Issue Study Groups 

Issue Study Groups are courses that focus on current issues in environmental science and policy and thus hold considerable relevance to society today. Issue Study Groups collaboratively research, discuss, and synthesize information on the chosen topic, culminating in a public communication piece, such as white papers, manuscripts, or innovative communication products. Students are required to complete one Issue Study Group course during their program of study.

The following courses have been previously offered/ are currently being offered that would satisfy the ISG requirement:

Photo Courtesy: UMCP

CURRENT SEMESTER — SPRING 2024 ISG COURSE OFFERINGS

See the Schedule of Classes for the most up to date information.


Course
Course Title
Professor(s)
Last Term Offered		 Class Project Description
MEES718W Advancing DEI in Environmental Science Cindy Palinkas, Clara Fuchsman, James Pierson Spring 2024 *Coming Soon!*
CIPP650 (UMB course) Climate Change, Health, and Society Shiladitya DasSarma (Course Director), Karin Gunther Russ (Course Co-Director) - full list here Spring 2024 Student teams will present proposed solutions to human health and societal problems arising from climate change with the goal of promoting climate resiliency.
Fall 2023
MEES718U Ecosystem Services and Urban Estuaries Eric Schott, Jeffrey Cornwell Fall 2023 *Coming Soon*
Spring 2023
MEES718A Long term Change in the Patuxent Estuary Ryan Woodland, Jeremy Testa, Lora Harris, Laura Lapham Spring 2023 *Coming Soon*
MEES718H Changing Oceans and Fisheries Jian Zhao, Kenneth Rose Spring 2023 *Coming Soon*
MEES718K Sustainable Nitrogen Management, with a Transdisciplinary Approach; Cathlyn Stylinski, Xin Zhang Spring 2023 *Coming Soon*
Fall 2022
MEES 718V Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Adaptation Lori Staver, William Nardin, Cindy Palinkas Fall 2022 *Coming Soon*
MEES718Y Narrowing Knowledge Gaps in Support of an International Treaty to Combat Plastic Pollution Eric Davidson Fall 2022 *Coming Soon*
Spring 2022
MEES718W Advancing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Environmental Science Cindy Palinkas, Clara Fuchsman, and James Pierson Spring 2022
MEES718F Aquaculture in the Environment Matthew Gray and Louis Plough Spring 2022
Fall 2021
MEES 718I Invasive Species Management Emily Cohen and Katia Engelhardt Fall 2021 This issue study group explored how invasive species ecology and research informs on-the-ground management across Maryland from the mountains to the sea. Towards this goal, we spoke with a range of organizations and managers engaged in invasive species science and management across the state.
MEES 718E Plastic Pollution: From Land to Ocean Helen Bailey (Olde) and Carys Mitchelmore Fall 2021
Spring 2021
MEES 718J Synthetic Biology and Biodiversity Conservation Allen Place and Todd Kuiken Spring 2021 With the advent of synthetic biology, CRISPR, other gene drive and editing technologies, this course will enable students to examine these complexities and how scientists, tech developers, business and finance professionals, along with society at large contemplate their development and use.
MEES 718 Developing an Environmental Justice Index for the Chesapeake Watershed Report Card Bill Dennison and Vanessa Vargas-Nguyen Spring 2021 The annual Chesapeake Bay Report Card, produced since 2007, has expanded from the Bay ecosystem health indicators to include social, cultural, and economic indicators for the watershed. Course participants created a shared vision by identifying the benefits and challenges of creating and Environmental Justice Index.

ISG COURSES (Fall 2020 and PRIOR)


Course
Course Title
Professor(s)
Last Term Offered		 Class Project Description
Fall 2020
MEES 718G Synthesizing Oceanographic Data: A Case Study on the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight Judith O'Neil, Gregory Silsbe, and Jian Zhao Fall 2020 Throughout the course, students worked together to assemble & analyze a variety of physical, biological, and oceanographic data along the Mid-Atlantic Bight.
Spring 2020
MEES 718F Shellfish Aquaculture & the Environment Matthew Gray and Louis Plough Spring 2020 As a final class project, students produced an opinion article that was published in Aquacultural Environmental Interactions (see link). The paper argues that shellfish aquaculture, which is arguably the most sustainable source of animal protein, is uniquely positioned to benefit from ecolabels by increasing profits for growers while simultaneously informing customers about their numerous ecosystem benefits.
MEES 718D Ocean Deoxygenation James Pierson and Clara Fuchsman Spring 2020 Students contributed to a number of sections, including the effects on organisms, specific microbial interactions, and a number of figures.
Fall 2019
MEES 718E Plastic Pollution: From Land and Ocean Helen Bailey and Carys Mitchelmore Fall 2019 Students developed a review paper on the effects of diseases in the Chesapeake Bay. The paper was published as a review in Estuaries and Coasts.
MEES 718D Diseases and Population Dynamics of Marine Organisms Michael Wilberg and Eric Schott Fall 2019 The annual Chesapeake Bay Report Card, produced since 2007, has expanded from the Bay ecosystem health indicators to include social, cultural, and economic indicators for the watershed. Course participants created a shared vision by identifying the benefits and challenges of creating and Environmental Justice Index.

For previous ISG Courses prior to 2019, click here.

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