Courses
EFB 439 | Forest Health Monitoring (3)
Daily lecture/discussion/field excercises on theoretical and applied aspects of forest health monitoring including concepts, data acquisition, analysis, quality assurance, interpretation and reporting.
Location: Campus Classroom, Illick 112 and various field locations
Schedule: MTuWThF, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Section: M001
Prerequisites: Pre- or co-requisite(s): Courses in forest resources management, ecology, pathology
and entomology.
Instructor: Michaela Fitzgerald
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field sites
Seniors in the Environmental Biology Department will NOT be given preferential treatment
if registration forms are received after March 7, 2025.
EFB 496 | Field Ornithology (3)
This course focuses on ornithological field techniques and taxonomy, diversity, identification (by both sight and sound), natural history, ecology, and conservation of birds in central New York, New York State, and Eastern North America. Note: this course will serve as an upper-division field elective for all EFB majors, and it will serve as a vertebrate diversity elective for all EFB majors except Wildlife Science. This course does NOT meet the requirements for EFB 482 (Ornithology).
Location: Gateway Center EB Classrooms and various field locations
Schedule: MTuWThF, 8:00 am - 4: 00 pm (individual days may vary, often with earlier starts and
we will also end later some days as well)
Section: M002
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Alan Belford
Textbook: None—students will purchase a field guide and sound recordings will be provided
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field sites.
Binoculars are strongly recommended (self purchase).
Seniors in the Environmental Biology Department will NOT be given preferential treatment
if registration forms are received after March 7, 2025.
EFB 433 | Flora of Central New York (3)
Field identification and ecology of spring flowering vascular plants, woody plants, ferns and fern allies. We will visit several high-quality natural areas in Onondaga County and nearby counties. A class session may be devoted to the identification of graminoids and other challenging plant groups. Field trips often involve extended hikes over rough terrain. Prior completion of a course that included plant identification is strongly recommended.
Location: Campus Classroom, Illick 5, and various field locations
Schedule: MTuWThF, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Alex Petzke
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field sites
Seniors in the Environmental Biology Department will NOT be given preferential treatment
if registration forms are received after March 7, 2025.
EFB 496 | Indigenous-led Conservation: Sovereignty, Stewardship, and Sustainability (3)
A field course on Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and governance systems, in the territory of, and in collaboration with, the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) First Nation. Haíɫzaqv Territory is within “The Great Bear Rainforest”. The course will explore themes of Indigenous-led stewardship, community-based governance, sustainable economies, and cross-cultural knowledge integration and collaboration. We will experience specific research and stewardship approaches, including local carnivore (e.g. bears, wolves) research and conservation, multi-species restoration of species (food and otherwise) of cultural importance, research and monitoring conducted by Haíɫzaqv Guardian crews, while concurrently learning about the broader ecological and cultural context of the territory.
Location: International (Instructor will provide travel details)
Schedule: TBA (Instructor will provide)
Section: M003
Prerequisites: Instructor Permission
Instructor: Kyle Artelle
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $7,728.00
This is an international field course experience for a specific cohort of students.
EFB 796 | Indigenous-led Conservation: Sovereignty, Stewardship, and Sustainability (3)
A field course on Indigenous-led conservation, stewardship, and governance systems, in the territory of, and in collaboration with, the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) First Nation. Haíɫzaqv Territory is within “The Great Bear Rainforest”. The course will explore themes of Indigenous-led stewardship, community-based governance, sustainable economies, and cross-cultural knowledge integration and collaboration. We will experience specific research and stewardship approaches, including local carnivore (e.g. bears, wolves) research and conservation, multi-species restoration of species (food and otherwise) of cultural importance, research and monitoring conducted by Haíɫzaqv Guardian crews, while concurrently learning about the broader ecological and cultural context of the territory.
Location: International (Instructor will provide travel details)
Schedule: TBA (Instructor will provide)
Section: M001
Prerequisites: EFB 797—Sloan Seminar, Instructor Permission
Instructor: Kyle Artelle
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $7,728.00
This is an international field course experience for a specific cohort of students.
