Environmental
Studies Courses
ENVS
201. DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE I (3)
The physical nature of ecosystems and the
environmental changes resulting from human impact
of planet Earth will be explored in this course.
An overview of the dynamic interaction with
Earth's ecosystems will be emphasized, as well as
the conflicts between our resource needs and our
planet's ecological balance. This course provides
the student with an awareness of the ecological
balance in nature and our impact on earth's
resources.
ENVS 202.
DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE II (3)
This course will explore the cultural dimensions
of environmental change. Infrastructural changes
such as demographic shifts and changing economic
patterns of consumption as well as such topics as
environmental justice, social impact strategies,
and environmental epidemiology will be explored.
This core course will provide a broad overview of
people who both contribute to and react to a
changing environmental landscape.
ENVS 210.
INTRODUCTION TO PARK ADMINISTRATION (3)
An introductory survey of the broad spectrum of
the park administration field, including the
philosophies of administration; the role of parks
in modern society, and their impact upon
surrounding areas; and the interrelationship of
parks, tourism, natural and historic environments,
and leisure time. Current developments in the
field will be examined. This course is essential
for all students with an interest in state and
federal land management agencies.
ENVS 305.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (3)
A survey of the legal basis for environmental
actions including federal legislation, the
congressional rule-making process, and
interpretations by the judicial system. Such areas
as wildlife protection, water quality, air
quality, environmental impact analysis, and land
use management will be discussed. This course will
provide the basis for understanding the specific
legal issues associated with and management
process of natural and cultural resources.
ENVS 306.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (3)
This course will examine historical and
contemporary governmental actions which shape the
management of material and cultural resources.
Changing philosophies, ideologies, budgets, and
leaders and their impacts upon both the public and
private sector will be discussed. Students in
environmental studies require a sound
understanding of the nature and dynamics of
environmental policy, with this course supporting
the core of the environmental studies program.
ENVS 307. CULTURAL
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (3)
This course explores the investigation,
recordation, analysis, and protection of cultural
resources. Archeological sites, historical parks
and places, archival collection, conservation and
use of museum collections, architectural
resources, and historical engineering works will
be discussed in their relationship to protection
schemes and environmental impact analysis. This
core course will introduce students to the wide
diversity of cultural resources relevant to
environmental science.
ENVS 308. PHYSICAL
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (3)
An introduction to the physical resources
encompassed within environmental studies,
including but not restricted to the resources of
air, water, energy, minerals, and land use. Impact
analysis of resource exploitation will be a major
focus, examining how our need for these resources
has modified our planet. This course will be
critical in developing students' understanding and
appreciation of the environmental impact resulting
from resource exploitation.
ENVS 309. REGIONAL
GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY (3)
Introduction to Appalachian and Atlantic Coastal
Plain geology, emphasizing the geologic history of
the region, rock formations and their attendant
fossil content, regional structural geology, and
overall regional geomorphology. This course
provides the student the opportunity to become
acquainted with the geology, geomorphology, and
geologic history of our region. The interplay
between geology and the environment is significant
and will be a major focus of the course.
ENVS 310. PARK
MANAGEMENT (3)
An investigation of the theories, practices,
economics, and problems fundamental to the use of
land and related resources for park purposes.
Also, the organization, administration, and policy
of different types of parks will be examined with
emphasis upon program development, park management
practices, and park operation plans. This course
is essential for students interested in careers
with state and federal land management agencies.
ENVS 311. RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT (3)
This course will focus on specific management
techniques related to natural and cultural
resource use and protection. Techniques related to
ecosystem management including soils, waste,
forests, range lands, wildlife, fisheries, coastal
zones, air, toxic wastes, energy, and cultural
sites will be discussed. A significant field
component will be associated with this course,
exposing students to real world applications and
techniques in the field. This course supports
electives in the resource management track.
ENVS 319. LAND USE
PLANNING (3)
An introduction to urban and regional planning
with a focus on land use practices implemented to
protect natural and cultural resources and to
create livable communities. The course will
include a history of planning during the 20th
century as well as current policies and practices
used by state and local governments to manage
growth and stimulate activities in a
resource-sensitive manner. An orientation to
planning for students interested in resource
management or park administration is provided by
this course.
ENVS 320.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(3)
An introduction of theories, practices, and
history of communication and assessment focused on
strategies for building environmental awareness,
understanding, and responsible action. This course
provides the student opportunities within the
classroom and through laboratory and field
experiences.
ENVS 322.
ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY (3)
This course examines the development of the
environmental field, emphasizing the persons and
events that led the environmental movement of
today.
ENVS 340.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND LAB (4)
Factors such as decreasing soil fertility, soil
erosion, pesticide resistance, increasing input
costs, groundwater contamination, and demand for
chemical-free food and livestock have convinced
the agriculture community of the need for new
approaches to food and fiber production. This
course examines basic design principles and
examples of environmental and economically
sustainable agriculture systems. The course examines
the application of ecological principles to
sustainable management practices that biologically
improve the fertility, organic matter content, and
soil structure while minimizing or even
eliminating the need for chemical applications for
control of pathogens, insect pests, and
weeds.
ENVS 341.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND DEVELOPMENT (4)
Energy use and management are inextricably
intertwined with many societal issues. These
include population growth, health effects due to
deterioration of air quality, acidification of
aquatic and terrestrial systems, economics, and
national security concerns about the availability
of energy sources. This course introduces concepts
of energy conservation and management and explores
different energy sources for sustainable growth.
Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and 102 or BIOL 208 and
209 or equivalent; ENVS 201 and 202.
ENVS 342.
