For more information, please contact Dr. Craig Zaspel | 683-7366 | c_zaspel@umwestern.edu.
The primary objective of the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences program is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the natural processes that create and shape our environment, as well as, knowledge of the human impact on the environment.
Students will become informed, critical thinkers capable of scientifically evaluating complex issues involving the environment. Student development occurs through a course of study that emphasizes interdisciplinary, field-based research projects that have societal relevance. Students also gain authentic disciplinary experience through thesis research and/or internships that are supervised by faculty and/or industry mentors.
Discipline-specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Demonstrate knowledge about the natural processes that create and shape our environment. (BIO 270, ENVS/PHIL 201, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, PHYS 233, ENVS 329)
Acquire skills and methods necessary to collect, analyze, and present data relevant to his/her field of study. (BIO 270, CHEM 131 & 132, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, PHYS 233, ENVS 329, MATH 201, MATH 232)
Develop the ability to conduct research both independently and in a team. (BIO 270, CHEM 131 & 132, ENVS/PHIL 201, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, PHYS 233, ENVS 329)
Communication Skills
Acquire skills and methods necessary to collect, analyze, and present data relevant to their field of study. (ENVS 329, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, BIO/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL/MATH 400/498)
Be able to communicate effectively with colleagues and the community. (ENVS/PHIL 201, ENVS 329, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, BIO/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL/MATH 400/498)
Problem-solving Skills
Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts central to his/her field of study, including scientific and quantitative skills. Field of study includes environmental science and a specific related area. (ENVS 329, ENVS 348, ENVS 429)
Acquire skills and methods necessary to collect, analyze, and present data relevant to his/her field of study. (ENVS 269, ENVS 329, ENVS 348, ENVS 429, BIO/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL/MATH 400/498)
Develop the ability to conduct research both independently and in a team. (ENVS 329, ENVS 348, ENVS 429)
Discipline-specific Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Environmental Science professors assess students' discipline-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities via exams, oral and written reports, and feedback from internship supervisors during core courses within the Environmental Science option area.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
BIO 270, Conservation Biology: exams, oral presentations, written summaries, participation in discussions, field experiences.
CHEM 131 & 132, General Chemistry I & II: homework assignments, written exams, lab reports (following a template), internet research project, small group problem-solving (participation based).
ENVS/PHIL 201, History & Philosophy of Science: 3 short written essays on assigned topics, written research paper, and objective written exam. Oral presentation of the research project is required; presenters are evaluated by class peers.
ENVS 269, Wildlands Skills: Map, Compass, & GPS: homework assignments, written exams, field activities, final field exam.
ENVS 348, Soil Science: Field notebooks documenting field trip activities, exams, research project on practical applications of soil science (written and oral reports), major small group or individual field research project presented utilizing PowerPoint.
ENVS 429, Environmental Field Studies: self-evaluation, peer evaluation, subjective instructor evaluation of student effort and quality of work, group report of entire group project.
PHYS 233, General Physics: homework assignments, written exams, lab reports (following a template), small group problem-solving (participation based).
ENVS 329, Natural Resource Issues: issues analysis report, written evaluations of readings, term paper focusing on in-depth analysis of a current environmental issue.
MATH 201, Calculus: exams, quizzes, assignments
MATH 232, Statistics: projects, exams, quizzes, assignments
Communication Skills
Environmental Science professors assess students' communication skills via observation and assessment of students in field and laboratory settings, oral and written student presentations of research, or the thesis option. Internship supervisors also provide feedback on the students' communication skills via evaluations.
Students develop the ability to conduct research both independently and as a member of a team. Both oral and written communication skills are necessary for successfully conducting and reporting research and communicating effectively with colleagues and the community.
Specific course and assessment activities:
ENVS/PHIL 201, History & Philosophy of Science: Students give oral presentations of their group research projects. For this presentation, students are evaluated by their peers.
