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 will introduce students to the principles of environmental sustainability. Students will explore various aspects of sustainability, including energy use, industrial processes, waste generation and disposal, and the built environment. As part of the focus on solutions, the course will introduce students to tools society can use to attain and implement sustainable practices, such as policy, law, education and communication, marketing, research advocacy, and international agreements and collaboration.

This course will introduce students to current and future trends in energy technology, policy, and sustainability. It will address topics such as resource sustainability, relevant aspects of economics, sociology of innovation diffusion, product design principles, and the environmental impacts of existing and emerging energy technologies. Analysis of the range of current and future energy choices will be stressed, as well as the role of energy in determining local environmental conditions and the global climate.

This course will introduce students to the basic methods of land use planning, including: goal development and formalization, planning intelligence and information systems, population forecasting, land use forecasting, land suitability analysis, land use location requirements, land classification planning, natural/sustainable land use design, and the analysis of regional or local land use plans. Through lecture, discussion, case studies, and assignments, the class will examine fundamental land use controls (i.e., General Plans and Zoning), land use policy, and contemporary land use management techniques.

This course illustrates the fundamental concepts of GIS and remote sensing technologies in the context of land use planning and management. Topics include the physical basis for remote sensing, remote sensing systems, digital image processing, data structures, database design, and spatial data analysis. The course is not intended to provide students with extensive training in particular image processing or GIS packages, however, course exercises and the final project will require GIS data analysis and presentation skills.

This course will introduce students to the concepts of green infrastructure planning and design and the implementation of renewable technologies. The framework presented for planning and design will focus on increasing the performance of green infrastructure systems. Students will examine case studies and participate in exercises to develop richly layered, interconnected, and sustainable communities that increase human health and ecological resilience

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 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.