Plan of Study – Environmental Science
Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.
Environmental Science: Bach Sci |
Environmental Analysis (Concentration Choice) |
Environmental Studies (Concentration Choice) Major Courses (Minimum of 53-54 semester hours required.)
Fundamental biological principles and problems as they apply to molecular, cellular, and organismic levels of the biosphere. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 1110 or equivalent, one year each of high school biology and chemistry highly recommended. Corequisite: BIO 1030.LB.
Laboratory investigating fundamental biological principles and problems as they apply to molecular, cellular, and organismic levels of the biosphere.
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 1110 or equivalent, one year each of high school biology and chemistry highly recommended. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisite: BIO 1030.
Fundamental biological principles and problems as they apply to evolutionary theory, biosystematics, plant structure and function, animal behavior, and ecological concepts. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: one year each of high school biology and chemistry highly recommended; BIO 1030 and BIO 1030.LB recommended but not required. Corequisite: BIO 1040.LB.
Laboratory course investigating fundamental biological principles and problems as they apply to evolutionary theory, biosystematics, plant structure and function, animal behavior, and ecological concepts. Prerequisite: one year each of high school biology and chemistry highly recommended; BIO 1030 and BIO 1030.LB recommended but not required. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisite: BIO 1040.
Principles of chemistry, including atomic structure and periodicity, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, solution concepts, acid-base theory, redox processes, and equilibrium. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: one year of high school chemistry or CHM 1010 with grade of C (2.0) or better; one year of high school algebra or MTH 1040 with grade of C (2.0) or better. Two years of high school algebra highly recommended, or MTH 1040 and 1050 with grades of C (2.0) or better. Corequisite: CHM 1110.LB.
Principles of chemistry, including atomic structure and periodicity, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, solution concepts, acid- base theory, redox processes, and equilibrium. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: one year of high school chemistry or CHM 1010 with grade of C (2.0) or better; one year of high school algebra or MTH 1040 with grade of C (2.0) or better. Two years of high school algebra highly recommended, or MTH 1040 and 1050 with grades of C (2.0) or better. Corequisite: CHM 1110.
Principles of thermodynamics/Thermochemistry, kinetics, equilibrium systems, Acid-Base Chemistry, Buffers, Solutions, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in CHM 1110 or equivalent; prerequisite or corequisite minimum grade of C in MTH 1060 or 1210 or equivalent. Corequisite: CHM 1120.LB.
Principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium systems, proton transfer, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Laboratory projects related to each major subject area. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in CHM 1110 or equivalent; prerequisite or corequisite minimum grade of C in MTH 1060 or 1210 or equivalent. Corequisite: CHM 1120.
Preparation and presentation of a research paper. All seniors in the College of Science and Mathematics must complete this course with a grade of C (2.0) or better as a graduation requirement; to be taken within the last 6-8 hours of the major.
Major electives (Minimum of 5 semester hours required. Choose from: BIO 2260 and BIO 2260 Lab, CHM 3610 and CHM 3610 Lab, ENV 2930, ENV 4700, ESS 2160 and ESS 2160 Lab, NFS 3312, and WRT 2440.)
Fundamental principles of microbiology with emphasis on the biology of bacteria and other microbes (metabolism, genetics, growth, and death), their ecological relationships in natural and controlled environments, and the interactions of pathogenic microorganisms and their human and animal hosts. Lecture meets 3 hours per week. Corequisite: BIO 2260.LB.
Laboratory course investigating the fundamental principles of microbiology through hands-on exploration of techniques such as smear and stain preparation, safe handling of microorganisms and care and maintenance of cultures. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1110 or CHM 1610; and BIO 1030 or BIO 2250 or BIO 2450. Corequisite: BIO 2260.
