Environmental Science and Studies
DOUGLAS J. CRAWFORD-BROWN, Director
Affiliated Professors
Richard Andrews (Public Policy), Larry Band (Geography), Larry Benninger (Geological Services), Philip Berke (City and Regional Planning), Phil Bromberg (Medicine), Douglas Crawford-Brown (Environmental Sciences and Engineering), Carole Crumley (Anthropology), William Gray (Environmental Sciences and Engineering), Rich Kamens (Environmental Sciences and Engineering), Joel Kingsolver (Biology), Richard Luettich (Institute for Marine Sciences), Christopher Martens (Marine Sciences), Timothy McKeown (Political Science), Doug McLean (Philosophy), Hans Paerl (Institute for Marine Sciences), David Peden (Pediatrics), Robert Peet (Biology), Frederick Pfaendar (Environmental Sciences and Engineering), Jose Rial (Geological Sciences), Peter Robinson (Geography), Al Segars (Kenan–Flagler Business School), Peter White (Biology).
Affiliated Associate Professors
Marc Alperin (Marine Sciences), Chip Konrad (Geography), Aaron Moody (Geography), Andreas Teske (Marine Sciences).
Affiliated Assistant Professors
Flora Holt (Anthropology), Charles Mitchell (Biology), Rachel Noble (Institute for Marine Sciences), Karin Pfennig (Biology), Daniel Rodriquez (City and Regional Planning).
Research Professors
Frank Binkowski (Institute for the Environment), Adel Hanna (Institute for the Environment), David McNelis (Institute for the Environment), Tom Shay (Institute for the Environment).
Research Associate Professors
Kiran Alapaty (Institute for the Environment), William Stott (Institute for the Environment), Aijun Xiu (Institute for the Environment).
Research Assistant Professors
Saravanan Arunachalam (Institute for the Environment), Gregory Gangi (Institute for the Environment).
Introduction
The undergraduate majors in environmental science (B.S.) and environmental studies (B.A.) are administered jointly by the Institute for the Environment (IE) and the College of Arts and Sciences, with the degrees conferred by the College of Arts and Sciences. Faculty from throughout the University, including the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Public Health, Medicine, Law, Government, and Business, guide the majors. This unique approach provides students an opportunity to explore the base of knowledge needed to understand the environment and its relationship to society, as well as the applications of that knowledge in areas such as environmental modeling; earth system science; environmental behavior and decisions; environmental change and human health; ecology, conservation, and biodiversity; and environmental arts and humanities. The degrees combine traditional classroom teaching with extensive use of interdisciplinary, team-based projects; internships; study abroad opportunities; and research.
The B.S. in environmental science is appropriate for students wanting rigorous preparation in the basic sciences of the environment and the application of those principles to the analysis of environmental processes and problems. It focuses on the ways in which material and energy are moved and transformed in complex environmental systems, the role of society in perturbing those processes, and the techniques of science and engineering that might be used to improve environmental quality. All students take core courses in the relevant sciences and in the application of those sciences to environmental analysis; they then select a minor in one of the traditional science or math disciplines. In addition, students select a concentration area for specialized study of the environment, in consultation with an advisor. The degree provides strong preparation for graduate or professional training, as well as for jobs in government, consulting, industry, etc.
The B.A. in environmental studies is appropriate for students wanting rigorous preparation in the methods of the social sciences and humanities needed to understand how society affects the environment, how it organizes itself to respond to environmental problems, and how understanding of the environment is created and transmitted through culture. All students gain a sufficient base of scientific and mathematical expertise to allow them to work effectively with environmental scientists and engineers. The degree focuses on the social, political, economic, and cultural forces that guide society’s role in both causing and solving environmental problems. All students take core courses in the relevant sciences, social sciences, and humanities. In addition, students, in consultation with an advisor, select a concentration area for specialized study of the environment and society. Each may result in a minor in one of several disciplines. The degree provides strong preparation for graduate and professional training, as well as for jobs in environmental policy, journalism, education, etc.
Programs of Study
The degrees offered through the College of Arts and Sciences are bachelor of science in environmental science and bachelor of arts in environmental studies. A minor in environmental science and studies is also offered.
