Glossary
UW Bothell Course Descriptions
UW Tacoma Course Descriptions
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Course Descriptions |
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Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for
To see the detailed Instructor Class Description, click on the underlined instructor name following the course description.
ENVIR 100 Environmental Studies: Interdisciplinary Foundations (5) I&S/NW
Introduces the interdisciplinary approach to environmental studies. Examines the ethical, political, social and scientific dimensions of current and historical environmental issues, at the local and global scale. First in a three course sequence required of Environmental Studies majors. Offered: ASp.
Instructor Course Description:
David L Secord
Thomas M Hinckley
Yoram K Bauman
ENVIR 150 Orientation to Environmental Studies (2)
Broad overview of environmental studies. Faculty members and professionals from outside the University identify opportunities for study and work in the field and offer suggestions for optimal academic preparation. Strong emphasis on class participation and experiential learning.
ENVIR 200 Environmental Studies: Communication and Research (5) I&S
Focuses on reading, writing, presentation, and critical analysis of written material, in an interdisciplinary context of environmental problems. Develops proficiency in use of bibliographic databases, scholarly journals, and the Internet as research tools. Second in three course series required of Environmental Studies majors. Prerequisite: ENVIR 100. Offered: WSp.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael C Reese
ENVIR 210 Introduction to Environmental Modeling (5) NW,QSR
Introduction to the use of computer modeling software in environmental policy and decision making. In weekly computer lab meetings, students use established programs to analyze the outcomes of management strategies and policy decisions relating to topics such as conservation of endangered species, climate change, and deforestation. Offered: jointly with Q SCI 210.
ENVIR 215 Earth, Air, Water: The Human Context (5) NW Rhines
Lab-based introduction to Earth's environment, primarily for non-scientists: energy, atmosphere, ocean, and biosphere stability. Beginning from basic science, growing toward impacts and applications; e.g., study of the sun's energy spectrum and greenhouse effect, construction of solar box cookers, study of energy profiles of developing countries. Offered: Sp.
Instructor Course Description:
William S D Wilcock
ENVIR 220 Urban Ecology (5) I&S/NW
Examines nature-society interactions in urban settings. Drivers, patterns, processes, impacts and consequences of urban and urbanizing ecosystems. Presents the state of our knowledge of urban ecology in its interdisciplinary format. Offered: W.
Instructor Course Description:
Michelle C. Kondo
Stanley D Rullman
ENVIR 235 Introduction to Environmental Economics (5) I&S/NW
Introduces non-economics majors to environmental and natural resource economics. Discussion of fundamental economic concepts, including markets and private property. Students learn basic tools used in the economic assessment of environmental problems and apply these methods to key environmental issues. Offered: jointly with ECON 235.
ENVIR 243 Environmental Ethics (5) I&S Clatterbaugh, Coburn, Woody
Focuses on some of the philosophical questions that arise in connection with environmental studies. Topics to be considered include: the ideological roots of current issues, values and the natural world, public policy and risk assessment, intergenerational justice, and social change. Offered: jointly with PHIL 243.
Instructor Course Description:
Andrew Light
ENVIR 260 The Puget Sound Ecosystem (3/5) I&S/NW
Examines historical human impacts on the land/water ecosystem of the Puget Sound, roles of regional governance and citizen action, and prospects for ecological restoration. Computer labs and field trips for additional credit. Offered: jointly with OCEAN 260.
Instructor Course Description:
Richard M. Strickland
ENVIR 296 Study Abroad – Environmental Studies (1-15, max. 15)
Environmental studies course taken through an approved study abroad program, for which there are no direct UW equivalents. Credit does not apply to major requirements without approval.
ENVIR 300 Environmental Studies: Synthesis and Application (5) I&S/NW
Multi-scale case studies of socially and scientifically complex environmental problems, including how the Earth works as a biogeochemical system, ecological principles, human health, energy, and global change. Emphasizes quantitative environmental analysis. Third in a required three course series of Environmental Studies majors. Prerequisite: ENVIR 200; recommended: ENVIR major foundational courses. Offered: WSp.
