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

Environmental Science l Geography l Geology

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
ENSC 111—Introduction to Environmental Studies (3 CH) An interdisciplinary study of how the natural environment works and how things and events in nature are interconnected. A major focus of the course will be on issues such as sustainability, the preservation of natural capital (living and non-living) and solutions to major environmental problems such as pollution, energy resource shortages and global warming. Taught at the freshman level and open to both majors and non-majors. Three hours of lecture. Offered every fall. (WIC)

ENSC 200—Introduction to Environmental Law (3 CH) Introduction to Environmental Law is a survey course designed to introduce students to the major concepts of environmental law. Because environmental law is grounded in both federal and state statutes, the course will expose students to the major components of statutory law at both levels and will also explore the federal/state relationship using Pennsylvania as a model. Although a basic understanding of the American legal system and administrative law would be of great benefit, it is not a prerequisite for the course. Offered alternate years. (WIC)

ENSC 225—Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (3 CH) Primarily lab-based, hands-on course. Geographic Information Systems will introduce students to the most up-to-date GIS software from ESRI Corporation, and the techniques of resolving complex spatial questions related to environmental science, land-use planning, biogeography and business location decisions. Though designed primarily for environmental science majors, this course should be of interest to computer science majors, business majors, biology majors and social scientists interested in the analysis of spatially related
variables. Offered every fall.

ENSC 250—Meteorology and Air Quality Assessment (4 CH) 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. Though intended for the environmental science major, the course should be of value to anyone interested in the science of weather forecasting, long-term climatic change and the meteorology of air pollution. Three 55-minute lectures and two hours of lab each week. Offered alternate years. (P: ENSC 111 or GEOL 150 or permission of the instructor)

ENSC 320—Urban and Regional Land Use Planning (3 CH) Urban and Regional Land Use Planning is an overview of present and past land-use policy in the United States. Since the goal of land-use planning is to decide on the best present and future uses for each parcel of land in a particular area, students will be introduced to the basic elements of comprehensive strategies and special area plans, techniques of developing each of these types of plans and mechanisms of zoning that are used to implement plans.
Students will also be introduced to the state and federal regulatory environments and the political structures that influence the planning process. Participants will be expected to attend public hearings conducted by local planning agencies. Offered alternate years. (P: ENSC 111 or permission of instructor)

ENSC 350—Applied Environmental Science (3 CH) An introduction to environment science research methodology, data gathering techniques and portable field testing equipment. A particular emphasis will be placed on the procedures for Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments using ASTM Standards. Two hours of lecture plus three hours of laboratory. Offered alternate years. (P: ENSC 111, GEOL 150, CHEM 140 or permission of instructor)

ENSC 410—Environmental Science Internship (3-6 CH) A capstone experience for the student to obtain work in a governmental agency, business or other institution in roles that relate to environmental concerns. Methods of assessment will include an evaluation by a supervisor at the cooperating agency or institution, the construction of a detailed daily log, a comprehensive report by the student and an on-site visit and examination of each student’s work to be conducted by the program coordinator and a member of the career services staff.

ENSC 475—Independent Study (1-3 CH) Individual research project in environmental science for students who have achieved a 3.0 GPA 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.

ENSC 495—Cooperative Education (CH Variable)

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GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 110—World Regional Geography (3 CH) An introductory analysis of major world regions, important geographic principles, and the role of geography as an integrative discipline. Mapping and other graphic skills also will be developed. Offered every fall.

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GEOLOGY
GEOL 150—Earth Systems (4 CH) A study of the Earth from the systems’ perspective showing how the four spheres (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere) are interrelated and how humans interact with and modify Earth systems. A particular emphasis will be placed on weather, climate, hydrology and geological processes. Three hours of lecture and two hours of lab each week. This course replaces both GEOL 146 and GEOG 104 in previous catalogs as a requirement for the environmental science major. Offered every spring.

GEOL 210—Principles of Hydrogeology (3 CH) A survey of the fundamental principles and processes governing the depletion and replenishment of water resources of the land areas of the Earth. Principles governing the sources, occurrence and movement of ground water will be covered as well as a thorough investigation of surface and subsurface water pollution and the forecasting and control of floods. Three hours of lecture a week. Offered alternate years. (P: GEOL 150)

GEOL 250—Environmental Geology (4 CH) A course dealing with relationships between humans and their geological habitat, the problems that human beings face in using the Earth and the reactions of the Earth to that use; earth processes, earth resources, and engineering properties of rocks and surficial deposits that in some way affect human activity and environment. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory per week. Offered alternate years. (P: GEOL 150 or permission of instructor).

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