Environmental Courses

Relating to LNR:

BSC 4861L, Urban Ecological Field Studies

Sustainability has been defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations 1987).  We will explore the complex topic of sustainability by breaking it into its essential, but inseparable, components of social justice, economic development, and environmental protection.  This interdisciplinary approach will allow students to discover the barriers, successes and ethical dilemmas associated with ecological sustainability.

Students will explore the topic of sustainability in class, choose a project that will support environmental sustainability programs, develop a proposal to complete the project within a semester, conduct the project, and communicate the results at the end of the semester.

Course Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental components of sustainability
• Gain knowledge about local actions and global reactions/impacts
• Develop a sense of the global and local systems that affect environmentally sustainable programming through completion of a service-learning project
• Demonstrate an understanding of sustainability through documentation and execution of a formal project proposal

For more information about how to register, email Jennifer Elliott (jennifer.elliott@ucf.edu).

Independent Study/Internship

Students can take an independent study credit to conduct research on a specific topic with Landscape & Natural Resources. Projects in the past have involved the UCF gopher tortoise population, the community organic vegetable & herb garden, the Urban Heat Island Effect, and storm-water pond systems. Please email Dr. Patrick Bohlen (patrick.bohlen@ucf.edu) to learn more about independent study opportunities.

Other Areas of Interest:

Interdisciplinary Studies Major: Environmental Studies Track(B.S.)

The Environmental Studies track is a program that prepares students for a number of interesting and challenging careers. Its interdisciplinary nature provides students with tools that can be applied across a spectrum of science, social behavior, and humanities, using the strengths of the various areas. Students seeking journalistic or artistic careers will gain a scientific background by which to understand environmental science, while students going into the sciences will appreciate the social, political, and ethical dimensions of environmental actions and policy decisions.

Biology Major (B.S.)

At the undergraduate level, the UCF Department of Biology offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Biology. The core curriculum provides a background in chemical, mathematical, and physical sciences, as well as broad preparation in the biological sciences. Selection of electives, in consultation with a faculty advisor, permits emphasis of a subspecialty (e.g., molecular biology, conservation biology, marine biology). Pre-professional students can follow a track of restricted and unrestricted electives to satisfy professional school (e.g., medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary) admission requirements while completing their B.S. degree in Biology. Research experience and exposure to specialized topics not taught through formal courses may be gained through independent study contracts. Graduates are well prepared to further their education in professional or graduate schools. Additionally, this diverse background and training in the sciences opens career opportunities for graduates in areas outside of traditional biological fields.

Stormwater Academy

The UCF Stormwater Academy collectively has a responsibility to advance knowledge of stormwater, train professionals, and protect valuable waters.  Through their mission, they seek the highest standards of operations with honest, professional, and altruistic values.  Their vision revolves around the protection and enhancement of valuable surface and groundwater supplies for the benefit of present and future generations.  By joining the Stormwater Academy, you will help in stormwater management research, providing some of the most innovative education and training programs in the nation and be a substantial partner with governments, non-governmental organizations, and industry.