70 Science Hall
550 North Park Street
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-7996
fax 608/262-2273
www.nelson.wisc.edu
Mary E. Mercier
Undergraduate Advisor Academic Programs Office
70 Science Hall
608/262-7520
The Institute for Environmental Studies was created in 1970 to promote and enhance interdisciplinary environmental instruction, research, and outreach at UW-Madison. In 2002, it was renamed in honor of former Wisconsin governor and U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day and a lifelong champion of environmental stewardship.
Approximately 150 faculty members from more than 50 natural and social science, engineering, and humanities departments are affiliated with the Nelson Institute, which offers scores of undergraduate-level courses in cooperation with the university's schools and colleges. Although the institute does not offer undergraduate degree programs, it does offer an interdisciplinary certificate program open to all UW-Madison undergraduates.
Undergraduate Study in the Nelson Institute
Environmental Studies Certificate Program
Why Earn a Certificate?
Eligibility
Application
The Curriculum
Sample Curriculum
Academic Regulations
Information
Courses
Undergraduate Committee: Allen, DeWitt, Dunwoody, Foley, Harrington, Howell, Jacobs, Kanarek (chair), Kloppenburg, Langston, Mathews, McCown, Ventura, Zedler
The Environmental Studies Certificate Program offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to broaden their studies through interdisciplinary course work related to the environment. In this program students can learn about society's environmental problems and issues; study environmental science, policy, literature, art, and philosophy; and take part in environmental research, field work, and case studies.
This program is not a major. Participating students pursue bachelor's degrees through the university's regular academic departments. But the certificate program can provide a valuable complement to any major, and it may enhance the value of a bachelor's degree. Students who complete both the certificate curriculum and an undergraduate degree program earn Environmental Studies Certificates with their degrees, and completion of the certificate program is noted on their academic transcripts.
Perhaps the best reason for pursuing an Environmental Studies Certificate is a student's own personal interest in learning more about the environment. In some cases, earning a certificate can also make a graduate more "marketable."
In today's world many academic programs, even in environmental fields, encourage students to specialize by focusing on relatively narrow subject areas. Yet "real-world" problems often require understanding beyond that of a single academic discipline. For this reason, more and more employers seek people with interdisciplinary training. The Environmental Studies Certificate Program exposes students to a broad range of knowledge. It helps put other courses into perspective. The Environmental Studies Certificate is evidence to employers that the graduate has acquired not only depth in the major field but breadth beyond that field, an excellent combination.
More than 1,400 students have completed the program since its inception in 1979. Many have gone on to careers as environmental planners, analysts, and scientists for government agencies; environmental consultants; environmental lawyers; researchers, writers, and activists for private environmental organizations; or teachers and outreach specialists.
Any undergraduate student enrolled at UW-Madison is eligible to participate in the Environmental Studies Certificate Program. Because the certificate is designed to complement a student's academic major, it must be completed together with one of the university's bachelor's degree programs.
The certificate program has attracted students from dozens of majors in the College of Letters and Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, School of Business, School of Human Ecology, School of Nursing, and School of Education. Students from all majors may participate. Approximately 200 undergraduates are currently enrolled.
Pursuit of an Environmental Studies Certificate need not add extra semesters to a student's time at the university. But this usually requires that a student begin the certificate curriculum as a freshman or sophomore. Students are advised to apply early and plan their courses wisely. All applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduates at UW-Madison. Application forms are available from the Nelson Institute's Academic Programs Office in 70 Science Hall or on the Web at www.nelson.wisc.edu/undergrad.
Students must complete at least 26 credits of courses. (Many, if not all, of these credits also may be counted toward a student's major and/or degree. Students should follow their school or college policies and requirements as they elect courses in the certificate program.) A minimum number of credits is required in each of the following four categories.
6 credits, including both of the following courses:
Envir St 112 Environmental Studies: The Social Perspective, 3 cr
Envir St 113 Environmental Studies: The Humanistic Perspective, 3 cr
8 credits, including one course or group of courses from each of the following two categories:
Biocore 301 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics, 3 cr, and Biocore 302 Evolution, Ecology, and Genetics Laboratory, 2 cr
Botany 130 General Botany, 5 cr
Geog/Envir St 127 Physical Systems of the Environment, 5 cr
Soil Sci/Atm Ocn 132 Earth's Water: Natural Science and Human Use, 3 cr, and Soil Sci/Geog/ Envir St 230 Soil: Ecosystem and Resource, 3 cr
Zoology 101 Animal Biology, 3 cr, and Zoology 102 Animal Biology Laboratory, 2 cr
Zoology/Botany 151 Introductory Biology, 5 cr
Zoology/Botany 152 Introductory Biology, 5 cr
Botany/Zoology 260 Introductory Ecology, 3 cr
*Botany/Forest/Zoology 460 General Ecology, 4 cr
*Envir St 126 Principles of Environmental Science, 4 cr
*Forest 550 Forest Ecology, if taken at the 4-credit level, which includes the lab.
