Course Descriptions

EVSC 503 - (4) (IR)
Applied Statistics for Environmental Scientists
Prerequisite: Introductory course in probability or statistics; corequisite: EVSC 503L
A one-semester course designed to provide a firm knowledge of experimental design, hypothesis testing, and the use of statistical methods of data analysis.

EVSC 503L - (0) (IR)
Applied Statistics Laboratory
Corequisite: EVSC 503
Use of computer laboratories in the analysis of quantitative data.

EVSC 511 - (4) (Y)
Systems Analysis in Environmental Sciences
Prerequisites: Introductory statistics or integral calculus, Fortran programming, and permission of instructor
The holistic concepts of modern ecology and environmental sciences are introduced through various approaches to systems analysis. Simulation models are produced for both analog and digital computers, and their properties are explored.

EVSC 521 - (3) (IR)
Air Quality Planning
Study of methods for formulating and evaluating air quality plans; and techniques and strategies for air quality management.

EVSC 544 - (3) (O)
Physical Oceanography
Prerequisites: One year of college calculus, one semester of calculus-based college physics, or permission of instructor
Topics include physical properties, processes and structure of the oceans; mass and energy budgets; methods of measurements; the nature and theory of ocean currents; and waves and tides in the open sea, near shore and in estuaries.

EVSC 560 - (3) (Y)
Land Use Policies
Prerequisites: Two semesters of economics
Topics include goals for land use, analysis of legislation and land use controls, evaluation of resource allocation, and environmental impacts of national and local land use policies.

EVSC 710 - (3) (IR)
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
A survey of statistical and mathematical models used in environmental sciences. Emphasis on assumptions used, experimental design, and analysis of empirical data.

EVSC 760 - (3) (Y)
Microclimatology
Prerequisites: EVSC 350 or permission of instructor
Study of the principles governing atmospheric processes occurring at small temporal and spatial scales near the Earth’s surface, including energy, mass and momentum transfer. Includes features of the atmospheric environment effecting plants and feedback mechanisms between plants and their local microclimates, trace gas exchange between the terrestrial biosphere and the atmosphere, energy budgets, evapotranspiration, and motions near the surface.

EVSC 778 - (4) (E)
Quantitative Contaminant Hydrology
Prerequisite: A 500-level course in geology or hydrology
Provides an integrated interdisciplinary approach to quantitative aspects of the physics, chemistry, and biology of groundwater systems. Focuses on problems involving contamination of groundwaters. Emphasizes numerical solutions of the equations through the use of digital computers. Laboratory exercises are heavily oriented toward computer modeling, but also involve laboratory and field work.

EVSC 782 - (4) (IR)
Environmental Chemistry
Prerequisites: One year of college chemistry with laboratory, EVSC 386 or its equivalent
Study of the natural and anthropogenic mechanisms that control the chemistry of the environment through biogeochemical cycling. Provides an introduction to more specialized topics as atmospheric chemistry and aqueous geochemistry.

EVSC 786 - (3) (O)
Isotope Geochemistry
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
An investigation of natural phenomena by means of stable and unstable isotopes and of changes in their abundance including isotope fractionation. Applications include age dating, paleotemperature determination, and isotope tracers in natural systems.

EVSC 790, 791 - (1) (S)
Departmental Seminar
Study of current problems in environmental research management or public policy as presented by visiting speakers, faculty, or advanced graduate students.

EVSC 795, 796 - (3) (S)
Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Interdisciplinary focus on current problems and research in integrated areas of environmental sciences.

EVSC 890, 891 - (3) (S)
Seminar in Environmental Sciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
A central interdisciplinary research topic used as the focus of journal papers to be summarized and discussed by the participants. Proposals for original research within the selected area are also explored.

EVSC 895, 896 - (3) (S)
Advanced Topics in Environmental Sciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Interdisciplinary treatments of environmental systems wherein the interrelationships of hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere are explored and analyzed.

EVSC 897 - (3, 6, 9, 12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research
For master’s research, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

EVSC 898 - (3, 6, 9, 12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For master’s thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

EVSC 993, 994 - (1-9) (S)
Research Problems
Individual or group research on interdisciplinary problems in environmental sciences.

EVSC 997 - (3, 6, 9, 12) (S)
Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Doctoral Research
For doctoral research, taken before a dissertation director has been selected.

EVSC 999 - (3, 6, 9, 12) (S)
Non-Topical Research
For doctoral research, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.

Atmospheric Sciences

EVAT 541 - (4) (Y)
Atmospheric Dynamics
Prerequisites: Two semesters of integral calculus and two semesters of calculus-based college physics.
An introduction to theoretical meteorology encompassing dry and moist air thermodynamics, the mechanics of atmospheric motion, and the dynamics of atmospheric weather systems.

