Course Descriptions

Environmental Studies (ENV)

ENV-100 Introduction to Environmental Issues (3)

An interdisciplinary course in which students are introduced to the ethical issues, tools and techniques involved in environmental and sustainability problem-solving. Students are presented with a series of real (often Hawaiian) environmental problems that they will investigate, attempt to understand in entirety and devise a solution or solution- strategy for. This hands-on approach will allow students to discover the many disciplines and techniques involved in ameliorating real environmental challenges.

ENV-115 Marine Environmental Science (3)

This course introduces students to the scientific causes and consequences of the current major marine environmental issues. Topics include: effects of global warming on ocean ecosystems, marine pollution, marine debris, oil spills, fisheries exploitation, fisheries by-catch, marine alien species and coral reef degradation. The course focuses on making students aware of the material causes and consequences of each issue as well as the role of science in devising sustainable solutions to each issue.
Co-requisite: ENV-115L

ENV-115L Marine Environmental Science Laboratory (1)

This course introduces students to the scientific methodologies used to determining and studying the current major marine environmental issues. Issues studied include: global warming, marine pollution, marine debris, oil spills, fisheries exploitation, fisheries by-catch, marine alien species and coral reef degradation. Laboratory exercises are conducted in the field and on the Chaminade campus. Students taking this course will be engaged in field science activities.
Co-requisite: ENV-115

ENV-201 Conservation Biology and Ecology (3)

An introduction to conservation biology issues and goals and the principles of ecology. The course includes consideration of the impacts of human activity on ecosystems and our efforts to ameliorate destructive impacts and devise sustainable solutions. Major topics include the effects of industrialization, agriculture, pollution, species introduction and human population growth and development on the health and future sustainability of ecosystems and humans alike. Particular emphasis is placed on island ecosystems.
Co-requisite: ENV-201L

ENV-201L Conservation Biology and Ecology Laboratory (1)

Students perform laboratory and field research techniques used in conducting conservation biology and ecological research and restoration. Analyses are conducted in the laboratory and in the field.
Co-requisite: ENV-201

ENV-202 Environmental Physics (3)

A detailed study of matter and energy in our environment and the transformations that they undergo. Thermodynamics and the sources of energy; the uses of energy and the consequences of such uses. Particular emphasis on the environments of island ecosystems such as Hawaii.
Co-requisite: ENV-202L

ENV-202L Environmental Physics Laboratory (1)

Students investigate matter and energy in our environment and the transformations that they undergo in order to learn firsthand the application of the relevant physical principles to environmental issues and sustainable solutions. Activities are conducted in the laboratory and in the field.
Co-requisite: ENV-202

ENV-203 Introduction to Oceanography & Fisheries (3)

This introductory course examines the fundamental principles of oceanography and their connection to fisheries across the world’s oceans. Students explore the physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes that shape marine environments, and how these processes influence the distribution, productivity, and sustainability of global fish populations. Topics include ocean circulation, marine food webs, fisheries science, aquaculture, and the impacts of climate change, overfishing, and habitat degradation. Emphasis is placed on understanding fisheries as coupled human–natural systems, highlighting economic, cultural, and policy dimensions in diverse regions.
Prerequisites: BI-214/L

ENV-204 Ocean Health and Island Cultures (3)

This course explores the emerging field of Ocean Health and Island Cultures, examining the dynamic relationship between marine ecosystems and human well-being. Through an interdisciplinary and student-centered approach, students will investigate how ocean environments influence human health and culture and the ways in which human activities affect marine ecosystems. Rooted in scientific inquiry, ethical responsibility, and service to community, the course emphasizes ways to understand complex interactions across biological, environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Students will engage with a variety of topics such as natural marine products, offshore wind energy, deep-sea mining, and pollution, while also considering the benefits and challenges of the interaction between marine ecosystems and human health and cultures. Aligned with Chaminade University's commitment to education for adaptation and change, the course prepares students to apply scientific knowledge, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving to promote environmental stewardship and the well-being of local and global communities.
Cross-listed with: SURF-204

English 102 and Communication 101 are prerequisites for all upper division courses.