9 credits, with at least one course from each of the following three categories:
Atm Ocn/Envir St/Physics 472 Scientific Background to Global Environmental Problems, 3 cr
Atm Ocn/Envir St 520 Bioclimatology, 3 cr
Atm Ocn/Envir St/Geog 528 Past Climates and Climatic Change, 3 cr
*Botany/Forest 455 The Vegetation of Wisconsin, 3 cr
*Botany/Forest/Zoology 460 General Ecology, 4 cr
*Envir St/Land Arc 361 Wetlands Ecology, 3 cr
*Envir St 375 Field Ecology Workshop, 3 cr
Envir St/Botany/Forest 461 Environmental Systems Concepts, 3 cr
Envir St/Pop Hlth 471 Introduction to Environmental Health, 3 cr
Envir St/Pop Hlth 502 Air Pollution and Human Health, 3 cr
Envir St/Soil Sci 575 Assessment of Environmental Impact, 3 cr
*Geog/Envir St 325 Analysis of the Physical Environment, 4 cr
Geog/Atm Ocn/Envir St 331 Climatic Environments of the Past, 3 cr
Geog/Envir St 336 Our Hazardous Environment, 3 cr
Geog 338 Vegetation: Stability and Change, 3 cr
Geog/Atm Ocn 531 Global Climates, 3 cr
Geology/Envir St 410 Minerals as a Public Problem, 3 cr
Geology/Envir St 411 Energy Resources, 3 cr
*Land Arc 666 Restoration Ecology, 3 cr
*Land Arc 667 Field Study: Native Plant Communities, 3 cr
Soil Sci 315 Soil Science for Land Use Planning, 3 cr
Soil Sci/Envir St 324 Soils and Environmental Quality, 3 cr
Soil Sci/Forest 451 Environmental Biogeochemistry, 3 cr
Soil Sci/Atm Ocn 532 Environmental Biophysics, 3 cr
Wl Ecol 318 Principles of Wildlife Ecology, 2 cr
Wl Ecol/Envir St/Zoology 360 Extinction of Species, 3 cr
Zoology/Envir St 315 Limnology: Conservation of Aquatic Resources, 2 cr
*Zoology 316 Laboratory for Limnology: Conservation of Aquatic Resources, 2 cr
Zoology/Anthro/Botany 410 Evolutionary Biology, 3 cr
AAE/Econ/Envir St 343 Environmental Economics, 3-4 cr
AAE/Envir St 344, The Environment and the Global Economy, 3 cr
Anthro 470 Ecological Anthropology, 3 cr
Econ/Soc 663 Population and Society, 3 cr
Envir St/M&Env Tox/Pl Path 368 Introduction to Environmental Law, 2 cr
Envir St/Poli Sci/Urb R Pl/Econ 449 Government and Natural Resources, 3-4 cr
Envir St/Urb R Pl 668 Green Politics: Global Experience, American Prospects, 3 cr
Forest/Wl Ecol/Envir St 515 Renewable Resources Policy, 3 cr
Geog 303 The Human Role in Changing the Face of the Earth, 3 cr
Geog 319 International Dimensions of Environmental Justice, 3 cr
Geog/Envir St 339 Environmental Conservation, 3-4 cr
Geog/Rur Soc/Envir St 434 People, Wildlife and Landscapes, 3 cr
Geog 519 Environment and Human Experience, 3 cr
Geog 535 Environmental Geography and Conservation in Developing Countries, 3 cr
Geog 536 American Wilderness: Perception and Preservation, 2 cr
Geog/Envir St 537 Culture and Environment, 4 cr
Geog 538 The Humid Tropics: Ecology, Subsistence, and Development, 4 cr
History/Envir St/Geog 460 American Environmental History, 4 cr
History/Amer Ind 490, American Indian History, 3-4 cr
Nutr Sci/Agronomy/Inter-Ag/AAE 350 World Hunger and Malnutrition, 3 cr
Poli Sci/Geology/Envir St 512 Science and Government, 4 cr
Soc/Rur Soc 541 Social Behavior and Natural Resources, 3 cr
Envir St 307 Literature and the Environment: Speaking for Nature, 3 cr
Envir St/Philos 441 Environmental Ethics, 3-4 cr
Forest/History/Envir St 452 World Forest History, 3 cr
Geog 519 Environment and Human Experience, 3 cr
Geog 536 American Wilderness: Perception and Preservation, 2 cr
History/Envir St/Geog 460 American Environmental History, 4 cr
History/Chic Std 461 The American West to 1850, 4 cr
History/Chic Std 462 The American West Since 1850, 4 cr
History/Amer Ind 490 American Indian History, 3-4 cr
Hist Sci/Med Hist/Relig St 331 Science, Medicine, and Religion, 3-4 cr
Hist Sci/Envir St 353 History of Ecology, 3 cr
Med Hist/Hist Sci/Envir St 513 Environment and Health in Global Perspective, 3 cr
L Sc Com/Amer Ind 444 Native American Environmental Issues and the Media, 3 cr
Philos/Envir St 453 Aesthetics of the Natural Environment, 3 cr
Philos/Envir St 523 Philosophical Problems of the Biological Sciences, 3 cr
Urb R Pl/Envir St/ETD/Land Arc 548 Environmental Aesthetics, 3 cr
