Campus Ecology Examination: Exploring the Environmental Impact at Your University
At Princeton University, a research course titled "Analyzing Ecological Integrity: An Assessment of Princeton's Natural Areas" is making waves. Led by Geosciences major Artemis Eyster '19, the course is part of a series of research-based courses at the university, including "Research with Local Impact: Analyzing Lead in Trenton, NJ."
This student-driven course focuses on geological and ecological field research on Princeton's campus. Eight students are enrolled, working on projects such as measuring the bathymetry of Lake Carnegie, gauging water-quality in campus streams, and surveying invasive plant species in campus woodlands.
Artemis finds it challenging to let go of personal responsibility for the class's success, but she is proud of the students' progress and the projects they are undertaking. Another priority of the class is to record baseline measurements and design methodologies so that future student researchers have a strong framework they can expand upon either in classes or independent work.
The course's aim is both educational—building research skills—and practical—informing campus sustainability efforts. Students likely engage in assessing the biodiversity, habitat quality, and ecological conditions of campus natural areas, which may involve data collection in the field, analysis of ecological indicators, and evaluation of conservation goals.
The idea for the course was developed by Artemis after GEO Professor Adam Maloof saw a natural resource assessment report provided to the University by a professional consultant and thought that students could advance such assessments with high-quality scientific measurements. Setting up the reading course was relatively easy with a good idea and faculty support, but compiling University data for comparison was a challenging process that required a lot of personal effort and was frustrating at times.
This student-led research course at Princeton University reflects a broader trend emphasizing student-initiated research, interdisciplinary inquiry, and applied environmental science to empower students as contributors to ecological stewardship on campus. While no direct course outline for Artemis Eyster’s class was found, the example serves as an illustration of how Princeton supports immersive, student-led research courses connecting academic learning with campus-focused ecological assessment.
In conclusion, the student-led research course "Analyzing Ecological Integrity: An Assessment of Princeton's Natural Areas" is a testament to the university's commitment to empowering undergraduates to design and conduct research projects that address real-world environmental issues on campus. This approach not only provides students with hands-on experience in scientific inquiry but also contributes to the understanding and preservation of Princeton's ecological landscapes.
- Artemis Eyster's junior paper, focused on "Analyzing Ecological Integrity: An Assessment of Princeton's Natural Areas," is part of her education and self-development, promoting independent work in environmental-science.
- The online-education platform at Princeton University offers a variety of research courses like Artemis's, providing students with opportunities to engage in practical, scientific learning experiences in the field of environmental-science.
- The data collected from Artemis's course could be used for future junior papers or independent work, contributing significantly to the ongoing education and development of environmental-science at Princeton University.