ENVS 329, Natural Resource Issues: Students are evaluated on the basis of both written papers and oral presentations with the focus being on how thoroughly and thoughtfully each student has dissected each issue through a careful analysis of the arguments presented by both sides of the issue. Students complete weekly written analyses of the issue(s) presented in the assigned articles/books to be read that week. Students are also evaluated on his/her ability to clearly express orally these analytical concepts using "issue analysis method" during each week's in-class discussion. Teams of students orally present natural resource issues, then lead the class discussion of that issue(s) as their final product of the group project.
ENVS 348, Soil Science: oral and written report of research project on practical applications of soil science. Students present field research projects using PowerPoint (either as small groups or individually).
ENVS 429, Environmental Field Studies: self-evaluation, peer evaluation, subjective instructor evaluation of student effort and quality of work, group report of entire group project.
BIO400/498: Students’ presentations of their internship experiences or thesis at a formal science seminar, "On the Rocks." Presentations are assessed by Environmental Science professors, as well as peers. Internship notebooks and written reports are evaluated by Environmental Science professors and internship supervisors.
Problem-solving Skills
Environmental Science students' problem-solving skills, including critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, analytical synthesis, and decision making, are assessed in ENVS discipline-specific courses and required math courses.
Students develop the ability to conduct research both independently and as a member of a team. Possession of problem-solving skills is necessary for successfully conducting and reporting research.
Specific courses and assessment activities:
ENVS 329, Natural Resource Issues: Students are expected to use analytical skills, paricularly critical thinking skills, aimed at assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments offered by the various writers of assigned readings.
Specific courses and assessment activities:ENVS 348, Soil Science: Students develop the ability to conduct field research projects both independently and as a member of a small team.
ENVS 429, Environmental Field Studies: Students conduct field reserach projects either as a member of a team or independently.
Feedback from Current Students
Environmental Science faculty receive program feedback from current students in the following ways:UMW graduate/exit survey
Mid-point assessment: oral and written report of research project in ENVS 348, Soil Science
Capstone assessment: Presentation at formal science seminar, "On the Rocks" of internship or senior project/thesis completed in BIO/CHEM/ENVS/GEOL/MATH 400/498
Feedback from Outside Constituencies
Feedback from internship supervisors
Survey feedback from graduates one year after graduation (implemented AY 2006-07, feedback from 2004-05 program/option graduates)
Survey feedback from employers of one-year-out graduates (implemented AY 2006-07, feedback of 2004-05 program/option graduates)
Responses to the Employer and Graduate surveys will be compiled by personnel in the Career Services Office, then disseminated back to the Environmental Sciences faculty for review and to assist with making program/curriculum decisions.
Evaluation of Teaching
During fall semester, the VCAA chooses the faculty member's course to be evaluated. Each ENVS faculty member chooses a course during spring semester that s/he wants evaluated by students. Feedback is compiled and shared with the faculty member and VCAA. In addition, each faculty member also has at least one peer evaluation per year.
Curriculum Review
The curriculum for the BA: Environmental Science option was reviewed extensively in preparation for implemenation of Experience One (block scheduling). Program faculty continue to review curriculum both formally and informally during departmental meetings.
Once the ENVS faculty begin receiving the results of employer and alumni surveys from the Career Services Office, they will review the information and make adjustments to the ENVS option area as necessary.
In response to requests from students and potential employers (e.g., Fish, Wildlife, and Parks) the ENVS faculty developed the Environmental Interpretation option in the BA degree program. This new option area became available fall semester 2006.
Criteria and Procedures for Admission and Retention of Students
Currently, criteria and procedures for admission and retention of ENVS option students parallel the criteria and procedures for admission to UMW.
Appraisal of annual program goals and assessment of their success
Potential modification of curriculum based upon feedback from recent graduates, graduates following one year of employment or graduate/professional school, employers, and collected exhibits/artifacts.
Self-study or Reports from Program Reviews
As part of UMW's systematic academic program review cycle, a self-study of the BA: Environmental Sciences option will be prepared and completed prior to or during the 2009-10 academic year. An initial review of this academic program by an external reviewer(s) will occur during AY 2010 as well.
Description of Program-specific Curriculum Development Bodies and Advisory Groups
All faculty teaching in the Environmental Sciences related areas assist with program-specific curriculum development. No other program-specific curriculum development bodies exist at this time.