Principles of biochemistry; major metabolic and biosynthetic pathways; structure and conformation of biological molecules and their molecular biology. Laboratory exercises in enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis, chromatography, and DNA isolation and manipulation. Lecture will meet 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisites: CHM 1110, CHM 1110.LB; and CHM 2210, CHM 2210.LB or CHM 1610 and CHM 1610.LB. Corequisite CHM 3610.LB.
Laboratory exercises in enzyme kinetics, electrophoresis, chromatography, and DNA isolation and manipulation. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisite: CHM 3610.
Field placement in governmental, industrial, or academic settings that provide experience in environmental science issues, e.g., water, soil, sewer, and/or sediment testing, community cleanup, park management, animal shelter.
Independent research, directed reading, or special problems under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: recommendation of major advisor and problem director.
Earth Science is designed to acquaint the student with the principles and theories in the earth sciences. The subdisciplines of geology, meteorology, and astronomy will be emphasized. Interdisciplinary course designed for General Science, Integrated Science, and non-science majors. The course will be taught by a combination of lectures, visual aids, and videotapes. Lecture will meet for 3 hours per week. Corequisite: ESS 2160.LB.
The purpose of this lab is to reveal the complex inter-relatedness of earth processes affecting the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. This course is designed to broaden the student’s hands on and experimental lab experience that will enhance their understanding of the earth‘s geological and atmospheric processes, the astronomical origin of planet Earth and its Oceans. Lab will meet for 3 hours per week. Corequisite ESS 2160.
Study of the issues related to the current US food system and its effects on human health and the environment. Topics include sustainable food system approaches, community food security, and social justice. Students will participate in service learning in a sustainable agriculture setting.
Theory and application of technical writing principles. Topics include an introduction to the technical communication environment, ethical and legal considerations, the basics of writing and analyzing technical documents, collaborative writing, and design principles for documents and Web sites. Students create a variety of technical documents for inclusion in their final e-portfolios. Prerequisite: WRT 1020 or equivalent.
Concentration Choice (Required concentration, select from Environmental Analysis (31 s.h.) or Environmental Studies (30 s.h.))
Concentration Courses (Minimum of 31 semester hours required.)
Structure and classification of compounds of carbon, with stress on the aliphatics; IUPAC nomenclature; properties, characteristic reactions of the common functional groups, especially of the oxygen functions; concepts of stereochemistry; introduction to mechanisms; stress on Bronsted and Lewis acid/base processes. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: CHM 1110 or equivalent. CHM 1120 highly recommended. Corequisite CHM 2210.LB.
Structure and classification of compounds of carbon with stress on the aliphatics; IUPAC nomenclature; properties, characteristic reactions of the common functional groups, especially of the oxygen functions; concepts of stereochemistry; introduction to mechanisms; stress on Bronsted and Lewis acid/base processes. Laboratory exercises directed to demonstration of mechanistic processes. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: CHM 1110 or equivalent. Corequisite: CHM 2210.
More extensive study of reaction mechanisms; aromatics; spectroscopy; organometallics. Laboratory exercises directed to the systematic identification of organic functional groups, spectroscopy and chromatography. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1110 and 2210; CHM 1120 highly recommended. Corequisite: CHM 2220.LB.
More extensive study of reaction mechanism, aromatics, spectroscopy, and polymerization. Laboratory exercises directed to aromatic substitution reactions, chromatography, and systematic identification of organic functional groups. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1110 and CHM 2210; CHM 1120 highly recommended. Corequisite: CHM 2220.
A study of the influences of physical, chemical, and biological factors on the structure and function of inland lakes and ecosystems. Lecture will meet 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: 6 s.h. in Biology. Corequisite: ENV 3210.LB.
A study of the influences of physical, chemical, and biological factors on the structure and function of inland lakes and ecosystems. Lab will meet for 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: 6 s.h. in Biology. Corequisite ENV 3210.
Application of spectrophotometric and field-kit methods in the elucidation of quantitative and qualitative data from soil, water, algae, invertebrates, plants, and fish collections. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1120, 2210, MTH 1210 or equivalent. Corequisite: ENV 3320.LB.