3 credits, one of the following courses:
Botany 468 Patterns in Biological Design: An Introduction to Systems Biology, 3 cr
Envir St/Botany/Forest 461 Environmental Systems Concepts, 3 cr
Envir St/Soil Sci 575 Assessment of Environmental Impact, 3 cr
Envir St 600 Environmental Studies Certificate Seminar, 3 cr
Forest/AAE/Envir St 652 Decision Methods for Natural Resource Managers, 3-4 cr
At least one course completed for the certificate must include field exercises. Those in the preceding list that count as field courses are marked with an asterisk (*).
Students in the Environmental Studies Certificate Program must (1) maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 among courses taken for the certificate and (2) earn a minimum grade of 3.0 in both Envir St 112 and Envir St 113. Although waivers of the 112/113 grade requirement occasionally are granted, such an exception requires the approval of both the course instructor and the certificate program chair.
Courses listed under more than one category in the curriculum may be used to satisfy only one of the categories. For example, a student who selects Envir St/Soil Sci 575 as the integrative course cannot also use this course to satisfy the certificate's natural science breadth requirement. However, double counting credits toward a student's major and/or degree requirements is acceptable.
No more than two courses completed successfully on a pass/fail or credit/no credit basis may be counted toward the certificate requirements, and these two courses are allowed only within the certificate breadth areas (i.e., natural sciences, social studies, humanities). All other courses must be taken for letter grades.
Substitutions of courses substantively equivalent to those listed for the certificate are considered on a case-by-case basis. Except for transfer courses, requests for course substitutions should be made before a course is taken. In most cases substitutions are considered only in the breadth categories of the certificate curriculum. Although the Nelson Institute recognizes the value of precollege Advanced Placement (AP) courses, these courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the certificate, either as courses or as substitutions for courses.
For further details about the Environmental Studies Certificate Program, visit www.nelson.wisc.edu/undergrad or contact the Nelson Institute's Academic Programs Office, 70 Science Hall, 608/262-7996.
Note: Although the following courses are open to undergraduates, not all of these courses can be used to meet the requirements of the Environmental Studies Certificate Program. For a list of courses that do meet the requirements, see the Curriculum section of the Environmental Studies Certificate Program description.
101 Forum on the Environment. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) II; 1-2 cr (W-E). Lectures and discussions about environmental issues. Historical and contemporary environmental impacts of humans on the biosphere. Global futures: population, technology, societal values, resources and prospects for sustainable management. P: Open to Fr.
106 Environmental Geology. (Crosslisted with Geology) I, II; 3 cr (P-E). Application of geology to problems resulting from the ever more intense use of the earth and its resources. Lecture and discussion. P: Not open to those who have had Geology 101, 100, or 109. Open to Fr.
112 Environmental Studies: The Social Perspective. II; 3 cr (S-E). Importance of social factors in the generation and resolution of complex environmental problems with an interdisciplinary perspective. Comparison of specific communities in the more and less developed areas of the world. P: Open to Fr.
113 Environmental Studies: The Humanistic Perspective. I; 3 cr (H-E). Environmental problems as approached by philosophy, literature, fine arts, history of science, and anthropology. Reflections on the past and present situation of our species and its relationship to the rest of nature offer suggestions toward possible alternative values for future. P: Open to Fr.
