Courses and Programs 1997-1999
Courses and Programs 1997-1999Env S 101. Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis. (Same as Geol 101.) (3-0) Cr. 3 or (3-2) Cr. 4. F.S. Cody, Seifert. An introduction to geologic processes and the consequences of human activity from local to global scales. Discussion of human population growth, resource depletion, pollution and waste disposal, global warming and ozone depletion, desertification, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, flooding, and volcanism. Students who enroll for the 4 credit option must register for a one hour discussion section.
Env S 120. Introduction to Renewable Resources. (Same as Agron 120, AST 120, A Ecl 120, For 120.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Overview of soil, water, plants, and animals as renewable natural resources in an ecosystem context. History and organization of resource management. Concepts of integrated resource management.
Env S 123. Environmental Biology. (Same as Biol 123.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. An introduction to the structure and function of natural systems at scales from the individual to the biosphere and the complex interactions between humans and their environment. Discussion of human population growth, biodiversity, sustainability, resource use, and pollution.
Env S 201. Introduction to Environmental Issues. (4-0) Cr. 2. F.S. First 8 weeks. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Ecological and human/societal dimensions of environmental issues; how humans and their institutions interact with and affect the environment; how societies are affected by environmental change. Selected issues such as human population growth, loss of biodiversity, and effects of agriculture on the environment.
Env S 293. Environmental Planning. (Same as C R P 293.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Comprehensive overview of the field of environmental relationships and the efforts being made to organize, control, and coordinate environmental, aesthetic, and cultural characteristics of land, air, and water.
Env S 303. Great Environmental Writings. (4-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Second 8 weeks. Tanner. Students will read works by such authors as Thoreau, Muir, Leopold, and Abbey. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 324. Energy and the Environment. (4-0) Cr. 2. F. Second 8 weeks. Prereq: 201. Hodges. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Fossil fuels, nuclear energy, solar energy, energy efficiency. Air pollution, acid precipitation, global climate change; their causes and remedies.
Env S 330. Environmental Systems. (Same as Bot 330, EnSci 330.) (2-4) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: One course in calculus and 12 credits of biology and chemistry, including at least 3 credits from each. Crumpton. Dynamics of natural environmental systems. Systems approach to the analysis of material and energy flows, including physical and biological aspects of environmental systems and their functional connections. Lab will emphasize environmental modeling and simulation using STELLA, a visual computer modeling system. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 334. Environmental Ethics. (Same as Phil 334.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Three credits in philosophy or junior classification. Thorough study of some of the central moral issues arising in connection with human impact on the environment, e.g., human overpopulation, species extinction, forest and wilderness management, pollution. Several world views of the proper relationship between human beings and nature will be explored. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 340. Biodiversity. (Same as Bot 340.) (4-0) Cr. 2. S. Second 8 weeks. Prereq: One course in natural sciences or Environmental Studies. Clark. Survey of the major groups of organisms and biological systems. Definition, measurement, and patterns of distribution of organisms. Sources of information about biodiversity. Not intended for major credit in the biological sciences.
Env S 345. Population Problems and Society. (Same as Soc 345.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Soc 130 or 134. Human overpopulation; impact on food, resources, and services; population growth and development; trends of births, deaths, and geographic movements; projecting future population; population control and family planning; population policies and laws; comparison of the United States with other societies throughout the world..
Env S 380. Environmental and Resource Economics. (Same as Econ 380.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Econ 101. Natural resource availability, use, conservation, and government policy, including energy issues. Environmental quality and pollution control policies.
Env S 382. Environmental Sociology. (Same as Soc 382.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Environmental quantity and quality as social problems; value orientations toward nature; environmental quality movement; institutional patterns affecting use of natural resources; resource management issues.
Env S 390. Internship in Environmental Studies. Cr. var. Prereq: Approval of the Environmental Studies Coordinator. Practical experience with nature centers, government agencies, schools, private conservation groups, and other organizations. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.
Env S 404. Global Change. (Same as Agron 404, EnSci 404, Mteor 404.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering. Takle. Biogeochemical cycles; ozone chemistry; global energy balance; structure and circulation of the atmosphere and oceans; climate modeling; climate variability implications for agriculture, water resources, energy use, sustainable development, and public policy. Human dimensions and ethical issues of global environmental change. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 407. Watershed Management. (Same as For 407.) (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: A course in general biology. The physical and biological phenomena associated with water quality, quantity, and timing in natural and managed non-urban watersheds. Landscape management impacts and best management practices are used as examples. Field project includes developing a watershed management plan. Field trip fee. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 415. Environmental Studies Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. Offered on an irregular basis. Prereq: Junior classification. Current or historic topics in Environmental Studies. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 421. Field Seminar. (0-6) Cr. 1 to 2. Offered on an irregular basis. Field trips during semester or break to varied sites of environmental interest in or outside of Iowa, preceded by readings, lectures, and examinations about the areas to be visited. Focus on development vs. preservation. Field trip fee. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 424. Sustainable and Environmental Horticulture Systems. (Same as Hort 424.) (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Inquiry into ethical issues and environmental consequences of horticultural cropping systems and production practices. Emphasis on production systems that are resource efficient, environmentally sound, socially acceptable, and profitable.
Env S 425. Sociopolitical Analysis of Environmental Issues. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 201 and one other Environmental Studies course. Institutional behaviors which underlie environmental problems and controversies here and overseas. The roles of government, business, citizen activists, the press, international development banks, and others. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 450. Issues in Sustainable Agriculture. (Same as Agron 450.) (2-0) Cr. 2. F. Salvador. Agricultural science as a human activity; contemporary agricultural issues from agroecological perspective. Comparative analysis of intended and actual consequences of development of industrial agricultural practices. Field trip fee.
Env S 472. American Environmental History. (Same as Hist 472.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Taylor. Conceptual approach to human history in North America by examining the impact of nature from precontact through the 20th century. Explores material interactions; intellectual modes; aesthetic relationships; and management strategies from aboriginal society through the environmental age. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 480I. Landscape Approaches to Environmental Planning. (Same as Ia LL 480I.) Cr. 3. SS. Translation of landscape ecological theory and practice into action plans for local communities. Case history studies of selected projects, readings from the scientific and popular literature, and lectures/workshops will be used to familiarize students with methods used to tailor planning models for local needs. Local field trips. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 482. Environmental Politics and Policies. (Same as Pol S 482.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F, offered 1997. Prereq: 3 credits in political science or 3 credits in Environmental Studies; junior classification. Major ideologies relating to conservation and ecology. Primary emphasis on the policy making process in U.S. national and state governments, with principal application to environmental and land-use policies. Major proposals for improvement in policy content and process. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Env S 490. Independent Study. Cr. var. Prereq: Permission of instructor and approval of Environmental Studies coordinator.
Env S 491. Environmental Law. (Same as C R P 491.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in natural sciences. Legal precedents and alternative policies for environmental protection; rights to and regulations for uses of water, air, and land. Federal environmental control acts and leading federal court cases. Field trip.