A sampling of courses focusing on the environment and sustainability is below:
BIOLOGY 230. Introduction to Plant Biology
BIOLOGY 171, (172 or 174), & 173; or BIOLOGY 195 & 173. (4; 5 in the half-term). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in BIOLOGY 212. F; Sp/Su at the Biological Station. Satisfies a Biology laboratory requirement.
This course presents a broad, integrated overview of plant biology including economic and environmental aspects. The main themes are plant diversity, structure, function, development, and ecology.
BIOLOGY 255 / ENVIRON 255. Plant Diversity
(4). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. Satisfies a Biology laboratory requirement.
This course examines plant diversity by groups, ranging from algae and nonvascular plants through primitive vascular plants and culminating in flowering plants. Using an evolutionary perspective, it treats plants as organisms and emphasizes the innovations and structural adaptations of the various plant groups as well as life history strategies. Weekly field trips allow exploration of local natural areas.
EARTH 115. The Emerald Planet
(1). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit.
This minicourse explores the major events in the co-evolution of plants and the Earth. Topics include: how plants moved onto land, the rise of the first forests, the invention of flowers and their impact on animals, and how plants bring about and respond to environmental change.
EEB 321 / ENVIRON 331. Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands: Introduction to Aquatic Ecosystems (UMBS)
Consent of department required. One course in BIOLOGY. (5 in the half-term). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in ENVIRON 311/EEB 320 (Rivers, Lakes and Wetlands).
Field and lecture based introduction to the scientific study of rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Introduces basic physical/chemical/biological concepts and techniques; emphasized ecological literacy and seeks to develop interpretive skills and reasoning. Includes overview of aquatic fauna and flora, and a survey of the ecology of major types of rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, and ocean estuaries. Interactions between the hydrological cycle, the landscape, and human activities provide the basic theme around which ecosystem presentations are organized. Lab sections develop basic chemical and biological identification skills during the first half of the course; the second half focuses on weekly field trips to representative ecosystems and their ecological evaluation.
EEB 348 / ENVIRON 348. Forest Ecosystems
Consent of department required. BIOLOGY 171, (172 or 174) & 173; or BIOLOGY 195 & 173. (5 in the half-term). (NS). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. Su at Biological Station.
Focused on ecology in forest species and components of ecological systems, this course emphasizes hands-on field study in diverse upland and wetland forests. It stresses integrating topography, soil, climate, and vegetation, plus the dynamics of fire and regeneration ecology. This ecocentric approach is applicable in temperate forest ecosystems throughout the world.
EEB 436 / ENVIRON 436 / NRE 436. Woody Plants: Biology and Identification
BIOLOGY 162 or 171. (4). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. Rackham credit requires additional work.
Ecology, systematic and identification of trees, shrubs, and vines are studies in weekly field trips to diverse Michigan ecosystems–including upland, wetland, and floodplain forests. Lectures focus on glacial landscape history, biogeography, and ecology of Michigan forests.
EEB 489 / ENVIRON 430 / NRE 430. Soil Ecology
BIOLOGY 162 or 171 and 172 and 173, and General Chemistry. Concurrent enrollment in ENVIRON 436/EEB 436 and ENVIRON 435/NRE 435 highly recommended. (3). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. F. Satisfies a Biology laboratory requirement.
Soils as central components of terrestrial ecosystems. Major emphasis is placed on physical, chemical, and biological properties and their relationships to plant growth and ecosystem processes. Understanding is developed using a combination of lectures, field- and lab-based exercises, and individual research.
EEB 556. Field Botany of Northern Michigan
A course in Systematic Botany (EEB 459). (5 in the half-term). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. Satisfies a Biology laboratory requirement.
ENVIRON 421. Restoration Ecology
BIOLOGY/ENVIRON 281 and EEB/ENVIRON 372 OR EEB/ENVIRON 381. (4). (BS). May not be repeated for credit. Rackham credit requires additional work.
This course offers an introduction to the science, policy, and social issues around ecological restoration and explores where local agriculture fits in the larger context of restoration. We examine and discuss a multitude of restoration projects – urban, rural, and natural areas – through the use of case studies, field trips, and guest lectures from local practitioners of restoration ecology. Field trips to local restoration sites will include field exercises to learn how to collect data for site inventory, monitoring, and assessing restoration success.