ESF 496 | Applied Sustainability in Greece (3)
Students will engage with the unique environmental, economic, and social contexts of the Greek island of Crete to apply sustainability principles in real-world settings. Topics will include sustainable development, agriculture, tourism, water management, and community resilience. Students will work closely with the local authorities, and through site visits, workshops, lectures, and interdisciplinary group projects, they will gain practical experience designing tangible, sustainable solutions to real-world problems. This class is offered in collaboration with the Hellenic Mediterranean University, based in Crete, Greece.
Location: International (Instructor will provide travel details)
Schedule: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm, May 12 - May 23
Section: M001
Prerequisites: First-year biology, one environmental science-related course, and one college-level
math course or instructor permission to enroll
Instructor: Christine Georgakakos and Tania Konstantina Ploumi
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $1,350.00 (approximately) plus airfare.
This is an international field course experience for a specific cohort of students.
The cohort of students has already been identified.
LSA 233 | Plants in the Landscape (3)
This course introduces the identification, site requirements, natural and cultural history, community ecology, and landscape value of native and exotic woody and herbaceous plant materials typical of landscape architectural practice. Field identification labs include on-campus site walks and trips to local gardens, arboreta, and natural areas to demonstrate the use of plants in designed and ecological settings.
Location: Campus Classroom, Marshall 317, and various site locations
Schedule: MTuWThF, 11 am - 5 pm (Hybrid format, 1.5 hours of lecture and 4.5 hours of field
study daily)
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Elizabeth Bogart
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field and
site locations
APM 391 | Introduction to Probability & Statistics (3)
Introduction to concepts and methods of statistics as applied to problems in environmental science and forestry. Topics include inference (confidence intervals and hypothesis testing), sampling distributions, descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, comparison of population means and proportions, categorical data analysis, regression and correlation, and nonparametric methods.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Christa Carsten
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Mathematics & Quantitative
Reasoning.
EFB 103 | Gen Bio II: Cell Bio & Genetics (3)
Organization and function of living cells. Key topics include biological molecules, organelle structure and function, gene expression, cell division, metabolism, photosynthesis, cell signaling, genomics, and population genetics.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous | recorded lectures (7-hours per week); weekly, optional one-hour synchronous
recitation
Section: M001
Instructor: Anthony Contento
Prerequisites: None
Textbook: Campbell Biology in Focus 4th ed
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Natural Sciences & Scientific Reasoning.
EFB 307 | Principles of Genetics (3)
A general course covering concepts of genetics and evolution basic to upper-division biology and biochemistry courses. Includes the inheritance and analysis of Mendelian and quantitative traits, the chemical nature of the gene and its action, genetic engineering, the genetic structure of populations and their evolution. Numerical methods for characterizing and analyzing genetic data are introduced.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous with recommended recitations held twice weekly Tuesday (8-9 am) and Thursday
(6-7 pm); additional slots depending on student availability.
Section: M001
Instructor: William Helenbrook
Prerequisites: Two semesters of general biology.
Textbook: Essentials of Genetics by Klug (10th edition) (Pearson); Other readings provided.
Course Fees: None
EFB 480 | Principles of Animal Behavior (3)
Basic principles of animal behavior and the scientific process, including genetic, neural and physiological basis of behavior, behavioral ecology and behavioral responses to a changing environment. Proximate and ultimate mechanisms controlling the behavior of animals including humans.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous with recommended recitations held twice weekly Tuesday (8-9 am) and
Thursday (6-7 pm); additional slots depending on student availability.
Section: M001
Prerequisites: EFB 101 or equivalent.
Instructor: William Helenbrook
Textbook: Animal Behavior by Jon Alcock (11th edition); The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond
Course Fees: None
EFB 433 | Flora of Central New York (3)
Field identification and ecology of spring flowering vascular plants, woody plants, ferns and fern allies. We will visit several high-quality natural areas in Onondaga County and nearby counties. A class session may be devoted to the identification of graminoids and other challenging plant groups. Field trips often involve extended hikes over rough terrain. Prior completion of a course that included plant identification is strongly recommended.
Location: Campus Classroom, Illick 238, and various field locations
Schedule: 1st week is online, asynchronous, remaining 5 weeks are MWF, 8:30 am - 1:50 pm
Section: M002
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Alex Petzke
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field sites.
Seniors in the Environmental Biology Department will NOT be given preferential treatment
if registration forms are received after March 7, 2025.
