200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Environmental Science
http://www.ensci.iastate.edu
(Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program)
William G. Crumpton: Coordinator

Environmental Science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. The magnitude and complexity of environmental problems are creating a growing need for scientists with rigorous, interdisciplinary training in environmental science. The Environmental Science curriculum is designed to prepare students for positions of leadership in this rapidly changing discipline. Environmental Science graduates have a solid foundation in biological and physical natural sciences and the specialized training necessary for integrated analysis of environmental systems. Scientific rigor is stressed throughout the program, beginning with the foundation courses in the first two years of the curriculum. The upper level core courses emphasize a dynamic systems approach that provides a framework for integrating physical, chemical, and biological aspects of environmental systems.

The Environmental Science major is offered through both the College of Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Environmental Science majors complete foundation courses in biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics and mathematics, plus a major consisting of an integrated core of Environmental Science courses and additional advanced course work in Environmental Science. General requirements for the major are outlined below, and additional information is available in the Environmental Programs Office, 131 Bessey Hall.

Students seeking an Environmental Science major complete the following: (1) A foundation of approved supporting courses in science and mathematics including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, calculus, and statistics, (2) Twenty-nine credits of course work in the major, including the Environmental Science core (EnSci 295, 330, 402, 403, 404 and 495) and 12 additional credits of approved course work in Environmental Science. A combined average grade of C or higher is required in courses applied in the major. (3) Practical experience consisting of EnSci 290, 390, or equivalent experience.

English proficiency requirement: Beyond first-year composition (Engl 104 and 105) Environmental Science majors must demonstrate proficiency in written communication by completing an approved advanced course and maintaining a portfolio of term papers and other major writing assignments for departmental evaluation.

A minor in Environmental Science may be earned by completing 15 credits in Environmental Science including EnSci 330 and at least 7 credits from EnSci 402, 403, and 404.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 301, 330, 345, 402, 402I, 403, 404, 405, 410, 410L, 411, 422, 422I, 434, 461I, 473, 473I, 475, 485, 487.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

EnSci 290. Apprenticeship. Cr. Var. Staff. Prereq: Approval of the Environmental Science Coordinator. Practical experience in an approved setting such as a research laboratory, government office, or private office. This should be completed prior to being classified as a senior or completing EnSci 390. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

EnSci 295. Sophomore Seminar. (1-0) Cr. R. F. Burras. Prereq: Sophomore classification in EnSci. Discussion of current issues in Environmental Science. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

EnSci 301. Forest Ecology and Soils. (Same as NREM 301.) See Natural Resource and Ecology Management. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 304I. Physical Geology. (Same as Ia LL 304I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 312. Ecology. (Same as Biol 312.) See Biology.

EnSci 312I. Ecology. (Same as Ia LL 312I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 330. Environmental Systems. (Same as Bot 330, Env S 330, Micro 330.) (2-4) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Biol 202 or Micro 201, Chem 164, 167 or 178, Math 165 or 181. Crumpton. Introduction to the dynamics of metabolic and biogeochemical processes in environmental systems, emphasizing microbial processes. Environmental factors controlling major autotrophic and heterotrophic processes of microbes and higher organisms. Laboratory emphasizes mass balance analysis and environmental simulation modeling. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 345. Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems. (Same as NREM 345.) (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Junior classification. Use of aerial photos and remotely sensed imagery in resource management. Training in techniques of photo measurement, interpretation, and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Principles of remote sensing. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 360. Environmental Soil Science. (Same as Agron 360.) (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Agron 260 or Geol 100 or 201. Burras, Killorn. Application of soil science to contemporary environmental problems; comparison of the impacts that different management strategies have on short-and long-term environmental quality and land development. Emphasis on participatory learning activities.

EnSci 390. Internship in Environmental Science. Cr. var. Prereq: Approval of the Environmental Science coordinator. Supervised off-campus work experience in the field of environmental science. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

