Environmental Sciences Courses

Environmental Sciences | Courses

The following courses carry the ENVSCI designation.

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted.)

101 Introductory Environmental Biology (BS) (1st sem)

For non-majors only. Principles of ecosystem structure and function, and the effects of air, water, and soil pollutants on biota. Case studies used to illustrate the impacts and remediation of environmental stresses on ecosystems caused by human activities.

112 Fundamentals of the Environment (1st sem)

For majors only. Introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological components of the biosphere with emphasis on principles of ecology, soils, water, and air. Case studies and discussions of regional, national, and global environmental issues integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: high school chemistry.

191 Introductory Seminar I (1st sem) 1 cr

Required for all new majors. Weekly lectures by faculty on their research and how it relates to the Environmental Sciences Program. Enables students to interact with faculty to discuss a wide variety of important topics.

194 Introductory Seminar II (2nd sem) 1 cr

Required for all new majors. Introduces participants to environmentally related facilities and careers through a student-conducted interview of professionals and in-class presentations and discussions.

213 Introduction to Environmental Policy (1st sem)

An overview of the environmental policy process covering the roles of major players at community, state, and federal levels, and emphasizing the role of environmental science. Covers the major environmental laws and recent amendments, the role of policy analysis, and international environmental policy.

214 Principles of Environmental Biology (2nd sem)

Examines the nature of the relationships of plants, animals, and humans to their environment and how these may change when pollutants are introduced. Prerequisite: ENVSCI 112 or equivalent.

303 Methods of Pollution Measurement 4 cr

With lab. Chemical, physical, and instrumental methods of pollution measurement. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, 112; consent of instructor for nonmajors.

315 Principles of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2nd sem)

Fundamental areas of environmental science presented in an integrated, interdisciplinary sequence: 1) environmental toxicology, 2) toxins in food and the environment, 3) environmental fate and degradation of toxicants. Prerequisites: ENVSCI 214 and organic chemistry.

342 Pesticides, the Environment, and Public Policy (1st sem)

Current issues associated with pesticide use; includes discussion of role of pesticides in agriculture, public health, and other related areas; fate of pesticides in the environment; and public perception of pesticides. Case studies examine benefits and risks of pesticide use; environmental cancer; and role of media and public interest groups in pesticide decisions. Alternatives to current heavy reliance on chemical technology in pest control. Current and pending federal, state, and local legislation. Also listed as ENT 342.

380 Writing in Environmental Sciences (both sem)

Satisfies Junior Year Writing requirement. Access to word processor/computer required for assignments. Writing exercises based on journal and periodicals used in environmental sciences field. Library searches, abstracting, technical and popular writing, peer editing, and oral presentation. Prerequisite: ENGLWP 112 or equivalent.

390S Principles and Applications of Integrated Pest Management
(1st sem) 2 cr

An introduction to the concepts of environmentally sound management of pests and pathogens including life cycles, monitoring techniques, action thresholds, and cultural, biological, and chemical management strategies. Emphasis on field demonstrations of IPM practices. Prerequisites: BIOL 100, 101; ENVSCI 112, 213, 214, and junior standing or consent of instructor.

397D Ecology (2nd sem)

A broad overview of the principles of ecology at the level of the individual, the population, and the community. Includes application of ecological principles to the solution of environmental problems. Prerequisites: ENVSCI 112 and/or BIOL 100/101.

397E Environmental Microbiology
(1st sem)

Comprehensive treatment of how microorganisms interact with each other and with their environment. Microbial distribution and activities in natural systems, and their importance to ecosystem function and environmental quality. Topics include unusual habitats, habitat-specific forces, microbial transformations, species diversity, population turnover, associations with higher organisms, based on microbial ecology principles. The teaching of each basic principle followed by applied and environmental case studies. Modern techniques of environmental microbiology detailed. Prerequisite: MICBIO 310 or consent of instructor.

398 Practicum (both sem) 1-15 cr

Students in junior or senior year, with faculty sponsorship, may elect to complete a portion of their credit requirements with an internship/study experience coordinated through the Career Center.