Instructor Course Description:
Stevan Harrell
ENVIR 313 Environmental Earth Science (5) NW Swanson
Analysis of geologic constraints upon human activity and the environmental consequences of such activity. Topics include hillslope processes, fluvial and groundwater processes, earthquake and volcanic hazards, and environmental aspects of deforestation and atmospheric pollution. Prerequisite: either ESS 101, ESS 210, ESS 211, GEOL 101, GEOL 201, or GEOL 205. Offered: jointly with ESS 315; A.
ENVIR 330 Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems (5) NW
Links the physics of climate to marine ecosystem processes, exploring both observed climate impacts from the past and projected ecosystem changes due to human-caused climate change in the future. Case studies include polar, sub-artic, temperate, tropical and upwelling ecosystems, and ocean-acidification and its projected impacts. Required: high school or college physics and algebra with a basic understanding of Newton’s’ Laws and the ability to comprehend and construct vector diagrams. Offered: jointly with FISH 330.
ENVIR 341 Energy and Environment (3) NW Malte
Energy use. Fossil energy conversion. Oil, gas, coal resources. Air impacts. Nuclear energy principles, reactors, fuel cycle. Prerequisite: either MATH 112, MATH 124, or Q SCI 291; either CHEM 120, CHEM 142, PHYS 114, or PHYS 121. Offered: jointly with M E 341/CHEM E 341; A.
Instructor Course Description:
Philip C Malte
ENVIR 350 Independent Fieldwork (1-3, max. 5)
Fieldwork, coursework, or other learning experience conducted off-campus, but supervised by UW faculty. 1 academic credit for 30 hours of environment-related work per quarter. Credit/no credit only.
ENVIR 360 Environmental Norms in International Politics (5) I&S Ingebritsen
Surveys development of international environmental consciousness from 1960s to present. Models of "green development"; ways in which norms for resource use have entered global politics. Patterns of state compliance with international environmental agreements, and why states fall short of meeting their international obligations. Offered: jointly with SCAND 350/SIS 350.
ENVIR 362 Introduction to Restoration Ecology (5) I&S/NW Gold
An introduction to ecological restoration of damaged ecosystems. Examines the philosophical base of restoration as well as the social, biological and political forces that impact the success of any restoration project. Includes lectures, readings, case studies and field trips. Offered: jointly with ESRM 362; A.
ENVIR 371 Anthropology of Development (5) I&S Sivaramakrishnan
Development refers to social, economic, cultural, political transformations viewed as progress. Studied from anthropological perspectives. Historical, social context for emergence of ideas of development. Role of development in promoting national cultures. Impact of development on individual citizenship, families, rural-urban relations, workers, business, environment. Prerequisite: one 200-level ANTH course. Offered: jointly with ANTH 371.
Instructor Course Description:
K. Sivaramakrishnan
ENVIR 379 Environmental Sociology (5) I&S/NW Lee
Social processes by which environmental conditions are transformed into environmental problems; scientific claims, popularization of science, issue-framing, problem-amplification, economic opportunism, and institutional sponsorship. Examination of social constructs such as ecosystem, community, and free-market economy. Use of human ecology to assess whether the current framing of environmental problems promotes ecological adaptability. Offered: jointly with ESRM 371/SOC 379; WS
ENVIR 380 Study Abroad: Comparative International Perspectives on Cities and the Environment (15) I&S/NW
Interdisciplinary approach to integrating urban and environmental issues in two or more world cities. Includes site visits and interactions with foreign scholars and practitioners. Topics may include coastal development, transportation, parks, marine conservation, indigenous cultures, environmental planning, gentrification, urban governance, and watershed management. Offered: jointly with TEST 380/T URB 380.
ENVIR 384 Global Environmental Politics (5) I&S
Examines the globalization of environmental problems, including climate change, ozone depletion, and loss of biodiversity, as well as the globalization of political responses to these problems within the framework of globalization as set of interlinked economic, technological, cultural and political processes. Offered: jointly with POL S 384.
ENVIR 415 Sustainability and Design for Environment (3) Cooper
Analysis and design of technology systems within the context of the environment, economy, and society. Applies the concepts of resource conservation, pollution prevention, life cycle assessment, and extended product responsibility. Examines the practice, opportunities, and role of engineering, management, and public policy. Offered: jointly with CEE 495/M E 415; S.
