
Changes to our environment directly impact all of us, but have you ever wondered where this environmental data comes from? The Analyzing Our Environment FIG explores the who, what, how, and the interpretation and analysis, of environmental data. Class activities will include collecting our own environmental data!
Students explore the intersection of topics by taking the following course package:
UGST 109 First-Year Experience Seminar - 1-credit
CIS 122 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits
Programming is just another name for the lost art of thinking. -- Aaron Hsu.
Computational problem solving, algorithm design, data structures, and programming using a multi-paradigm programming language. These are all themes explored in this class. You will be introduced to techniques for program design, testing, and debugging. The class takes a project-based, hands-on approach to becoming skilled in writing programs to “Solve it by Computer.” This introduction to programming is done using a multi-paradigm language (Python, C++ or Ruby).
CIS 122 requires a pre-requisite of MATH 101 or equivalent.
ENVS 202 Introduction to Environmental Studies: Natural Science - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits
This course seeks to promote understanding of the value and limitations of science in understanding environmental issues and to increase familiarity with scientific concepts underlying selected environmental issues and quantitative techniques that scientists use to evaluate them. Students will leave this course with the ability to think creatively, analytically, and without bias (i.e. to think critically); and to understand how environmental science issues pervade our lives and gain confidence to understand these issues and make decisions based on your understanding and values. Four environmental issues are examined in some depth: human population growth, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and energy use.