High school juniors and seniors, sign up and earn credit with one of our free environmental science programs.

Full Scholarships are available through the generosity of the DeNaples Family and the Keystone Sanitary Landfill, Scranton, PA.

Environmental Programs - Summer 2023

Earth & Environmental Systems Geography (3-credit course GEOG 4)

  • Dates: June 28, 2023 - August 9, 2023
  • Time: Mondays/Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12 Noon
  • Location: Penn State Scranton Campus - 120 Ridgeview Drive  Dunmore PA 18512
  • Delivery: On-campus + online component
  • Tuition:  Free (includes rental of books)

Environmental Programs - Fall 2023

Environmental Science (3-credit course BISC 3)

  • Dates: September 6, 2023 - December 13, 2023
  • Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Penn State Scranton Campus - 120 Ridgeview Drive  Dunmore PA 18512
  • Delivery: On-campus + online component
  • Tuition:  Free (includes rental of books)

Environmental Course Descriptions:

Earth & Environmental Systems Geography GEOG 4

Understanding fundamental physical processes operating across the Earth and how these are both impacted and influenced by humans. This course utilizes a systems approach to study the structure and linkages among various components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and humans. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of the physical Earth system, including processes, interactions, feedbacks, and cycles, with particular emphasis on their geographic dimensions and recent change owing to human influence.

If you commit to fully engaging with this course, you can expect to: 

  • Be introduced to physical geography and the earth system: tools of geographic inquiry, systems, energy, and radiation;
  • The geosphere: Earth's formation, plate tectonics, structure of the earth;
  • The hydrosphere: hydrological cycle, surface and ground water, land and sea ice;
  • The oceans: physical and biological oceanography and coastal environments;
  • The biosphere: biogeography, climate and biomes, ecosystems and ecological change;
  • Earth system change: natural cycles, the greenhouse effect, human impacts on climate and the environment, recent and future climate change. 

Environmental Science BISC 3

We are living in extraordinary times. Our numbers have now become so large, our power so great, and our consumption so rampant that we are despoiling our home. Indeed, over the past half-century environmental scientists have been calling attention to the deterioration of Earth's atmosphere, Earth's oceans, Earth's forests and Earth's soils, along with the loss of Earth's biodiversity, from the tropics to the poles. The evidence is unequivocal: Planet Earth is under duress.

Though we need Earth for our survival, Earth does not need us! So, will Earth shake us into oblivion or will we wake up before it is too late and become respectful members of Earth's community of life? This is a critical question for humankind as a whole and it is the reason that biological science exists at Penn State.

We will explore the root causes of today's environmental crisis and, in so doing, consider scientific, technological, sociological, psychological and personal responses to what is, arguable, the most significant crisis in the history of our species.

If you commit to fully engaging with this course, you can expect to:

  • Discover how questions can be powerful catalysts for learning;

  • Grow in your ability to see both yourself and Planet Earth from new and liberating perspectives;
  • Appreciate the power of critical thinking and personal reflection as a means to both personal and global transformation
  • Realize that you could choose to play a significant role in the healing of our world.

Environmental Program Registration Information : 

Parents/Guardians, contact the Center for Business Development and Community Outreach for registration information by email at [email protected] or phone 570-963-2600.