EVAT 542 - (3) (Y)
Microclimate
Prerequisite: One semester course in atmospheric sciences or permission of instructor
Principles of radiation transfer, soil heat flux, atmospheric heat transfer, atmospheric moisture, and evapotranspiration, motions near the Earth’s surface, and surface energy balances are covered to provide a basis for describing the microclimate of various surfaces.

EVAT 546 - (4) (Y)
Synoptic Meteorology
Prerequisite: EVAT 541 or permission of instructor
An introduction to weather analysis and forecasting, with attention to temperature and precipitation forecasting, and the diagnosis and prediction of atmospheric weather systems.

EVAT 550 - (3) (O)
Environmental Climatology
Corequisites: One semester course in atmospheric sciences or permission of instructor
An advanced-level survey of the theoretical and experimental research areas in climatology, emphasizing environmental problems associated with the atmosphere. Fundamental principles used in these studies are introduced and discussed, along with procedures used to present and analyze atmospheric information.

EVAT 793 - (1-6) (S)
Independent Study—Atmospheric Sciences
Individual or group study in developing or special areas of atmospheric sciences and interrelated areas.

EVAT 795, 796 - (3) (S)
Special Topics in Atmospheric Sciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Intensive presentation of selected interdisciplinary areas which stress atmospheric systems rarely covered in the established curricula.

EVAT 895, 896 - (3) (S)
Advanced Topics in Atmospheric Sciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Detailed, integrative treatments of the atmospheric systems in which the nature and dynamics of the atmosphere are central to understanding them.

Ecology

EVEC 521 - (4) (Y)
Aquatic Ecology
Prerequisites: One semester of ecology, one semester of hydrology, one year of college chemistry, and integral calculus, or permission of instructor
Review of the physics and chemistry of fresh-water and marine environments; functional classification of organisms in aquatic communities; and the energy and nutrient dynamics of aquatic communities. Three lecture hours, three laboratory hours.

EVEC 522 - (4) (O)
Terrestrial Ecology
Prerequisites: One semester of ecology or permission of instructor
Topics include the patterns and processes in terrestrial ecosystems: macro- and micro-meteorological factors; producer, consumer, and decomposer processes; hydrologic and biogeochemical pathways; and changes through space and time.

EVEC 523 - (3) (Y)
Microbial Ecology
Prerequisites: One semester of ecology, one semester of hydrology, or permission of instructor
The relationships of microorganisms to similar organisms, to dissimilar (macro) organisms, and to the physical-chemical environment are treated both as a demonstration of basic ecological theory and to indicate the importance of the microbes in maintaining the world as we know it. Topics include the organisms, microbial habitats, community formation and structure, interspecific relationships, nutrient cycling, and anthropocentric ecology.

EVEC 523L - (1) (Y)
Microbial Ecology Laboratory
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor; corequisite EVEC 523
Complements EVEC 523. Provides the opportunity to learn and experience the techniques used in microbial ecological research. Utilizes both classic techniques and state-of-the-art methods for determination of microbial biomass in nature. Includes various methods of determining microbiological activity, and several exercises involving field sampling and analysis.

EVEC 525 (3) (Y)
Ecological Issues in Global Change
Prerequisites: EVSC 320 or equivalent, one year of college calculus, or permission of the instructor
An introduction to the development and application of theoretical constructs and mathematical models for projecting the dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems to large-scale changes in the environment. Course has a required computer-based laboratory to provide an increased familiarity with ecological models used in global change studies.

EVEC 525L - (1) (Y)
Ecological Issues in Global Change Laboratory
Corequisite: EVEC 525
A computer-based laboratory in the application of ecological models to problems in evaluating the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to large-scale environmental change. Designed to parallel lecture material in EVEC 525.

EVEC 722 - (3) (E)
Estuarine Ecology
Prerequisites: EVEC 521, EVGE 584, introductory chemistry, and permission of instructor
Topics include hydrology, sediments, and biogeochemical cycles of the estuarine environment; organisms and their physiological adaptations, primary production, tropic relationships, and man-induced alterations.

EVEC 793 - (1-6) (S)
Independent Study—Ecology
Individual or group study in developing or special areas of ecology and interrelated areas.

EVEC 795, 796 - (3) (S)
Special Topics in Ecology
Prerequisites: One semester of ecology and permission of instructor
Selected interdisciplinary topics, stressing current problems and research in various areas of ecology and related fields.

EVEC 895, 896 - (3) (S)
Advanced Topics in Ecology
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Detailed integrative treatments of ecosystems wherein an understanding of the dynamics of components and processes is fundamental to comprehension and analysis.

Geosciences

EVGE 504 - (3) (O)
Geochemistry
Prerequisites: College chemistry and calculus, an introductory geology course, and a course in mineralogy
Study of the principles which govern the distribution and abundance of the elements in the earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.

