Courses

EENV-101 Environmental Science

Modern society functions with incredible resources and conveniences. Some of this progress has come at a great environmental price. This course investigates the scientific principles of the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere, and examines the environmental issues that face our society. Topics include sustainability, ecology, resources, energy, pollution, wastes, and approaches at living in a more sustainable way.

EENV-102 Environmental Hazards

Investigation of selected natural hazards, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, severe weather, and landslides that affect and may be affected by humans. Topics are interrelated by case studies, discussion of current issues, and laboratory and field exercises.

EENV-103 Earth System History

This course focuses on life from its origin on this planet to its present diversity of species. Students will learn about the fundamental physical and biological changes that have shaped and influenced the Earth system since its formation 4.8 billion years ago. Physical concepts that deal with geologic time and stratigraphic relationships, plate tectonics, and nutrient cycling will be addressed. The origin of life, evolutionary processes, the expansion of biodiversity, the radiation of organisms in the oceans, the conquest of land, mass extinctions, dinosaurs, and the rise of humans will be discussed.

EENV-104 Weather and Climate

Introduction to basic concepts in meteorology, including temperature, pressure, precipitation, winds, fronts, severe weather, forecasting, and atmospheric measurements. The focus of this course is on observing the atmosphere and explaining our observations. Labs include weather map analysis, lab experiments, and field trips.

EENV-113 Geology and the Environment

Fundamental concepts and principles of geology and the processes and materials that interact at the surface of the Earth. The course includes rocks and minerals, plate tectonic interactions, weathering and erosion, the cycling of materials through different environments, and how we use these resources.

EENV-213 Oceanography

Introduction to oceanography. The processes that control the formation and function of the oceans. The course focuses on food, mineral, and energy resources associated with the ocean and societies' influence on those resources.

EENV-220 Water Resources

Introduction to watersheds and water resources. Study the distribution and variation in water resources (lakes, rivers, groundwater) and the historical impact of water resources on societies past and present. Topics include: surface water hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, hill slope processes, water budgets, stream flow, water allocation law, water conflicts, and surface water and groundwater interactions.

EENV-240 Introduction to Meteorology

A comprehensive overview of the atmospheric processes responsible for observed weather patterns. This course will provide students with an understanding of radiation and energy budgets, cloud formation, precipitation processes, surface and upper-level winds, the global circulation, and the development of mid-latitude cyclones and severe weather.

EENV-242 Climate and Global Change

An overview of the Earth's past, present, and future climate. Topics include climate forcing, response, and feedbacks; observed climate change; climate data; anthropogenic climate change; and climate change treaties. Laboratory exercises will include data analysis and geospatial mapping of climate trends.

EENV-250 Topics in Earth & Environmental Science

Selected topics vary depending on instructor, student interest, and new advances in environmental science. Topics might include watershed modeling, geology of Pennsylvania, meteorology, or the natural history of the Susquehanna River basin.

EENV-260 Mineralogy/Petrology

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of mineralogy and petrology and how to identify and interpret the common minerals and rocks that are found in the Earth's crust. Students will learn to identify the common rock-forming minerals using mineral properties, chemistry, crystallography, and optical mineralogy. They will also learn to identify igneous and metamorphic rocks based on the mineralogy and fabrics preserved in the rocks.

EENV-270 Chemistry of Natural Waters

Examines how ions are released into or removed from streams, lakes and groundwater. Topics include methods of sample collection, preservation and analysis, factors controlling concentrations of chemicals in water, EPA water quality standards, prediction of water quality, and factors governing use of water by humans.

EENV-283 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy

An introduction to the properties, classification, and nomenclature of soils, sediments and sedimentary rocks. Discusses processes that create, transport, deposit and lithify sediments. Students examine depositional environments where sediments form and accumulate, the properties of sedimentary rocks, and the stratigraphic framework of sedimentary successions.

EENV-332 Sustainable Energy Resources

An overview of energy use, its effect on the environment, and the potential for sustainable energy solutions. Traditional, non-sustainable energy production from fossil fuels is first described in terms of energy efficiency, environmental impact, and available reserves. This is followed by a description of individual sustainable energy technologies with a focus on the underlying science, energy production rates, viability, and potential limitations. Specific technologies that are discussed include wind turbines, solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaics, hydropower, wave and tidal energy capture, and geothermal heating.