Majoring in Environmental Science: Bachelor of Science
For the B.S. in environmental science the following courses are required:
First and Second Years
• BIOL 101/101L (Physical and life sciences with lab Approaches requirement)
• CHEM 101/101L and 102/102L (Physical and life sciences Approaches requirement)
• ECON 101 (recommended)
• ENGL 101 and 102 (Composition and rhetoric Foundations requirements)
• ENST 201 and 203
• Foreign language through level 3 (Foreign language Foundations requirements)
• MATH 231 and 232 and 233 (Quantitative reasoning Foundations and quantitative intensive Connections requirements)
• PHYS 116 and 117
• One course in STOR and one course in COMP (contact ENST advisor for options)
Third and Fourth Years
• Remaining Approaches and Connections requirements
• One of the following four sets of courses:
I. Two GIS/remote sensing courses: GEOG 370, 477, 491, 577, and/or 591
II. Two advanced statistics courses: STOR 355, 356; and/or ENST 562
III BIOL 202 and CHEM 261
IV. MATH 383 and ENST 415
• Three of the following six courses: BIOL 201; ENST 406, 698 (capstone course required of all students); ENST/GEOG 253; ENST/GEOL 111 or 213; MASC 470
• Four courses in an approved concentration area (contact ENST advisor for options)
• An approved course sequence in an allied science leading to the minor in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, physical geography, marine science, mathematical decision sciences, computer science, or geological science. Contact the director of undergraduate studies for approval of the minor courses.
Majoring in Environmental Studies: Bachelor of Arts
For the B.A. in environmental studies the following courses are required:
First and Second Years
All Foundations, Approaches, and Connections requirements must be satisfied, some with specific courses:
• BIOL 101/101L (Physical and life sciences with lab Approaches requirement)
• CHEM 101/101L or PHYS 104/104L (Physical and life sciences Approaches requirement)
• CHEM 102/102L or PHYS 105/105L
• ECON 101 (Social and behavioral sciences Approaches requirement)
• ENGL 101 and 102 (Composition and rhetoric Foundations requirements)
• ENST 201 and 202
• Foreign language through level 3 (Foreign language Foundations requirements)
• MATH 231 (Quantitative reasoning Foundations requirements)
• STOR 155 or ECON 400 (Quantitative intensive Connections requirement)
Third and Fourth Years
• Remaining Approaches and Connections requirements
• An additional science course is required, chosen from BIOL 201 or ENST 111, 222, 213, or 253
• ENST 305 or GEOG 370, 477, or 491
• ENST 307 and 698
• Five courses in an approved concentration area (contact ENST advisor for options)
• Supplemental General Education requirements (three courses)
Minoring in Environmental Science and Studies
The minor is designed for students wishing to remain in another discipline, but who have an interest in the environmental field as an area of application. It provides a basic grounding in the principles and methods of environmental science and/or studies. Students may focus on the science aspects or the studies aspects. Students in the minor in environmental science and studies must take two core courses designed to give a grounding in the scientific and societal dimensions of environmental issues and problems and the tools for their solution.
• Required Courses: ENST 201 and either ENST 202 or 203
• Three other ENST courses (at least one at the 400 level)
Students must see an ENST advisor to discuss potential courses. Depending on the courses selected, the minor would require between 17 and 20 hours.
Minoring in Sustainability
Students in any discipline may add this minor, which provides a grounding in sustainability—a unifying approach to human and environmental problems with a future orientation. Sustainable businesses, communities, and other organizations seek to design systems in ways that optimize material and energy use to decrease environmental and health problems and to bolster economic vitality and social equity. A growing number of scholars are framing problems and solutions in the language of sustainability, which balances growth and development with justice and environmental stewardship, in order to meet today’s needs without undermining the ability of future generations to do the same.
Undergraduates minoring in sustainability take at least one of two core courses—ENST 330 Principles of Sustainability, or ENST 331 Systems Analysis for Sustainability—as well as a capstone course and seminar series. In addition, they choose three other courses from a menu drawn from other campus departments, including business, city and regional planning, geography, and environmental science and engineering, among others. The minor requires 16 credit hours.
Honors in Environmental Science or Studies
Students in either degree may participate in a program of honors research leading to graduation with honors or highest honors. This distinction is earned by participation in honors research, with an associated honors research seminar, culminating in ENST 694H. The IE maintains a listing of faculty with projects in which undergraduate honors candidates may participate.
