This course offers a broad perspective of the issue of sustainability and its importance to creating a truly sustainable world for all species on our planet. Using a series of case studies we will examine how an understanding of sustainability issues will change the students' perceptions of food and energy supply, business and commerce, and wildlife and their habitats. Putting sustainable principles into practice encourages environmental and business responsibility, regenerates ecosystem health and contributes to social well-being. This course will help students develop an active response to the environmental, business and social challenges facing us in the coming decades.
This course is designed to introduce all students to the various components of our dynamic environment, and to promote an understanding of the unique relationship between the environment and the many facets of society. Topics include an introduction to environmental economics and policy, environmental systems, biodiversity, the study of populations, food safety and agriculture, conservation, land use and management, environmental health, freshwater and marine resources, atmospheric science, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, waste management, and sustainability. Lab exercises will be associated with issues discussed in class, and include applied laboratory techniques related to air, soil, and water quality, food safety, population limitation, ecology, biodiversity, environmental health and toxicology, pollution, climate change, and energy sources. (Open to all students)
This course introduces students to United States environmental policy and its processes. Students will gain an understanding of administrative efficiency and effectiveness as it relates to protection of the environment at the federal and state levels. Students will be introduced to major environmental policies including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA, and others and develop an understanding of quality standards for land, air, and water, as well as an understanding of the minimal standards required for preventing degradation of the environment.
The course provides a general understanding of the nature, properties, effects, and detection of toxic substances in the environment and in any exposed species, including humans. Fundamental toxicology concepts will be covered including mechanisms of toxicology, risk assessment, absorption, distribution and excretion of toxicants. The properties of carcinogens, pesticides, metals, solvents, radiation, and toxic animal venoms will be discussed. Toxic effects of plants, air pollution, and food will also be explored. Case studies and special topics will be critically reviewed.
This course focuses on the physical properties of water, air, and soils, energy, and water in the Earth system, kinetic and potential energy as they relate to environmental processes, and soil/plant/atmosphere relationships. Higher level concepts to be covered include: physical processes controlling contaminant distribution and fate; hydrological processes controlling contaminant transport; sources, prevention, and remediation of environmental pollutants.
This course will cover the fundamentals of soil and water analyses. The course emphasizes fieldwork and the measurement of chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils, soil-water interactions, erosion, and water. Soil properties important to environmental planning, as well as soil survey interpretation and use will also be covered.
This course offers a broad perspective of the issue of sustainability and its importance to creating a truly sustainable world for all species on our planet. Using a series of case studies we will examine how an understanding of sustainability issues will change the students' perceptions of food and energy supply, business and commerce, and wildlife and their habitats. Putting sustainable principles into practice encourages environmental and business responsibility, regenerates ecosystem health and contributes to social well-being. This course will help students develop an active response to the environmental, business and social challenges facing us in the coming decades.
This course is designed to introduce all students to the various components of our dynamic environment, and to promote an understanding of the unique relationship between the environment and the many facets of society. Topics include an introduction to environmental economics and policy, environmental systems, biodiversity, the study of populations, food safety and agriculture, conservation, land use and management, environmental health, freshwater and marine resources, atmospheric science, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, waste management, and sustainability. Lab exercises will be associated with issues discussed in class, and include applied laboratory techniques related to air, soil, and water quality, food safety, population limitation, ecology, biodiversity, environmental health and toxicology, pollution, climate change, and energy sources. (Open to all students)