Undergraduate Classes
Summer 2013
BIO 143 ● Ecology and Environmental Issues
Professor Tara Rajaniemi ● Online Session 1 (May 28-June 26)
3 credits. The science of ecology as it applies to major environmental issues. Principles of population, community, and ecosystem ecology will be introduced in the context of such problems as invasive species and global climate change. Students will also learn and apply the scientific method through readings and discussion.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S. University Studies: 2B.
ENL 200 ● Studies in Literature: Reading and Writing about the Ocean
Professors Richard Larschan & Robert Waxler ● July 8-12
3 credits. As the course title indicates, we’ll be reading and discussing a number of literary works in which the sea is prominently featured—sometimes the literal ocean, other times the ocean symbolizing various aspects of human experience, and often both. Following energetic classroom discussions each morning, we have arranged on-site excursions to areas of important nautical interest in our region. As well as the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Seaman's Bethel, we will visit Fort Phoenix to see an "enactment" about 18th century women's life at Fort Phoenix, UMD's ocean research center, SMAST, the whaling schooner Ernestina and actually go out to sea (okay--actually the New Bedford harbor)—on the Environlab boat.
Prerequisite: ENL 102. Gen Ed: C.
PHY 162 ● Science, Technology, & Society: The Environment
Professor John Silva ● Online Maymester (May 13-May 31)
3 credits. This course studies current environmental issues and their relations to technological choices. For example, air and water quality are examined in relation to the use of various renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The course is non-mathematical.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: E, S, or G.
PHY 171 ● Planet Earth I
Professor John Silva ● Online Session 1 (May 28-June 26)
3 credits. A course for non-science majors covering Earth's origin and history; composition and structure of its interior, crust, oceans, and atmosphere; plate tectonics and sea floor spreading; seismology, vulcanism and earthquakes; Earth's magnetism; forces shaping Earth's surface, faults and folds, erosion, sedimentation and weathering; and Earth's materials, such as soil, minerals and ores, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S.
PHY 172 ● Planet Earth II
Professor John Silva ● Online Session 2 (July 9-August 7)
3 credits. Continuation of PHY 171, focusing on Earth's resources: rare and abundant metals and their uses, history of life on Earth, the fossil record; energy and fossil fuels; nuclear energy sources, uranium, plutonium, and deuterium; water and its distribution, rate of use, and pollution; atmospheric-oceanic circulation and heat balance; weather and climate; humanity as agent of change on Earth.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S.
PSC 347 ● Environmental Law
Professor Chad McGuire ● Online Session 1 (May 28-June 26)
3 credits. Introduction to the concepts surrounding environmental law. Students explore the reasons, development, and implementation of environmental laws. Areas of focus include the following: using the law to consider environmental impacts before taking action; using the law to protect water and air quality; the law of land use; and global applications of legal frameworks to deal with large scale environmental problems like climate change.
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.
Fall 2013 Courses
CHM 130 ● Chemistry and the Environment
MWF 1:00-1:50 (Section 01) or MWF 3:00-3:50 (Section 02)
3 credits. Available to anyone in the university, this course provides substantial treatment, with demonstrations, of the chemistry involved in consumer concerns (food additives, medicines, detergents, etc.), air and water pollution, elementary biochemistry, and the general question of power generation and utilization (fuel cells, solar energy conversion, nuclear energy, etc.). No knowledge of chemistry is assumed, but it is hoped the student will have had high school chemistry or its equivalent.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S. University Studies: 2A
MAR 110-01 ● Natural Hazards and the Ocean
Professor Daniel MacDonald ● TuTh 2:00-3:15
3 credits. Natural Hazards & the Ocean is intended to educate students about the roles of the oceans in such natural hazards as hurricanes, earthquakes, global warming, and tsunamis. The course will address student curiosity about these ocean-related hazards, by presenting a conceptual understanding of the relevant underlying ocean-atmosphere, and earth mediated mechanisms. The students will be presented in lecture and through their readings about how the application of the scientific method (a) overturned historical Misunderstandings of Earth geology; (b) explains the far-reaching effects of ocean storm generated waves; (c) relates deep ocean earthquakes to tsunamis; and (d) relates how dust from the North African deserts is related to hurricane generation.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S. University Studies: 2A
PHY 162 ● Science, Technology, & Society: The Environment
Professor John Silva ● MWF 12:00-12:50
3 credits. This course studies current environmental issues and their relations to technological choices. For example, air and water quality are examined in relation to the use of various renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The course is non-mathematical.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: E, S, or G.
