Environment and Sustainability (ENVS) - Bachelor of Arts

An interdisciplinary, historical analysis of the development of environmental problems, movements, and philosophies. Students apply historical lessons to critically examine sustainable solutions locally and globally. GT-HI1

With a focus on safe and ethical harvesting, this course equips students with the skills to build self-sufficiency and food access through hunting. The course covers responsible firearms use as well as wildlife management and identification. Students engage deeply with Colorado Parks & Wildlife staff and have the opportunity to earn their Colorado Hunters Education Certification. Prerequisite: instructor permission.

Students develop communication skills through presentations and writing on a variety of environmental issues appropriate to a wide variety of audiences. Through environmental essays, writing for nonprofit websites, grant proposals, and other forms of environmental writing, students are introduced to a broad range of skills needed for effective communication. Focus throughout the course on the analysis of arguments and texts further develops students' analytical and communication skills. Prerequisite: ENVS 100, or instructor permission; ENG 103 is recommended.

An introduction to policies and institutions that govern sectors most influential to climate change, including electricity, transportation, land use, and waste management. This class will offer a foundation to understand the actors and governing structures most relevant to climate action planning. Prerequisite: ENVS 100 or instructor permission.

This course introduces students to a perspective that understands injustice and inequality as fundamentally linked to environmental problems and outcomes. Students will study contested ideas about privilege, power, and marginalization, while examining their relationship to environmental problems. Prerequisite: minimum sophomore standing; or Instructor Permission. GT-SS3

This course explores the field of public lands and resource management. A regional focus on the Western U.S. integrates with comparative examples from other regions. The course examines histories, current issues, and cultural trends in public lands agencies, as well as policies that govern land management. Prerequisite: ENVS 100 or instructor permission.

A holistic inquiry into how humans might live the next chapter of our history, guided by the ecological principles of sustainability and resilience. Environmental problems and their possible solutions are analyzed critically and quantitatively; field experiences on campus and in the community involve students directly in the application of these principles. Themes include sustainable agriculture, green building, renewable energy, and conservation and restoration. Prerequisites: BIOL 130 and BIOL 135, or instructor permission.

A review of the key actors and institutions in food and agricultural policy development at the local, state, and national level. The course covers the history of food policy and changes to the agricultural industry. Topics include the politics of nutrition, food as culture, and advocacy efforts to alleviate hunger and attain food justice. Prerequisite: ENVS 100 or instructor permission.

A review of quantitative tools used to measure vulnerability, assess priorities, and evaluate implementation plans for climate action. Skills in data analytics, modeling, and projections will be developed. Prerequisites: MATH 113 or MATH 213, and ENVS 301; or instructor permission.

An introduction to soil formation, classification, morphology, chemistry, minerology, fertility, biology, and physical properties. Lectures and readings will be complemented by field trips and hands on activities as well as meetings with professionals. This course is suitable for undergraduate students interested in the importance of soils in agriculture, ecosystems, and engineering applications. Prerequisites: ESCI 105, or GEOL 101 and GEOL 105; CHEM 101; and either BIOL 130 and BIOL 135, or BIOL 151; or instructor permission.

An historical and contemporary investigation of U.S. environmental policies with an applied focus on the impact of national policy on the ecosystems and cultures of the American West. Reciprocally, this course traces how public lands agencies, social movements, historical land uses, and diverse cultures in the West shape U.S. environmental policy. Students combine analysis and discussion of major U.S. policies, prominent theories and issues, and student-led environmental service projects to better understand environmental challenges. Prerequisites: ENVS 100, ENVS 200 or ENG 103, ECON 370. Or instructor permission.

A critical examination of key perspectives, economic and political processes, policy actors, and institutions involved in global environmental issues. Students analyze ecological, cultural, and social dimensions of international environmental concerns and governance as they have emerged in response to increased recognition of global environmental threats, globalization, and international contributions to understanding of these issues. The focus of the course encourages students to engage and evaluate texts within the broad policy discourse on globalization, justice, and the environment. Prerequisites: ENVS 100; ECON 201, or ENVS 200; junior standing or instructor approval.

Study of the history, politics and institutions related to water policy and administration with comparative reference to different regions of the United States and internationally. Attention is given to the industrial development of the East and the created water resources of the arid West as a way to understand changing social sentiments toward water and water policy. The course also examines water pollution laws and water management. Prerequisites: ENVS 100; ECON 201, or ENVS 200; junior standing or instructor approval.