Special Opportunities in Environmental Science and Studies
Departmental Involvement
Carolina Student Environmental Alliance; see www.unc.edu/student/orgs/cesa for more information.
Field Sites
The IE maintains a series of field sites in North Carolina and around the world at which students may take course work and conduct research. These range from coastal studies in Manteo, North Carolina, to studies of biodiversity in Highlands, North Carolina, to studies on atmospheric pollution and engineering solutions in Thailand, and to studies on international risk assessment and energy policy in Cambridge, England.
Experiential Education
Possibilities for experiential education include field site programs, APPLES Service Learning Course (ENST 205), Coral Reef Ecology and Management (ENST 259), Sierra Nevada Program (ENST 208 and 404), Siberian Field Studies (ENST 191, 261, 263), Internships (ENST 206), and Research and Honors Research (ENST 395, 694H).
Internships
Students are encouraged to apply for internships in local, state, national, and international environmental organizations. The IE maintains an office from which information on internships may be obtained. These internships provide valuable practical experience, and some may be conducted for academic credit.
Study Abroad
The IE and other organizations have developed a series of exchange and other study abroad programs in which B.A. and B.S. students may conduct environmental studies at other universities.
Undergraduate Awards
Undergraduates may be considered for the Watts and Betsy Carr Awards, Mary and Watts Hill Jr. Awards, and Robert Alonzo Winston Scholarships.
Undergraduate Research
All students are encouraged (but not required) to complete an independent or team research project. Such projects introduce students to the tools needed for graduate study. They also provide an important place where students can work directly with the world-class environmental faculty and graduate students at UNC–Chapel Hill, as well as in the many environmental organizations in the Research Triangle. The Triangle area contains one of the largest collections of environmental organizations and expertise in the world, providing unique opportunities for students to conduct research on an immense range of topics from fundamental scientific research to policy applications.
Facilities
Miller Hall, Computational and Visualization Laboratory (sixth floor Bank of America Building), and the facilities at our field sites in Manteo, Morehead City, and Highlands, North Carolina.
Graduate School and Career Opportunities
A degree in environmental science or studies prepares students for a variety of career options, including marine scientist, ecologist, environmental modeler, environmental policy maker, conservation advocate, land use planner, and environmental educator. Combining it with other studies, at the undergraduate or graduate level, can lead to possibilities as an environmental lawyer, epidemiologist, or environmental geneticist, to cite a few examples. Graduates have found employment in government agencies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources; in private industry, as a corporate lawyer, environmental consultant, or researcher; in educational institutions, as a science teacher or university faculty member; and in nonprofit organizations, working for an organization such as The Nature Conservancy.
Contact Information
The Institute for the Environment maintains an advising system for students with an environmental interest regardless of rank. Students may use that advising system from the time they enter UNC–Chapel Hill, obtaining advice from specialists in the various environmental fields. This advising system includes opportunities each semester to meet with professionals from government, industry, consulting, etc., and learn of the skills needed to work effectively in those fields.
The Institute for the Environment, Office of Undergraduate Environmental Programs, 100 Miller Hall, (919) 966-9922. Web site: www.ie.unc.edu/index.cfm.
ENST
051 First-Year Seminar: Balancing the Environment: Science, Human Values, and Policy in North Carolina (3). This course examines the ways in which scientific information, human values, and the policy process interact to produce environmental change, economic growth, and social justice in North Carolina.
111 [041] Physical Geology for Science Majors (GEOL 111) (4). Introduction to geology for geology majors and other science majors. Origin of minerals and rocks. Structure of the Earth. Erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics. Not open to students with credit in or currently enrolled in GEOL 101, 105, or 109. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week.
191 [063] Peoples of Siberia (ANTH 191, INTS 191, RUES 191) (3). Comparative study of the cultural and biological diversity of peoples of Siberia from prehistoric through contemporary times. Course topics include the biological diversity, culture, behavior, and history of Siberian populations.
201 Introduction to Environment and Society (4). Human-environment interactions are examined through analytical methods from the social sciences, humanities, and sciences. The focus is on the role of social, political, and economic factors in controlling interactions between society and the environment in historical and cultural contexts. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour a week.