PHY 171 ● Planet Earth I
Professor John Silva ● TuTh 3:30-4:45
3 credits. A course for non-science majors covering Earth's origin and history; composition and structure of its interior, crust, oceans, and atmosphere; plate tectonics and sea floor spreading; seismology, vulcanism and earthquakes; Earth's magnetism; forces shaping Earth's surface, faults and folds, erosion, sedimentation and weathering; and Earth's materials, such as soil, minerals and ores, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S.
PSC 384 ● International Law & Organization
Professor Robert Darst ● TuTh 11:00-12:15
3 credits. The world today is plagued by a host of problems that are difficult to address without international cooperation: violent conflict, widespread human rights abuses, environmental degradation, infectious disease, and persistent poverty, to name but a few. Yet we live on a planet with no overarching world government capable of providing authoritative solutions to these problems. Instead, international action is limited by the willingness of individual countries to cooperate with one another, and by their ability to control what goes on within their respective borders. We will explore the resulting patchwork quilt of international rules and organizations as they pertain to international security, economic globalization, and climate change.
Prerequisite: PSC 161 or permission of instructor. Gen Ed: G.
PSC 477 ● Global Environmental Politics
Professor Robert Darst ● Tuesday 2:00-4:30
3 credits. As luck would have it, you were born into one of Earth's rare periods of abrupt climatic change. This development is impressive, to be sure, but not unique: global warming is but the latest chapter in humankind's ever-growing impact on the natural environment, joining a long list that includes the sixth great mass extinction of plant and animal species in Earth's history, the depletion of the planet's ozone layer, desertification, deforestation, toxic chemical contamination, deoxygenation of oceans and lakes, the depletion of groundwater, and the creation of a vast floating continent of garbage in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In this course, we will examine the ecological, socioeconomic, and geopolitical causes of transnational environmental problems and the causes of success and failure in efforts to address them.
Prerequisites: None.
CHM 130 ● Chemistry and the Environment
MWF 1:00-1:50 (Section 01) or MWF 3:00-3:50 (Section 02)
3 credits. Available to anyone in the university, this course provides substantial treatment, with demonstrations, of the chemistry involved in consumer concerns (food additives, medicines, detergents, etc.), air and water pollution, elementary biochemistry, and the general question of power generation and utilization (fuel cells, solar energy conversion, nuclear energy, etc.). No knowledge of chemistry is assumed, but it is hoped the student will have had high school chemistry or its equivalent.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S. University Studies: 2A
MAR 110-01 ● Natural Hazards and the Ocean
Professor Daniel MacDonald ● TuTh 2:00-3:15
3 credits. Natural Hazards & the Ocean is intended to educate students about the roles of the oceans in such natural hazards as hurricanes, earthquakes, global warming, and tsunamis. The course will address student curiosity about these ocean-related hazards, by presenting a conceptual understanding of the relevant underlying ocean-atmosphere, and earth mediated mechanisms. The students will be presented in lecture and through their readings about how the application of the scientific method (a) overturned historical Misunderstandings of Earth geology; (b) explains the far-reaching effects of ocean storm generated waves; (c) relates deep ocean earthquakes to tsunamis; and (d) relates how dust from the North African deserts is related to hurricane generation.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S. University Studies: 2A
PHY 162 ● Science, Technology, & Society: The Environment
Professor John Silva ● MWF 12:00-12:50
3 credits. This course studies current environmental issues and their relations to technological choices. For example, air and water quality are examined in relation to the use of various renewable and non-renewable energy resources. The course is non-mathematical.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: E, S, or G.
PHY 171 ● Planet Earth I
Professor John Silva ● TuTh 3:30-4:45
3 credits. A course for non-science majors covering Earth's origin and history; composition and structure of its interior, crust, oceans, and atmosphere; plate tectonics and sea floor spreading; seismology, vulcanism and earthquakes; Earth's magnetism; forces shaping Earth's surface, faults and folds, erosion, sedimentation and weathering; and Earth's materials, such as soil, minerals and ores, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: S.
PSC 384 ● International Law & Organization
Professor Robert Darst ● TuTh 11:00-12:15
3 credits. The world today is plagued by a host of problems that are difficult to address without international cooperation: violent conflict, widespread human rights abuses, environmental degradation, infectious disease, and persistent poverty, to name but a few. Yet we live on a planet with no overarching world government capable of providing authoritative solutions to these problems. Instead, international action is limited by the willingness of individual countries to cooperate with one another, and by their ability to control what goes on within their respective borders. We will explore the resulting patchwork quilt of international rules and organizations as they pertain to international security, economic globalization, and climate change.
