ENVS - Environmental Science
ENVS 1105. Environmental Studies (3-0-3) An examination of the scientific components of environmental studies, including the
interactions of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Primary focus will be
on issues related to scientific principles and concepts, human population, global
environmental problems (biodiversity and warming), air and water pollution, natural
resources and resource management, and the historical, social and political issues
related to the environment.
ENVS 5125. Human Ecology (3-0-3)Prerequisites: One of the
following: ANTH 1105, 1106, 1145, 5175, ENVS 1105, or ENVS 6207 with a
grade of C or better; or instructor consent. Course provides an inter-disciplinary
perspective blending biological ecology with social science approaches to examine
the interrelationships between human societies and their environments. Problems examined
include past and present intellectual frameworks, population ecology, environmental
stressors, human subsistence strategies, processes of cultural and environmental change.
Course aims to provide basic tools that will help students evaluate problematic human-environment
relationships in order to confront them effectively.
ENVS 5165. Introduction to Hydrology (3-0-3)Prerequisites: CHEM 1211, CHEM 1211L, and MATH 1132. Study of hydrological systems on and beneath
the earth's surface. Topics include: precipitation and evaporation, runoff and stream
flow, groundwater infiltration, flownets and flow direction analysis of groundwater,
properties of aquifers, regional groundwater flow patterns, and water pollution.
ENVS 5225. Natural Environments of Georgia (1-14-3)Prerequisites: BIOL 1215, GEOL 1221, and GEOL 1222. The geological framework and natural plant and
animal communities of Georgia, examined through a series of weekend field trips to
selected locations in the Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain
provinces. Recommended for teachers and students wanting to broaden their knowledge
of Georgia's geology, flora, and fauna. Some travel expenses will be paid by the students.
(Course fee required.)
ENVS 5226. Culture and Environment (1-14-3)Prerequisites: One of the following: ANTH 1105, 1106, 1145, or 5175; ENVS 1105 or ENVS 6207; or
Department Approval. Course provides history of thought concerning humanity's place
in the natural world from its western intellectual roots in Greek philosophy and Biblical
theology through its development and diversification into the competing analytical
frameworks of today. Course also examines a broad variety of evidence from anthropology,
archaeology and palaeoecology to evaluate changing interactions between the natural
environment and human societies.
ENVS 5255. Environmental Geology (3-2-4)Prerequisite: GEOL 1221. Examination of human interaction with the geologic environment. Geologic
hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions will be considered,
as well as resource and waste management, and human impacts on the physical environment.
(Course fee required.)
ENVS 5315. Stream Ecology (1-4-3)Prerequisite:
BIOL 3217, CHEM 1211, PHYS 1111 with a C or better. This course
examines the implications of water flow on the biota, chemistry,
and physics of freshwater river and stream ecosystems. Laboratory
exercises apply practical research methods to understand causes of
human created environmental problems such as habitat degradation,
biodiversity declines, and eutrophication.
ENVS 5365. Limnology: Freshwater Ecology (1-4-3)Prerequisite:
CHEM 1121, PHYS 1111, MATH 1125 with a C or better. Investigates how ecology, chemistry
and physical processes interact to structure lakes and wetlands. Laboratory exercises
apply modern limnological methods to examine scientific and environmental issues affecting
lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands in the Southeastern US.
ENVS 6105. Environmental Issues (3-0-3) Seminar and lecture course with a focus on the study of current environmental issues
such as the generation, reduction and disposal of hazardous materials, management
of air and water quality, the status and management of endangered species, as well
as the research needs in these areas for the future. Case studies will be used where
possible.
ENVS 6106. Environmental Law and Regulations (3-0-3) Study of federal, state, and local laws related to the protection of the environment
and populations. Effects and implications of such laws and regulations and the relationships
among agencies in the promulgation and enforcement of them. Requirements and obligations
of scientists testifying as expert witnesses in environmental cases.
ENVS 6109. Environmental Air Quality (3-0-3) Study of the structure and composition of the atmosphere, methods of analysis of
pollutants in the atmosphere, and ozone depletion. Emphasis on transport and diffusion
of atmospheric pollutants from the micro scale to the global scale, as well as an
examination of global climate change.
ENVS 6206. Water Resources Management (3-3-4) An examination of fluvial and wetland ecosystems and their dynamics, as well as common
practices in the management and maintenance of these resources. Topics will include
analysis of open-channel hydrology and hydraulics, flood control and analysis, regulated
river management, wetlands hydrology, and management alternatives for wetland ecosystems.
(Course fee required.)
ENVS 6207. Ecological Methods (3-3-4) Applications of ecological principles to societal challenges such as population management,
establishment, exploitation and assessment of ecosystems. Special emphasis is placed
upon experimental design and methods employed for the analysis of the abundance and
distribution of lying organisms and the structure and function of communities.
(Course fee required.)
ENVS 6235. Introduction to Geographic Information and Global Positioning Systems (2-3-3) How to use GIS and GPS to portray existing spatial datasets, create new datasets
and analyze datasets with emphasis on environmental applications, especially the analysis
of change in environmental conditions on a landscape scale. Projects will require
lab time beyond that scheduled.
(Course fee required.)
ENVS 7000. Masters Thesis Defense (0-0-0)Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Degree candidates must be enrolled in this course
during the quarter of their defense. (S/U grading.)
ENVS 7115. Environmental Chemistry (3-0-3) A study of aquatic chemistry, atmospheric chemistry and environmental chemistry analysis.
ENVS 7145. Land Use and Waste Management (3-0-3)Prerequisites: ENVS 5165 and ENVS 7115 recommended. Recommended for Advanced students in Environmental
Science program. Analysis of the geological factors in urban planning and facilities
siting, and the development and operation of urban waste disposal facilities. Topics
include theory and methods of isolating water resources, floodplain protection and
development, recycling systems, hazardous and radioactive waste containment, geology
of site development for larger facilities, and assessment of geotechnical hazards.
ENVS 7555. Selected Topics in Environmental Science (1-3)Prerequisite: Permission of department head. Semester-length or short courses in specialty areas
of environmental science, available as needed or as required by current environmental
situations. These are topics not usually available on a regular schedule, such as
risk analysis, environmental impact assessment, etc.
May be repeated for unlimited credit.
ENVS 7999. Research in Environmental Science (1-9 hours)Prerequisite: Approval of theses research topic by student's advisory committee. Thesis research.
May be repeated for credit.
