Dynamic Environment & Ecosystem Health Research

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Water quality in northern Argentina

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 I teach courses in Environmental Science.  The below is a summary of my teaching philosophy.

Environmental (and even specialized ecological) research is wide ranging and there is a constant flow of information among diverse fields such as health, chemistry, geology, ecology and social sciences. Hence, I feel student self-sufficiency is important and students must be encouraged to play an active role in determining what and how they learn, rather than blindly following the class syllabus (when feasible!). My aims while teaching are to create and nurture interest in environmental sciences, particularly in ecosystem and human health.

In the classroom, I strive to provide a good atmosphere for active and collaborative learning to point the way for future discoveries. Engaging students by immersion in real-world case studies (and whenever possible, real-world hands-on projects) is a frequent strategy.

In doing so, the professor and the students will work collaboratively to develop the life-long skills needed to process the ever-increasing flow of new information and data in environmental research and studies. I am deeply interested in the interaction between environmental and ecological issues, in particular the synergy between human & ecosystem health. Those broad but interconnected range of foci allows me not only to bring research and real-world examples into the classroom, but also the classroom into real-world research projects.

Current courses:
ENVS 4799: Honours Research Frameworks. Fall 2021-2023. 3 credit hours.This course is taught concurrently with ENVS 4599: Honours Thesis Research Project. Through a series of seminars and discussions, students will review and develop their knowledge of and capability with a range of Environmental Science research methods, skills and approaches across various environmental research frameworks. Students also prepare thesis research for presentation within the School of the Environment.

ENVS 3450: Aquatic Environments (Fall 2021, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015).  This course will alternate every year with ENVS 4480 (outlined below). 3 credit hours. Prerequisites: ENVS 2300, ENVS 2310, BIOL 1202; and one of: CHEM 1211, 1212 or 1213. Aquatic resources are essential to all living things on Earth. Students will examine the similarities and differences in ecology, chemistry and physics of diverse aquatic ecosystems from marine to freshwater. How humans interact with freshwater ecosystems is also an important consideration. A case study will be considered for each course. Field trips to representative habitats will take place.

ENVS 4480/6487: Environmental Contaminants  (Fall 2023, Fall 2018, Fall 2014, Winter 2014, Fall 2012 taught as 4827/5827, Winter 2012 as ENVS 3827). This course will alternate every year with ENVS 3450 (described above). 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: ENVS 2300 and 45 Science course credit hours or permission of the Environmental Studies Program Coordinator. Classes 3 hrs and lab 3 hrs. Description: Chemical contaminants are pervasive and there is no such thing as "pristine environments" anywhere on the planet.  This course will focus on key environmental contaminants, including mercury, metals and organic compounds. Emphasis is placed on students to develop real-world approaches to studying contaminants, including critical analyses of literature, field work, laboratory research and presentation of real-world results.

APSC 6601: Research Techniques I. (Fall 2014-2019) 3 credit hours. Graduate course for MSc program in Applied Science. Description: This is an interdisclipinary course designed to introduce students to a range of issues and concepts in research techniques across a range of scientific disclipines. [No longer offered]

Previously taught courses at SMU:
ENVS 2300: Environmental Science: Populations & Ecosystems. (Fall 2011, 2012, 2014 ).  
3 credit hours. Description: This course provides a scientific introduction to environmental problems and their solutions. The emphasis is on biological and ecological processes and their importance to global sustainability.  Labs include hands on experience sampling local environments, participation on real research projects, and field trips to local environmental industry facilities.

Previously taught courses at Queen's University:
Graduate courses:
BIOL/ENSC 816: Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology. (2007, 2009)
ENSC 802: Global Environmental Problems: Issues in Sustainability. (2005 - 2010).
BIOL 407/848: Biodiversity & Conservation in Northeastern Argentina. (Field course in Feb 2008, co-taught with Dr. Stephen Lougheed.)
ENSC 897: Seminars in Environmental Studies. (Fall-Winter 2007)

Undergraduate courses:
BIOL 111: Ecology and the Environment. (2005-2011)
BIOL 537: Biology Research Honours Thesis. (2004 - )
ENSC 203: Explorations in Environmental Studies (Fall 2008 - 2010). 
ENSC 201: Environmental Toxicology and Chemical Risks (2005 - 2010).
ENSC 325: Ecotoxicology. (2008 - 2009)
ENSC 481: Special Topics in Environmental Sciences II.Environmental Contaminants.(Fall 2007.)
BIOL 407/848: Biodiversity & Conservation in Northeastern Argentina.(Field course in Feb 2008, co-taught with Dr. Stephen Lougheed.)
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Washed up bottle litter NHNP
All images and content copyright (c) Linda Campbell and other members of Dynamic Environment & Ecosystem Health Research Group
(top image by Roxanne Razavi)