120 Global Physical Environments. (Crosslisted with Geog) I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-E). Global distribution and processes of climate, weather, ecosystems, landforms, and soils, emphasizing interrelationships. P: Open to Fr. Not open to students with cr in Geog 127.
121 Atmospheric Environment and Society. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn, Geog) I or II; 2 cr (P-E). Changing interactions between humans, other animals and plants, and the atmospheric environment, both in time and space. P: Open to Fr.
126 Principles of Environmental Science. I, II; 4 cr (B-E). Basic principles that govern the operation of the man-made environment system, its structure, and changes in time. Basic concepts, cycles, feedback loops and interlocks. P: Open to Fr.
127 Physical Systems of the Environment. (Crosslisted with Geog) I, II; 5 cr (P-E). Climatic regimes, landforms, soils, waters and life forms at the earth's surface in terms of energy-transforming processes, locational patterns, and changes through time. P: Open to Fr & not open to those with Geog 120, 123, 124, or 125 cr or ILS 132 cr.
139 Resources and People. (Crosslisted with Geog) I or II or SS; 3 cr (S-E). Human population growth and its impact on the earth's resources, including food, energy, physical materials, water, biota, and landscapes; the geography of resource availability and the limits of the earth as producer of resources; the importance of attitudes and values in resource use. P: Open to Fr.
171 Global Change: Atmospheric Issues and Problems. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn) I, II; 2-3 cr (P-E). Atmospheric problems of global significance. Greenhouse warming, ozone layer, acid rain, climate change. Study based on elementary principles of atmospheric science. Systems approach applied to changing atmospheric composition. Interactions among geochemical cycles, anthropogenic inputs and other parts of the environment.
199 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (E). P: Open to Fr, cons inst.
201 Insects and Human Culture—A Survey Course in Entomology. (Crosslisted with Entom) I; 3 cr (B-E). Importance of insects in man's environment, emphasizing beneficial insects, disease carriers, and agricultural pests that interfere with man's food supply. Environmental problems due to insect control agents. P: Open to Fr.
230 Soil: Ecosystem and Resource. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci, Geog) II; 3 cr (P-I). The role of soils in ecosystems (habitat, moisture and nutrient reserve, biologically active part of the groundwater system) and the impact of human activity on the soil environment. P: Not open to students with credits in Soil Sci 301.
307 Literature of the Environment: Speaking for Nature. I or II; 3 cr (L-I). 19th and 20th century British and American literature. P: So st; priority given to environmental studies certificate students.
308 People, Chemicals, Environment. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Pop Hlth) II; 2 cr (B-I). An interdisciplinary approach to problems related to the presence of biologically active substances and potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals in man's environment. Principles of toxicology, drugs and drug abuse, pesticide chemicals, radiation hazards, industrial chemicals, food poisoning, and problems related to exposure to foreign compounds such as carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, and teratogenesis. P: A course in biology & one course in chem or cons inst.
309 People, Land and Food: Comparative Study of Agriculture Systems. (Crosslisted with Geog) I or II or SS; 3 cr (S-I). Capacity of the world, and its various parts, to feed itself. Representative studies of agricultural systems in different regions of the world in relation to differing natural and cultural milieu. P: So st.
315 Limnology—Conservation of Aquatic Resources. (Crosslisted with Zoology) I, SS; 2 cr (B-I). General limnology. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics and processes of lakes. Environmental problems and rehabilitation of lakes. P: Intro course in biol; intro course in chem recommended.
324 Soils and Environmental Quality. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) I; 3 cr (P-I). Interaction of soils with environmental contaminants and the role of soils in pollution control. P: Chem 103 & 104 or equiv; Jr st.
325 Analysis of the Physical Environment. (Crosslisted with Geog) I or II or SS; 4 cr (P-I). Selected associations of natural and human environments illustrative of the broad principles of physical geography. Practical application of data collection and the use of laboratory and field methods to Wisconsin examples employing quantitative and nonquantitative analytical methods; field trips; lab section. P: Any intro course in phy geog or phy geol or meteor or cons inst.
331 Climatic Environments of the Past. (Crosslisted with Geog, Atm Ocn) I; 3 cr (P-I). Climatic change at timescales from the last 1,000,000 years to the last 1000 years. Examines how climate variability arises from interplay between external forcings, feedbacks within the earth system, and (more recently) human activity. P: Atm Ocn/Geog/Envir St 121, or Geog 120, 123, 124 or 127 or Atm Ocn 100.
