Taught by

Toxic algae blooms are becoming a more frequent summer biological phenomenon in the Pacific Northwest’s freshwater lakes, ponds and slow flowing streams. Increasingly these algae blooms contain cyanobacteria, “blue-green algae” that can produce toxins capable of causing respiratory or gastrointestinal distress in humans and in extreme cases the death of small mammals. Additionally, algal blooms lower dissolved oxygen levels in surface water, leading to hypoxic conditions that can be deadly for aquatic organisms.

Understanding how toxic algae impacts wildlife, human health, and the factors that contribute to water quality degradation will be the focus of this course. Through field studies, seminar and laboratory investigation we will evaluate the effects of environmental and anthropogenically-sourced pollutants on aquatic organisms using cyanobacteria as our model. Students will engage in weekly seminars to discuss current research and regional issues that affect the water quality in surface and groundwater. Students will gather field water quality data over several weeks from local water bodies and analyze samples collected for identification of cyanobacteria species that commonly produce microcystins, a class of liver toxins that can accumulate in fish tissues. In the final week, students will give a presentation on a topic of their choice related to aquatic toxicology. Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded 4 upper-division undergraduate or graduate credits in environmental toxicology with lab.

Registration note: Undergraduate students use CRN 40118, Graduate students use CRN 40119. 

Faculty: Paula Cracknell is an Aquatic Resource Specialist for Thurston County where she investigates nutrient loading and invasive aquatic species in local lakes and rivers. She has worked on TMDL studies in Washington State, and helped develop programs in local waterbodies that reduce nonpoint and point source pollution into shellfish protection districts and drinking water sources. Paula earned a dual BA/BS degree from the Evergreen State College in 2013 with an emphasis on Environmental Science and Aquatic Ecology. In 2017 she completed her M.E.S. From the Evergreen State College. In her master’s thesis, Paula developed a GIS model that analyzed weather patterns and land use changes over a decade, and statistically investigated whether changes in land use type and weather patterns increased dissolved organic carbon loading into the Puget Sound from four major watersheds.

Credits per quarter

Fields of study: 

• environmental studies

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Upper division science credit:

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded 4 upper-division undergraduate or graduate credits in environmental toxicology with lab.

Class Standing: Junior–Graduate
Class Size: 20

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Summer

Advertised schedule:

Mon/Wed 6-10pm plus 2 Saturday field trips, specific dates TBD

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Kathleen Saul

energy and environmental policy, political ecology, social impacts of energy choices

Population growth, choices of developmental pathways and advances in technology, especially those taking place beyond Europe and the United States, can transform societies and energy systems. Indigenous ideas regarding what is appropriate and practical may differ from those imported from more "developed" countries. They may also serve as models for making all energy systems more sustainable. This elective will use a Socio-Political Ecology lens to explore the social, economic, and energy status of a variety of countries around the globe, trying to understand their unique contributions to a less fossil intensive and more renewable energy focused future. Students will learn the value of examining the local context in which decisions are made.  They will become familiar with the concept of Neocolonialism as it applied to energy in the Global South.  Students will also examine the current energy status, applications of energy, and hurdles faced nations of the Global South.  In the end, what lessons can be learned that will make energy systems more sustainable worldwide?

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 18

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Spring

First meeting:

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 D3107 - Seminar

Advertised schedule:

Wednesdays 6p-10p

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Kathleen Saul

energy and environmental policy, political ecology, social impacts of energy choices

Tyrus Smith

environmental studies, public policy

EJ Zita

physics, math, astrophysics

The second program in the core sequence examines sustainability at theoretical and practical levels. We will examine how sustainability is understood from multiple perspectives, emphasizing systems thinking and complexity theory at regional, national, and global scales. Students will develop a foundation in climate science, development theory, and energy policy to help them assess current strategies of climate mitigation and adaptation. Seminars, lectures, and workshops will help students refine their critical thinking, writing, discussion, and presentation skills. By the end of the quarter, each student will produce a professional quality research paper (candidacy paper) and presentation based on current scholarship. Candidacy is outlined in the student handbook .

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 50

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Winter

First meeting:

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 D1105 - Lecture

Advertised schedule:

Tu/Th 6-10pm

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

In this course we’ll be investigating the broad field of Environmental Education (EE). The term EE is used to describe a variety of disciplines, but how do we know authentic EE when we see it? We’ll investigate the historical and theoretical foundations of EE and the multiple strands that fit under the “umbrella” of EE, including nature study, experiential education, K-12 education, interpretation, and social marketing. We will also consider what makes EE effective (or not), who is “invited” to participate and lead, and where are the opportunities and challenges for implementing effective EE—both in general and in our current political and environmental reality.

Environmental education is traditionally experiential, collaborative, and creative. In this course we will practice a variety of teaching and learning styles as we add to our toolbox of facilitation and communication skills. Additionally, our understanding will be deepened by weekly reading and writing assignments, several expert guest speakers, a professional conference* and one field trip. The course will culminate in partner projects that will creatively explore EE’s newest strand: climate change education.

*Students have the option to attend the annual North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference in Spokane from October 10-13 as part of the course. Students unable to attend the conference will be given an alternative assignment.

