- Advanced Research in Environmental Studies

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Maria Bastaki, Gerardo Chin-Leo, Dylan Fischer, Martha Henderson (FW), John Longino (WS), Nalini Nadkarni (F), Lin Nelson, Erik Thuesen (F,S) Major areas of study include areas of student work. Class Standing: Juniors or seniors; transfer students welcome. Prerequisites: Negotiated individually with faculty. Faculty Signature: Students must contact individual faculty to work out arrangements. Rigorous quantitative and qualitative research is an important component of academic learning in Environmental Studies. This independent learning opportunity is designed to allow advanced students to delve into real-world research with faculty who are currently engaged in specific projects. The program will help students develop vital skills in research design, data acquisition and interpretation, written and oral communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills-all of which are of particular value for students who are pursuing a graduate degree, as well as for graduates who are already in the job market. The research conducted by the student will generally last multiple quarters and function as a capstone to the student's academic work at Evergreen. Students can also take advantage of this opportunity to write a senior thesis. The following faculty are seeking advanced students to assist with their research projects. Maria Bastaki studies the toxicity of chemical mixtures as representative of multiple exposures to environmental pollutants. Research projects include toxicological interactions among endocrine disrupters and genetic susceptibility to environmental exposures, and involve computer modeling of structure-activity relationships and laboratory methods using in vitro cell cultures. Students will learn how toxicological evidence is generated and the basis of remaining uncertainties. Gerardo Chin-Leo studies marine phytoplankton and bacteria. His research interests include understanding the factors that control seasonal changes in the biomass and species composition of Puget Sound phytoplankton. In addition, he is investigating the role of marine bacteria in the geochemistry of estuaries and hypoxic fjords. Dylan Fischer studies plant ecology and physiology in the Intermountain West and southwest Washington. This work includes image analysis of tree roots, chemical and physiologic analysis of plant materials, species interactions, community ordination, elevation gradients, plant physiology, carbon balance, and restoration ecology. He also manages the evergreen ecological observation network project: (http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/EEON/). Martha Henderson studies rural Western landscapes as processes of geography and anthropology in Pacific Northwest areas of environmental stress and economic change. Research projects include Native American landscapes and environmental change, rural communities in a global perspective, and community leadership and decision-making. Students will engage in ethnographic and spatial data gathering and analysis including the use of geographic information systems. Local environmental histories, cultural diversity, and changing resource bases will be examined. Archival and field research is encouraged. John Longino studies insect taxonomy and ecology, with specific research focus on ants. His research program is a combination of field work in Costa Rica and collections-based research at the Evergreen campus. Students may become involved in local or neo-tropical fauna studies, with field- and/or collections-based activities. Nalini Nadkarni is a forest ecologist and studies the ecological interactions of canopy-dwelling plants and animals in tropical and temperate rainforests. She is the president of the International Canopy Network, headquartered at Evergreen. She welcomes students who want experience in nonprofit organizations to work with her on communicating scientific information about forest canopies to other researchers, educators and conservationists. She is also interest

Credits:

4.00 - 16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.