336 Our Hazardous Environment. (Crosslisted with Geog) I or SS; 3 cr (P-I). An analysis of the unexpected: hazardous elements of our physical environment such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc., their physical characteristics, regional distribution, economic aspects, and human adjustments. P: Geog/Envir St 120 or Geog/Envir St 127 or cons inst.
339 Environmental Conservation. (Crosslisted with Geog) I, II, SS; 3-4 cr (S-I). Ecological and cultural background of conservation, problems of resource and environmental quality management, and pressing issues of population, food, energy, and pollution. P: So st.
343 Environmental Economics. (Crosslisted with Econ, AAE) I, II; 3-4 cr (S-I). Microeconomic principles underlying the use of natural resources such as air, water, forests, fisheries, minerals and energy. These principles are applied in the examination of pollution control, preservation vs. development, deforestation, and other environmental issues. P: Econ 101 or equiv, or cons inst.
344 The Environment and the Global Economy. (Crosslisted with AAE) II; 3 cr (S-E). The environmental implications of the global economy concern global climate change, trade in endangered species, preservation of biodiversity, transboundary pollution, and the chemical contamination of traded goods. This course concerns the ’Äúeconomic way of thinking’Äù about global environmental issues. P: Open to Fr.
353 History of Ecology. (Crosslisted with Hist Sci) I or II; 3 cr (H-I). The development of the science of ecology and related scientific issues and social attitudes, with a primary emphasis on developments from the late nineteenth century to the present. P: Jr st or cons inst.
360 Extinction of Species. (Crosslisted with Zoology, Wl Ecol) I, SS; 3 cr (B-I). A comprehensive treatment of the ecology, causes, and consequences of species extinction. Ecology and problems of individual species, habitat alteration and degradation, socio-economic pressures and conservation techniques and strategies. P: So st. An intro biology course strongly recommended.
361 Wetlands Ecology. (Crosslisted with Land Arc) II; 3 cr (B-I). Types, origins, settings, and structure of wetlands. Physical, biological, and cultural values, uses and assessments. Physical and biological characteristics and dynamics. Protection, management and restoration. Field trips, literature review, term paper, and personal observations required. P: Upper class st; basic college-level biology or equiv (such as relevant physical sciences).
367 Renewable Energy Systems. (Crosslisted with BSE) I; 3 cr. Students will learn about the state-of-the-art in renewable energy applications including biomass for heat, electric power and liquid fuels as well as geo-energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. Students will do engineering calculations of power and energy availability of renewable energy sources and learn about requirements for integrating renewable energy sources into production, distribution and end-use systems. P: College algebra, college-level phys sci crse.
368 Environmental Law, Toxic Substances, and Conservation. (Crosslisted with M&Envtox, Pl Path) Odd yrs.; II; 2 cr (S-I). Development of and need for ’Äúenvironmental law’Äù; an introduction to the legal system; public and private rights in the environment; regulation of pesticides and toxic substances; environmental legislation and rulemaking; environmental impact statements; professionals as expert witnesses. No prior knowledge of law assumed. For scientists and others dealing with environmental issues in academia, industry and government. P: So st.
375 Field Ecology Workshop. I, SS; 3 cr (B-I). Lecture labs wholly in field for intensive study of behavior of plants and animals and their relationship to environments and human impacts. Individual and group observations, measurements, interpretation, reports, typing personal experience with specifics to basic principles. P: Some basic biology & ecology recommended; cons inst.
377 An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (Crosslisted with Geog) I, II; 4 cr (P-I). Design, implementation and use of automated procedures for storage, analysis and display of spatial information. Covers data bases, information manipulation and display techniques, software systems and management issues. Case studies. Meets with Civil & Environmental Engineering 357. P: Intro course in environmental or mapping science and an intro course in computer programming or computer concepts.
400 Special Topics in the Environment: Biological Aspects of Envir St. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (B-I). Topics vary each term, within the scope of the environmental biological sciences. These may encompass areas such as conservation biology, environmental ecology, issues in ethnobotany and tropical ecology, environmental health, ecotoxicology, biodiversity, endangered resources, biological systems analysis, and field studies. P: So st. Authorization may be required.
401 Special Topics in the Environment: Physical Environmental Sciences. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr. Topics vary each term, within the scope of the physical environmental sciences. These may encompass areas such as energy resources, environmental measurement and analysis, modeling, remote sensing and GIS, environmental engineering and transportation, climate change, water resources, and environmental geology. P: So st. Authorization may be required.
402 Special Topics in the Environment: Social and Humanistic Studies. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr. Topics vary each term, within the scope of the environmental humanities and social sciences. These may encompass areas such as environmental ethics, literature, history, policy, law, economics, land tenure, sustainable development, environmental justice, and indigenous knowledge. P: So st. Authorization may be required.