ENV-300 Environmental Policy and Law (3)

An introductory course to environmental policy and law – its nature, development, flexibility, and growth and to the ethical dimensions surrounding the creation of state, national and international environmental policy and law.

ENV-301: Environmental Human Health (3)

This course examines the science and practice of promoting optimal human health and preventing illness and injury by identifying sources and evaluating and controlling levels of and exposure to physical, chemical and biological agents in air, water, soil, food, and other media that may affect the quality of environmental settings or disrupt ecological conditions, and directly or indirectly contribute to adverse impact to human health and well-being.

ENV-302 Marine Policy for Sustainability (3)

This upper-division course examines marine policy frameworks that promote sustainable ocean use, with a focus on United States governance. Students explore key legislation, regulatory agencies, and management approaches related to fisheries, coastal zones, marine protected areas, and climate adaptation, emphasizing the role of science, stakeholder engagement, and competing priorities in decision-making. The course also considers major international agreements and recent global initiatives—particularly those advanced through the United Nations—including biodiversity conservation beyond national jurisdictions, sustainable development goals, and climate accords.
Prerequisites: CJ-223

ENV-310 Natural Resource Management (3)

This course teaches students the skills necessary to use, protect and maintain natural resources so that they may exist perpetually to the benefit of natures and humans alike. Course requires some understanding of biological processes, business methodology, political process and policy applications.
Co-requisite: ENV-310L

ENV-310L Natural Resource Management Laboratory (1)

This course teaches students the field and intellectual skills necessary to conduct natural resource management in Hawaii and elsewhere. Skills taught include population growth modeling, resource use models, population size monitoring, economic and sociological assessment of natural resource value, population protection and restoration field skills.
Co-requisite: ENV-310

ENV-313 Contemporary Economic Issues (3)

This course provides students an opportunity to develop skills at using economic analysis to understand and consider current issues and challenges facing our society. The focus of the course is on the environmental impact of economic decisions, but the frameworks and tools examined can be applied to a wide range of social issues. Service-Learning.
Prerequisites: EC-202 or ENV-201/L

ENV-315 Environmental Economics (3)

This course focuses on natural resource economics and environmental issues. Topics include air and water pollution, toxic waste, deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity, global warming and sustainable development. The course provides students the opportunity to develop skills in applying economic tools to understand and evaluate current environmental issues and their consequences. Service-Learning .
Prerequisites: EC-202 or ENV-201/L

ENV-320 Regenerative Tourism (3)

This senior-level course explores regenerative tourism with a focus on island environments, examining how tourism can move beyond sustainability to actively restore ecosystems, strengthen local economies, and support cultural revitalization. Students engage with topics such as ecosystem-based management, community-led tourism, Indigenous stewardship, circular economies, and climate resilience, using global island case studies to evaluate current approaches. Emphasis is placed on place-based knowledge, reciprocity, and long-term ecological health, with applied learning that prepares students to design tourism strategies balancing environmental integrity, cultural values, and economic viability.
Prerequisites: BU 200, BU-201

ENV-384 Sustainability in Design (3)

This course will examine principles of sustainable design from a systemic perspective, beginning with the conditions that have led up to the sustainability movement, why sustainable practices are necessary and new approaches to design. In exploring new ecological paradigms for how we should live in an endangered natural environment, topics in the course will include: passive design strategies, alternate energy sources, and biomimetic design principles. Materials, energy use, resource conservation, building practices, and LEED criteria are areas that will be covered in the context of interior design.
Prerequisites: JR standing or ENV-100 or consent of instructor

ENV-400 Current Global Environmental Issues (3)

This reading-intensive course surveys diverse publications explaining the major environmental threats facing the world today as well as the potential and actual sustainable solutions for each. The aim of the course is to have students become aware of the material as well as socioeconomic causes of environmental degradation, the detrimental impacts of environmental degradation on humans and the potential sustainable solutions to the greatest environmental challenges.
Prerequisite: JR or SR standing

ENV-401 Current Topics in the Environment and Human Health (3)

Selected timely and pressing topics related to the environment and human health will be addressed. Examples include: food hygiene, climate change and human health, food security, enviro justice, bats and zoonotic transmission, habitat degradation and human well-being, green spaces, and perceptions of health.

