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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(ES)

2013 Introduction to Environmental Systems I
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An introduction to the biotic principles of man-machine-community interrelationships within the natural and built environments. General attention is given to the biotic concepts of growth, processes, and changes occurring in ecosystems and social structures. Emphasis on understanding system dynamics and their relation to public policy formulation and natural resource use. May apply toward the Level I Core Curriculum requirement in science. [TCCN: BIOL 2306.]

2021 Introduction to Environmental Systems I Laboratory
(0-3) 1 hour credit. Concurrent enrollment in ES 2013 is recommended.
Qualitative and quantitative methods in the study of biotic environmental systems.

2023 Introduction to Environmental Systems II
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An introduction to the abiotic principles of man-machine-community interrelationships within the natural and built environments. General attention is given to the abiotic environmental factors including natural hazards (earthquakes, fires, volcanoes, landslides, and floods), pollution processes, energy resources, and changes occurring in ecosystems. Emphasis on understanding system dynamics and their relation to natural resource use.

2031 Introduction to Environmental Systems II Laboratory
(0-3) 1 hour credit. Concurrent enrollment in ES 2023 is recommended.
Qualitative and quantitative methods in the study of abiotic environmental systems.

3023 Man and His Natural Resources
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
An in-depth analysis of humankind's dependency on the major natural resources of the earth such as water, air, soils, forests, grasslands, minerals, fuels, and wildlife, and the environmental problems that arise through societal mismanagement.

3034 Environmental Ecology
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Prerequisites: ES 2013 and ES 2023, or consent of instructor.
Examination of the interactions of biotic and abiotic systems, including interactions of plants, animals, and the environment.

3044 Environmental Quality
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Prerequisites: ES 2013 and ES 2023, or consent of instructor.
Evaluation of present and future strategies to measure, appraise, model, and preserve a healthy environment.

3054 Environmental Remediation
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Prerequisites: ES 2013 and ES 2023, or consent of instructor.
Evaluations of present and future strategies used to clean up or remediate various terrestial, aquatic, and marine environments.

3104 Environmental Microbiology
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Prerequisites: ES 2013 and ES 2023, or consent of instructor.
Examination of the interaction between microorganisms and their environment, including various natural habitats. Special consideration is given to application of genetically engineering microorganisms for solving environmental problems.

3203 Environmental Law
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Present day environmental enabling acts and regulations will be covered, with emphasis on federal acts, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and associated regulations.

4043 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
(2-2) 3 hours credit.
An introduction to the computer as a mapping device for the query, analysis, creation, and display of spatially related environmental data. This course teaches GIS fundamentals with the widely used GIS software ArcView. Additional topics include using the Global Positioning System (GPS) for data acquisition.

4053 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: ES 4043 or consent of instructor.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are an excellent tool for modeling, analyzing, and managing environmental systems. This course teaches advanced concepts and applications of industry standard GIS software in an environmental context. Additional topics include data creation with Global Positioning System (GPS), digitizing, remote sensing, Graphical User Interface (GUI) manipulation, and scripting.

4063 Global Positioning System (GPS) Mapping
(2-2) 3 hours credit.
Students will have the opportunity to learn methods for using the space-based Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation and for the creation of natural resource inventory maps. Course will cover topics such as base station and rover operations, differential correction of data, creation of data dictionaries, accuracy, mapping under adverse conditions, etc. Students in this course will spend significant time outdoors traveling over rough terrain. Students successfully completing this course will receive Trimble GPS certification.

4083 Advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) Mapping
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: ES 4063 or consent of instructor.
Advanced techniques for data collection utilizing a variety of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Topics include acquisition of subcentimeter data, determination of accuracy and precision, advanced receiver configurations, application development and precision agriculture. Students in this course will spend significant time outdoors traveling over rough terrain.

4093 Remote Sensing
(2-2) 3 hours credit.
Methods for interpreting remotely sensed environmental data such as satellite and aerial photograph imagery. Topics covered include photo interpretation, determination of scale, photogrammetric correction, land-cover and land-use classification. The use of image analysis software will also be studied.

4104 Global Change
(3-3) 4 hours credit.
Examination of the impact of man and his activities on the environment: their effect on acquatic, marine, and terrestrial plant, animal, and human resources.

4193 Field-Based Inquiry
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Level II core course science and mathematics requirements.
This course will enable future teachers to integrate fieldwork and inquiry into their curriculum. Observational and descriptive skills from a field-based research perspective will be emphasized. Mapping techniques will include paceand-compass mapping, plane table mapping, and an introduction to global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. An interdisciplinary approach that explores Earth system interactions will be highlighted. Students will develop and carry out a research project based upon fieldwork. Students in this course will spend significant time outdoors traveling over rough terrain. (Same as GEO 4193. Credit cannot be earned for both ES 4193 and GEO 4193.)

4203 Environmental Assessment
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Examination of environmental problems as well as their possible impact and potential solutions will be presented and explored from a variety of areas including soil, air, water, coastal and marine systems.

4204 Environmental Toxicology
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Prerequisites: ES 2013 and ES 2023, or consent of instructor.
Examination of advanced or specialized hazardous or toxic waste treatment methods. Emphasis will be on physical, chemical, and biological processes in treatment and processing of hazardous wastes materials.

4911-3 Independent Study
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Permission in writing (form available) of the instructor, the student's advisor, the Department Chair and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor's degree.

4951-3 Special Studies in Environmental Science
(1-0, 2-0, 3-0) 1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor's degree.

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