An advanced water science course specifically designed for students interested in water related environmental science and policy. Topics include the physical and chemical properties of natural fresh waters and the movement and reservoirs of fresh water within the water cycle. The course includes several hands-on exercises and field experiences where students investigate and analyze natural waters in the Gunnison Basin. Prerequisites: GEOL 101; GEOL 105 and one of the following: CHEM 101 or CHEM 111. Or instructor permission.

An occasional offering that may include water topics in politics and policy, ethics and philosophy, or science. Prerequisite: ENVS 200 and ENVS 301, or instructor permission.

An advanced examination of climate change governance, which may include a focus on any one of the sectors most influential in shaping climate change including electricity, transportation, land use, and/or waste management. Designed as a work-shop style deep dive into a particular policy, or policies, this class prepares students to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. Prerequisite: ENVS 210; or instructor permission.

An introduction to the skills, tools, and tactics required for sustainable food production, including raising vegetables and managing livestock. This applied course involves hands-on experience with crop and livestock planning, operation design, soil health management, pest control, and distribution strategies. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or instructor permission.

A field-work based study of local (Gunnison Basin) environmental problems. Numerous monitoring techniques are implemented based on principles of biology, chemistry, and geology. The emphasis is on collaborative and integrative group projects dealing directly with real-world environmental problems. Prerequisites: ENVS 301 and one of the following: ECON 216, MATH 113, MATH 213, or SOC 211. Or instructor permission.

A field-based, collaborative, problem-solving experience that addresses a current issue in environmental sustainability. Implementing frameworks such as resilient and systems thinking, students collect information, analyze results, write a report, publicly present their findings, and begin to implement solutions informed by their analysis. Students learn basic skills for transforming their ENVS education into compelling environmental professional career possibilities. Prerequisites: ENVS 350 and ENVS 390; or instructor permission.

A seminar on the complexities of environmental issues from a philosophical perspective. The course also offers a survey of the evolution of environmental moral philosophy as well as in-depth analysis of major thinkers in the field. Students confront ethical concerns from both historical and personal perspectives, with an emphasis on the ability to critically evaluate and apply these perspectives to their work in environmental fields. Prerequisite: ENVS 301 and 350; or PHIL 335; or instructor permission.

Effective grant writing is critical to the success of many environmental organizations. In this course, students learn about the grant writing process and develop grant writing skills through an applied workshop. Topics include finding funding opportunities, understanding foundational elements of grant proposals, creating budgets, receiving feedback and revising. Prerequisite: ENVS 200; or instructor permission.

An opportunity to apply skills and knowledge from course work to an employmentsetting. Prerequisite: approval from an Environmental Studies advisor and the Program Director.

Participation in the Headwaters Conference, a gathering of practitioners, scholars, and students focused on environmental issues. Students attend sessions, network, and synthesize conference insights relevant to their program. Repeatable up to two times.

An orientation to the interdisciplinary field of environmental management. Students examine environmental history, philosophy, cultural viewpoints, and systems thinking while acquiring foundational knowledge in ecology, climate science, and science communication. The course focuses on practical, generalist skills through field immersion, cohort-building, and career development.

Introduction to ecosystem types, threats to ecosystems, restoration principles and practices, and conservation mechanisms on multiple scales that may help curb additional ecosystem loss and degradation. Students will become familiar with best practices for restoring and conserving ecosystems through local, regional, and international case studies and participate in hands-on learning opportunities.

This course explores emerging theories, practices, and technologies transforming the fields of biodiversity conservation and sustainability in the 21st century. Students will engage with leading-edge approaches, including rewilding, biomimicry, regenerative design, community-led conservation, critical ecology, adaptive management, and environmental justice initiatives. Students will assess the socio-political, ecological, and ethical contexts of such interventions, as well as their feasibility and scalability, on both public and private lands. The course prepares students to contribute to these evolving fields through case studies, literature review, guest lectures, scenario planning, and applied projects with an introduction to meeting facilitation and conflict resolution.

Analysis of the key interactions between environmental policy and management, focusing on environmental decision-making within an array of policy contexts. Emphasis is on important federal policies such as the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act, with attention to the institutions, actors, and ideas driving environmental policy in the US and abroad.

A workshop-style format course that gives students the opportunity to develop technical field skills in ecosystem restoration. No prerequisites. The course will include, but will not be limited to, key skills necessary for students to be workforce ready: Wetland delineation. Watershed and ecosystem health assessment and developing monitoring protocols. Soil health assessment and soil moisture monitoring. Water quality sampling and interpretation. Process-based restoration techniques and project design (planning, impact assessment, permitting, implementation). GIS and drone mapping for restoration planning and monitoring. Fluvial Geomorphology. Applied Aquatic Ecology.

