Environmental Science Technology (EST)

Introduces basic concepts and current applications of ecology relevant to environmental issues. Emphasizes relationships between organisms and the environment; influencing factors affecting distribution and abundance; population structure and regulation; energy flow and nutrient cycling through the environment; and development, structure, and response to distribution of organismal communities. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Reinforces concepts covered in EST 140 Introduction to Ecology and provides activities to apply those concepts to real life situations. Examines relationships between organisms and the environment; influencing factors affecting distribution and abundance; population structure and regulation; energy flow and nutrient cycling through the environment; and development, structure, and response to distribution of organismal communities. Laboratory: 1 credit (30 contact hours).

Introduces basic concepts and current applications of ecology relevant to environmental issues. Emphasizes relationships between organisms and the environment; influencing factors affecting distribution and abundance; population structure and regulation; energy flow and nutrient cycling through the environment; and, development, structure, and response to distribution of organismal communities. Includes weekly laboratories to provide hands-on field experiences to reinforce concepts learned in lecture. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours). Laboratory: 1 credit (30 contact hours).

This course provides an introduction to geology and hydrology with an emphasis on understanding natural processes and the effects of human activities. Major topics covered include: plate tectonics; formation and classification of rocks and minerals; the processes affecting the hydrologic cycle; soil formation and classification; subsurface geology and groundwater movement; stream formation and flow; floods; and human impacts to stream hydrology and morphology. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Reinforces concepts covered in EST 160 Hydrologic Geology and provides activities to apply those concepts to real life situations. Includes mineral and rock identification, map interpretation, groundwater protection, erosion and sediment control, stream dynamics and restoration. Lab 1 credit (30 contact hours).

A laboratory course which provides the fundamentals in evaluating and designing sampling approaches for different situations and different media. The course will provide students with field experience in sampling soil, surface water, groundwater, and benthic invertebrates. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Examines freshwater ecosystems and typical aquatic pollutants. Discussion topics focus on the sources, transport, fate, and effects of common pollutants such as domestic wastewater, metals, acidity, and pesticides. Explores methods to minimize or eliminate the sources and effects of pollutants. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Provides focused study on the chemistry of water and provides students with laboratory experience in analyzing surface, ground, and drinking waters for a variety of chemical constituents. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Introduces the study of ambient and indoor air pollution with an emphasis on sources, dispersion, and health and welfare effects of the major pollutants. Explores regulatory and engineering controls of stationary and mobile sources. Provides laboratory experience with sampling and analysis of air pollutants. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours); Laboratory: 1 credit (30 contact hours).

This course examines methods of managing solid and hazardous waste, with an emphasis on pollution prevention. Topics covered include relevant legislation, recycling, incineration, landfill operations, management of radioactive waste, remediation of waste sites and site worker health and safety. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Introduces the fundamentals of analyzing environmental media. Provide students with laboratory experience in analyzing soil, surface water, groundwater, air and microbial samples. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

This course is structured to provide the student with a basic understanding of major current federal and state environmental legislation and regulation with an emphasis on those portions that affect the regulated community. The course will also include an examination of the role of common law and the branches of government in environmental protection. Pre-requisite or concurrent: EST 220, EST 240, and EST 250 or consent of instructor. Lecture: 3 credits (45 contact hours).

Outlines varies as determined by project and instructor. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Lab: 1 credit (30 contact hours).