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Fees:

$650 fee for an optional overnight field trip to attend the North American Association of Environmental Education Conference.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 15

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Fall

First meeting:

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 E2107 - Seminar

Advertised schedule:

Wednesdays 6p-10p

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Shawn Hazboun

environmental sociology, energy and climate change, social science research methods

This elective provides an introduction to social aspects of environmental research, including foundational knowledge of a) theoretical concepts and b) methodology employed by environmental sociologists and other environmental social scientists. Students will be introduced to the field of environmental sociology and will be exposed to a range of central theories and frameworks used across environmental social scientist disciplines to understand interactions between society and the environment and explain certain outcomes, such as environmental degradation. We will examine a range of research methods, including qualitative methods, quantitative methods, and mixed-mode designs. Our study of qualitative practices will include interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, and will cover both manual and software-assisted coding of these data. The quantitative methods covered will emphasize survey research (including design, sampling, administration, and statistical analysis), but will also include discussion of using secondary data. Throughout, students will be encouraged to consider the potential and limits of each method, including the utility of each approach in answering specific research questions and addressing shortcomings in existing theory and knowledge. The class will also consider ethical issues in social research, including research with sensitive populations and representation of participants, and will learn about the human subjects review process at Evergreen.

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 18

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Winter

First meeting:

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 D2107 - Seminar

Advertised schedule:

Wednesdays 6p-10p

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Michael (Mike) Ruth

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), field deployment, workflow analysis

This course will teach students how to use the versatile technology of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  GIS is more than map-making.  A GIS integrates computer hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information across a wide variety of disciplines. GIS technology is increasingly used by physical and social scientists, policy makers, businesses, environmental and conservation organizations, utilities, public health providers, the military, and educators, to name a few.  More and more organizations are using spatial data and analysis to help them make decisions relating to acceptable land uses, allocation of resources and assets, fairness and social wellbeing, and many other needs. Instruction will rely strongly on weekly hands-on labs and homework exercises to guide students through a public policy decision process from beginning to end over the duration of the quarter.  Students will learn to manage spatial data and tools, mainly using the Esri suite of software commonly known as ArcGIS. No previous experience with GIS is required.  Student versions of the ArcGIS software suite will be made available for home use (but technical support is limited to college computers).

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 22

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Spring

First meeting:

Monday, April 1, 2019 - 5:00 pm

LAB 2 1223B - CAL East

Advertised schedule:

Mondays 6p-10p

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Gerardo Chin-Leo

oceanography, marine biology

Kevin Francis

history of science and technology

Shawn Hazboun

environmental sociology, energy and climate change, social science research methods

Michael (Mike) Ruth

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), field deployment, workflow analysis

Kathleen Saul

energy and environmental policy, political ecology, social impacts of energy choices

Tyrus Smith

environmental studies, public policy

John Withey

ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology

EJ Zita

physics, math, astrophysics

To complete their degree, MES students are required to complete a 16 credit thesis. Students are assigned a faculty mentor or "reader" in fall quarter of their second year. Each reader is assigned a CRN (course reference number) for Winter quarter and a different CRN for Spring quarter, and students will be notified of their reader's CRN by email from the MES office prior to registration for each quarter.  Students will take eight thesis credits each quarter. In addition to the thesis, students are required to attend an evening thesis workshop, which is usually offered on occasional Tuesday or Thursday evenings throughout the Winter and Spring quarters.  Students will be notified of exact details during Fall quarter. See our  Thesis Resources  page for more information.

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Winter: Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.
• Spring: No Required Online Learning - No access to web tools required. Any web tools provided are optional.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 50

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Winter
• Spring

First meeting:

Thursday, April 11, 2019 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 C1105 - Lecture

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

Shawn Hazboun

environmental sociology, energy and climate change, social science research methods

John Withey

ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology

EJ Zita

physics, math, astrophysics

The third program in the core sequence explores quantitative methods for studying complex environmental phenomena. A primary focus is developing practical literacy in experimental design and data analysis. Students will learn statistical methods including graphical and tabular summaries, distributions, confidence intervals, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square tests, linear regression, multivariate statistics, and both non-parametric and resampling approaches to these statistical methods. The program also introduces software for data management and statistical analyses. Computer lab exercises and collaborative group research projects help students develop proficiency in experimental design and statistical programs.

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 50

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Spring

First meeting:

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 B1105 - Lecture

Located in: Olympia

Taught by

EJ Zita

physics, math, astrophysics

Many key environmental decisions are made at the local level by city councils, planning committees, and port commissions. This course explores the intersection of science, economics, and public engagement in local environmental policy. How do policymakers recognize the conflicting interests of multiple stakeholders in their decision-making process? How do they incorporate scientific models—especially those that involve conflicting evidence or uncertain predictions—into their decisions? How can interested citizens and professionals most effectively influence environmental policy? How can local environmental challenges become opportunities that strengthen communities and economies? We will examine such questions through examples in Thurston County:

Scientists predict that by 2050 Olympia will flood over 100 times per year as the result of sea-level rise. How do these climate change models become the foundation for city planning and disaster response? How are the City of Olympia, the Port of Olympia, and LOTT working together to respond to this challenge? What are challenges and opportunities of such interagency collaboration with the public?

Capitol Lake is unhealthy. Restoring the natural river flow through dam removal would improve water quality in Capitol and Budd Inlet. But releasing the built-up sediment would impact boating and shipping. How do scientists predict these likely consequences? How should our community evaluate and act on the proposal to remove the dam and restore the Deschutes Estuary? How are policymakers proceeding?

Carbon reduction proposals have been made by citizens and elected officials. What are the costs and benefits of various carbon reduction strategies? Which have been adopted, and what goals remain to be achieved?

These case studies and questions—along with others—will be explored through reading, discussion, workshops, and visits from community experts. Each student will also undertake a focused research project on a local environmental issue.

Credits per quarter

Online learning:

• Hybrid Online Learning - This offering delivers < 25% of its instruction online, rather than via face-to-face contact between you and your instructors.

Class Standing: Graduate
Class Size: 15

Scheduled for: Evening

Final schedule and room assignments:

• Fall

First meeting:

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 - 6:00 pm

SEM 2 D2109 - Seminar

Advertised schedule:

Wednesdays 6p-10p

Located in: Olympia