Environment Courses |
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First Year Seminars The 199Y1 and 199H1 seminars are designed to provide the opportunity to work closely with an instructor in a class of no more than twenty-four students. These interactive seminars are intended to stimulate the students’ curiosity and provide an opportunity to get to know a member of the professorial staff in a seminar environment during the first year of study. Details here. NOTE: Many ENV courses are limited in enrolment and require specific Prerequisites. Preference is given to students meeting the ROSI deadlines. ENV100H1 An investigation of the relationship between human beings and their natural and built environments. This interdisciplinary course will draw from the sciences, social sciences and the humanities to explore major social, cultural, economic, regulatory, ethical, ecological and technological aspects of environmental issues. ENV200H1 The perspective which scientists bring to the understanding and resolution of environmental concerns having global implications: atmospheric systems and climate change, the biosphere and conservation of biodiversity. ENV221H1 One of two foundation courses for the Centre’s undergraduate program. Introduces students to ways in which different disciplines contribute to our understanding of environment. Instructors and guest lecturers are drawn from the sciences, social sciences and the humanities and will present subject matter, assumptions, conceptualizations and methodologies of their disciplines. ENV222H1 Building upon ENV221H1, shows how environmental studies is working to knit different disciplinary perspectives
into one interdisciplinary body of knowledge; interplay of science and values
in definition and framing of issues; roles of markets, politics and ethics
in developing solutions; local to global scale; historical and current timeframes. ENV223H1 The practical, interdisciplinary and controversial nature of environmental issues, as well as the uncertainty that surrounds measures to address them demand mastery of a particular range of skills by environmental students. This course teaches the fundamental research, analysis and presentation skills required for effective environmental work. ENV234Y1 A broad-based science course drawing on elements from geology, systematics, soil science, and ecology to understand past and present environments and how humans are altering the environment. Emphasis is placed on examination of ecological phenomena in relation to population, community and ecosystem processes with particular reference to the biomes of Ontario. Descriptive and experimental laboratory studies including a weekend field trip (total cost about $15.00). (Offered by the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Geology, and the Faculty of Forestry). ENV235Y1 This course considers the fundamental chemical and physical processes of the Earth’s natural environment. One semester of the course focuses primarily on the atmosphere: its evolution, structure, composition and dynamic character. Particular emphasis is given to a discussion of global climate and the underlying physical, chemical and biogeochemical factors that drive climate change. Within this context, stratospheric ozone depletion, ocean chemistry, urban air pollution, acid rain and water quality are also discussed. The other semester focuses on the solid Earth: its formulation and evolution, internal dynamics, mantle-core differentiation, volcanism, tectonics and paleoclimate/ice ages. Throughout the course, the operation of the Earth as a coupled physico-chemical system over a range of timescales is emphasized. ENV236Y1 A course emphasizing both the role of the environment in shaping human behaviour, and the impact of humans on the environment. Coverage includes human biological and cultural evolution, environmental and climatic obstacles, human impacts on ecosystem processes, and linkages between environment and human well-being. Topics may vary from year-to-year depending upon instructor interests and research specialty. ENV299Y1 Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details here. ENV307H1 This course critically examines the concept of urban sustainability in theory and application. Case studies of ongoing urban sustainability programs in the developed and developing world help students assess the successes and failures of these programs. The course also examines the current state of research and implementation efforts toward urban sustainability. ENV315H1 Instrumental analysis techniques for environmental scientists of all disciplines. In addition to a solid grounding in the theory of each analytical technique, particular emphasis is placed on the laboratory work, which is worth 50% of the final grade. In each lab, groups of two students receive instruction from an experienced analyst and acquire hands-on experience using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Where possible, samples supplied by the students are analyzed. Techniques covered include Neutron Activation, X-ray Fluorescence, X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Gas Chromatography, Ion Chromatography, Atomic Absorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. ENV320H1 Examines ways in which governments develop and implement policy to protect the environment within their borders. Primarily Canada, plus comparisons with other countries. The focus is upon the politics of environmental policy making, which is understood by examining the interests and powers of the relevant state and non-state actors. JGE321H1 Diverse approaches to environmental issues from a variety of multicultural perspectives are introduced, compared and analyzed, using case studies. Perspectives on environmental management will be discussed as they emerge from contexts such as South America, Asia, or Africa. ENV322H1 Examines the ways in which states negotiate and implement international agreements addressing global environmental issues, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Focus is upon factors which determine the efficacy of multilateral environmental agreements and the prospects for stronger global environmental governance. ENV323H1 Introduces students to public policy and institutional foundations of public policy in Canada, with an emphasis on environmental policy in Ontario. Provides an “insider’s” perspective on how environmental policy has been developed in Ontario. JGE331H1 Introduction to and critical evaluation of major social theoretical paradigms applied to environmental and natural resource politics and regulation. Topics include: neo-classical approaches, eco-Marxism, political ecology, social constructivism, production