EFB 696 | Flora of Central New York (3)
Field identification and ecology of spring flowering vascular plants, woody plants, ferns and fern allies. We will visit several high-quality natural areas in Onondaga County and nearby counties. A class session may be devoted to the identification of graminoids and other challenging plant groups. Field trips often involve extended hikes over rough terrain. Prior completion of a course that included plant identification is strongly recommended.
Location: Campus Classroom, Illick 238, and various field locations
Schedule: Online/Asynchronous (1st week), remaining 5 weeks are MWF, 8:30 am - 1: 50 pm
Section: M002
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Alex Petzke
Textbook: None
Course Fees: There will be an additional fee of $40.00 for transportation to and from field sites.
Seniors in the Environmental Biology Department will NOT be given preferential treatment
if registration forms are received after March 7, 2025.
ESF 496 | Sustainable Fashion (3)
The fashion industry is one of the major contributors to climate change. From resource-intensive textile production to energy-heavy manufacturing and the massive carbon footprint of global supply chains, the industry's impact on the environment is immense. This course examines eco-friendly materials, sustainable design practices, and the environmental and social impacts of industry. The course also analyzes consumer behavior, investigating how individual choices drive change toward more sustainable consumption patterns. Additionally, it covers metrics for measuring sustainability performance and industry-standard reporting practices to ensure transparency and accountability. With sustainability-related roles in the fashion sector rapidly expanding, this course equips students with the expertise to address the industry's climate impacts and lead transformative change.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M002
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Tania Konstantina Ploumi
Textbook: Schramme, A., & Verboven, N. (Eds.). (2024). Sustainability and the Fashion Industry: Can Fashion Save the World? (1st ed.). Routledge
Course Fees: None
EST 202 | American History: Discovery to Civil War (3)
A survey of American history considering the origin and development of American institutions and ideals, from the discovery of the New World through the Civil War. Students are introduced to works of major historians and to various interpretations of American history.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Pat Bushnell
Textbook: Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty: An American History, (Volume 1) 7th edition
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for US History and Civic
Engagement.
EWP 220 | Public Presentation Skills (3)
Development of skills and fluency needed by environmental professionals in preparing, delivering and evaluating effectiveness of expository and persuasive oral presentations. Communication theory, rhetorical analysis, visualizations of complex and technical data, self and peer evaluation, listening skills.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Christina Ciereck
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Communication (written
and oral).
EWP 290 | Research, Writing, and Humanities (3)
Intended for students who have had an introductory writing course. Students will examine the views of nature and the environment as they are expressed by selected writers, poets, and essayists. Frequent informal and formal writing assignments, research and documentation, and an oral presentation are required. With an emphasis on critical writing, critical thinking, and critical reading, students will learn the literacy expectations of their disciplines.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous (students will be required to have at least one zoom conference call
with the instructor, and students will interact with each other and the instructor
via weekly discussion posts)
Section: M001
Prerequisites: EWP 190 or equivalent
Instructor: Roxana Spano
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Humanities.
EWP 407, Writing for Science Professionals (3)
Focuses on principles and practice of writing skills required of environmental and science professionals. Emphasizes proficiency in determining purpose of a document; analyzing audience; selecting, developing and organizing information in an appropriate design; and writing clearly, precisely, and effectively.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: EWP 290 and junior or senior status
Instructor: Susan Woltman
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
APM 104 | College Algebra and Precalculus (3)
Elements of analytic geometry. Emphasis on the concepts of polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry and trigonometric functions and their application to design and life and management sciences.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: Three years of high school mathematics
Instructor: Lynea Snyder
Textbook: Free Open Text
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Mathematics & Quantitative
Reasoning
EFB 101 General Biology 1: Organismal Biology & Ecology (3)
Introductory exploration of biological principles at ecosystem, population, and organismal levels. Emphasis on form, function, diversity, ecology and evolution of living organisms.
Location: Campus Classroom, Illick 5
Schedule: MWF, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Alex Petzke
Textbook: Campbell Biology in Focus 4th ed
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Natural Sciences & Scientific
Reasoning
EFB 325 | Cell Biology (3)
Morphology and physiology of cells. Emphasis on macromolecule structure and function, cell division, gene expression, cell signaling, biochemical pathways, transport, metabolism, and motility.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous with one-hour optional weekly synchronous recitation (Tuesdays, 5 pm
- 6 pm on Zoom)
Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology, one semester of organic chemistry, Genetics.
