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 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.
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)