of nature, ecological modernization, tragedy of the commons, staples theory, science and administrative rationalism. ENV333H1 Approaches to environmental concerns are often marked by assumptions that reflect distinct worldviews positing particular understandings of the role of the human with respect to nature. This course explores sundry economic, political, scientific, religious, and moral worldviews pertaining to the environment, including environmental ethics, Gaia, ecofeminism, scientific cosmology, and aboriginal perspectives. ENV335H1 Introduction to understanding the complexity of relationships among people, built forms, and natural systems; systematic review of examples of environmental design at various scales. ENV336H1 A two week course offered at a Southern Ontario field station during late summer. Introduction to im-pacts of humans on semi-natural and human-dominated environments of southern Ontario and over-view of the most commonly used assessment tools for states of ecosystems. These environments play important roles in terms of ecosystem services. ENV341H1 Examination of the linkages between human health and environment. Addresses basic principles and scientific knowledge relating to health and the environment and uses case studies to examine current environmental health issues from a health sciences perspective. ENV346H1 Various earth systems for energy transformation, storage and transport are explored. Geological, hydrological, biological, cosmological and oceanographic energy systems are considered in the context of the Earth as a dynamic system, including the variation of solar energy received by the planet and the redistribution of this energy through various radiative, latent and sensible heat transfer mechanisms. It considers the energy redistribution role of large-scale atmospheric systems, of warm and cold ocean currents, the role of the polar regions, and the functioning of various hydrological systems. The contribution and influence of tectonic systems on the surface systems is briefly introduced, as well the important role of energy storage processes in physical and biological systems, including the accumulation of fossil fuel reserves. ENV347H1 This course examines the power of economic ideas in effecting environmental change. Topics include the relation of ecological economics to mainstream economics, as well as the role of financial incentives to move the environmental agenda forward. JGE347H1 The course examines the options available for dramatically reducing our use of primary energy with no reduction in meaningful energy services, through more efficient use of energy at the scale of energy-using devices and of entire energy systems. Topics covered include generation of electricity from fossil fuels and energy use in buildings, transportation, industry and agriculture. JGE348H1 The course examines the options available for providing energy from carbon-free energy sources: solar, wind, biomass, hydro, oceanic, geothermal energy, as well as through sequestration of carbon from fossil fuel sources. The hydrogen economy is also discussed. ENV350H1 The course addresses: (1) physical, technological and economic aspects of energy and electricity systems and their associated environmental impacts; (2) current international, Canadian and Ontario energy policy; (3) technological, economic and political factors influencing policy which could significantly reduce environmental impacts of energy use. ENV395Y1 This course explores interdisciplinary environmental issues in the field. Project work involves students in investigating, developing and proposing sustainable practices and approaches to topical local problems. Suitable for all CFE programs. ENV398H0 ENV399Y0 An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details here. ENV421H1 A research course for all students in the Centre combining report writing, independent and group-based research on an interdisciplinary topic. Application of skills learned in ENV410H1. ENV422H1 An introduction to environmental law for students in Environmental Studies; legal methods available to resolve environmental problems and the scope and limits of those methods; common law and statutory “tools” as well as environmental assessment legislation; the problem of “standing to sue” and the limits of litigation. ENV430H1 The seminar introduces students to a wide range of topics and issues as they relate to the environment and health of vulnerable populations. Through readings and discussion, students will explore the potential health effects of exposures in children and other vulnerable populations to a variety of chemical and physical agents in both the indoor and outdoor environments. A number of case studies or topics will be examined to exemplify why certain populations may be especially vulnerable to various environmental hazards. Issues related to equity and justice will also be examined. ENV440H1 Regular academic seminars complement off-campus work on an environmental project. The course enables students to gain practical experience of the needs and demands of professional environmental agencies. Students are given a choice of placements in a variety of sectors (such as government, NGOs, industry).
ENV450H1 This is an interdisciplinary course in which students address current energy problems while incorporating technical, environmental, economic, social, and political concerns. ENV451H1 This capstone course for the Centre’s core programs will be organized around a seminar series, presenting guest lecturers around interdisciplinary environmental themes. Students will analyze major environmental themes and prepare presentations for in-class debate. JEH455H1 This course introduces students to complex issues at the interface between environment and health where health is broadly defined. Each year a current and controversial case study is explored from scientific, medical, political and policy perspectives. The course takes students from the molecular to individual to population and societal levels. ENV481H1 Special topics course designed for advanced Specialist and Major students in Centre for Environment programs. ENV482H1 Special topics course designed for advanced Specialist and Major students in Centre for Environment programs. ENV492H1 ENV493H1 A research project or selected topic in an area of environment not otherwise available in the Faculty, meant to develop skills in independent study of interdisciplinary topics. A written proposal cosigned by the student and supervisor must be submitted for approval by the Undergraduate Coordinator of the Centre normally by 31 May of the previous academic year, or three months prior to commencing the course. |
Prerequisite: ENV(