Application of spectrophotometric and field-kit methods in the elucidation of quantitative and qualitative data from soil, water, algae, invertebrates, plants, and fish collections. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1120, 2210, MTH 1210 or equivalent. Corequisite: ENV 3320.
Research investigations focused on a variety of pollution topics, e.g., mercury or metal concentration analysis of soil, water, invertebrates, fish, and plants; E coli colony studies of the nearby lakes and ponds; development of environmentally friendly biocides; acid rain/air pollutants. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: BIO 1040, CHM 1120. Corequisite: ENV 4710.LB.
Application of spectrophotometric and field-kit methods in the elucidation of quantitative and qualitative data from soil, water, algae, invertebrates, plants, and fish collections. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: CHM 1120, 2210, MTH 1210 or equivalent. Corequisite: ENV 4710.
This course introduces the atmospheric phenomena , weather and climate. It is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of the earth's atmosphere and its changing behavior. It provides a first look at various aspects of meteorology including solar radiation, global circulation, environmental issues, winds, cloud formation, stability, precipitation processes, weather systems, and severe weather. The course will also cover meteorological terminology, large-scale climate processes such as El Niño, and will discuss techniques of weather forecasting. Lecture will meet for 3 hours per week. Corequisite: ESS 3260. LB.
This lab course provides the students with a hands-on introduction to experimental methods of scientific investigations in Meteorology and Climatology. It provides a first look at various aspects of atmospheric science including solar radiation, global circulation, environmental issues, winds, cloud formation, stability, precipitation processes, weather systems, and severe weather. The course will also emphasize the basic physical principles and processes that are important for a better understanding of the physical world and is designed for students of all majors interested in weather and global environmental change and other environmental disciplines. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisite: ESS 3260.
PHY 2530/2630 Option (Choose from: PHY 2530 and PHY 2530 Lab or PHY 2630 and PHY 2630 Lab. *Students planning graduate study are advised to select PHY 2630.00 and PHY 2630.LB, and PHY 2640.00 and PHY 2640.LB in their plans.)
Fundamental methods of mechanics, molecular physics, heat, and sound. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: MTH 1050 and 1060, or 1210, or the equivalent; or departmental approval. Corequisite: PHY 2530.LB.
Experiments in the fundamental methods of mechanics, molecular physics, heat, and sound. Lab will meet for 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: MTH 1050 and 1060, or 1210, or the equivalent; or departmental approval. Corequisite: PHY 2530.
This is the first of two calculus-based physics sequence for students planning to major in engineering, pre-med, chemistry, Mathematics and computer science. This course covers motion and Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, rigid body mechanics, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, waves and sound and thermal physics. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Corequisites: MTH 2510, PHY 2630.LB.
This is the first of two calculus-based physics sequence for students planning to major in engineering, pre-med, chemistry, Mathematics and computer science. This course covers motion and Newton’s laws, energy, momentum, rigid body mechanics, gravitation, simple harmonic motion, waves and sound and thermal physics. Lab will meet for 3 hours per week. Corequisite: MTH 2510; PHY 2630.
PHY 2540/2640 Option (Choose from: PHY 2540 and PHY 2540 LAB or PHY 2640 and PHY 2640 LAB. *Students planning graduate study are advised to select PHY 2630.00 and PHY 2630.LB, and PHY 2640.00 and PHY 2640.LB in their plans.)
Fundamental methods and principles of magnetism, electricity, optics, light, and atomic physics. Lecture will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: MTH 1050 and MTH 1060, or MTH 1210, or the equivalent; or departmental approval. Co-requisite: PHY 2540.LB.
Carry out experiments that would strengthen the fundamental methods and principles of magnetism, electricity, optics, light, and atomic physics. Lab will meet 3 hours per wek. Prerequisites: MTH 1050 and MTH 1060, or MTH 1210, or the equivalent; or departmental approval. Corequisite: PHY 2540.
