Environmental Science at LMU: The Living City

Attending class in LMU’s new state-of-the-art, LEED-certified Life Sciences Building and guided by faculty and staff at LMU’s Center for Urban Resilience (CURes), students enrolled in this engaging field-ecology course, will explore how the scientific disciplines of biology, chemistry, botany, ecology, social science and engineering intersect to help urban ecologists work together towards solutions to the complex environmental and social challenges facing urban communities. Students will learn about research being conducted by faculty, staff and undergraduates in the LMU-CURes’ Lab on coyote-management, hummingbird torpor and behavior, tree health and growth, mosquito abundance, water quality, social stewardship mapping, and much, much more! This in-depth, two-week scientific adventure takes place amid the uniquely complex ecosystem of the Ballona Wetlands, a coastal estuary located just below the bluffs of LMU and the last remaining wetland in Los Angeles. Students will learn about the diverse flora and fauna that enable this wetland to thrive in the heart of Los Angeles! Through a series of daily lectures and hands-on lab work, the combination of indoor instruction and outdoor field work will introduce and immerse students in the world of field ecology and the research paradigm. The course work will be augmented by field trips to local sites that are playing key roles in the Los Angeles’ story of urban growth, restoration, and community solutions to complex socio-ecological challenges, including the human-wildlife intersect, habitat fragmentation, protection of wildlife corridors & biodiversity, pollution management, water quality, and green space inequity, among others. Students will learn ways they can make a difference in their own communities, by working collaboratively towards sustainable solutions to build resilient communities. Application process includes: online application, $50 application fee, personal statement, transcript, letter of recommendation.