ENVIR 416 Ethics and Climate Change (5) I&S Gardiner
Critical examination of the ethical issues surrounding climate change. Prerequisite: either one philosophy or one environmental studies course. Offered: jointly with PHIL 416.
Instructor Course Description:
Stephen M. Gardiner
ENVIR 417 Advanced Topics in Environmental Philosophy (5) I&S Gardiner, Light
Critical examination of issues in environmental philosophy. Topics vary. Prerequisite: one philosophy course. Offered: jointly with PHIL 417.
ENVIR 418 Communications and the Environment (5) I&S
Examines the role of mass media in the resolution of environmental problems. Topics include strengths and weaknesses of media coverage, use of media by environmental groups and government agencies, media effects on public opinion, and mass communication and social movements. Offered: jointly with COM 418.
ENVIR 433 Environmental Degradation in the Tropics (5) I&S/NW
Considers theories and controversies of environmental degradation in the tropics, ecological and social case studies of Central American rain forests and Southeast Asian coral reefs, and implications of environmental management techniques. Offered: jointly with SIS 433/SMA 433.
Instructor Course Description:
Patrick John Christie
ENVIR 439 Attaining a Sustainable Society (1/3, max. 3) I&S/NW Karr
Discusses diverse environmental issues, the importance of all areas of scholarship to evaluating environmental challenges, and the connections between the past and the future, to reveal integrative approaches to protect the long-term interests of human society. Offered: jointly with FISH 439; A.
ENVIR 442 Renewable Energy (4) NW Malte
Introduction to renewable energy. Principles and practices: solar, wind, water, and biomass energy conversion. Prerequisite: either MATH 112, MATH 124, or Q SCI 291; either CHEM 120, CHEM 142, PHYS 115, or PHYS 122. Offered: jointly with CHEM E 442/M E 442.
Instructor Course Description:
Philip C Malte
ENVIR 450 Special Topics in Environmental Studies (1-5, max. 15)
Format may range from seminar/discussion to formal lectures to laboratory or modeling work.
Instructor Course Description:
Adrienne I Greve
Eric A Smith
Gary J Handwerk
Jill E. Gatlin
John M Palka
Michael Kucher
Lindsay Whitlow
Michael C Reese
Sarah E. Dooling
K. Sivaramakrishnan
Sara F. Tjossem
ENVIR 451 Comparative Historical and Social Ecology of the Tropics (5) I&S Sivaramakrishnan
Historical and social aspects of tropical environmental change. Comparative analysis of resource management, conservation, and environmental regulation issues in Asia, Africa, and Latin America from cultural and political economic perspectives. Special focus on issues of state policy, expert knowledge, social conflict, and international politics. Prerequisite: ANTH 210. Offered: jointly with ANTH 451.
ENVIR 459 Culture, Ecology and Politics (5) I&S Pena
Critical studies of class, gender and race differences in environmental politics. The political-economic dimensions of ecological change. Contemporary environmental movements including the varieties of bioregionalism, deep ecology, ecofeminism, ecosocialism, environmental justice, and social ecology. Offered: jointly with ANTH 459.
ENVIR 460 Institutionalizing Sustainable Ecological Practices. (5) I&S/NW Lee
Introduction to how sustainability and conservation are possible. Case studies of successful institutionalization of sustainable ecological functions, including curbside and biosolids recycling, ecological restoration, bioremediation, sustainable wood production, and product certification. Emphasis on individual student projects. Offered: jointly with ESC 460; Sp.
ENVIR 462 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Introduction (2) NW
First of a three-course capstone sequence in restoration ecology. Students review and assess project plans and installations. Class meets with members of previous capstone classes to review their projects. Offered: jointly with ESRM/TESC/BES 462.
Instructor Course Description:
James Fridley
James Fridley
Kern Ewing
ENVIR 463 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Proposal and Plan (3) NW
Student teams prepare proposals in response to requests for proposals (RFPs) from actual clients. Clients may be governments, non-profit organizations, and others. Upon acceptance of the proposal, teams prepare restoration plans. Prerequisite: ENVIR 462. Offered jointly with ESRM/TESC/BES 463.
ENVIR 464 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Field Site Restoration (5) NW
Teams take a restoration plan developed in ESRM 463 and complete the installation. Team participation may include supervision of volunteers. Teams prepare management guidelines for the client and conduct a training class for their use. Prerequisite: ENVIR 463. Offered: jointly with ESRM/TESC/BES 464.
