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Summer 2007 Courses

Graduate Courses, MS in Environmental Science and Policy. To register for courses, visit the College of Graduate Studies.

ESP 5500 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy: Applied Sustainable Rural Development  (3 credits) Instructor: Thad Guldbrandsen

Wednesday, May 30 – Time to be announced; Friday and Saturday, June 1 & 2 – 8 am to 4 pm; Friday, June 8 & 29 – 12 pm to 5 pm.

A hands-on applied research course requiring students to conduct their own sustainable development research project and report their work to a general audience in an on-line "blogazine" or printed newsletter.  Course stresses development of technical knowledge in such areas as agroforestry, alternative energy, woodlot management, sustainable community development and business development.  Students are required to attend the e4 Coalition Conference. Additional fees may apply. Contact instructor.

ESP 5390 Travel Study in Environmental Science and Policy: An Expedition to Explore the Geology and Geography of the Galapagos  (3 Credits) Instructor: Mary Ann McGarry

The course involves travel to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador from June 15-25, 2007.  In addition, there will be three class meetings on campus, two pre-departure and one post-trip (to be scheduled).  Registrants will be contacted about the first meeting.

PSU students and faculty will explore the Galapagos Archipelago, focusing on the geology, physical geography, biogeography, and climatology and examine how these factors shape the terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity of the islands. Highlights of this unique ecosystem include: birds that no longer fly, 500 pound tortoises, and Antarctic penguins living on the equator. In addition, the group will investigate the historical impact of humans and discuss current management strategies and policies. Students will develop skills in identifying and comparing sustainable natural resource based economies. Specific educational content will focus on:  physical geography, geology, biogeography, biodiversity, evolution and natural selection, marine biology and ecology, and management of the Islands. Students will learn new skills, while also focusing on comparisons between the Islands and our environment at home.

ESP 5410   Alpine Environments  (2 credits) Instructor: Geoff Wilson and June Hammond Rowan

Classroom sessions: Wednesdays, July 18, July 25, August 1, 4:00 - 6:00 pm; Field trips: July 20, July 21, July 27, & July 28, plus scheduled rain date on August 3, 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

This seminar course focuses on the alpine and subalpine environments of New Hampshire. Themes to be explored include vegetation dynamics, geology and geomorphology, climate and microclimates, human cultural history and management. The course includes a field portion that is integral to the course content and involves fairly strenuous hiking, since alpine areas lie at high elevations.   

ESP 5570 Humboldt Field Courses (2-3 credits)

The Humboldt Field Research Institute is based in Downeast coastal Maine and is known for an extensive series of advanced and professional-level natural history field seminars offered since 1987. HFRI is east of the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park and west of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge and provides an excellent site for teaching field techniques. Week-long summer field course and seminars are taught by recognized international experts and cover a broad range of specialized subjects, including many that are not typically taught at academic institutions. These courses will give students an opportunity to learn field research techniques on a variety of topics. Specific courses and schedules are listed at www.eaglehill.us/index.html. (Note: This is a residential course. Lodging costs are covered by tuition up to the cost of a tent site. Additional costs to upgrade lodging accommodations are the responsibility of the student.)