Solutions for environmental problems are complex. In this interdisciplinary course, we will study climate, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, environmental justice, and more. Learn from outdoor activities, lively discussions, and informative lectures. This is the first course students interested in majoring in Environmental Science or Environmental Conservation & Management should take. And as a combination Liberal Arts Core/First-Year Launch course, this course also meets two core requirements for first year students.

FYL Course LAC Linked

The Earth inspires us! Each week, we will experiment with different visual media to capture the natural world around us, and you’ll create a piece that showcases an example of how Earth’s tectonics have affected humanity. No artistic experience is needed – we will focus on exploration, growth, and creativity!

FYL Course LAC Linked

In Honors First Year Launch, we’ll build our Honors community, discuss practices to help you manage your time and engage in self-compassion. We’ll also learn more about what life is like at FLC and in Durango and learn bridging skills. Our course is focused on exploring place and creating community to care for others and for ourselves.

The two-credit Engineering First Year Launch (FYL) course is designed for incoming general engineering students. This course introduces students to engineering as a discipline, the engineering program at FLC, and the people, places, and practices that shape our departmental community. Through interactive presentations, hands-on mini-projects, department events, structured reflection, and engagement with campus resources, you will gain early exposure to engineering pathways while building the academic and social foundations needed to thrive at FLC.

Take a journey through your senses into the natural world around you. This course focuses on key works in nature writing and environmentalism. We will spend time outside observing the natural world and reflecting on our relationship to our various environments. We will use our experiences to create works of creative writing.