403 Geometric Analysis of Vertical Aerial Photographs. (Crosslisted with Civ Engr, Forest) I, II; 1 cr (P-I). Elementary photogrammetric procedures for obtaining reliable measurements from aerial photographs. Photographic measurements and refinements; geometry of vertical aerial photographs; scale and relief displacement; stereoscopy and parallax. Introduction to stereoplotters and orthophotoscopes. Camera calibration. Introduction to analytical photogrammetry and flight planning. P: Math 221 or equiv & Civ Engr 301, or cons inst.
410 Minerals as a Public Problem. (Crosslisted with Geology) I or II; 3 cr (N-A). Distribution of mineral resources; present and future problems of mineral supply; conservation of minerals, and mineral resources in relation to national and international policy. P: Open to Fr.
411 Energy Resources. (Crosslisted with Geology) I; 3 cr (P-I). Sources, availability of fuels. Energy conversion and efficiency. Consumption patterns and trends. Environmental consequences of energy production and use. Policy considerations and alternatives. P: Course in college level math & a course in phy sci or cons inst.
434 People, Wildlife and Landscapes. (Crosslisted with Geog, Rur Soc) I or II; 3 cr (S-A). This course explores the relationship between humans and wildlife amidst diverse landscapes, both historic and contemporary, tropical and temperate. We study how humans shape wild animal populations by modifying physical environments, and by hunting, domesticating and introducing species. P: Geog/Envir St 339.
441 Environmental Ethics. (Crosslisted with Philos) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (Z-A). Adequacy of ethical theories in handling such wrongs as harm to the land, to posterity, to endangered species, and to the ecosystem itself. Exploration of the view that not all moral wrongs involve harm to humans. Inquiry into the notion of the quality of life and the ethics of the ’Äúlifeboat’Äù situation. P: 3 cr philos or envir studies, or Grad st in the Nelson Institute.
449 Government and Natural Resources. (Crosslisted with Urb R Pl, Econ, Poli Sci) SS; 3-4 cr (S-D). Problems of public policy and administration for development and use of natural resources. P: Jr st.
452 World Forest History. (Crosslisted with Forest, History) I; 3 cr (Z-A). Examines world forest history, with attention to links between societal change and forest change. Examines how different peoples have used or abused the forest, how societies have struggled to establish policies governing forests, and how perceptions of forests have evolved.
453 Aesthetics of the Natural Environment. (Crosslisted with Philos) Irr.; 3 cr (H-D). Philosophical theories of beauty, the sublime, and the picturesque, and their relevance to our appreciation of the natural environment. P: Jr st and 3 cr in philos, or cons inst.
460 American Environmental History. (Crosslisted with History, Geog) I or II or SS; 4 cr (Z-I). Survey of interactions among people and natural environments from before European colonization to present. Equal attention to problems of ecological change, human ideas, and uses of nature and history of conservation and environmental public policy. P: So st.
461 Environmental Systems Concepts. (Crosslisted with Botany, Forest) II; 3 cr (I-I). A general systems approach to environmental problems: a philosophical-conceptual framework and a quantitative methodology for dealing with critical environmental issues that cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines. The nature of general systems, concepts and laws; the role of perspective in identification of system properties; the structure and behavior of environmental and ecological systems. For students with strong interests in environmental problems. P: Envir St 126 and a course in biology, or enroll in envir st undergrad progm. Authorization may be required.
463 Environmental Studies in the UNESCO-Biosphere Reserves of the World. (Crosslisted with Botany) Irr.; 1 cr (I). UNESCO-Biosphere Reserves (ca 340 across 82 countries) contribute greatly to international protection of bio-diversity, and to sustainable development in concert with environmental protection. The course is a seminar in which undergraduates make 25-minute presentations on subtopics, participate in discussion, and write a term paper. Students from fields as diverse as biological aspects of conservation, international relations, political science, botany, zoology, forestry, wildlife ecology, Ibero-American studies, African studies, East Asian studies, European studies and environmental studies should find the course useful. P: Jr st.
468 Managing the Environmental Impacts of Livestock Operations. (Crosslisted with Dy Sci, An Sci, Soil Sci) II; 2 cr. Introduces nonpoint pollution policies and regulations and environmental losses impacting air and water quality. Discuss management practices that influence the cycling and balance of nitrogen and phosphorus across a farm and its components (livestock, crop and soil). P: Jr st.