ICTHYOLOGY (4)
This is an introductory course dealing with the
classification, ecology, behavior, and physiology
of marine and freshwater fishes. The course deals
with a variety of topics such as the diversity of
fishes, form and function, reproduction and early
ontogeny, quantitative fisheries resource
management, behavior, fisheries ecology, and
conservation. Laboratory topics include
collection, ichthyological methods, aging,
classification, and identification of worldwide
fishes.
ENVS 343.
LIMNOLOGY (4)
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the
biological, chemical and physical conditions
affecting life in fresh water, particularly lakes,
ponds, and reservoirs. Topics include the linkages
between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,
limnological techniques and equipment,
productivity, pollution, fisheries management, and
aquaculture. Major biological components such as
the benthos, zooplankton, phytoplankton,
macroinvertebrates, vertebrates, and aquatic
vegetation will be examined.
ENVS 344. AQUATIC
ENTOMOLOGY (4)
This course introduces the taxonomy and ecology of
the insects most commonly found in freshwater
environments. Topics covered include insect
diversity, behavioral, morphological, and
physiological adaptations to specific habitats,
population and community level ecology, and
ecological relationships with physical and biotic
environments. The laboratory will emphasize
methods of sampling for aquatic invertebrates,
recognition of all orders and major families of
aquatic insects, and use of keys for
identification of specific aquatic insects to
lower taxonomic form.
ENVS 360.
SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY (3)
The course focuses on modern and ancient
sedimentary environments, relating these
environments to the composition and genesis of
sediments and sedimentary rocks. Principles of
stratigraphy applied in the study of sedimentary
rocks and stratigraphic theory are considered.
Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab per
week. Prerequisites: GSCI 301; ENVS 308.
ENVS 362. SOIL
SCIENCE AND LAB (4)
The course examines physical structure and
composition of soil in conjunction with the
dynamics of organisms within the physical and
chemical environment of the soil. Soil
classification as well as the role of soils and
their biota in food webs and ecosystem processes
will be emphasized. The laboratory will provide
field and lab techniques used in the study of soil
science. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and 102 or BIOL
208 and 209 or equivalent; ENVS 201 and 202; GSCI
301.
ENVS 368. GEOLOGY
OF NATIONAL PARKS (3)
This course provides an overview of the geology,
geomorphology, and historical development of
selected national parks. Special emphasis will be
placed on regional parks through field trips,
visits with park officials and resource managers,
and discussions of environmental problems singular
to parks. An application of geological method and
techniques will enhance students' knowledge base,
providing useful background for student interested
in careers in resource management and park
administration.
ENVS 401.
CONSERVATION ECOLOGY (4)
An environmentally focused course emphasizing the
varied aspects of the structure, function, and
perpetuation of ecosystems. Societal impact on
ecosystem structure will be considered through
discussion and laboratory analysis, with the
recognition of ecosystem disruption a major course
focus. Representative topic areas include analysis
of aquatic marine populations, types of
ecosystems, population regulation, and energy
flow. Prerequisites: BIOL 101 and 102 or BIOL 208
and 209 or equivalent; ENVS 201, ENVS 202.
ENVS 422. STREAM
ECOLOGY (4)
This course examines the physical, chemical, and
biological processes in stream ecosystems. The
emphasis is to understand ecological structure and
function and to assess anthropological and natural
impacts on ecological function. Students in the
course will conduct basic aquatic field sampling
and laboratory analysis of physical, chemical, and
biological components and test hypotheses related
to environmental assessment. Prerequisites: BIOL
101 and 102 or BIOL 208 and 209 or equivalent;
ENVS 201 and 202.
ENVS 440. SOLID
WASTE/AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND LAB (4)
An applied course focusing on solid waste
standards, regulations, and the nature of solid
waste and the management, monitoring, and
placement criteria employed in landfill siting.
Air quality standards and regulations, pollutant
composition, and monitoring of pollution sources
will constitute the second aspect of the course.
Non-point source pollutants for air and solid
waste will be considered as well as the more
traditional isolated point sources. The course
will include site visits and presentations by
experts in specific areas of solid waste and air
quality management. This course provides the
student with an awareness of criteria employed in
management of solid waste and air pollution, two
critical areas of waste management.
ENVS 441.
HYDROLOGY AND LAB (4)
This course will focus on the dynamic nature of
earth's surface and subsurface waters and the
impact of human exploitation of these water
resources. Techniques for monitoring and analyzing
both surface and subsurface waters will be
presented and practically applied as part of the
laboratory component. Water quality standards and
the criteria on which these standards are based
will also be addressed in this course.
ENVS 450.
ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIP (6)
A 400-hour internship with students placed within
an environmental organization or industry in which
they can apply their environmental background in a
practical forum. Although flexible arrangements
can be formulated for placement, it is preferred
that the experience be completed during one summer
or a semester after completion of the junior year.
This will provide the student with practical
experience within the field, enhancing his or her
awareness of practical applications of
environmental studies and will increase the
student's employability.
ENVS 451. SENIOR
RESEARCH SEMINAR (3)
Independent research-based course designed as a
capstone for seniors. Research on a selected topic
will be synthesized as a senior thesis
presentation. Students will refine written and
oral communication skills as well as focus on the
analytical skills gained from the program as a
whole. This potentially serves as a
mini-internship since data may be generated from
the student's association with off-campus
agencies.
ENVS 490. APPLIED
REMOTE SENSING (4)
An introductory course into the many varieties of
remote sensing employed within the environmental
sciences and applications of these techniques to
field analysis. The course will focus on
application of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) to the environmental sciences. These systems
employ computers to store, retrieve, transform,
and display spatial environmentally oriented data
and have a myriad of applications in environmental
studies. Remote sensing is typically employed in
environmental analyses, ranging from land use to
wetlands characterization, requiring the
environmental studies student's awareness of these
frequently applied techniques.
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