Engaging the Natural World Pathway

The Engaging the Natural World Pathway focuses on scientific, ecological, and Earth systems literacy and problem-solving skills because all human beings live and act in a world not of our own making. Engaging the Natural World trains students to analyze and respond to the forces and phenomena that shape our physical world and the conditions of our lives, whether at the cosmic, planetary, local, or microscopic level. Through the courses in this Pathway, students learn to shape human responses to nature for a more positive, sustainable, and innovative way of living.

Majors restrict Pathway Certificates to encourage a breadth of skills-development beyond their program. A Engaging the National World Pathway Certificate may be earned within a major as a second certificate for students in the following majors:

Biology (BA or BS)
Climate Studies (BS)
Conservation Law Enforcement (BS)
Exercise Sport Physiology (BS)
Meteorology (BS)
Nursing (BS)
Social Science (BS)
Sustainability Studies (BA)
Course Title Credits
All human beings live and act in a world not of our own making. Engaging the Natural World trains students to analyze and respond to the forces and phenomena that shape our physical world and the conditions of our lives, whether at the cosmic, planetary, local, or microscopic level. Courses in this pathway explore how their various disciplines observe and interpret nature and shape human responses to it for more positive, sustainable, and innovative ways of living.
Pathway Certificate Requirements15-16
To attain a Pathway certificate in Engaging the Natural World, students must complete 15-16 credits from the following list of courses, including at least two courses at the 3000 level or higher from this list:
AR 3575
Art and Sustainability
BI 2030
Invertebrate Zoology
BI 2040
Vertebrate Zoology
BI 2070
Botany
BI 3240
Conservation (DICO,GACO)
BI 4750
Plant Diversity & Evolution
BIDI 1400
Plagues and Peoples (PPDI)
CJ 3700
Conservation Law Enforcement
ENDI 1555
Wilderness Literature (SSDI)
ESDI 2610
Earth Systems Science: The Hazardous Earth (SIDI)
ESP 2100
Introduction to Environmental Science and Policy I
ESP 3900
Oceanography (GACO)
HI 1340
Facing Beasts: Animals in the Middle Ages and Beyond (Non gen-ed version of existing course)
HIDI 1340
Facing Beasts: Animals in the Middle Ages and Beyond (PPDI)
MT 2000
Fundamentals of Meteorology and Climatology (GACO)
MTDI 1250
Weather and Climate (SIDI)
MTDI 1500
Severe and Hazardous Weather (SIDI)
NR 3150
Pharmacology
PHDI 2200
Introductory Astronomy (SIDI)
SO 3040
Environmental Justice
SO 3605
Sustainability in Practice (WECO)
SO 3620
Environment and Society
SU 2111
Introduction to Sustainability Studies
SU 3112
Social Science Perspectives on Sustainability (DICO,GACO)
SU 4111
Sustainability Project Design
Total Credits15-16