201H [035H] Introduction to Environment and Society Honors (4). Human–environment interactions are examined through analytical methods from the social sciences, humanities, and sciences. The focus is on the role of social, political, and economic factors in controlling interactions between society and the environment in historical and cultural contexts. Three lecture hours and one recitation hour a week.
202 Introduction to the Environmental Sciences (4). Fundamental processes governing the movement and transformation of material and energy in environmental systems are examined. The focus is on the role of these processes in environmental phenomena and on the ways in which society perturbs these processes. Methods from a wide range of scientific disciplines are integrated. Three lecture hours and one computer laboratory hour a week.
203 Introduction to Environmental Science Problem Solving (3). Prerequisite, MATH 231; corequisite, MATH 232. A quantitative introduction to selected topics in environmental sciences with an emphasis on developing and solidifying problem-solving skills.
204 [050] Environmental Seminar (1–3). This course will provide an intellectual focus on the interface between environment and society by examining the relationship among science, policy, and actual management practices on a chosen topic.
205 [051] Environmental Practicum (1–3). This course will provide an intellectual focus on the interface between environment and society by examining the relationship between science and management practices on a given topic. Students will receive classroom lecture and then will journey out into the field to see what role the ideas and theories they studied in the classroom actually have in management practices. Students will also have the opportunity to learn first hand from an active professional working in the chosen topic area.
206 [091] Internship in Environmental Studies or Science (1–3). Permission of the instructor. To receive permission to sign up for ENST 206, a student must submit to the director of student affairs the completed internship program approval form (which may be obtained from the director). To receive credit, a student must submit at the end of the internship a brief summary of the work conducted, to be judged by the faculty sponsor.
207 Internship in Sustainability (3). This course provides an internship with a local organization on the topic of community sustainability, and explores the intellectual basis of public engagement.
208 [015] New Frontiers: Environment and Society in the United States (3–4). By employing a multidisciplinary approach, this class will give students a sense of the role that the environment has played in shaping United States society and the role that our society plays in producing environmental change at the national and global level.
210 Energy in a Sustainable Environment Seminar (1). This seminar series will provide a general introduction to energy sources, resources, technologies, and societal use from a sustainability perspective.
211 [048] Environmental Geology (GEOL 211) (3). Prerequisite, one introductory geology course numbered below GEOL 202, except first-year seminar. Environmental and human problems connected with uses of earth materials and with geological processes. Mineral and water resources, land-use planning, and engineering geology.
213 [045] Earth’s Dynamic Systems (GEOL 213) (3). Prerequisite, one introductory geology course numbered below GEOL 202, except first-year seminar. Earth system science approach to the study of planet Earth. Influence of earth processes on the environment. Earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, global climate change. (No lab)
222 [054] Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science (4). Prerequisites, MATH 231 and either CHEM 101 or PHYS 104. Introduction to the estuarine and coastal environment: geomorphology, physical circulation, nutrient loading, primary and secondary production, carbon and nitrogen cycling, benthic processes, and sedimentation. Consideration given to human impact on coastal systems with emphasis on North Carolina estuaries and sounds. Includes a mandatory weekend field trip and laboratory.
253 [053] Introduction to Atmospheric Processes (GEOG 253) (4). Prerequisites, MATH 231 and either CHEM 101 or PHYS 104. Atmospheric processes including radiation, dynamics, and thermodynamics are emphasized. Circulations across a range of temporal and spatial scales are described. Links between environmental problems and the atmosphere are explored. Includes one-hour laboratory.
254 [083] International Environmental Politics (POLI 254) (3). Covers the politics of environmental issues, with a focus on issues that have become internationalized. It focuses on the special problems that arise in creating rules for environmental management and regulation when no single government has authority to enforce those rules.
259 [057] Coral Reef Ecology and Management (1). The course familiarizes student with the natural history, ecology, and physical and chemical characteristics of the coral reef environment. Policy and management issues are also examined.
261 [061] Conservation of Biodiversity in Theory and Practice (GEOG 264, INTS 261) (3). Prerequisite, ENST 201 or permission of the instructor. This course will give students a multidisciplinary introduction to growing field of biodiversity preservation.
262 [064] Global Ecology: An International Perspective on Ecological and Environmental Problems (BIOL 262) (3). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. Ecological basis of global environmental problems and their solutions. Topics include human population growth; food and water shortages; biodiversity loss, deforestation; desertification; emerging diseases; and climate change. These are elements in an interconnected ecological system at a global scale.