EVGE 507 - (4) (Y)
Aqueous Geochemistry
Prerequisites: One year of college chemistry and calculus, and one mineralogy or petrology course
Study of the principals of thermodynamics as applied to mineral-water systems. Treatment includes mineral stability, phase diagrams, solution thermodynamics, electrolyte theory, aqueous complex and hydrolysis equilibria, and electrochemical equilibria.

EVGE 578 - (3) (Y)
Groundwater Hydrology
Prerequisites: EVSC 280, EVSC 340 or equivalents, two semesters calculus, CHEM 141, 142 or equivalents
An introduction to physical and chemical groundwater hydrology. Topics include the mechanics of groundwater flow, emphasizing geological factors influencing groundwater occurrence and movement; the influence of natural geological heterogeneity on groundwater flow patterns; and mass and heat transport in groundwater flow systems. The accompanying laboratory examines methods of hydrogeological data acquisition and analysis.

EVGE 582 - (4) (Y)
Geomorphology
Prerequisites: EVSC 280 or EVSC 340
Study of the processes that shape the land surface and their relationship to human activity.

EVGE 584 - (3) (Y)
Sediment Processes and Environments
Prerequisites: One year of calculus; corequisite: EVGE 584L
An introduction to important sediment properties and processes, including size distributions, initial motion, bed load and suspended load transport, bed forms, erosion and deposition, flocculation, sedimentary structures, and animal sediment interactions. Several depositional settings are investigated, including coastal, wetland, and fluvial environments.

EVGE 584L - (1) (Y)
Sediment Processes Laboratory
Corequisite: EVGE 584
Laboratory and field investigations of sediment properties and phenomena.

EVGE 780 - (4) (IR)
Engineering Geology and Soil Physics
Prerequisites: EVSC 280 and EVSC 340
Topics include the physics and mechanics of soils, measurement and mapping of soil properties, and implications for human activities and land use.

EVGE 793 - (1-6) (S)
Independent Study-Geosciences
Individual or group study in developing or special areas of geosciences and interrelated areas, emphasizing earth-surface processes.

EVGE 795, 796 - (3) (S)
Special Topics in Geosciences
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Selected interdisciplinary areas which stress current problems and research in earth-surface processes and their application to the environments impacted by human activity.

EVGE 895, 896 - (3) (S)
Advanced Topics in Environmental Geology
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Interdisciplinary study of the physical processes and responses which modify environmental systems. Exhaustive treatments of the nature and analysis of earth materials as environmental substrates and their responses to stress are represented, as are other techniques in geosciences focusing on earth-surface properties.

Hydrology

EVHY 544 - (3) (Y)
Catchment Hydrology: Process and Theory
Prerequisite: EVSC 340 or equivalent
An introduction to current theories of the hydrological response of catchments. Using an integrative approach, the course illuminates the derivation of theory in light of the time and location of the process studies on which they were based.

EVHY 545 - (4) (Y)
Hydrological Transport Processes
Prerequisites: Introductory geology and hydrology
Study of the physical principles governing the transport of dissolved substances, and of sediment and particulate matter in the terrestrial portion of the hydrological cycle.

EVHY 547 - (4) (Y)
Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Prerequisites: Integral calculus and calculus-based physics, or permission of instructor
Study of the mechanics of fluids and fluid-related processes occurring at the Earth’s surface, including laminar, inviscid, and turbulent flows, drag, boundary layers, diffusion and dispersion of mass, flow through porous media, and effects of the Earth’s rotation. Emphasizes topics related to the environmental sciences.

EVHY 744 - (3) (IR)
Dynamic Hydrology
Prerequisites: Introductory hydrology and differential equations, or permission of instructor
Study of the interrelationships of the various phases in the water cycle; principles governing that cycle; and the influence of human activity on natural circulation of water at or near the Earth’s surface.

EVHY 747 - (3) (O)
Numerical Methods in Hydrology
Prerequisites: EVHY 500-level course
Application of numerical methods to the solution of hydrological problems. The Matlab computational and plotting software is used for all examples and assignments, including finite difference and finite element solutions to equations describing the flow of water and transport of contaminants in the terrestrial environment. Prior knowledge of Matlab is not required.

EVHY 793 - (1-6) (S)
Independent Study—Hydrology and Water Resources
Individual or group study in developing or special areas of hydrology and water resource analysis and interrelated areas.

EVHY 795, 796 - (3) (S)
Special Topics in Hydrology and Water Resources
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Study of particular and specific problems in hydrology and water resources not covered in regular course work.

EVHY 895, 896 - (3) (S)
Advanced Topics in Hydrology and Water Resources
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Specialized research into specific hydrologic or water management problems. Emphasizes an integrative analysis of the physical, social, and economic nature of these problems.

Continue to: Departmental Degree Requirements
Return to: Chapter 5 Index