Develops skills in project planning, stakeholder engagement, feasibility assessment, budgeting, systems thinking, facilitation, mediation and conflict resolution for environmental initiatives. Guides students in designing and planning their master's project, including problem definition, literature review, partner engagement, and project proposal drafting.

Covers quantitative analytical techniques, including statistics, modeling, coding, and data interpretation for environmental applications.

Introduces qualitative research design, data collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observations, etc.), and analysis techniques relevant to environmental projects and community engagement.

An action-oriented course about the science of climate change, with an emphasis on climate justice, and mitigation and adaptation strategies for careers in environmental management. Topics include greenhouse gas emissions, climate forces and feedbacks, climate ethics and justice, effects on ecological and human systems, and action strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation at the local, regional, and planetary scale.

An introduction to developing organizations at the nexus of economic, social, and natural systems, and to the key skills necessary to succeed in this complex and highly competitive environment. Course discusses competitively advantageous strategies and practices organizations adopt to grow revenues, cut costs, improve market share, enhance brands, and redesign products and processes toward positive environmental and social impacts. Course examples will include sustainable innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship from around the world. Students learn to identify the best opportunities, generate innovative non-profit and for-profit business models, frame and reframe problems, produce creative solutions, and generate a culture of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship within an organization utilizing principles from a variety of thinking methods including systems, design, and group thinking.

An exploration of the current and traditional approaches to public land and resource management. A regional focus on the Western U.S. is integrated with comparative examples from other regions and countries to enhance and broaden student perspectives. Course examines the history and future management implications of public lands agencies and policies, such as the National Parks, National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, NEPA and multi-use mandates. Special focus will be given to the management skills necessary in leading public lands agencies on the regional level.

Explores the history, principles, and practices of environmental justice, focusing on the intersection of environment, equity, and social systems. Examines case studies of marginalized communities disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and highlights strategies for policy change, community advocacy, and equitable environmental management. Required for the Community Resilience Certificate.

An examination of selected topics covering the content understanding, analytical skills, and management approaches vital to cultivating sustainable and resilient communities. Topics include subjects such as Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Energy Futures, Sustainable Economic Development, Movements in Community Resilience, and Frameworks in Sustainability. This course is repeatable, since students are required to take this course three times, as long as the topic changes. Prerequisites: ENVS 616 or ENVS 617.

Provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the field of mine reclamation. Students gain exposure to site assessment, regulatory frameworks, hydrology, soils, geochemistry, revegetation, and the economic and social dimensions of mine site restoration. The course includes field experiences, guest lectures, and applied projects with partner organizations.

Provides students with intensive field-based training in mine reclamation, environmental remediation, and minerals assessment. Students gain practical experience in site evaluation, soil and water sampling, vegetation monitoring, benthic analysis, and application of legal and regulatory frameworks for mine closure and restoration. The course includes multi-day field trips to active, legacy, and abandoned mine sites in the Four Corners region and Western Colorado, as well as classroom sessions for lectures and laboratory work. Offered in partnership with the Western Alliance for Reclamation Management (WARM) and the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).

An examination of selected topics covering the content understanding, analytical skills, and management approaches vital to environmental management. Topics will vary from semester to semester based on faculty interest and student need. This course is repeatable, as long as the topic changes.

An examination of selected topics covering the content understanding, analytical skills, and management approaches vital to cultivating sustainable and resilient communities. Topics include subjects such as Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Energy Futures, Sustainable Economic Development, Movements in Community Resilience, and Frameworks in Sustainability. This course is repeatable, since students are required to take this course three times, as long as the topic changes. Prerequisites: ENVS 617 or ENVS 618.

This is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its array of applications, particularly relevant to the fields of ecology and environmental management. This course introduces students to a wide range of GIS concepts and techniques in four different areas: data collection, management, analysis and display. GIS can be applied to a wide array of planning, analysis, and policymaking objectives including in research and management. Examples of these will be researched and discussed in this course and students will be able to apply GIS principles to real world examples via class lectures and hands-on learning (using Esri’s ArcGIS Online and Desktop software, online training, and other public, web-based GIS systems).

This course prepares students to confidently advance in their careers, develop skills, and gain practical experience in networking, job searching, creating application materials, using social media, and honing presentation and interview skills. Additionally, students will learn how to create positive change in their new roles while caring for themselves by exploring the science of well-being to establish healthy life habits.

Execution of the master's project under faculty and partner supervision. Includes deliverables for partner organizations, presentation of results, and reflection on professional skills gained. Prerequisite: ENVS 611.