Courses

This course explores the botanical riches of the tropics, focusing on the plant life of Hawaii. The course traces fundamentals of plant taxonomy, physiology and ecology in relation to complexities of existence on the most isolated island chain in the world. Issues related to indigenous vegetation including effects of introduced animals and plants, agriculture and ethnobotany will be discussed. The course will involve one week of lectures at Trinity Western University Langley campus and two weeks of lectures and field work in the Hawaiian Islands.

A scientific examination of the physical processes which shape landform development, structure, and dynamics. Topics include: weathering, slope systems, fluvial and coastal environments, and glacial and periglacial systems. Special emphasis is placed on deciphering past events from current landscape structures. Field trips and field studies are required.

A scientific investigation of the various aspects of soil as a natural resource. Topics include: physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soils applied in the context of soil formation, soil classification and land use, agriculture, and environmental engineering. Soil mapping and spatial distribution of soils is also considered. Field trips and field studies are required.

Students will investigate what are the scientific principles and processes which govern natural and human-induced climate change. Students will gather evidence drawing on the latest research and evolving pattern of scientific data that has emerged on climate in recent years. Employing scientific data, students will then be invited to analyze the severity of climate change impacts on a myriad of living and nonliving systems such as arctic sea-ice, freshwater, terrestrial and marine ecosystems; as well as analyzing the socio- economic changes and adaptations that human communities are making in response to Earth's changing climate.

Explores the theological and philosophical dimensions of the doctrine of creation and from there highlights the various philosophical shifts of outlook that helped usher in modern naturalism and its notions of nature. We will investigate the metaphysics behind the fact/value dichotomy, various environmental ethical frameworks, the case for the moral status of non-human animals and abiotic entities, the evolution of the ecological crisis, the conceptual substructures of some popular contemporary environmental frameworks, and some of the agendas of response to our current ecological crisis

This course provides an overview of the physical and human geography that shapes and defines the Prairie provinces and British Columbia. The course focuses on selected cultural and environmental factors in understanding the spatial variation in population patterns and economic activity. Emphasis is also placed on the role of regional literature and painting in the formation of regional images.

An introduction to key concepts and issues in natural resources management. The course examines major resource-based industries, including agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, energy, and recreation. It also emphasizes understanding the varied influences that environmental, socio-economic, and political factors have on the spatial distribution of resource utilization and resource management.

This course examines the physical and human geography of the Pacific Rim. It gives particular attention to regional distribution of natural features and resources, population and settlements, economic activities and development, as well as globalization and its impact on this region. The Pacific Rim is a geographic realm that has changed dramatically since the middle of the twentieth century, therefore, this course explores the dynamic issues, problems, and challenges facing contemporary Pacific Rim countries, how the issues are being addressed, and the future prospects for the people and countries within this region.

This course examines the human and physical geography of Africa. Attention is given to the regional distribution of natural features and resources, population and settlements, economic activities and development, and globalization and its impact on this vast continent. Because Africa is a geographic realm that has changed dramatically since the middle of the twentieth century, this course explores the dynamic issues, problems, and challenges facing contemporary African societies, how the issues are being addressed, and the future prospects for the people and countries within this geographic region