471 Introduction to Environmental Health. (Crosslisted with Pop Hlth) I; 3 cr (B-I). Impact of environmental problems on human health; biological hazards to human health from air and water pollution; radiation; pesticides; noise; problems related to food, occupation and environment of the work place; accidents. Physical and chemical factors involved. P: A course in biology; Jr st.
472 Scientific Background to Global Environmental Problems. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn, Physics) Irr.; 3 cr (P-D). A one-semester course designed to provide those elements of physics, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, biology and geology which are essential to a scientific understanding of global environmental problems. Specific examples of such problems include global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain and environmental toxins. Three lectures per week. P: HS algebra & 1 sem college level chem or physics, or cons inst.
497 A Natural History of Man. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (S-I). Homo sapiens from emergence to the contemporary crisis; fundamental principles of evolution and ecology. P: Jr st.
502 Air Pollution and Human Health. (Crosslisted with Pop Hlth) I; 3 cr (B-D). Toxicologic, controlled and epidemiologic studies on major air pollutants. Overview of study methods, lung physiology and pathology; air pollution sources, types, meteorology, sampling methods, controls and regulations. P: Jr st, a course in biology.
506 Modeling and Analysis of Environmental Systems. I or II; 3 cr (I-A). Systems modeling; applications to environmental problems; systems methods. P: Cons inst.
510 Ecology of Fishes. (Crosslisted with Zoology) II; 3 cr (B-I). Interactions of fishes with their physical, chemical, and biotic environment; physiological ecology, community ecology and fisheries sciences. Lake Mendota perch fishery and Shedd Aquarium field trips. P: 1 yr biol & chem & Jr st.
511 Ecology of Fishes Lab. (Crosslisted with Zoology) II; 2 cr (B-A). Anatomy and taxonomy of Wisconsin fishes and projects in fish ecology. P: Zool 510 or con reg.
512 Science and Government. (Crosslisted with Geology, Poli Sci) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (S-I). The effect of science and technology on demands for decisions of public policy related to theory of the role of government. P: Cons inst.
513 Environment and Health in Global Perspective. (Crosslisted with Med Hist, Hist Sci) II; 3 cr (Z-A). Explores the historical relationships between environmental change and human health from the 17th through the 20th century. Topics include colonialism and disease, medical geography, urban pollution and reform, workplace hazards, environmental risk, and the anti-toxics and environmental justice movements. P: Jr st.
515 Renewable Resources Policy. (Crosslisted with Forest, Wl Ecol) I or II; 3 cr (B-I). Historical and philosophical basis for and principal laws relating to forest, wildlife and related resources; roles of science and values in natural resources policy making; the policy process; the main federal and state renewable resource management agencies; ethics and professionalism. P: Forestry 410 or Wl Ecol 379 or cons inst.
520 Bioclimatology. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn) Irr.; 3 cr (P-A). Meteorology and climatology as they relate to problems in biology and agricultural production. P: Jr st and 1 crse in either basic biology or basic meteorology.
523 Philosophical Problems of the Biological Sciences. (Crosslisted with Philos) I or II; 3 cr (Z-A). Problems raised by genetics, evolutionary theory, and taxonomy: patterns of explanatory force and dispensability of teleology; objectivity of taxonomy. P: 3 cr of philos or 3 cr in a biological science.
528 Past Climates and Climatic Change. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn, Geog) I or II; 3 cr (P-A). Climatic change throughout geologic time, especially in the last 10 millennia; mechanisms of change, evidence, and criteria, paleogeography and paleoclimatology, climate models. P: Jr st or one year calculus-based college physics or introduction to weather and climate; or cons inst.
534 History and Ideology of Environmentalism. (Crosslisted with Geog, History, Hist Sci) Irr.; 3 cr (S-A). Historical survey of views of the natural world. Particular focus on the relationship of nature to society and culture, with an attempt to identify the significance and function of environmental ideas within broader intellectual and cultural movements and political ideologies. P: Jr st.
535 Atmospheric Dispersion and Air Pollution. (Crosslisted with Atm Ocn) I or II; 3 cr (P-A). Physical principles of atmospheric transport processes. Variation of transport in time and place. Local and regional concentrations of pollutants. Environmental implications of air pollution and control strategies. P: Math 212, Physics 202, or cons inst.
537 Culture and Environment. (Crosslisted with Geog) I or II; 4 cr (S-A). Geographic approaches to culture-nature relationships, including human perception of, use of, and adaptation to the physical environment, with emphasis on traditional subsistence systems; selected topics from contemporary and historical sources. P: Geog/Envir St 339 or equiv.