EnSci 402. Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes. (Same as Agron 402, For 402, Geol 402.) (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in EnSci 330 or Geol 100 or 201, Math 165 or 181. Burras, Simpkins. Examination of watersheds as systems wherein biological and physical factors control hydrology, soil formation, and nutrient transport. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation of watershed-scale processes. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 402I. Watershed Hydrology and Surficial Processes. (Same as Ia LL 402I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 403. Environmental Biogeochemistry. (Same as Bot 403, Geol 403.) (3-2) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: EnSci 330 and 402 or 402I. Fang, Raich. Biological, chemical, and physical phenomena controlling material, energy, and elemental fluxes in the environment. Human interactions with and effects on environmental systems. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 404. Global Change. (Same as Agron 404, Env S 404, Mteor 404.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering. Takle. Recent changes in global biogeochemical cycles and climate; models of future changes in the climate system; impacts of global change on agriculture, water resources and human health; ethical issues of global environmental change. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 405. GIS and Natural Resources Management. (Same as A E 405.) (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Working knowledge of computers and Windows environment. Introduction to fundamental concepts and applications of GIS in natural resources management with specific focus on watersheds. Topics include: basic GIS technology, data structures, database management, spatial analysis, and modeling; visualization and display of natural resource data. Case studies in watershed and natural resource management using ArcView GIS. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 410. Aquatic Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 410, Bot 410.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 301, 312, or 330. Structure and function of aquatic ecosystems with application to fishery and pollution problems. Emphasis on lacustrine, riverine and wetland ecology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 410L. Aquatic Ecology Laboratory. (Same as A Ecl 410L, Bot 410L. ) (0-3) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Concurrent enrollment in 410. Field trips and laboratory exercises to accompany 410. Hands-on experience with aquatic research and monitoring techniques and concepts. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 411. Hydrogeology. (Same as Geol 411.) (3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201; Math 165 or 181; Phys 111 or 221. Simpkins. Physical principles of groundwater flow, nature and origin of aquifers and confining units, well hydraulics, and containment transport. Lab emphasizes applied field and laboratory methods for hydrogeological investigations. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 422. Environmental Geochemistry. (Same as Geol 422.) (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 402 or 411 or equivalent. Geochemistry of natural waters, including inorganic and organic constituents and water-rock interactions. Interpretation of water quality data. Geochemical equilibrium modeling and introduction to kinetics. Laboratory emphasizes chemical analysis of waters and computer modeling. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 422I. Prairie Ecology. (Same as Ia LL 422I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 434. Contaminant Hydrogeology. (Same as Geol 434.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 411 or equivalent. Brief review of organic and inorganic contaminants in industrial and agricultural settings. Process-oriented approach to abiotic and biological fate and transport of contaminants. Investigation of coupled processes (diffusion, advection, dispersion, sorption, biodegradation) using computer models. Groundwater remediation strategies. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 446. Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management. (Same as NREM 446.) (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 12 credits in student’s major at 300 level or above. Emphasis on the use of GPS as a data collection tool for GIS. Basic theory of GPS. Use of Global Positioning System technology for spatial data collection and navigation. Post-processing and real-time correction of GPS data. GPS data transfer to GIS for mapping applications. Use of GIS to construct waypoints for use in GPS navigation.

EnSci 459. Environmental Soil and Water Chemistry. (Same as Agron 459.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: 401 or Agron 354, Chem 210 or 211. An introduction to the chemical properties of soils, chemical reactions and transformations occurring in the soils and their impact on the environment. Topics include composition of soils, acid-base equilibria, buffer systems, mineral dissolution and precipitation, speciation, ion exchange, redox reactions, absorption phenomena, soil pollution and chemical-equilbria computer programs.

EnSci 461I. Introduction to GIS. (Same as Ia LL 461I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 473. Soil Genesis and Landscape Relationships. (Same as Agron 473.) (2-3) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 402 or Agron 154. Sandor. Relationships between soil formation, geomorphology, and environment. Soil description, classification, geography, mapping, and interpretation for land use. Two weekend field trips. Credit for 473 or 473I may be applied for graduation, not both. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 473I. Soil Genesis and Landscape Relationships. (Same as Ia LL 473I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 475. Surficial Processes. (Same as Geol 475.) (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201 or equivalent experience. Iverson. Study of surficial processes in modern and ancient geological environments. Topics include weathering, sediment transport, and landform genesis with emphasis on fluvial, glacial, hillslope, eolian, and coastal processes. Applications to engineering and environmental problems. Laboratory emphasizes aerial photo and topographic map interpretation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 485. Soil Microbial Ecology. (Same as Agron 485, Micro 485.) (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Agron 154, Micro 201 (Micro 203 recommended). Loynachan. The living organisms in the soil and what they do. Emphasis on soil-plant-microbial relationships and environmental issues. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 487. Aquatic and Wetland Microbial Ecology. (Same as Bot 487, Micro 487.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in biology and 6 credits in chemistry. Crumpton. Introduction to major functional groups of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms and their roles in aquatic and wetland ecosystems. Emphasis on energy flow and nutrient dynamics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

EnSci 490. Independent Study. Cr. Var. Prereq: Permission of the instructor and approval of the Environmental Science coordinator.

EnSci 495. Current Topics and Case Studies in Environmental Science. Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken, maximum of 3 credits. S. Schultz. Current topics and case studies related to the analysis and management of environmental systems. Open to Environmental Science majors only. 495B will include field trips and cooperative group projects to assess environmental problems in heavily impacted landscapes and develop alternative management plans.
A. (1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. Prereq: Junior classification in Environmental Science
B. (1-2) Cr. 2. Prereq: Senior classifcation in Environmental Science

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students

EnSci 505I. Watershed Modeling and GIS. (Same as Ia LL 505I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 508I. Aquatic Ecology. (Same as Ia LL 508I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 513. Ecological Toxicology. (Same as A Ecl 513.) See Animal Ecology.

EnSci 518. Stream Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 518.) See Animal Ecology.

EnSci 535. Restoration Ecology. (Same as A Ecl 535.) See Animal Ecology.

EnSci 535I. Restoration Ecology. (Same as Ia LL 535I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 544. Aquatic Toxicology. (Same as A Ecl 544.) See Animal Ecology.

EnSci 564. Wetland Ecology. (Same as Bot 564.) See Botany.

EnSci 564I. Wetland Ecology. (Same as Ia LL 564I.) See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

EnSci 584. Ecosystem Ecology. (Same as Bot 584.) See Botany.