ENVIR 474 Problem Analysis in Urban Ecology (5) I&S/NW Alberti, Bradley, Hill, Marzluff, Ryan, ZumBrunnen
Investigates pressing local issues in urban ecology and develops each into a researchable project proposal. Examines and evaluates how different disciplines study environmental issues, explores criteria for conducting and evaluating quality research, develops skills in problem formulation, and sharpens proposal writing skills. Offered: jointly with GEOG 486/CFR 474; A.
ENVIR 475 Environmental Impacts of Small Scale Societies (5) I&S/NW Grayson, Smith
Examines the environmental impacts (positive and negative) among prehistoric and historic/ethnographic small-scale (hunter-gatherer and horticultural) societies worldwide, and debates these impacts, within a theoretical framework provided by evolutionary ecology and biogeography. Offered: jointly with BIO A 475.
ENVIR 476 Introduction to Environmental Law and Process (3) I&S Bryant, Hershman
Use and application of key statues in marine living resources management. Overview of administrative law and process. Basic legal research, reading, and briefing selected judicial opinions. Participatory case study component. Designed for non-law graduate and advanced undergraduate students. Offered: jointly with SMA 476; A.
ENVIR 477 Marine Conservation (3) NW Parrish
Terrestrially based concepts of conservation biology applied to marine systems: human activities affecting the marine environment including fishing and pollution, influence of legal and cultural frameworks, and ecosystem management. Prerequisite: either BIOL 102, BIOL 162, BIOL 180, or BIOL 203. Offered: jointly with BIOL 477; W.
ENVIR 478 Topics in Sustainable Fisheries (3, max. 9) Parrish
Seminar series featuring local, national and internationally known speakers in fisheries management and conservation. Case studies. Conservation/restoration in practice. Pre-seminar discussion section focusing on select readings. Final paper. Topics may include harvest management, whaling, by-catch, salmon, marine protected areas, introduced species, citizen action, co-management, and marine ethics. Offered: jointly with FISH 478/BIOL 478; odd years; W.
ENVIR 480 Marine Resource Conservation and Management (3) I&S/NW Gallucci, Miller
Techniques and philosophy for conservation, management and development of harvested marine populations. Emphasis on integration of ecological, sociological, and economic dimensions of institutional decision making for policy formation in uncertain environments. Offered: jointly with FISH 480/SMA 480.
ENVIR 486 Problem Analysis in Urban Ecology (5) NW Alberti, Bradley, Hill, Marzluff, Ryan, ZumBrunnen
Investigates pressing local issues in urban ecology and develops each into a researchable project proposal. Examines and evaluates how different disciplines study environmental issues, explores criteria for conducting and evaluating quality research, develops skills in problem formulation, and sharpens proposal writing skills. Offered: jointly with ESRM 474/GEOG 486/URBDP 443; A.
ENVIR 487 Applied Theory and Methods in Urban Ecology (5) I&S/NW Alberti, Bradley, Hill, Marzluff, Ryan, ZumBrunnen
Discusses broad perspectives in urban ecology and how to analyze data relevant to urban ecology problems. Students write objectives and methods for a selected urban ecology problem that critiques different methodological approaches and reviews/synthesizes literature. Prerequisite: either ENVIR 486, CFR 474, or GEOG 486. Offered: jointly with CFR 475/GEOG 487; W.
ENVIR 488 Research in Urban Ecology (5) I&S/NW Alberti, Bradley, Hill, Marzluff, Ryan, ZumBrunnen
Teams analyze, present, and begin to interpret data that is relevant to addressing issues in urban ecology. Write and orally present revised objectives and methods sections of interdisciplinary project and present results section. Prerequisite: either ENVIR 486, CFR 475, or GEOG 487. Offered: jointly with CFR 476/GEOG 488; Sp.
ENVIR 490 Pre-Capstone Seminar (2)
Critique readings on environmental education and applied environmental work. Define a capstone experience based on personal interests and skills and complete a learning contract and a contextual bibliography for ENVIR 491. Recommended: 15 credits of ENVIR 201/202/203. Offered: ASp.