ENV-402 Our Place in the Kumulipo (3)

This course will introduce students to the early Hawaiian world views and religion to better understand modern-day issues and ethical approaches to these problems. It focuses on several foundational schools of science such as Geography, Ecology, Anthropology, Hawaiian Studies, and Policy making to better inform students on their assigned area of research throughout the course. Questions such as "What is a native Hawaiian?", "Who should be in charge managing Hawaii?", and "Can the islands of Hawaii be restored back to its original state ethically?" are all questions students will be asked while simultaneously filtering out what is myth, research bias, and fact. By the end of the course students will be able to better recognize research biases in historical accounts, understand the importance of historical background in research, and create proposals in research and field studies ethically and unbiased. Cross-listed with BIO-402.

ENV-410 Sustainability Internship/Capstone (3)

This senior-level capstone internship course provides students with hands-on experience applying sustainability principles in professional settings across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students engage in supervised internships that address real-world environmental, social, and economic challenges, integrating prior coursework with practical problem-solving and project-based work. Emphasis is placed on reflective practice, professional skill development, and the translation of theory into meaningful action. The course is guided by global sustainability frameworks, particularly initiatives advanced by the United Nations, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through structured reflection, portfolio development, and a final capstone project, students evaluate the impact of their work and demonstrate their ability to contribute to sustainable solutions at local and global scales.

ENV-415 Advanced Marine Environmental Sciences (3)

This course engages students in thinking critically about ocean environmental challenges, specifically the ecological and biological consequences of climate change in the ocean, coral reef degradation, marine invasive species, and overfishing. Students will practice reading primary scientific articles and exploring online databases. A running theme in the class will be marine restoration efforts and brainstorming solutions to identified challenges.
Co-requisite: ENV-415L

ENV-415L Advanced Marine Environmental Sciences Laboratory (1)

ENV 415L Advanced Marine Environmental Sciences Laboratory (1) The lab portion of the course will be research-project based with students working together on a specific project related to local marine ecosystem health and restoration. Students will develop research questions, determine a data-gathering plan, collect data, analyze data, and communicate their findings. Laboratory activities will be conducted in the field and on the Chaminade campus.
Co-requisite: ENV-415

ENV 431 Environmental Ethics (3)

Examines religious perspectives on ethical issues within the context of an ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue in the field of environmental studies, with particular attention paid to contemporary Catholic ethicists. The goals are to assist students in their study and understanding of the personal and social dimensions of these ethical perspectives and learn effective methods for dealing with relevant ethical issues within environmental studies and sustainable practices. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement.
Prerequisites: RE-103, RE-205, and RE-211 or permission of instructor

ENV-450 Earth System Science (3)

Earth system science is a new and growing scientific sub-discipline that focusses on the causal connectedness and nature of the interactions between Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The course considers the particular interactions within Earth’s natural system as well as anthropogentic alterations of it. Finally the course seeks solutions that synergize with or enhance the natural systems.

ENV-485 Environmental Capstone Course (3)

This capstone course seeks to integrate and assess the experiences and program learning outcomes of the Environmental Studies around a real environmental issue that the student actively participates in problem solving through research and/or service. Projects undertaken should evidence an understanding and mastery of areas such as research, policy, ethics, advocacy or resource management these course.

ENV-490 Current Environmental Studies Seminar (1 to 3)

Selected topics of current interest in environmental studies will be addressed.