263 [062] Environmental Field Studies in Siberia (GEOG 263, INTS 263, RUES 263) (4). This course explores the biogeography of Siberia and gives students practical training on how to do field work in field ecology and physical geography.
270 [089] Global Environment: Policy Analysis and Solutions (INTS 279, PLCY 270) (3). Explores linkages among actors, institutions, and the environmental problems they cause and seek to rectify. Introduces pressing challenges of the global environment and perspectives of actors involved in crafting policy.
305 [086] Data Analysis and Visualization of Social and Environmental Interactions (4). Prerequisite, ECON 400, ENST 201, MATH 231, or STOR 155. Principles of spatial and temporal data analysis are applied to issues of the role of society in producing environmental change. Methods include statistical analysis, model development, and computer visualization. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week.
306 [090] Business and the Environment (3). Introduction to the methods for selecting management practices in business and industry in ways that optimize environmental quality and economic prosperity. Three lecture hours a week.
307 [107] Energy and Material Flows in the Environment and Society (3). Prerequisites, MATH 231, ENST 201 and 202, or permission of the instructor. Examination of the regional to global flow of materials and energy through materials extraction, processing, manufacturing, product use, recycling, and ultimate disposition, including its relevance in policy development. Includes a review of the natural cycles in the environment, basic physics, and the technology of energy production, distribution, and utilization for conventional, nuclear, and alternative sources.
308 [087] Environmental History (3). Historical development of the system of beliefs, values, institutions, etc, underlying societal response to the environment in different cultures is analyzed. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods from history, philosophy, psychology, etc. Three lecture hours a week.
309 [088] Environmental Values and Valuation (3). Introduction to the methods for assigning value to aspects of the environment and to interhuman and human-environment interactions. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods from philosophy, ecology, psychology, aesthetics, economics, religion, etc. Three lecture hours a week.
312 [078] Risk-Based International Environmental Decisions (ENVR 312) (3). A Web-based course on the methods and roles of risk assessment in the international setting, with a primary focus on United States–European Union applications in environmental policy decisions.
330 Principles of Sustainability (3). An overview of science, social science, and humanities perspectives on community sustainability.
331 Systems Analysis for Sustainability (3). Provides an overview of principles from science and engineering to analyze sustainability of material and energy systems.
350 [067] Environmental Law and Policy (3). This course gives students an overview of environmental law and some practical experience in environmental policy making.
351 Coastal Law and Policy (3). The utilization of common coastal resources, the management of fisheries, and coastal zone management guide an examination of coastal laws, policies, and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
368 [068] Environmental Ethics (PHIL 368) (3). An analysis of how one ought to behave in relation to the environment. The course will examine current issues and explore alternative and comprehensive environmental philosophies.
375 [075] Environmental Advocacy (COMM 375) (3). Explores rhetorical means of citizen influence of practices affecting our natural and human environment; also, study of communication processes and dilemmas of redress of environmental grievances in communities and workplace.
395 [098] Research in Environmental Sciences and Studies for Undergraduates (1–21). Permission of a member of the faculty of environmental studies. Research in an area of environmental science or environmental studies.
396 [095] Directed Readings (1–4). Permission of the instructor. A specialized selection of readings from the literature of a particular environmental field supervised by a member of the Carolina Environmental Faculty group. Written reports on the readings or a literature review paper will be required. Cannot be used as a course toward the major.
403 [110] Environmental Chemistry (ENVR 403) (3). Prerequisite, a background in chemistry and mathematics, including ordinary differential equations. Chemical processes occurring in natural and engineered systems: chemical cycles; transport and transformation processes of chemicals in air, water, and multimedia environments; chemical dynamics; thermodynamics; structure/activity relationships.
404 [084] Mountain Biodiversity (BIOL 253) (4). Introduction to the new field of biodiversity studies, which integrates approaches from systematics, ecology, evolution, and conservation.
405 [085] Mountain Preservation (4). Introduces students to approaches used to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachians.
406 Atmospheric Processes II (GEOG 404) (4). Principles of analysis of the atmosphere are applied to the analysis of environmental phenomena. The link between the atmosphere and other environmental compartments is explored through environmental case studies.
