Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

This course focuses on the design of environmental policy under uncertainty and asymmetric information. Topics include the theory of public goods, theory of renewable and non-renewable resources, externalities and common pool resources, the theory of pollution and pollution control, and trade-environment issues.

An overview course on water sources, uses, management and conservation; biological, economic, and health issues. The course will use chemical and engineering approaches to water and waste water treatment. It includes studies for assessing chemicals in water and waste water. Students will cover the application of standardized analytical methods for evaluating water quality.

A fundamental study of soil properties and reactions critical to the evaluation of how contaminants, as well as essential nutrients, behave in the soil environment. Interactions of potential pollutants with soils and the aquatic and atmospheric environments are emphasized. Methods of soil management or remediation to minimize pollution are presented.

This course is an introduction to environmental policy, regulation, and law in the U.S. Subjects covered will include command and control of regulation, air quality, water quality, control of toxic materials, waste management, energy, and natural resources.

This course focuses on contemporary theories and practices associated with environmental and ecosystems management. Industrial, economic, commercial, political, developmental, and other issues and concerns that influence environmental and ecosystems management are addressed.

This is an interactive course designed to help students achieve a greater understanding of the statistical methods and models available to analyze and solve the wide variety of problems encountered in business, science, medicine, education, the social sciences, and other disciplines. Successful completion of this course will provide students with a working knowledge of the principles of both descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, averages and variations, normal probability distributions, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, statistical hypothesis tests, and correlation and regression analyses. The emphasis of the course will be on the proper use of statistical techniques and their application in real life -- not on mathematical proofs. This course will use Microsoft Excel for some of the work. Students should have a basic familiarity with Excel and have access to this software application. Prerequisite: MATH110 - College Algebra.

Pre Reqs: College Algebra(MATH110)

This course is a study of environmental issues from a moral and philosophical approach. Issues raised in the course include the moral obligation, or lack thereof, to preserve and protect the environment, the ethical presumptions that underlie environmental policy, the traditional theories of moral philosophy applicable to contemporary environmental problems, and the potential for a new conception of the relationship between humanity and nature.

This course introduces students to the biological systems within their associated environments. The course furnishes an understanding of biological principles and the properties of life. Topics covered in this course include the structure and function of plants and animals, cell biology principles, genetics, reproduction, development and growth, biological diversity, principles of evolution, and interactions among organisms and with their environment. Online laboratory experiences are incorporated, which are designed to correspond to, complement, and reinforce the concepts presented in the assigned reading material. The lab involves study through interactive simulations, videos, and animations, which will be provided to the student in the form of exercises provided throughout the semester.

This course introduces students to the principles of basic chemistry, the terminology, methodology, and world view of chemistry; and the practical application to everyday living. Students will attain knowledge of chemical concepts, the environment and atmosphere, material and energy resources, and environmental pollution (including air, water, and soil). The Chemistry lab is designed for students in the sciences to learn how to make qualitative and quantitative observations about physical and chemical phenomena, to make calculations, and to test out their own reasoning. Students will acquire skills in laboratory techniques and study through interactive simulation laboratories designed to help reinforce and build upon the concepts presented in the lecture portion of the class.

Geology encompasses the study of our planet, and students in this course will explore: how it formed, the nature of its interior, the materials of which it is composed, landforms, earthquakes and volcanoes, geologic resources, and geologic history. Current events that students learn about in the news, ranging from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, and more will fit into a larger picture of how Earth works and why such things happen. The Geology lab provides students with a laboratory manual, 36 rock and mineral samples, a topographic map, and other tools to give students a hands-on opportunity to explore geologic concepts covered in the lecture portion of the course as well as virtual field trips related to the geologic sciences.

This course focuses on national fish and wildlife policy, programs, and contemporary issues. Topics addressed in the course include historical and contemporary fish and wildlife policy; major fish and wildlife federal, state, and local programs; economic incentives and disincentives associated with fish and wildlife; and non-U.S. approaches to fish and wildlife issues.

This course focuses on the federal, state, and local agencies, policies, strategies, and public law that influences the public lands management of the United States, and, to a lesser extent, other countries. The focus of the course is the historical and contemporary land management approaches used to protect, exploit, manage, and/or use public lands in the United States. Topics include jurisdictional issues over public land, federal agencies involved in land management, state and local issues and land management, and contemporary issues associated with land management in the 21st Century.

