Lynchburg College will offer an environmental science and applied geography course for teachers and other professionals during July and August. Concepts in Earth and Environmental Science will begin July 30 and continue through August 3, and Applied Geography, an interactive, hands-on course, will run August 5 -10.
The environmental science course will provide classroom teachers an opportunity to increase their personal knowledge and skills in an interactive college environment. The course will include a variety of specific earth and environmental science content, concepts, and laboratory and field skills that teachers are required to address when teaching earth science at the middle and high school levels. Topics consist of plate tectonics, the rock cycle, Earth's history, oceans, atmosphere, weather and climate, the solar system and universe, and land and water resource issues. The course may meet teacher certification requirements.
The geography course will focus on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and remote sensing technologies. Students will become proficient in both ArcView 3.3 and ArcView 9.1 GIS, allowing teachers to develop curriculum tailored to classroom needs. ArcView sessions will explain the use of geographic/tabular data to create user-friendly maps and charts. Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hobbs Hall. The course will qualify for three hours of continuing education credit and ArcView certification.
Both courses will satisfy part of the requirements for Lynchburg College's M.Ed. in science program. Scholarships and grant funding may be available for qualifying students.
Dr. Jamey Pavey, assistant professor of environmental science, and Dr. Greg Eaton, director of LC's Claytor Nature Study Center, will team-teach the environmental science course. Dr. Pavey holds a B.S. degree in marine science from the University of South Carolina and a Ph.D. in natural resources from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Eaton received his Ph.D. in biological science from Dartmouth College and a B.S. in horticulture and an M.S. in biology from Virginia Tech.
Dr. David Perault, associate professor of environmental science, will teach the geography course. Formerly an Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) authorized ArcView instructor, Dr. Perault has 10 years of GIS experience. He earned his B.A. in environmental science from the University of Virginia, his M.S. in wildlife biology from Utah State University, and his Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Oklahoma.
Applications are being accepted now, and registration information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Graduate Studies at Lynchburg College, 434/544-8383 or gradstudies@lynchburg.edu or by attending a Graduate Studies Open House July 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Schewel Hall. The $30 application fee will be waived for applications submitted during the open house.