ESCI - Environmental Sciences

The course is designed for Freshman Environmental Sciences majors to assist them in their transition into a college environment, to introduce them more specifically to the Environmental Sciences program, to help them acquire the skills necessary to be successful in a science major, and as a first introduction into some of the most pressing contemporary environmental issues. Students will be introduced to the Environmental Sciences faculty, as well as other Environmental Sciences majors, with discussions focused upon campus resources, study skills and current environmental issues.

The course's objective is to increase student awareness of the environmental issues that affect different parts of the world and the planet as a whole. The course will explore the historical roots of the problems and how different societies deal with environmental degradation. Topics will include overpopulation, food production, water scarcity, pollution and global climate change, among others. The format of the course invites participation, discussion and critical thinking.

Methods common to environmental sciences emphasizing laboratory and field measurement techniques. In the laboratory, wet chemical and electrochemical techniques; methods of trace pollutant analysis; bioassays; BOD measurements, etc., will be studied. Field studies will include classical techniques such as dissolved oxygen and Secchi disk measurements, as well as more recent assessment methods such as terrain conductivity and macroinvertebrate studies. Combination lecture/laboratory.

Introduction to concepts involved in risk assessment and how they are applied to formulating a human or ecological risk assessment. Modern methods and models describing environmental risk assessment strategies will be emphasized. Topics will include fate and transport processes of pollutants in the environment, data evaluation, air and water quality, human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, and hazardous waste remediation. Case studies will be drawn from the contemporary literature and students will formulate a risk assessment as part of a team.

This course is designed for senior-level Environmental Sciences majors. In this first semester seminar course every student will present several short seminars as preparation for a full-length seminar on a current topic of environmental sciences research to be given in the second semester senior seminar course. Emphasis is given on detailed knowledge of the subject matter, techniques for searching the professional literature, and procedures for the preparation and presentation of a professional presentation.

Each student will present a seminar on a current topic of environmental sciences research during the spring semester of their senior year. Emphasis on detailed knowledge of the subject matter, techniques for searching the professional literature, and procedures for the preparation and presentation of a professional seminar.

Independent research, independent study, or internship under the direction of a participating faculty advisor.