Fundamentals of electricity, magnetism and Nature of electric charges, electric field, magnetic field and concept of electromagnetic waves. Understanding wave interference, reflection and refraction of light waves. Fundamentals of mirrors and lenses and optical instruments. Lecture will meet for 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: MTH 2510 and PHY 2630. Corequisite: PHY 2640.LB.
Experiments in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Nature of electric charges, electric field, magnetic field and concept of electromagnetic waves. Understanding wave interference, reflection and refraction of light waves. Fundamentals of mirrors and lenses and optical instruments. These would all be explored through experiments. Lab will meet 3 hours per week. Prerequisites: MTH 2510 and PHY 2630. Corequisite: PHY 2640.
Concentration Courses (Minimum of 30 semester hours required.)
Analysis of various examples of human-animal conflicts representative of a wide spectrum of inter-species competition for resources. The focus is on proposing sustainable solutions based on sound scientific and ethical premises, while taking into account cultural and economic factors.
Study of the interrelationships and impact of humans on the environment. Addresses political, sociological and ecological consequences of human-environment interaction. Topics include habitat destruction, consequences of pollution, loss of biodiversity, conservation biology, and sustainability.
Study of the principles of ecological interdependence and interaction between plants and animals with each other and with their environment. Prerequisite: 6 s.h. in biology; MTH 2350. Corequisite: BIO 3220.LB.
An overview of research methods used in field studies complements theoretical concepts in lecture. Corequisite: BIO 3220.
An introduction to growing plants in a greenhouse, plant identification, and growing specific plants in this environment. Explores applications of greenhouse practices to sustainability. Prerequisite: Approval from the Environmental Science Program Director
Focus on using location-based data for wide-range applications, including environmental science, public health, and social science. Geographic information Systems (GIS) are computer systems that process, analyze, and visualize location data. The collection, understanding, processing, and communication of location data are explained, demonstrated, and used in project-based assignments.
Introduction to the whole range of human interactions with the sea; includes special emphasis on environmental considerations and advancements associated with exploring the sea. Interdisciplinary course designed for General Science, Integrated Science, and non-science majors.
Interdisciplinary overview of the concepts of sustainability, including its origins in spiritual traditions and its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Allows for individualized exploration of topics such as food systems, climate, public policy, renewable energy, and green building.
An exploration of the interface between social justice, animal welfare, and environmental protection through the lenses of humanities and social sciences. Current issues are discussed within the framework of the Franciscan tradition.
Study of the issues related to the current US food system and its effects on human health and the environment. Topics include sustainable food system approaches, community food security, and social justice. Students will participate in service learning in a sustainable agriculture setting.
Study of moral/ethical dilemmas of equitable and responsible stewardship over creation. Judeo-Christian/Franciscan, non-western perspectives of contemporary issues of war and peace, abundance and want, stewardship and domination, excess and poverty, etc., are explored.
Support Courses (Minimum of 9 semester hours required.)
MTH 1210/2510 Option (Choose from: MTH 1210 or MTH 2510.)
Topics include functions, zeros of polynomials, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, complex numbers, analytic geometry and conic sections; applications and problem-solving. Prerequisite: MTH 1050 or placement based on the mathematics sub-score of the SAT/ACT standardized test.
Topics include a study of limits, continuity, derivatives of algebraic and transcendental functions, applications of derivatives, integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: MTH 1210 or departmental approval. Computer Science majors must complete this course with a grade of C (2.0) or better within the first 20 semester hours of their major.
Topics include data collection and graphic presentation; measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; normal and binomial distributions; regression and correlation; sampling methods; design of experiments; probability and simulation; sampling distributions; statistical inference including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for one-sample and two-sample problems; chi-square distribution and test of significance; ANOVA. Prerequisite: MTH 1040 or placement based on the mathematics sub-score of the SAT/ACT standardized test or departmental placement exam.