The course explores conceptually the ecological knowledge needed for wildlife conservation, including how species behavior and life history evolves and ultimately how that shapes wildlife populations. Traditional wildlife management topics will be included, along with an added emphasis on ethological implications that affect biological diversity. In addition, human behavior and its impact on wildlife populations and diversity will be studied through case studies, scientific literature, and assigned readings.

This course examines the fundamental laws of population ecology, providing an overview of the underpinnings of population theory. Emphasis is placed on these principles as applied to conservation and management of fish and wildlife populations. Topics include assessing extinction risk of rare species, invasion dynamics of exotic species, demographic and environmental stochasticity, metapopulation dynamics, structured populations, the role of species interactions, interspecific interactions, and micro-evolutionary processes. Use of case studies will demonstrate the application of population ecology models and methods to the management of fish and wildlife populations, and provide the opportunity to apply concepts to current problems and challenges in this field.

This course focuses on the processes, tools, and techniques used to analyze environmental problems, establish state and federal standards, develop environmental impact statements, and make decisions regarding the environment. Students will analyze actual problems, study real environmental impact cases, and learn to use various environmental impact methodologies.

This course provides an intensive treatment of the field of ecology. Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions among organisms and their environment, which explains the distribution and dynamics of organisms, their traits, and the effects that they have on the natural world. Students will learn that ecology is an integrative discipline that draws from various fields of biology (physiology, morphology, behavior, evolution) and natural sciences (e.g., geology and chemistry), as well as other disciplines (e.g., economics and social sciences). The focus of the course will be on identifying and recommending solutions to ecological problems, e.g., habitat destruction and fragmentation, biodiversity, global environmental change, desertification, acidification of the oceans, and others.

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Biology with Lab(SCIN130)

This course examines the fundamental biological and ecological principles of conservation biology. Instruction covers measures of biological diversity, species concepts, genetics of small population viability analysis, and metapopulation dynamics; habitat fragmentation including edge effects, corridors and patch dynamics; reserve design principles; setting biodiversity priorities; and monitoring indices. Changes in land use patterns and the science of Landscape Ecology are also investigated. Current conservation techniques are reviewed through the use of case studies and computer exercises. (Prerequisite: EVSP416) ARMY STUDENTS: THIS NEW COURSE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR AUTOMATIC TA APPROVAL IN GO ARMY ED UNTIL AFTER JANUARY 2012

Pre Reqs: General Ecology(EVSP416)

This course is designed to review the practical application of watershed planning as a tool to manage land, water, and ecosystem resources. Students will explore the public policies and practices of watershed planning by examining case studies in water supply, water quality, drought, floodplain, and storm water management in the U.S. The watershed management curriculum will utilize a multi-disciplinary approach, involving the fields of geography, environmental science, geology, public policy, urban and regional land planning, geographic information systems (GIS) and engineering.

This course will present the principles and methods used in studying the biology of fishes, the ecological requirements of freshwater and anadromous fishes, and the principles and practices in sport fishery management. Students will participate in case studies and critically analyze existing fisheries management plans to ascertain their effectiveness and scientific validity. This course will also emphasize the value of collaboration in effective fisheries management.

An introduction to the structure, processes, and reproduction of higher plants with an emphasis on flowering plants. This course will use an integrative approach to examine the relationships between structure and function, diversity, and evolution. PREREQUISITE: SCIN130 Introduction to Biology with Lab

Pre Reqs: Introduction to Biology with Lab(SCIN130)

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the biology of the class Mammalia. The course will include a survey of the origins, evolution, diversity, and adaptations of mammals to diverse environments. Topics include taxonomy, reproduction, sensory perception, herbivory, population cycles and behavior. Students will use case studies to apply the concepts of mammalogy to broader problems of species management, biodiversity, and the effects of development and habitat fragmentation on mammals.

Ornithology is the study of the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of birds. In this course, students will integrate ornithological study with the principles of bird conservation and management. Students will learn to identify birds by sight and call, and will learn the names of the major orders and families of birds throughout the world. Due to the scientific complexity of the material presented, it is recommended that students complete introductory biology prior to taking this course.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

Analyses of specific issues will be conducted that will include a review of federal environmental organizations, regulations, and their integration with policymaking and decision-making. Students will review and analyze the environmental problem solving process with consideration for the economic, social, and security implications of these decisions on national and global scales. This capstone course will provide students with the opportunity to complete an approved academic research exercise that demonstrates their knowledge of their selected field of study. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Environmental Studies courses have been satisfactorily completed or concurrently with courses as the student completes the last courses in EVSP. Students must have SENIOR standing to enroll.