Courses:
Earth Semester

An emphasis on field courses makes Earth Semester a valuable career move - you can learn scientific methods from active researchers.

16 weeks / 16 credits
Spring Semester 2002, January 22nd - May 17th

Earth Semester uses the study of planetary ecosystems to provide a common orientation for learning in several disciplines. Concerns about greenhouse gases, energy sustainability, water management, and conservation of biodiversity are explored. Students learn skills that will help structure student interactions with the Earth and its inhabitants throughout their lives. These skills span the following areas: scientific method, data analysis, sample collection, systems modeling, interdisciplinary communication, teamwork, and written and oral presentations. Earth Semester labs include work in field sites which may include the Sea of Cortez, the Grand Canyon, the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Mojave Desert and other destinations where students learn directly from their surroundings.

Our students come from colleges and universities across the United States and around the world.

Detailed Course Information -
Earth Semester

Course Dates:
January 22, 2002 - May  17, 2003.

Application Deadline:
Applications are received and applicants are considered for admission on a rolling basis, however priority consideration is extended to those who submit their applications for the Spring 2003 semester by November 30, 2001. For details click here .

Location:
Biosphere 2 Center, Oracle, AZ, and field sites in Arizona and Mexico

Credit:
16 or more semester credit hours through Columbia University

Course Description:
Human impacts on the planet have reached truly global proportions. We have:

• Increased carbon dioxide in our atmosphere by one third since the start of the industrial revolution - resulting in the warmest global temperatures on record.
• Doubled nitrogen levels available to plants and microbes, fertilizing the global biosphere.
• Caused the most rapid extinction of species in millions of years.
• Damaged the Earth's protective ozone layer.
• Emitted more toxic metals into the environment each year than all natural processes combined.

In the Earth Semester students learn the fundamental science of Earth and ecological systems as well as examine how science is used, not used or misused in the management of ecosystems. Students will apply lessons learned from the Biosphere 2 facility and regional case studies to the question of how people can better understand environmental problems on a global scale.

A low student to teacher ratio makes learning accessible to all levels

The Modules

Earth Semester 2002 revolves around three modules:

Sense of Place is designed to teach basic techniques for getting to know an environment. Students are introduced to the scientific method through short field-based projects backed up by lectures. Students learn techniques for collecting and analyzing field samples and data. They also learn about the forces that shape the local landscape on different time scales, from geologic processes to human activity.

Environmental Systems uses a local and regional case-studies approach to exploring ecosystems, drawing examples from Biosphere 2, nature reserves, southwestern conservation plans, western water, urban systems and industrial systems. Students learn about the fundamental materials and energy flows in ecosystems, factors affecting biodiversity, and the effects of human activity on these flows of matter, energy and organisms. They also work in small groups to compare different approaches to managing ecosystems (including urban and industrial systems) by studying and discussing individual cases. 

Global Systems focuses on the science and management of climate change by applying the techniques for measuring, monitoring, modeling and managing local and regional systems to the global scale. Students critically examine the concept of sustainability and various proposals for the implementation of more sustainable practices and lifestyles. Students are exposed to a variety of perspectives on this issue from around the globe. Students negotiate a mock global treaty on carbon management.

Semester Research Project
All students complete a semester-long independent project for two course credits. Students carry out science, policy or a service-learning projects that have a strong research component. Students work on their projects at least one day per week.

Goals of Earth Semester

• Students will understand the fundamentals of Earth systems and ecosystems, including the human dimensions. Natural science students will better understand the social context and consequences of environmental science research. Social science and humanities students will better understand the processes of collecting and analyzing natural science data.
• Students will develop a multifaceted understanding of the human role in environmental change.
• Students will be able to compare human-induced change to natural variability.
• Students will be able to critically evaluate efforts to manage the human role in environmental change.
• For all of the four goals above, students will be able to apply their knowledge at a variety of spatial and temporal scales.

In order to meet the learning goals listed above, the Earth Semester will emphasize the following skills and concepts:

• Scientific method, including observation, hypothesis generation and hypothesis testing
• Collection and analysis of field and laboratory data
• Systems modeling
• Oral and written communication across disciplines
• Teamwork skills
• Critical thinking
• Integration of knowledge across disciplines

The desert classroom is our favorite venues

Sample Earth Semester Schedule:

What will my semester be like?

Week 1: Orientation and Introduction
Week 2: Sense of Place
Week 3: Environmental Systems I
Week 4: Environmental Systems II
Week 5: Environmental Systems III
Week 6: Environmental Systems IV
Week 7: Field Trip to Gulf of California*
Week 8: Mini Module: Environmental Issues on US/Mexican border 

Midterms
Week 9: Semester Break

Week 10: Global Systems I
Week 11: Global Systems II
Weeks 12/13: One half of group to Anza Borrego, One half on campus for Bio2 week*
Week 14: Global Systems III
Week 15: Global Negotiations
Week 16: Study days, poster preparation and finals
Week 17: Poster prep and poster presentation sessions

Graduation
*Field trips may include some weekends.

What will my week be like?
Sample Weekly Schedule

Key:

PMSL = Planetary Management Seminar and Laboratory. Small group meetings (12-25 students) mentored by faculty and TA�s to work on module projects, including discussion of readings, project planning, preparation of presentations and papers. Previous course syllabus

Human Role = Human Role in Environmental Change course Previous course syllabus

Con Bio = Conservation Biology course Previous course syllabus

Earth Systems = Earth Systems Science course Previous course syllabus

A, B, C, and D = Groups/sections of approximately 25 students

Monday lectures: full class meetings to review important concepts for the week.