people working outdoors

Explore the Pathfinder Course Sequence

Freshman Year

Fall:

PATH 181: Environmental Leadership Freshman Seminar [1 CR] Led by Fike. Goal: Introduce students to diverse environmental faculty and the breadth of environmental activities on campus and in the St Louis area. 

PATH 121: A Sense of Place: Discovering Missouri’s Natural Heritage [revised, 3 CR] Taught by Stan Braude. Goal: Expedition survey course introduces students to Missouri’s natural heritage from holistic environmental perspectives, including geology, hydrology, ecology, natural history, and archaeology.

Spring:

PATH 122: A Sense of Place: Discovering the Environment of St. Louis [3 CR] Taught by Beth Martin. Goal: Introduce students to the environment of the St. Louis region and range of landscapes in the area, including Tyson Research Center.
 



Sophomore Year

Fall: 

PATH 358: Landscapes of Environmental Modernism [new, 3 CR] Taught by Suzanne Loui. Goal: A case-study-based examination of environmental issues from a range of different disciplinary perspectives.

Spring/May:

PATH 401M: Sustainable Development and Conservation in Madagascar [3 CR]  Taught by Judi McLean Parks (Olin), Fike, and Armand Randrianasolo (Missouri Botanical Garden). Goal: In this course students work on small interdisciplinary teams to devise creative solutions (using available materials on the ground) to address real-world challenges in small communities in Madagascar. Following the term, students spend 3 weeks on the ground in Madagascar implementing their projects. A $3,500 fee is associated with this course, though need-based financial support is available.

 



Junior Year

Fall or Spring:

PATH 405: Sustainability Exchange [3 CR]  Taught by Froggi VanRiper and Griffin Knipp plus a team of faculty project leaders.  Goal: Students work on small interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges in energy, environment, and sustainability with local partners.