Exploring the relationship between humans and the environment.
The core courses offered in the ES major ground students in the study of the environment from scientific, cultural, historical, and societal perspectives. The broad distribution of elective courses offers the ES major the opportunity to explore a wide range of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental concerns. The student may also choose to focus her elective studies. For example, a student interested in environmental science may choose to center her electives around biology, chemistry, and economics, while a student interested in global environmental issues may choose elective courses in international studies, political science, and anthropology.
The Hollins environmental studies program is distinguished by its experiential component, which requires all majors to be involved in an internship or service project in their field of interest. The program uses an interdisciplinary approach because the causes and consequences of environmental problems and the skills required to develop solutions are complex. The goal of the ES program is to provide students with a holistic understanding of enviromental issues of local, national, and global importance.
Components
Atmospheric sciences focuses on the Earth's atmosphere, with an emphasis upon its interrelation to other systems. Atmospheric sciences can include studies of meteorology, greenhouse gas phenomena, atmospheric dispersion modeling of airborne contaminants,sound propagation phenomena related to noise pollution, and even light pollution.
Taking the example of the global warming phenomena, physicists create computer models of atmospheric circulation and infra-red radiation transmission, chemists examine the inventory of atmospheric chemicals and their reactions, biologists analyze the plant and animal contributions to carbon dioxide fluxes, and specialists such as meteorologists and oceanographers add additional breadth in understanding the atmospheric dynamics.
Ecology. An interdisciplinary analysis of an ecological system which is being impacted by one or more stressors might include several related environmental science fields. For example, one might examine an estuarine setting where a proposed industrial development could impact certain species by water and air pollution. For this study, biologists would describe the flora and fauna, chemists would analyze the transport of water pollutants to the marsh, physicists would calculate air pollution emissions and geologists would assist in understanding the marsh soils and bay muds.
Environmental chemistry is the study of chemical alterations in the environment. Principal areas of study include soil contamination and water pollution. The topics of analysis include chemical degradation in the environment, multi-phase transport of chemicals (for example, evaporation of a solvent containing lake to yield solvent as an air pollutant), and chemical effects upon biota.
As an example study, consider the case of a leaking solvent tank which has entered the habitat soil of an endangered species of amphibian. As a method to resolve or understand the extent of soil contamination and subsurface transport of solvent, a computer model would be implemented. Chemists would then characterize the molecular bonding of the solvent to the specific soil type, and biologists would study the impacts upon soil arthropods, plants, and ultimately pond-dwelling organisms that are the food of the endangered amphibian.
Geosciences include environmental geology, environmental soil science, volcanic phenomena and evolution of the Earth's crust. In some classification systems this can also include hydrology, including oceanography.
As an example study of soils erosion, calculations would be made of surface runoff by soil scientists. Fluvial geomorphologists would assist in examining sediment transport in overland flow. Physicists would contribute by assessing the changes in light transmission in the receiving waters. Biologists would analyze subsequent impacts to aquatic flora and fauna from increases in water turbidity.
Environmental Career Descriptions
- Agricultural Careers
- Agriculture and Natural Resource Careers
- Agriculture Engineering
- Agronomists
- Animal and Plant Sciences
- Aquarists
- Archaeology
- Biological Scientists
- Biologist - How do I Become
- Biologists
- Biomedical Engineer
- Buckers and Fallers
- Careers in Geoscience
- Careers in Green Jobs
- Careers in Marine Biology
- Careers in Oceanography
- Careers in the Environment
- Conservation Scientists
- Ecologist
- Ecologists
- Environmental Careers
- Environmental Careers - ATEEL
- Environmental Career Corner
- Environmental Career Exploration
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Drilling and Related Careers
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Health Scientist
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Environmental Technician
- Environmental Technology Career
- EPA Careers
- Extension Agents
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Fish and Wildlife Managers
- Forestry Careers
- Forest Growing and Related Careers
- Forestry and Fishing Careers
- Game Wardens
- Geological Engineer
- Geologists
- Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
- Geomorphologist
- Geoscience Technician
- Green Energy Careers Guide
- Green Jobs
- Horticulture Careers
- Hydrographer
- Land Management Careers
- Landcare Worker
- Life Scientists
- Life Works - Health and Science Careers
- Marine Biology, Oceanography
- Marine Biology and Oceanography Careers
- Marine Careers
- Marine Science Careers
- Meteorologist
- Meteorology Careers
- Microbiologists
- Microbiologist - ASM
- Mineral Exploration and Related Careers
- Mining Engineers
- National Park Service Career
- Natural Gas Industry Careers
- Natural Resource Manager
- Natural Science Managers
- Ocean Science Careers
- Oceanographers
- Outdoor Adventure Guide
- Outdoor Career Guide
- Outdoor Job Profiles
- Park Naturalists
- Park Naturalists
- Park Naturalists
- Paleontology Careers
- Quarrying and Related Careers
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Science & Engineering Careers
- Soil Conservationists
- Stable Attendents
- Surveyors and Cartographers
- Underwater Exploration
- Urban and Land Use Planners
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Waste Management Careers
- Water Industry Careers
- Water Job Profiles
- Water Services Officer
- What is a City Planner
- Wildlife Oficers
- Zoo Keepers
- Zoological Services
- Zoologists
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
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