 280, Mineral resources, economics, & the environment Geol. 201, Introductory geography: Water, climate, and mankind Geol. 206, Water cycle and environment Geol. 207, How the earth works: A hands-on experience Geol. 222, Introductory oceanography Geol. 284, Environmental Geology Geol. 425, Environmental Geochemistry Geol. 442, Earth surface processes and soils Geol. 465/AOSS 467/Chem. 467, Biogeochemical cycles Geol. 477, Hydrogeology Geol. 478, Geochemistry of natural waters NRE 220, Conservation of biological diversity NRE 301, Ecological issues NRE 306.044, Wildlife ecology and natural history NRE 310, Toxicology: The study of environmental chemicals and disease NRE 453, Tropical conservation and resource management RC Nat. Sci. 232, History of life RC Nat. Sci. 250, Ecology, Development, and Conservation in the New World Tropics [Ecologa, Desarrollo & Conservacion en el Neotropico,taught in Spanish]   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   C. Basic courses in environmental social sciences and humanities   Env. Studies 290.101, Environmental geography Env. Studies 402, Special problems in environmental studies Env. Studies 407/Eng. 317, Literature of the American wilderness Env. Studies 415, Science and politics Hist. 346/RC Soc. Sci. 306, Environmental history and the tropical world Hist. 396, History of the North American environment NRE 210, Environmental policy NRE 305/RC Soc. Sci. 305, Sociology and the environment NRE 306.003, Environmental ethics NRE 335, Introduction to environmental politics NRE 360, Behavior and environment NRE 375/Econ. 370, Natural resource economics NRE 480, Environmental politics and policy NRE 481, Foundations of environmental education NRE 482, Environmental justice: Theoretical approaches NRE 492, Environmental justice: Domestic and International   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   D. Field-based courses about specialized subjects (many of these courses are offered in spring or summer   Biol. 477, Laboratory in field ecology Env. Studies 311&312, Agriculture, ecology, and rural communities Geol. 116, Geology of the Rockies Geol. 441, Field course in environmental geology NRE 303, Costa Rica study abroad (various courses) UM Biological Station, various courses   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   E. Applications of environmental knowledge to practical problems   Env. Studies 391, Sustainability and the campus Env. Studies 420, Independent work in environmental studies* Geol. 427, Environmental and technological applications of mineralogy NRE 392, Applications of environmental justice NRE 589, Ecological restoration NRE 595, Risk benefit analysis in environmental engineering *This independent study course can be used for a wide range of applied projects, including opportunities in environmental education, sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and other fields.       Also, the following courses will count, although which category they fall under depends upon the content of the course,which may vary from term to term.   Env. Studies 290, Special topics in environmental studies Env. Studies 402, Special topics in environmental studies   | Back to top of page | Forward to end of page |   To satisfy the minor, students must take at least 17 credits, distributed as follows: 4-8 credits in category A 3-5 credits in category B 3-5 credits in category C 3-7 credits in categories D or E There will be flexibility in consideration of additional courses satisfying the credit requirement in the categories above. 4/01   | Back to top of page |