ENST Current & Upcoming Course Schedules

Winter 2023 Course Schedule

Spring 2023 Course Schedule

ENST Course Descriptions

ENST 201 Earth as an Ecosystem                 

Introduction to the concept of our planet as a finite environment with certain properties essential for life. The dynamic nature of the earth’s physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes and their interrelated “systems” aspects furnishes the thrust of this treatment.

Credits: 5

ENST 202 Environment and Society 

The physical and cultural dimensions of environmental problems with particular emphasis given to the interaction between ecosystems, basic resources, population dynamics, and culture.

Credits: 5

ENST 298 Special Topics

Credits: 1-6

ENST 300  Applied Environmental Sciences 

Students will collect, analyze, and synthesize original field data in natural and social sciences on environmental issues relevant to global and local communities. Formerly ENST 210, students may not receive credit for both. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week.

ENST 360  Environmental Justice 

Explores the concept of environmental justice, cases of environmental injustice, and environmental justice movements. Focus on the U.S., with some attention to comparative cases in other countries and regions, and global issues. Course will be offered every year. Course will not have an established scheduling pattern.

Credits: 5

ENST 398  Special Topics

Credits: 1-6

ENST 398  Environmental History  

Current environments were shaped by events in the past. Concepts such as wilderness, work, resources, and recreation developed over time. Students will delve into historical sources to  reshape their understanding of present issues and to imagine more sustainable futures. 

Credits: 5

ENST 400  Environmental Methods and Analysis 

Introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods in the social and natural sciences with emphasis on practical application to a variety of examples in the environment. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week.

Credits: 5 
Prerequisites:  ENST 300

ENST 455  Environmental Literature 

Survey of literary works that thematically explore human relationships with place and environment. Sampling of various themes and genres, with a focus on Pacific Northwest.

Credits: 3

ENST 460  Environmental Law 

Introduction to the content of U.S. environmental law and the principal legal approaches to deal with environmental problems including common-law, statutory, regulatory, and economic-incentive systems. ENST 460 and GEOG 445 are equivalent courses; students may not receive credit for both.

Credits: 5 
Prerequisites:  junior standing or above.

ENST 461  Environmental Policy 

Students will work together in interdisciplinary teams to formulate and justify policy measures they think appropriate to meet some environmental problem investigated.

Credits: 4 

Prerequisites: ENST 201 or ENST 202 & ENST 303.

ENST 480 Campus Sustainability

Campus Sustainability is a solutions oriented sustainability class, in which student participate in projects to improve sustainability at CWU.  Projects may address social, environmental and/or economic sustainability.  Open to students from all majors.

Credits: 4

ENST 487 End-of-Major Capstone 

Portfolio review, career planning and program evaluation activities.  Course will help students prepare for careers or graduate school. Must have senior standing and intention to graduate in coming year. Grade will be S or U.

Credits: 1

ENST 490  Cooperative Education 

An individualized, contracted field experience with business, industry, government, or social service agencies. This contractual arrangement involves a student learning plan, cooperating employer supervision, and faculty coordination. By permission. May be repeated for credit. Grade will be either S or U.

Credits: 1-12 with Learning Agreement 

ENST 491 Workshop 
May be repeated for credit.

Credits: 1-6

ENST 495  Senior Research 

Independent student research in environmental studies project under supervision of faculty sponsor. By permission. May be repeated for credit up to 12 credits.

Credits: 3-5

ENST 496  Individual Study

Credits: 1-6

Individual Study Permit

ENST 498  Special Topics

Credits: 1-6

ENST 499  Seminar

Credits:  1-5

For specialization course requirements, please review the advising worksheet located on each specialization webpage:

Environmental Biology Specialization
Environmental Chemistry Specialization 
Environmental Geography Specialization
Environmental Geology Specialization
Environmental Policy Specialization