EENV-335 Environmental Laws & Regulations

Surveys important state and federal environmental legislation, the principles on which these laws are founded, and the problems that arise in their practical application. Employs case studies to illustrate the way in which environmental laws function in contemporary American society.

EENV-360 Geographic Info Systems

An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) theory, software and practical application. The course is a mixture of lecture and demonstration/student projects, run in a computer-centered environment. Includes exposure to current uses of GIS in the field, and experience in a GIS-workstation environment, aimed at the production of high quality GIS databases and maps.

EENV-370 Environmental Geophysics

Methods of near-surface geophysical explorations with emphasis towards solving environmental and geotechnical problems. Students will learn the basic physical variation in earth and non-earth materials and how these variations may be used to discern what lies beneath the Earth's surface. Examples of near-surface geophysical applications include: Detection of contaminant plumes, buried metallic objects, variations in geological materials, aggregates and mining, forensics, archeology, and hydrogeology.

EENV-373 Air Quality

An introduction to air quality and air pollution issues from the regional scale to the global scale. This course will examine the various types and sources of air pollutants and the effects of air pollution on health, welfare, and the environment. Specific topics to be addressed include: acid deposition, tropospheric and stratospheric ozone, visibility degradation, air pollution meteorology, and regulatory aspects of air quality. Laboratory experiments will focus on air quality measurement strategies.

EENV-380 Wetlands Analysis

Wetlands are complex environments that are controlled by chemical, biological and physical interactions. The course explores the structure, function, management, and jurisdictional delineation of non-tidal freshwater wetlands. Lecture material covers the history of wetlands use/abuse, current definitions, and analysis of the common indicators of wetland function; hydrology, soils and vegetation. The laboratory consists of plant identification, techniques for hydric soil analysis, identification of wetland hydrology indicators using current methodologies for delineation of jurisdictional wetlands.

EENV-383 Soil Science

Soil science is the exploration of the organic and mineral material that forms thin layers where atmospheric, biological and geological interactions occur. Students study the materials that make up soil, their relationship to each other, water and air interactions, and the biological, chemical and physical processes that are at work in soil. The course also explores how various cultures have used and abused this natural resource and how different diversity markers, such as sexual orientation, ethnic background, global residence, and socioeconomic status, have affected the science and participation in federal support programs.

EENV-420 Groundwater Hydrology

A comprehensive study of groundwater and the technologies that locate, extract and protect this resource. Emphasizes practical knowledge, developing theoretical principles when applicable. Includes origin and movement of groundwater, exploration techniques, and groundwater computer modeling.

EENV-440 Groundwater Pollution and Monitoring

Advanced analysis of groundwater pollution. Includes types, sources, chemical and physical behavior, and effects on humans. Examines chemical and physical properties that influence the transport, transformation, and toxicity of pollutants. Also covers the principles and techniques of assessing, monitoring, and remediating groundwater pollution.

EENV-443 Tropical Meteorology

An in-depth exploration of the tropical atmosphere. Topics include the average state of the tropical atmosphere, tropical cyclones, and large-scale tropical oscillations such as El Nino. Quantitative theories and examples are presented, as well as real-time events and case studies. Labs include data and visualization.

EENV-491 Geologic Mapping

Students are introduced to topgraphic and geologic map reading and interpretation, different methods of field mapping, recognition of geologic features responsible for producing the landscape, and how to produce geologic maps. Students will use compasses, plane tables, GPS, and other methods to map and survey the geology and topography of the landscape. This course will integrate elements of Structural Geology and Geomorophology to help students develop the fundamental tools necessary to take mapping to the next level.

EENV-560 Independent Study

Individual students select a contemporary environmental topic to investigate in depth and propose their plan of study to the department for approval. Each student will be assigned a departmental faculty mentor to oversee the project. Projects require extensive literature searches accompanied by oral and written presentations.

EENV-590 Internship

Individual student work in private industry or public agency. Open only when positions are available. The student, employer and the department internship coordinator must complete the student learning contract prior to the end of the drop/add deadline. Oral and written presentations and employer's written evaluation are required.

EENV-591 Environmental Internship Seminar

Completed after the following oral and written examinations in EENV:590.

EENV-595 Research in Earth & Environmental Sci

Independent research projects in the earth and environmental sciences.

EENV-596 Environmental Research Seminar