410 [101] Earth Processes in Environmental Systems (GEOL 410, MASC 410) (4). Prerequisites, CHEM 102, GEOL 111 or 213, MATH 231, PHYS 105 or 117, or permission of the instructor. Principles of geological and related Earth systems sciences are applied to the analysis of environmental phenomena. The link between the lithosphere and other environmental compartments is explored through case studies of environmental issues. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week.
411 [102] Oceanic Processes in Environmental Systems (GEOL 411, MASC 411) (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 101, CHEM 102, ENST 222, MATH 231, PHYS 105 or 117, or permission of the instructor. Principles of analysis of the ocean, coast, and estuarine environments and the processes that control these environments are applied to the analysis of environmental phenomena. The link between the hydrosphere and other environmental compartments is explored through case studies of environmental issues. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week.
415 Environmental Systems Modeling (ENVR 461, GEOL 415, MASC 415) (3). Prerequisites, MATH 383, PHYS 105 or 117 (may be taken concurrently), or permission of the instructor. Methods for developing explanatory and predictive models of environmental processes are explored. Includes discussion of the relevant scientific modes of analysis, mathematical methods, computational issues, and visualization techniques. Two lecture hours and one computer laboratory hour a week.
416 Environmental Meteorology (3). This course explores atmospheric processes most important to environmental problems such as the transport and transformation of air pollutants and weather systems involved in intercontinental transport of gases and particles.
417 [138] Geomorphology (GEOL 417) (3). Prerequisites, GEOL 101 or 111, and MATH 231, or permission of the instructor. Introduction to process geomorphology with emphasis on quantitative interpretation of weathering, hill slope, fluvial, glacial, and eolian processes from topography and landscapes.
450 [105] Biogeochemical Processes (ENVR 415, GEOL 450, MASC 450) (4). Prerequisites, CHEM 251 or 261, MATH 231, PHYS 105 or 117, or permission of the instructor. Principles of chemistry, biology, and geology are applied to analysis of the fate and transport of materials in environmental systems, with an emphasis on those materials that form the most significant cycles. The course examines these processes in systems that contain the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week.
460 [160] Historical Ecology (ANTH 460) (3). Historical ecology is a framework for integrating physical, biological, and social science data with insights from the humanities to understand the reciprocal relationship between human activity and the Earth system.
461 [112] Fundamentals of Ecology (BIOL 461, ECOL 461) (4). Prerequisite, BIOL 201. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the field of ecology, including modern and emerging trends in ecology. They will develop literacy in the fundamental theories and models that capture ecological processes; emphasis will also be placed on the relevance of ecology and ecological research for human society.
468 Advanced Functions of Temporal GIS (ENVR 468) (3). Advanced functions of temporal geographical information systems (TGIS). These fields describe natural, epidemiological, economic, and social phenomena distributed across space and time. Three lecture hours per week.
470 [198] Environmental Risk Assessment (ENVR 470) (3). MATH 231 recommended. Methods of environmental risk assessment—including hazard identification, exposure assessment, exposure-response assessment, and risk characterization—are developed and applied. Three lecture hours per week.
471 [134] Human Impacts on Estuarine Ecosystems (MASC 471) (4). Prerequisites, CHEM 102 and MATH 231. A cohesive examination of the human impacts on biological processes in estuarine ecosystems. Laboratory/recitation/field work is included and contributes two credit hours to the course.
472 [135] Coastal and Estuarine Ecology (MASC 448) (4). Prerequisites, CHEM 102 and MATH 231. A field intensive study of the ecology of marine organisms and their interactions with their environment, including commercially important organisms. Laboratory/recitation/field work is included and contributes two credit hours to the course.
474 Sustainable Coastal Management (3). This course explores the environmental history of the Albemarle estuary and its larger watershed and explores ways in which humans can utilize this region a more sustainable manner.
479 Landscape Analysis (3). This course utilizes GIS, GPS, and remote sensing technologies to gather data on geology, watersheds, soils, integrated moisture indices. The class also develops habitat maps and derives species diversity indices.
480 [120] Environmental Decision Making (PLCY 480) (3). Introduces factors shaping environmental decision making by individuals, businesses, governments, advocacy groups, and international institutions, and explores public policy incentives and action strategies for influencing them.