539 Air Resources Science and Policy. I; 3 cr. Overview of modern scientific methods, state-of-understanding, and current policy problems related to weather prediction, climate change, air pollution, and energy use. Problem sets, discussion, final paper with drafts. P: So st or cons inst.
548 Environmental Aesthetics. (Crosslisted with Urb R Pl, Land Arc, ETD) I; 2-3 cr (S-A). Analysis of visual characteristics and aesthetic qualities of physical environments; physiographic factors; functional needs; modes of perception; historical and cultural influences; role of design professions. P: Jr st.
550 Geological Oceanography. (Crosslisted with Geology) II; 3 cr (I). Geologic and geophysical evidence for the history of the ocean basins and their accumulated sediments. Sediment inputs, dispersal, and deposition in the oceans. Sea floor spreading and evidence for the plate tectonic history of the oceans. Mineral deposits in the deep oceans. Modern techniques in geological oceanography. P: Cons inst.
575 Assessment of Environmental Impact. (Crosslisted with Soil Sci) Even yrs.; II; 3 cr (P-I). Overview of methods for collecting and analyzing information about environmental impacts on agricultural and natural resources, including monitoring the physical environment and relating impacts to people and society. P: Jr st. Authorization may be required.
600 Environmental Studies Certificate Seminar. I, II; 3 cr (B-A). Investigation of a selected complex interdisciplinary environmental problem, e.g., desertification; energy in an age of scarcity; world hunger. Readings, papers, individual and team research, intensive discussions. P: Sr st and enrollment in the Envir Studies Certificate Program; authorization required.
601 Systems Thinking and Sustainable Businesses. (Crosslisted with Gen Bus) II; 3 cr. Introduces students to the concept of systems thinking so as to allow them to use systems to bring about large scale social change, both within the business community and within our societal infrastructure. P: Jr st.
644 Mankind in the American Environment. (Crosslisted with History) I or II or SS; 3-4 cr (S-I). Diverse responses to the changing American environment from early humans to the present, including geographic, ecological, institutional, and intellectual aspects in historical perspective. P: Jr st or cons inst.
651 Conservation Biology. (Crosslisted with Botany, Wl Ecol, Zoology) II; 3 cr (r-D). The application of ecological and genetic principles to problems concerning genetic, species, and community diversity. Topics include the hazards of rarity, choice and monitoring of indicator species, population viability analysis, habitat fragmentation, reserve design, and population recovery programs. P: An ecology crse (eg, Botany/Zool 460) and genetics (eg, Genetics/ Zool 466).
652 Decision Methods for Natural Resource Managers. (Crosslisted with Forest, AAE) II; 3-4 cr (r-B-I). Applications of quantitative methods, including optimization and simulation, to the management of natural resources, especially forests. P: Math 211 or equiv & Comp Sci 132 or equiv.
655 Computerized Land Information Systems. (Crosslisted with Land Arc, Civ Engr) II or SS; 3 cr (A). Theory and use of multipurpose land information systems in landscape architecture, civil engineering, and environmental studies. Topics include: system design; reference systems; data capture, structure, and quality; cadastral information; implementation; and land planning applications. Laboratory applications using spatial computer technology. P: Jr st and (1) one course in surveying, cartography, remote sensing, or air photo interpret, or (2) cons inst.
668 Green Politics: Global Experience, American Prospects. (Crosslisted with Urb R Pl) I; 3 cr (S-D). An examination of the writings and activities of green parties and movements around the globe in order to assess the potential of an explicit, radical environmental politics for the United States. P: Jr st or cons inst.
671 Energy Economics. (Crosslisted with AAE, Econ, Urb R Pl, Tran P U) II; 3 cr (S-D). The method, application, and limitations of traditional economic approaches to the study of energy problems. Topics include microeconomic foundations of energy demand and supply; optimal pricing and allocation of energy resources; energy market structure, conduct, and performance; macro linkages of energy and the economy; and the economics of regulatory and other public policy approaches to the social control of energy. P: Sr or Grad st and intermed econ or appropriate substitute per cons inst.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II, SS; 3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.
691 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.
692 Senior Thesis. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.
695 Applications of Geographic Information Systems in Natural Resources. (Crosslisted with Land Arc, Soil Sci) II; 3 cr (A). Course has four components: 1) Detailed review of GIS concepts; 2) Case studies; 3) GIS implementation methods; 4) Laboratory to provide ’Äúhands-on’Äù GIS experience. P: Land Arc/Envir St/Civ Engr 655 or Geog 377 or cons inst.
699 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Cons inst.