Courses

101 Introductory Environmental Biology (1st sem)

For non-majors only. Introduction to the biology of environmental pollution. Examples of air, water, and land degradation will be studied using case histories. Strategies to restore damaged ecosystems and current approaches to achieve sustainable environments will be discussed.

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 are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisite: high school chemistry.

191A Introductory Seminar I (1st sem)

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

194A Introductory Seminar II (2nd sem)

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.

197E – Plants and Society

Study the relationship between plants and people, taking an interdisciplinary approach. Learn many fundamental concepts in plant biology, society’s historical connection to plants and how plants have made an impact on civilizations. The course also deals with current environmental problems supported by thought-provoking case studies and newspaper articles.

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: BIOLOGY 100.

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: ENVIRSCI 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 ENTOMOL 342.

380 Writing in Environmental Science (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 Science field. Library searches, abstracting, technical and popular writing, peer editing, and oral presentation. Prerequisite: ENGLWRIT 112 or equivalent.

397B Plants and the Environment

The first part of this course will offer an insight into the fundamentals of plant biology (botany) covering plant anatomy and physiology in a compact, easy-to-follow form. Outdoor demonstrations will support the taught material. The second part of the course will focus on habitat diversity, human impacts on habitats and plants, and efforts to deal with such impacts. In addition, actual issues concerning local and/or global environmental problems and plants’ response to anthropogenic factors affecting their environment will be discussed. The course is designed for students in their second or third academic year. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 103 or PLSOILIN 102 or consent of instructor.

445 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.

465 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: BIOLOGY 100, CHEM 111 or equivalents, or consent of instructor.

497B (452) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (1st sem)

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

497E Environmental Applied GIS Methods

A methods class that will cover basic operations of ArcView 3.x and ArcGIS 8.x Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software programs. The class will focus on applications of GIS for the consulting industry, the research community, and focus on regional environmental problem solving. Advanced topics will include a review some GIS modeling tools and the Mass GIS and EPA BASINs system interfaces. Students will complete a project oriented around their field of interest.

504 Air Pollution and Climate Change Biology

Focuses on the biological effects of air pollutants, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, 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, global warming and global climate change are also considered. Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 100 and101.

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 transformation, 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 PLNTSOIL 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.

555 Environmental Toxicology in Context (1st sem alt. years)

Concepts and principles of environmental toxicology. Chemical structure activity relaitonships; their interaction with environment. Basic principles; the predicted and observed fate of chemicals in various components of the biosphere. Hazard evaluaiton; fate and effects of chemicals in soil, plants, wildlife, aquatic organisms, and humans. Prerequisite Introduction to environmental toxicology.

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 PLNTSOIL 575. Prerequisites: CHEM 110 OR 111 and PLNTSOIL 105 or consent of instructor.

585 Animal and Environmental Toxicology

All aspects of insecticide chemistry, including toxicity, classification, pharmacodynamics and metabolism, mechanisms of action, resistance, and environmental toxicology. For advanced science undergraduates with toxicological, agricultural, or environmental interests. Also listed as AN SCI 585. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry

597A Phyto/Bioremediation

This course will cover the various aspects of phytoremediation - the use of plants (both natural hyper-accumulators and transgenic) and their associated microbes with the purpose of environmental clean-up of contaminated soil, sediments and water. Various strategies for phytoremediation of a wide range of toxic pollutants, both organic and elemental, with a special emphasis on toxic metals will be discussed. Prerequisites: BIOLOGY 100, or 103, or PLSOILIN 397P or equivalent course.