489 [103] Ecological Processes in Environmental Systems (4). Prerequisites, BIOL 101 or 201, CHEM 102, MATH 231, PHYS 105 or 117, or permission of the instructor. Principles of analysis of the structure and function of ecosystems are applied to the analysis of environmental phenomena. The link between the biosphere and other environmental compartments is explored through case studies of environmental issues. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week.
490 [100] Special Topics in Environmental Science and Studies (3). Advanced topics from diverse areas of environmental science and/or environmental studies are explored.
510 [183] Policy Analysis of Global Climate Change (PLCY 510) (3). Provides a real-world and relevant case study in which to apply material from multiple other courses, including public policy, economics, environmental science, and international studies. Teaches techniques for building policy models not covered elsewhere.
511 [166] Stable Isotopes in the Environment (GEOL 511) (3). Prerequisite, CHEM 102. Introduction to the theory, methods, and applications of stable isotopes to environmental problems. Primary focus will be on the origin, natural abundance, and fractionation of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen isotopes.
520 [184] Environment and Development (INTS 520, PLCY 520) (3). Reviews environmental problems in developing countries. Analyzes proposed solutions, such as legal remedies, market instruments, corporate voluntary approaches, international agreements, and development policies. Discusses the link between trade and environment, environmental cases from the World Trade Organization, and sustainable development.
522 [181] Environmental Change and Human Health (ENVR 522) (3). Prerequisite, ENST 201 or 202. The course will provide students with a multidisciplinary perspective of environmental changes to encompass both human health and ecological health.
562 [141] Statistics for Environmental Scientists (BIOL 562, ECOL 562) (4). Prerequisite, STOR 155 or equivalent. Introduction to the application of quantitative and statistical methods in environmental science, including environmental monitoring, assessment, threshold exceedence, risk assessment, and environmental decision making.
563 [145] Statistical Analysis in Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 563, ECOL 563) (4). Prerequisites, MATH 231 and STOR 151. Application of modern statistical analysis and data modeling in ecological and evolutionary research. Emphasis is on computer-intensive methods and model-based approaches. Familiarity with standard parametic statistics is assumed.
567 [190] Ecological Analyses and Application (ECOL 567) (3). This course provides an overview of natural and social science approaches to addressing biodiversity conservation and resource management. Concepts and methods from population biology, evolutionary ecology, community ecology, and conservation biology will be complemented with approaches from common property theory, indigenous resource management, and human evolutionary ecology.
569 [199] Current Issues in Ecology (ECOL 569) (3). Prerequisites, previous course work in ecology and permission of the instructor. Topics vary but focus is on interdisciplinary problems facing humans and/or the environment.
585 [185] American Environmental Policy (ENVR 585, PLAN 585, PLCY 585) (3). Intensive introduction to environmental management and policy, including environmental and health risks, policy institutions, processes, and instruments, policy analysis, and major elements of American environmental policy. Lectures and case studies. Three lecture hours per week.
608 [182] Continuum Mechanics in the Earth Sciences (GEOL 608) (3). Prerequisites, introductory geology course numbered below GEOL 202, except first-year seminar; MATH 231; PHYS 104 or 116; or permission of the instructor. Applications of continuum mechanics in the earth sciences, including stress, strain, elasticity, and viscous flow. Numerical solutions to problems in heterogeneous finite strain including finite element analysis.
675 [175] Environmental Communication and the Public Sphere (COMM 675) (3). Examines communication practices that accompany citizen participation in environmental decisions, including public education campaigns of nonprofit organizations, “risk communication,” media representations, and mediation in environmental disputes.
686 [186] Policy Instruments for Environmental Management (ENVR 686, PLAN 686, PLCY 686) (3). Prerequisite, ECON 410 or PLAN 710, or equivalent. Design of public policy instruments as incentives for sustainable management of environmental resources and ecosystems, and comparison of the effects and effectiveness of alternative policies.
694H [099] Honors Project in Environmental Sciences and Studies (3). Permission of the director of undergraduate studies. Independent project leading to the honors designation. Includes weekly research seminar.
698 [094] Capstone: Analysis and Solution of Environmental Problems (3). Interdisciplinary, team-based analyses of environmental phenomena are performed and applied to problems of the selection of effective environmental strategies. Students may select from a wide range of examples and venues.