Prerequisite: PSC 161 or permission of instructor. Gen Ed: G.
PSC 477 ● Global Environmental Politics
Professor Robert Darst ● Tuesday 2:00-4:30
3 credits. As luck would have it, you were born into one of Earth's rare periods of abrupt climatic change. This development is impressive, to be sure, but not unique: global warming is but the latest chapter in humankind's ever-growing impact on the natural environment, joining a long list that includes the sixth great mass extinction of plant and animal species in Earth's history, the depletion of the planet's ozone layer, desertification, deforestation, toxic chemical contamination, deoxygenation of oceans and lakes, the depletion of groundwater, and the creation of a vast floating continent of garbage in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. In this course, we will examine the ecological, socioeconomic, and geopolitical causes of transnational environmental problems and the causes of success and failure in efforts to address them.
Prerequisites: None.
Spring 2013
- SUS 201-01 Principles of Sustainability
- SUS 450-01 Advanced Seminar in Susatainability Studies
- CEN 304-01 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
- DES 300-03 Designing for the Enviornment
- EGR 110-01 Environmental Science and Business
- IST 444-01 Topic in Indic Studies: Sustainable Entrepeneurship in India
- MAR 110-1 Natural Hazards and the Ocean
- MGT 312 The Legal Framework of Business
- PHY 172-01 Planet Earth II
- PHY 419-01 Advanced Traffic Engineering
- SOC 381-01 Social Impact of Science and Technology
- WGS 210-01 Topic in Women's and Gender Studies: Gender, Migration and Globalization
Course Descriptions
SUS 201-01 ● Principles of Sustainability
Professor: Adam Sulkowski
MWF 1:00-1:50
Textiles 101
3 units. The most important and fun course in your life. Important, because we ask: what are the world's biggest challenges and how big are the stakes? Fun, because we ask: what is sustainability, and what is the relevance of sustainability principles to your life and future career?
Prerequisites: None. Gen Ed: E or G. University Studies: 4C, Nature of the Global Society.
SUS 450-01 ● Advanced Seminar in Sustainability Studies
Professor Tara Rajaniemi
TuTh 11:00-12:15
SENG 210
3 units. SUS 450 is the capstone course for the minor in Sustainability Studies, and is an opportunity to see how the concepts of sustainability play out in the real world. Students will explore how sustainability principles are being employed on and off campus, through readings and discussions with guest speakers. In addition, students will integrate and apply what they've learned in previous courses to complete a project that produces real, sustainable change on the UMass Dartmouth campus. For example, classes in previous years have organized an Earth Day conference and compiled a guide to woody plants on campus.
Prerequisites: 45 credit hours of study; SUS 201, or 202, or 211.
CEN 304-01 ● Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Professor Kelly Pennell
TuTh 8:00-9:15 AM
SENG 113
3 units. Introduction to the sanitary engineering field. The environmental problems of urbanization and the natural cycle of water are discussed. Elementary hydrology, physical, chemical and biological principles of the treatment of water and wastewater are covered. Municipal services such as water mains, sanitary sewers and storm water drainage, layout and operation of purification and treatment works are studied in detail. In addition, state and federal regulatory standards are introduced and discussed.
Prerequisites: CEN 303 and CHM 152; or permission of instructor.
Gen Ed: S.
DES 300-03 ● Designing for the Environment
Professor David Chapman
TuTh 3:30-6:15
CVPA 310 (Tu) & 258 (Th)
3 units. This is a team-based, interdisciplinary workshop for Junior and Senior students in Design, Marketing, and Sustainability Studies. It focuses on developing meaningful and sustainable solutions, for real, community-based projects. It incorporates professional practice, experiential learning, and service learning experiences.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Gen Ed: C.
EGR 110-01 ● Environmental Science & Business
Professor Qinguo Fan
MWF 3:00-3:50
Textiles 210
3 units. An introductory course pertaining to basic environmental concepts and issues. This course addresses the basic physical science principles and environmental science and technology with topics relevant to understanding the environment, ecosystem, energy use, and the effects of human activities on the environment. The topics include the chemical compositions of air, water and soil, fossil fuels, new energy sources, global warming, organic and inorganic chemicals, toxic pollutants, pollution prevention, waste water treatment, laws and regulations, social and economic effects, and environmental ethics and business.
Prerequisites: None.
Gen Ed: S.