Instructor: Anthony Contento
Textbook: Essential Cell Biology 6th edition (eBook), ISBN: 978-1-324-03348-6
Course Fees: None
EFB 496 | Evolution (3)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and processes of evolutionary biology, examining how genetic, ecological, and environmental forces drive the diversity of life. Core topics include natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, gene flow, speciation, and the evolution of complex traits. Students will explore the integration of theoretical models with evidence from the fossil record, comparative genomics, phylogenetics, and developmental biology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms of evolutionary change and their role in shaping biodiversity over time. Key concepts include adaptation, coevolution, molecular evolution, and the evolutionary history of major lineages. Case studies and research projects will encourage students to analyze evolutionary patterns and processes.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous with recommended recitations heldtwice weekly Tuesday (8-9 am) and Thursday
(6-7 pm); additional slots depending on student availability.
Section: M004
Prerequisites: EFB 307 and EFB 320, or equivalents
Instructor: William Helenbrook
Textbook: Evolution (4th Edition preferably) by Futuyma; Coyne, Jerry A. 2009. Why evolution
is true. Penguin. Additional readings provided.
Course Fees: None
EFB 496 | Tropical Conservation Biology (3)
This course examines the principles of conservation biology in tropical ecosystems, which harbor the highest levels of biodiversity on Earth. Students will explore the ecological, genetic, and evolutionary processes that sustain tropical biodiversity and the threats posed by habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation. Key topics include species interactions, ecosystem services, population dynamics, and strategies for conservation. Emphasis is placed on integrating scientific research with practical solutions, such as protected area design, community-based conservation and restoration ecology.
Location: Online
Schedule: Course is largely asynchronous though recitations are held twice weekly Tuesday (8-9
am) and Thursday (6-7 pm); additional slots depending on student availability
Section: M007
Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology suggested
Instructor: William Helenbrook
Textbook: All readings provided
Course Fees: None
EHS 150 | US History & Environmental Health (3)
Environmental health is the science of maintaining and improving human health by identifying, evaluating, and protecting against hazardous agents in the environment. This course will examine the impact the environment has had on human health and society over the course of US History. Students will examine how changes in medicine, awareness, social values, and economic factors contributed to major socio-political events, and how those events in turn affected human health and the environment. Case studies will focus on examining a particular historical event/period through a subfield of Environmental Health, and these events/time periods will be taught chronologically, supplemented by earlier and concurrent instruction in US History. This unique lens will give students another look at US History, and how deeply connected human health, society, and history have always been, as well as looking forward to challenges we may face, and how to continue improving the way we interact with the environment.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Instructor: Daniel Collins
Prerequisites: High School Living Environment (Biology); Pre-/Co-requisite: High School US History
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
EST 135 | Introduction to Climate Justice (3)
This course introduces students to climate justice (CJ) – the idea that climate change can be devastating not only for our planet’s atmosphere and ecosystems, but also for our society. We will explore how the impacts of climate change – such as droughts, hurricanes, and rising sea levels – affect certain groups and places more than others, from communities in Syracuse to farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. At the same time, we will learn about scholars, activists and local communities fighting – often successfully – to rectify these inequalities and to achieve climate justice for all the inhabitants of our warming planet. In discussing these issues, we will draw from many radical theories and concepts that will help us understand the course topic from diverse perspectives, such as feminism, energy democracy, ecological justice, Indigenous knowledge, and queer & trans liberation. The course does not require any prior knowledge in climate science.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Michael Mikulewicz
Textbook: The Climate Book by G. Thunberg (ed.) and All We Can Save by Johnson & Wilkinson (eds.)
