Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Environmental Sciences > Course Offerings

Evironmental Science Courses: (To: Geography, Geology)

ENSC 111 Introduction to Environmental Studies (3 C.H.)
An integrative survey of the global environment including current problems and issues. Taught at the freshman level, the course is open to all majors. Three hours of lecture. Fall term only.

ENSC 210 Introduction to Environmental Law (3 C.H.)
A survey course designed to introduce students to the major concepts of environmental law. Because environmental law is grounded in both state and federal statutes, the course will expose students to the major components of statutory law at both levels and will explore the state/federal relationship with Pennsylvania as a model. Three hours of lecture using the case study approach. Spring term in alternate years.

ENSC 225 Geographic Information Systems (3 C.H.)
An introduction to the most up-to-date GIS hardware, software and techniques used in resolving complex spatial questions related to environmental, biological, land use and business location decisions. Although designed primarily for Environmental Science majors, this course should be of interest to computer science, business and social science students interested in the analysis of spatial related variables. Two 1½ hour labs each week plus outside assignments. Spring term in alternate years only.

ENSC 250 Meteorology and Air Quality Assessment (4 C.H.)
An introduction to the fundamentals of atmospheric science with the primary goal of demonstrating how scientific principles govern the circulation of the atmosphere, the day-to-day sequence of weather events, the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants and inadvertent climate modification. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab each week. Fall term in alternate years. (P: ENSC 111 or GEOL 150)

ENSC 350 Applied Environmental Science (3 C.H.)
An introduction to environmental field work, environmental analysis and the application of geographic information systems. One hour of lecture and four hours of field work each week. Fall term only. 
(P: ENSC 111, ENSC 210, Bio 393 and GEOL 250)

ENSC 320 Urban and Regional Land Use Planning (3 C.H.)
An overview of present and past land use policy in the United States. Students will be introduced to comprehensive, strategic and special area plans with an emphasis on the mechanisms used in developing each. Three hours of lecture each week and the attendance of public hearings on local planning policy. Fall semester in alternate years. (P: ENSC 111 or permission of the instructor.)

ENSC 410 Environmental Science Internship (3 - 6 C.H.)
A highly recommended (required for professional track) opportunity for the student to obtain work experience in a government agency, business, or other institution in roles which relate to environmental issues. (P: ENSC 350)

ENSC 475 Independent Study ( 1 - 3 C. H.)
Individual research projects in environmental science for students who have achieved a 3.25 grade point average in the overall environmental science major.  May be supervised by any appropriate faculty member, but must have approval of chairperson of supervisor's department. Project and supervision must also be approved by Coordinator of Environmental Program.  Arrangements must be completed prior to pre-registration period.  (P: ENSC 350)

ENSC 495 Cooperative Education ( 3 - 6 C. H.)
Internship for an independent company or other agency in the environmental field.

Geography Courses: (To: Environment Science, Geology)

GEOG 110 World Regional Geography (3 C.H.)
An introductory analysis of major world regions, important geographical principles, and the role of geography as an integrative discipline. Mapping and other graphic skills also will be developed.

Geology Courses: (To: Environmental Science, Geography)

GEOL 150 Earth Systems (4 C.H.)
A study of weather, climate, and other naturally occuring forces on earth.

GEOL 210 Principles of Hydrogeology (3 C.H.)
Fundamental principles and processes governing the depletion and replenishment of water resources of the land areas of the Earth; principles of the source, occurence, and movement of ground water of the U.S.A.; investigation of surface and subsurface water pollution; forecast and control of floods.  Three hours of lecture a week.

GEOL 250 Environmental Geology (4 C.H.)
A course dealing with the relationships between humans and their geologic habitat. Of particular interest are human responses to natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, mass movements and tropical cyclones and how land use planning techniques may reduce loss of life and property to natural hazards. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week. Offered spring term of alternate years.