490S Capstone Course in Integrated Pest Management (2nd sem) 2 cr

Preparation of an integrated pest management plan for a commercial or nonprofit enterprise that meets certification standards. Plans include pest profiles, management options, diagnosis, monitoring, and action thresholds. Prerequisite: ENVSCI 390S or ENT 581.

492 Senior Seminar (1st sem) 1 cr

Lectures emphasizing skills required for different environmental occupations. Lectures provided by University career specialists and representatives from the enviromental industry and government agencies.

497B Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (1st sem)

Meets federal requirements of 40-hours training involving methods and concerns for workers handling hazardous materials as specified by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.120. First aid and CPR sessions provided for uncertified individuals. Site specific Health and Safety Plans prepared prior to and after entry into an industrial facility. Simulated drills perfomed by students in personal protective equipment responding to unknown incidents to challenge skills developed in lecture. Certifications awarded to students who meet course requirements, pass the final exam, and attend all lectures. Course credit may be awarded if certification is not obtained. Prerequisites: BIOL 100, CHEM 111, or equivalents, or consent of instructor.

497 Environmental Problem Solving in the Community

Provides students with in-depth experience in identifying and planning solutions for environmental problems and challenges in a community setting. An inquiry-based learning approach and cooperative learning techniques used to address community management problems in areas such as recycling, resource management, sustainability, product stewardship, waste management, and consumption.

498 Practicum (both sem) 1-15 cr

Same as 398 Practicum.

499T Honors Thesis (both sem)

Preparation and writing of senior honors thesis. Prior arrangement with Program Honors Coordinator and University Honors Program required.

499Y Honors Research (both sem)

Research in preparation for senior honors thesis. Prior arrangement with Program Honors Coordinator and University Honors Program required.

504 Air Pollution Biology (1st sem)

Focus on the biological effects of known air pollutants, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, fluoride, heavy metals, organics, particulates, pesticides and endocrine disruptors. Includes methods of study and use of bioindicators and biomarkers. Contemporary concerns, such as increased ultraviolet B radiation from atmospheric ozone depletion, increasing carbon dioxide levels, and the "greenhouse effect" also considered. Prerequisites: BIOL 100, 101 and a course in basic chemistry.

515 Microbiology of Soil (2nd sem)

Microbial processes in the soil and sediment environments. The ecology of the various microbial communities; the decomposition of organic matter, carbon transformations, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other mineral transformations; chemistry of these reactions and their biogeochemical implications; biological equilibrium, the rhizosphere, and microbial associations. Also listed as PLSOIL 515. Prerequisites: basic biology and organic chemistry or consent of instructor.

535 Methods in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (1st sem)

With lab. Practical experience using assays for acute toxicity, short-term mutagens and carcinogens, and some of the most recent methods for environmental biomonitoring. Also includes experience with a variety of instruments commonly used in monitoring and detecting environmental contaminants. Prerequisites: two years of college chemistry and consent of instructors.

575 Environmental Soil Chemistry
(1st sem) 4 cr

With lab. Fundamental chemical processes in soils such as precipitation/dissolution, ion exchange, redox reactions, partitioning and adsorption, and ion speciation as well as the nature of soil minerals and organic matter. Chemical processes affecting fate, transport, availability and remediation of heavy metals and organic contaminants in soils and other related terrestrial environments also addressed. Computer models used to examine some current environmental, agricultural, and engineering problems. Problem solving requiring algebraic and numerical manipulations. Also listed as PLSOIL 575. Prerequisites: CHEM 112 and PLSOIL 105 or consent of instructor.

597S Principles of Environmental Site Assessment (2nd sem)

Training in the ASTM method for detecting recognized indicators of petroleum and hazardous material contamination at properties of concern to local communities. Phase I and II techniques including record file research, site reconnaissance, and subsurface investigations. Information obtained on project sites assembled into Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports for submission to interested municipalities. Prerequisites: BIOL 100, CHEM 111 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.

Environmental Sciences | Courses