Master of Science in Environmental Science

Course Descriptions

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

ENVS 505. Technical and Scientific Writing (2-2-0)
This course discusses the fundamentals of technical writing with consideration of other types of scientific writing. The stylistic and mechanical problems characteristic of technical writing are considered and worked on individually and in groups. Students write and edit journal articles.

ENVS 510. Biometry (3-3-0)
Prerequisites: MATH 125, Introduction to Statistics, or equivalent course. The application of statistical methods to biological problems. Experimental design, data acquisition, single and multiple analysis of variance, regression and correlation are covered. Test selection and modeling are also included.

ENVS 510L. Biometry Laboratory (2-0-3)
Corequisite: ENVS 510. Develops skills in the use of statistical software packages including relational databases.

ENVS 518. Biological Conservation: Theory and Practice (3-3-0)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology. Biological conservation is a relatively new, applied discipline having more ethical and sociopolitical ramifications than is typical of non-medical scientific disciplines. This course covers the development of conservation theory, biodiversity and problems of determining and evaluating biodiversity, relevant ecological principles, and ethical and economic issues. The course considers current conservation problems and the methods and strategies. The first part of the course is in lecture format and the second part is in seminar format.

ENVS 519. Restoration Ecology (3-3-0)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology. This course familiarizes the student with the newly emerging science of restoration ecology, including its theoretical foundation and its application in today's world. The first part of the course concerns case studies and the second part of the course, in seminar format, concerns recently published studies found in the peer-reviewed literature.

ENVS 522. Summer Field Studies (2-0-6)
Prerequisites: ENVS 505-Technical and Scientific Writing; ENVS 510/510L-Biometry with Lab; and ENVS 518-Biological Conservation: Theory and Practice or BIOL 519-Restoration Ecology. A one-week field camp in selected habitats emphasizing application of field data gathering and processing techniques to the solving of multifaceted environmental problems. Travel, camping and boat work required. An additional day on campus is required for student presentations.

ENVS 525. Environmental Regulations (3-3-0)
A seminar designed to explore current environmental regulations and their impact on various constituents.

ENVS 530. Biogeography (3-3-0)
The study of the patterns of distributions of organisms, both past and present and the abiotic and biotic factors that produced those distributions.

ENVS 532. Wetlands Ecology (4-3-4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology, and one year of Chemistry. A study of the structure and function of wetland systems from salt to fresh and tropical to the arctic. Concepts will cover hydrology, biogeochemistry, wetland development and succession. Wetland delineation, management, creation and restoration apply these concepts. Field exercises at local wetlands are included.

ENVS 534. Marine Ecology (4-3-4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology, and consent of instructor. Ecology of the disturbed and non-disturbed marine environment. Topics covered include: global distribution of marine organism and the factors influencing their distribution, plankton ecology,the benthos, salt marsh and sea grass ecology, rocky shore and coral reef ecology, human exploitation and interference in marine habitats, and sampling techniques in marine systems. Extensive field and boat work.

ENVS 536. Terrestrial Ecology (4-3-4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology. A study of the structure and function of terrestrial systems focusing on the distinctive landscapes of the mid-Atlantic coastal region. Concepts will cover population, community and ecosystem ecology of plants and animals within these systems with attention given to the processes and functions that are distinct within and common among these systems. Field exercises are included.

ENVS 538. Limnology and Aquatic Biology (4-3-4)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology, and one year of Chemistry. Interactions of physical, chemical and biological properties in natural and degraded freshwater ecosystems. Emphasis on application of field data gathering, processing and functional classification of organisms in aquatic communities. Extensive field and laboratory work.

ENVS 540. Environmental Microbiology (4-3-4)
Prerequisites: General Microbiology; BIOL 407-General Ecology; two semesters of organic chemistry; plus ENVS 505- Technical and Scientific Writing; and ENVS 510/510L-Biometry and Lab. The course investigates the role microorganisms play in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. The course explores: the dynamics of microbial populations and communities; normal microbiota and their interactions with other organisms; and environmental pathologies in which microorganisms are the primary agent (e.g., coliforms and other fecal contaminants in water, and adicophiles in mine tailings). In the laboratory, students learn classic environmental testing procedures and novel new assessment procedures that have their roots in biochemistry and molecular biology.

ENVS 550. Global Change (3-3-0)
Prerequisites: BIOL 407-General Ecology. An examination of the evidence for and causes of global change. The impact of changes in the global cycles of C, N, P and H2O on ecosystem structure and function are examined. Atmosphere, terrestrial and aquatic biosphere changes are discussed along with their effect on plant and animal communities. Students present current scientific papers on various issues within this field.

ENVS 590. Topical Seminars in Environmental Science (1-4 credits)
Prerequisites: These vary depending on the topic offered. A variety of environmental science related topics not available in the regular curriculum are offered. These courses will be designed to fill a particular need not met by the regular courses or may be designed to use the talents of an environmental scientist who is not part of the faculty.

ENVS 595. Advanced Topics in Environmental Science (Credit varies)
Course topics are selected on the basis of faculty and student interests.

ENVS 689. Project Research for Non-Thesis (1-3 Credits)

ENVS 699. Thesis Research (1-6 Credits, taken in increments)
The student may not proceed beyond the first credit without thesis committee approval of the proposal. 

CHEMISTRY

CHEM 545. Instrumental Methods in Chemistry (4-2-5)
Prerequisites: General Physics 201-202; and Organic Chemistry 321/321L-322/322L. Application of chemical principles to instrumentation. Instruction in operation of a variety of modern instruments.

CHEM 555. Environmental Instrumental Analysis (4-2-5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 445 or 545-Instrumental Methods in Chemistry. Analytical methods for the analysis of environmentally significant substances in both trace and macroscopic abundances using modern instrumental methods. Analyses include both desirable and objectional impurities in air and water, such as oxygen in water samples and heavy metal in water, and trace gases and other atmospheric impurities. Emphases in AA and GC-MS with other instruments used as needed.

CHEM 585. Advanced Instrumental Analysis (4-2-5)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 445 or 545- Instrumental Methods in Chemistry. An independent study project, particularly arranged for those working in an analytical testing laboratory. Student and instructor select a problem to be solved, either in the laboratory at the University or at the place of employment (or jointly). Emphasis is on utilizing instruments available to the student in the workplace.