University Studies: 2B, Science in the Engaged Community.
IST 444-01 ● Topic in Indic Studies: Sustainable Entrepreneurship in India
Professor Adam Sulkowski
Wednesday 4:00-6:30
SENG 210
3 units. Basics of Indian history, economics, culture, and politics are covered, along with essentials of sustainable business. Case studies of sustainability in India are covered, and students are asked to either imagine their own sustainable business concept or how existing ideas could be expanded or adopted more widely.
Prerequisites: None.
MAR 110-01 ● Natural Hazards and the Ocean
Professor James Bisagni
TuTh 2:00-3:15
Dion 110
3 units. Natural Hazards & the Ocean is intended to educate students about the roles of the oceans in such natural hazards as hurricanes, earthquakes, global warming, and tsunamis. The course will address student curiosity about these ocean-related hazards, by presenting a conceptual understanding of the relevant underlying ocean-atmosphere, and earth mediated mechanisms. The students will be presented in lecture and through their readings about how the application of the scientific method (a) overturned historical Misunderstandings of Earth geology; (b) explains the far-reaching effects of ocean storm generated waves; (c) relates deep ocean earthquakes to tsunamis; and (d) relates how dust from the North African deserts is related to hurricane generation.
Prerequisites: None.
Gen Ed: S.
MGT 312 ● The Legal Framework of Business
Professor Adam Sulkowski
Section 03 ● MWF 2:00-2:50, Dion 110
Section 04 ● MW 4:00-5:15, LARTS 217
3 units. The highlights of law school in one semester, plus highlights of sustainable business. Topics related to sustainability include: corporations, law-making, how agencies regulate, and how liability is established when people are hurt. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; non-Business students may enroll with permission of instructor.
Gen Ed: E.
Professor John Silva
TuTh 3:30-4:45
Library 205
3 units. Topics include weathering, mass wasting, groundwater, dug and artesian wells, the hydrologic cycle, mountain development, structure of the ocean floor, shoreline features, coastlines, and the general characteristics of metamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks. Students will also engage in weekly laboratory exercises that will produce data and information related to sustainability issues.
Prerequisites: None.
Gen Ed: S.
PHY 419-01 ● Advanced Traffic Engineering
Professor Marguerite Zarrillo
MWF 3:00-3:50
SENG 102
3 units. Sustainable transportation is an ever increasing concern. The negative impacts of transportation systems on the environment, their carbon footprint and cost on the quality of human life are a growing problem. Yet, mobility is linked to economic development and equal opportunity for all. How our society decides to provide mobility without destroying our planet is a challenge. Providing access to mobility to all our citizens including the elderly, disabled and unemployed in a safe and economically manner is also a challenge. Often forgotten is the objective of providing mobility to our industrial partners who are in need of delivering resources and goods to our citizens. Knowing how to compute capacity is critical to ensuring that future designs in transport systems have increased capacity while maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
Prerequisites: None for SUS minors. Ask Professor Zarrillo for a permission number that will allow you to override the formal prerequisites in COIN.
SOC 381-01 ● Social Impact of Science & Technology
Professor Yale Magrass
TuTh 11:00-12:15
LARTS 107
3 units. It would almost impossible to deny that science and its close cousin, technology, are among the most powerful forces shaping modern social life. The word science itself means knowledge and indeed much of modern Western culture virtually equates science with truth. Closely akin to science is technology. Almost all the conveniences of modern life can be attributed to technology, at least in part; however, this same technology has also scattered families and communities, displaced people, concentrated enormous control into relatively few hands, produced weapons of mass destruction, and may destroy the very natural environment upon which life depends. By examining some of the history, philosophy, and sociology of science and technology, the students can assess their role in government, business, and society.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
WGS 210-01 ● Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies: Gender, Migration, and Globalization
Professor Kristen McHenry
MWF 10:00-10:50
CVPA 156
3 units. This course will investigate women’s experiences of globalization. We will ask how globalization shapes women’s lives. By investigating women’s migration patterns, we will analyze the myriad ways women’s labor is crucial to the global economy. As a result we will examine the global exploitation women’s labor in sweatshops, global care chains, and human trafficking through a feminist lens. We will analyze the way militarism and environmental degradation often affects women in detrimental ways. As we examine theories of globalization we will be using feminist critical analysis. We will develop a cross-cultural feminist analysis of women’s reactions and political resistance to globalizing forces. Lastly, we will examine particular cases of women’s resistance to globalization in Peru, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
Prerequisites: None.
