Course Descriptions

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

For a full list of all courses offered by the Department of Environmental Science, visit the course catalogue.

Environmental Science is an integrated lecture and laboratory course involving the study of the physical and biological systems of the Earth, their complex connections and patterns, and human interactions with the environment. The course includes an examination of the challenges of preserving the productivity and diversity of biological systems for the continued maintenance of life on Earth. Fee.

This course is a study of the social, environmental and economic value of soil, and the processes related to soil degradation. It includes an examination of the basic principles of soil management and soil conservation and associated use of best management practices and a study of the technological advances that can be utilized to keep our soil resources sustainable. Fee.

Prerequisites: BIOL 1401 and 1402

This is a capstone course for Environmental Science majors. Students will use an integrated (interdisciplinary) approach for the study and analysis of an environmental problem.

Prerequisite: Senior Environmental Science major

This course includes applied biological and hydrological studies of the stream and associated floodplain environment including plant and macroinvertebrate survey, stream flow analysis, water chemistry, and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for accurate mapping and detailed field data recording. Fee.

Prerequisite: Senior level Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science majors. Other students must have permission of the instructor.

This course includes a specific research project on a biology or chemistry topic with approval from the student's advisor. Fee.

Prerequisite: Senior level Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science majors. Other students must have permission of the instructor.

World Geography is the study of the physical, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of the world's geographic regions, there spatial relationships, and how these geographic regions interact with each other. Current and historical case studies are examined to study these relationships.

Physical Geography is a study of the spatial aspects of the physical elements and processes that make up the environment that includes air, water, weather and climate, landforms, soils, animals, and plants of the Earth. Students will examine and analyze the components of the physical environment and how they are interconnected with each other.
This course is a study of the physical processes that shape and modify the Earth's surface, the processes that operate within the Earth, the origin and nature of minerals and rocks, and concepts of plate tectonics. Occasional field trips will be arranged. Fee.
This course is an integrated lecture and laboratory survey of astronomy that includes the history of astronomy, telescopes, celestial mechanics, time and the seasons, the Earth's Moon, the Sun and the planets, the nature and origin of stars, stellar evolution, the origin and nature of the Milky Way galaxy, types of and nature of nebula, the nature of star clusters, the nature and origin of galaxies, and cosmology. Fee.
This course presents geological, physical, chemical, and biological studies of the Earth's oceans. Course includes a study of the origin and continuing evolution of the ocean basins, air-sea and land-sea interactions, and life in the oceans. Fee.
This course provides an introduction to the composition and structure of the Earth's atmosphere and the processes that produce weather; the physical, chemical, and biological environments in the world's oceans; physical and environmental geology; and the nature of the solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Fee.

This course studies the occurrence, movement, and water chemistry of groundwater. Course includes a study of the influence of the geologic environment on mass transport of chemical systems, hydraulic properties of geologic materials, groundwater flow modeling, and evaluation of groundwater resources.

Prerequisite: GEOL 1401, 1402, or equivalent courses

This course presents applied geological studies of interactions between people and the Earth's physical environment. Lecture and laboratory topics include evaluation of natural hazards, land-use planning, environmental impact analysis, and assessment of material resources of the Earth. Fee.

Prerequisite: GEOL 1401

This course is a study of the origin and evolution of landforms on the Earth's surface, the description, and analysis of landforms, and the physiography of continental and ocean landforms. Course also includes a topographic map, aerial photograph, and satellite photograph interpretation. Fee.

Prerequisite: GEOL 1401