Environmental Studies

The mission of these programs is to increase student and faculty awareness of the natural world and complex environmental problems that face us. The coursework emphasizes seeking local and viable solutions to these problems as well as coming to understand the global nature of the issues. Integrated and interdisciplinary, these minors are offered to students who want an in-depth study of the various ethical, legal, political, economic, and scientific factors that are involved in human interaction with the environment.
 
 
Students interested in studying environment issues and science at TLU have several options:

Environmental Studies Minor
This interdisciplinary minor is designed for students with majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences, education, or business. The coursework helps students understand environmental issues and problems within the disciplines of economics, philosophy and English, in addition to a course in environmental science and one in statistics. Students complete an internship or research project and report their findings to faculty and students.

Environmental Science Minor
This interdisciplinary minor is designed for students with majors in the sciences or mathematics. The coursework helps students understand environmental issues and problems within the disciplines of economics, philosophy, politics, and English, in addition to a course in ecology or instrumental techniques of chemistry and one in statistics. Students complete an internship or research project and report their findings to faculty and students.

Biology Major - Environmental Biology Track
This major allows students to concentrate their studies in biology on topics such as ecology, plant biology, aquatic biology, and vertebrate biology. The major includes supporting work in mathematics, statistics, physics, and chemistry. Students usually complete internships and/or research projects on topics of interest. The students present their findings to faculty and students during their senior year.

Internships and Research
Each student in Environmental Studies or Science completes an internship or research experience. Recent examples include:

• Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Seguin - water quality analysis, aquatic insect survey
• School for Field Studies, Kenya - radio-tracking of jackals
• School for Field Studies, Caribbean Sea - study of conch shell populations
• City of Seguin - environmental policy
• Chaminade University and The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii - environmental organization work, marine conservation

Environmental Studies Lectures
Each year, the Environmental Studies program brings in a speaker to address environmental issues.

Contact Dr. Mark Gustafson at TLU for further information.