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Diversity: Equity, Inclusion,
and Social Justice
EST 296 | Comics and the Drawn Environment (3)
An introduction to the medium and tools of comics storytelling focusing on the environment and environmental issues. Students will read a wide range of comics and relevant academic scholarship to explore the creative possibilities of this storytelling medium. The course will cover topics such as the history of, and how to read comics, comics as an environmental communication device, and the unique ways in which environments are constructed within the medium. In addition, students will have an option to create narratives through their own short-form comics or focus on written assessment only. No artistic ability is required to succeed in this course.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M002
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Jon Cairns
Textbook: McCloud, Scott. 1994. Understanding Comics. New York, NY: Harper Perennial. ISBN:
978-0-06-097625-5
Course Fees: None
EWP 290 | Research, Writing, and Humanities (3)
Intended for students who have had an introductory writing course. Students will examine the views of nature and the environment as they are expressed by selected writers, poets, and essayists. Frequent informal and formal writing assignments, research and documentation, and an oral presentation are required. With an emphasis on critical writing, critical thinking, and critical reading, students will learn the literacy expectations of their disciplines.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M002 or M003
Prerequisites: EWP 190 or equivalent
Instructor: Kristofor Minta
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Humanities
EWP 296 | Introductory Poetry Workshop (3)
This asynchronous Introductory Poetry Workshop, in which students will read, write, and share poems with their peers, is based on the premise that poems are emotional experiences that explore the relationship between our interiorities and the external world. Together, we will seek to understand how poets create these emotional experiences by reading the work of established writers and drafting our own beautiful, meaningful, and expressive poems. Students will write from prompts to explore lyrical possibility and practice the technical aspects of subject, form, and process while also trying to get to the mysterious creation of art. Students will give and receive feedback from their peers, receive feedback from the instructor, and practice the revision process.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M003
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Genevieve Payne
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
FOR 110 | Environmental Physics (3)
Introduction to principles of physics using examples from the natural environment and coupled human-natural systems.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Danielle Kloster
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirement for Natural Sciences & Scientific
Reasoning
SUS 296 | Ecology (3)
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of organisms. During this course we will gain an understanding of many kinds of interactions, both biotic and abiotic, that regulate ecological population size and community structure. The overarching goal of this course is to be able to identify and characterize the diversity of non-human life, and to understand the patterns and processes that support this diversity. Students will learn the fundamental principles of ecology through studying a diverse mosaic of ecosystems, habitats, and species along elevation gradients, succession gradients, and geomorphic features. This course does not fulfill degree requirements for any of the six Environmental Biology majors.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: SUS Program major, SUS program advisor approval, or instructor approval
Instructor: William Helenbrook
Textbook: Smith and Smith 2012. Elements of Ecology – Edition 8 or newer
Course Fees: None
SUS 296 | Introduction to Sustainability (3)
This course is a blend of sustainability and environmental science. This course covers the history of planet earth and life on Earth, with a focus on human cultures. Topics include human resource use and management, including energy, water, mineral, land, soil, food, plants and animals. Additionally, the course will explore environmental degradation and solutions for dealing with pollution and waste. This course will also cover a history of sustainability movement and various measures of sustainability.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M002
Prerequisites: SUS Program major, SUS program advisor approval, or instructor approval
Instructor: Katherina Searing
Textbook: None
Course Fees: None
APM 105 | Survey of Calculus and Its Applications 1 (4)
Introduction to calculus for students in the life and management sciences. Elements of analytic geometry, functions and their graphs, with an emphasis on the concepts of limits, and differentiation techniques for algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions and their application to economics, and the life and management sciences. Some multivariable calculus including constrained optimization.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Prerequisites: Precalculus or 3 1/2 years of high school mathematics. Note: Credit will not be granted
for APM 105 after successful completion of MAT 284, MAT 285, or MAT 295 at SU
Instructor: Nasri Abdel-Aziz
Textbook: Electronic textbook included with webassign
Course Fees: None
This course meets the SUNY general education requirements for Mathematics & Quantitative
Reasoning.
SUS 496 | Writing and Sustainability (3)
ln this course, we'll be looking towards sustainability as a concept and as lived experience to inspire how class members write, focusing on our own writing practices as sustainable, and on discourses of sustainability, in writings of others. Ideas, feelings, and experiences of sustainability are all around us. This course offers the opportunity to explore engagement and restrictions around sustainability, how it is conceived, and who gets to choose sustainability and who does not, in human and other lives. The emphasis will be on developing a process and practice of writing as sustainable; and we'll look together at how sustainability can inspire us to work with our writing to encourage flexibility, responsiveness, and resilience.
Location: Online
Schedule: Asynchronous
Section: M001
Instructor: Gigi Marks
Prerequisites: Instructor or Sustainability Management Program Advisor permission required.
Textbook: TBA
Course Fees: None