ENVIR 491 Capstone Experience (2-8, max. 8)
Capstone experiences, arranged during ENVIR 490, may include internships and other applied environmental work, directed research on environmental topics, or team efforts. Credit/no credit only. Prerequisite: ENVIR 490. Offered: AWSpS.
ENVIR 492 Post-Capstone Seminar (3)
Build writing skills around course readings and discussion. Complete three final products: a capstone analysis paper summarizing and contextualizing work in ENVIR 491; an integrative essay reflecting on personal education; and a formal capstone presentation. Prerequisite: ENVIR 491. Offered: ASp.
ENVIR 496 Study Abroad – Advanced Environmental Studies (1-15, max. 15)
Environmental Studies course taken through an approved study abroad program for which there are no direct UW equivalents. Credit does not apply to major requirements without approval.
Instructor Course Description:
Thomas M Hinckley
Thomas M Hinckley
ENVIR 497 Seminar in Environmental Studies (1-3, max. 6)
Intensive and advanced reading and discussion of selected works in interdisciplinary environmental studies. Credit/No credit only. Offered: AWSpS.
Instructor Course Description:
David R Montgomery
David A Tetta
ENVIR 498 Independent Study (1-5, max. 5)
Independent reading and/or research. Limited to majors and minors in Environmental Studies.
ENVIR 499 Undergraduate Research (1-15, max. 15)
Undergraduate research in Environmental Studies. Offered: AWSpS.
ENVIR 500 Graduate Seminar in Environmental Studies (1-5, max. 15)
Exploration of multidisciplinary themes in environmental studies. Topics vary.
Instructor Course Description:
Amy K. Snover
Alison Cullen
ENVIR 501 Graduate Seminar in Environmental Management (1-5, max. 15)
Addresses a contemporary interdisciplinary issue in environmental management by integrating the perspectives and theories of science/technology, public policy, and business. Format emphasizes interactive, hands-on approaches to problem solving, with visiting lectures by academic and/or external practitioners.
ENVIR 502 Business Strategy and the Natural Environment (4)
Applies economic and business principles (marketing, accounting, operations) to understand interactions between business and the natural environment and how environmental issues influence business strategy. Theory and case studies explore strategies that both respond to and seek competitive advantage from firms' interactions with the environment.
ENVIR 503 Role of Scientific Information in Environmental Decisions (3)
Examines how science contributes to decisions that affect the natural environment: how science and scientists help frame debates and decisions; how scientific findings are incorporated into decision making processes; and how scientists and nonscientists deal with uncertainty.
ENVIR 511 Environmental Management – Keystone Project I (2)
Interdisciplinary project teams address regional environmental issues. May include working with external community partner agency. Environmental Management Certificate students only.
ENVIR 512 Environmental Management – Keystone Project II (4)
Interdisciplinary project teams address regional environmental issues. May include working with external community partner agency. Continuation of projects from autumn quarter. Prerequisite: ENVIR 511.
ENVIR 535 Foresight in Science and Technology: Choices and Consequences (3)
Examination of the foresight (or lack of it) with which we practice science and use technology. Contrasts potential risks of various choices with potential benefits. Credit/no credit only. Offered: jointly with PHYS 535/PHIL 501/ZOOL 523.
Instructor Course Description:
Vladimir Chaloupka
ENVIR 550 Global Commercialization of Environmental Technologies (4)
Students work on faculty-supervised interdisciplinary teams (with students from business, sciences/engineering, and public policy) developing business plans for commercializing environmentally friendly technologies around the world. The projects involve collaborating with the EPA's Environmental Technology Commercialization Center, with Battelle Labs, and with Puget Sound businesses. Offered: jointly with B BUS 550.
ENVIR 585 Climate Impacts on the Pacific Northwest (4) Mantua, Snover
Knowledge of past/future patterns of climate to improve Pacific Northwest resource management. Topics include: the predictability of natural/human-caused climate changes; past societal reactions to climate impacts on water, fish, forest, and coastal resources; how climate and public policies interact to affect ecosystems and society. Offered: jointly with ATM S/ESS/SMA 585; Sp.
ENVIR 600 Independent Study or Research (1-5)
Independent reading and research. Limited to students enrolled in the Program on the Environment’s graduate certificate programs
