Environmental Science

Environmental Science - Undergraduate Courses

EN 101 Intro to Environmental Science (back to previous page)
Today’s environmental problems have scientific, social and political aspects to them. This course, which is strongly suggested for majors and is suitable for nonmajors, will focus on the scientific aspects, but will not ignore the other two. The student will be introduced to the geology, biology, physics and chemistry behind the problems and to the social and political difficulties inherent in dealing with them. Through a combination of lectures, case histories, in-class discussions and observation of the environmental decision making process at work, it is hoped that the student will gain an understanding of the complex nature of environmental problems and of the choices that must be made in solving them. May be taken concurrently with EN 102 Environmental Science Laboratory for laboratory science credit. Environmental Science majors and minors must take EN 102 concurrently. 3 credit hours.

EN 102 Environmental Science Laboratory (back to previous page)
Corequisite: EN 101. A laboratory to accompany EN 101 Introduction to Environmental Science. Laboratory and field methods of identifying, characterizing and dealing with environmental concepts and problems such as water quality, waste disposal, ecosystem structure and change, population growth, pesticides and food production. Some field work required. Portions of some laboratory sessions will be devoted to discussion. 1 credit hour.

EN 320 Introduction to Environmental Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 101 and introductory chemistry or physics. An introduction to geology-related environmental problems and the applications of geology to environmental problem solving. Topics will include an introduction to basic physical geology, natural hazards–causes and remediation, energy and mineral resources, waste disposal and the applications of geology to land use planning. 3 credit hours.

EN 500 Environmental Geoscience with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: M 115 or permission of instructor. Study of the geological systems important in understanding the causes of and solutions to environmental problems.  Includes basic geological principles, examination of natural hazards, their causes and mitigation, and mineral, energy, and water resources.  Laboratories include practical exercises, data collection, problem-solving, and case histories.  Some weekend field trips may be required.  Laboratory fee; 4 credit hours.

EN 502 Environmental Effects of Pollutants (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: BI 320 and EN 500. The demonstrated and suspected effects of air, water and other pollutants on natural systems and on human welfare. Methods of studying effects. Some weekend field trips, or acceptable alternative, required. 3 credit hours.

EN 521 Hydrology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Any one of the following: a college-level course in physics, geology, hydraulics, limnology or permission of instructor. Lectures cover basic hydrologic theory including nature and chemical behavior of water, precipitation and evapotranspiration, interception, surface water, ground water, water supply and treatment, and water law. Other topics may include irrigation, flood control karst hydrology and water chemistry. Required labs cover field measurement, sampling and problem-solving techniques. Some weekend fieldwork required. Laboratory fee; 4 credit hours.

EN 525 Geomorphology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 500/600 or a previous college-level course in physical geology or geography, or permission of instructor. Study of landforms and the processes that produce them including the operation of erosional and depositional processes in a variety of geologic settings (fluvial, coastal, glacial, periglacial, karst and arid). Also covers relationship of landforms and processes to the solution of environmental problems. Lectures cover processes and laboratories focus on landform recognition and geomorphic process interpretation using maps and aerial photographs. Two required field trips (one 2-day and one 2 1/2-day) with shared transportation and costs. 4 credit hours.

EN 527 Soil Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 500/600 or a previous college level course in physical geology/geography or permission of instructor. Properties, occurrence and management of soil as a natural resource. Covers the chemistry, physics, morphology and mineralogy of soils and their genesis and classification. Soil properties will be related to their role in environmental problem solving and decision making.
3 credit hours.

EN 533 Special Topics in Field Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 500/600 or a previous college level course in geology; other prerequisite(s) depend on specific course topic. Selected field studies and trips of special interest. Credit varies depending on the length of the trip or investigation. May be taken more than once.  1-4 credit hours.

EN 534 Environmental Education Instructor Clinic (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: any one of the following: a college-level course in geology, biology, ecology, or science education or permission of the instructor.  A course about teaching environmental education and natural history topics that will be conducted in the field.  Students will receive intensive field training in natural history and a variety of environmental education instruction techniques.  Laboratory fee; 3 credit hours.

EN 540 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (back to previous page)
Survey of GIS technology, research and applications in natural resource management, environmental assessment, urban planning, business, marketing and real estate, law enforcement, public administration and emergency preparedness. Includes critical evaluation, case studies and computer demonstrations. 3 credit hours.

EN 541 Geographical Information System Techniques and Applications I (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of PC-based computing and consent of instructor/program coordinator. First of a two-course se-quence on GIS technology and applications. Laboratory exercises using both raster- and vector-based GIS systems. Hardware and software components of GIS; data acquisition, input and manipulation; cartographic output; report generation. 3 credit hours.

EN 542 Geographical Information System Techniques and Applications II (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 541 or consent of instructor. Second of a two-course sequence on GIS technology and applications. Laboratory exercises using both raster- and vector-based GIS systems. Advanced GIS techniques; spatial analysis and modeling for a variety of applications (e.g., environmental science, business, planning); development of GIS systems. 3 credit hours.

EN 543 Application of GIS in Environmental Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 642 or consent of instructor. Application of advanced GIS techniques to environmental assessment and management constructed around a real-world project from a government agency or nonprofit organization. Students will collaborate to design and implement the complete GIS application. Definition of project goals, special project needs and steps necessary for successful completion. 3 credit hours.

EN 590 Special Topics in Environmental Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisites depend on the specific course content. Essentially, the course is a study of selected field studies, projects and/or occasional trips of special interest. 1-4 credit hours.

EN 598 Internship (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of advisor. An opportunity for field/work experience under the supervision of a faculty adviser. 3 credit hours.

EN 599 Independent Study (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Environmental science major, consent of the department. Weekly conferences with adviser. Three hours of work per week required per credit hour. Opportunity for the student, under the direction of a faculty member, to explore an area of personal interest. A written report of the work carried out is required. 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6.

Environmental Science - Graduate Courses

EN 600 Environmental Geoscience with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Study of the geological systems important in understanding the causes of and solutions to environmental problems.  Includes basic goelogical principles, examination of natural hazards, their causes and mitigation, and mineral, energy, and water resources.  Laboratories include practical excercises, data collection, problem-solving, and case histories.  Some weekend field trips may be required.  4 credits

EN 601 Principles of Ecology with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Presentation of current topics in the various fields of ecology including community, population, ecosystem and landscape ecology. Particular emphasis on those areas related to applied ecology. Field trips and laboratory sessions will focus on a quantitative evaluation of various ecological systems in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and on methods used in ecological assessment. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 602 Environmental Effects of Pollutants (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, EN 601 and undergraduate organic chemistry or graduate introduction to environmental chemistry (CH 600). A survey of the demonstrated and suspected effects of air, water and other pollutants on natural systems and on human welfare. Methods of studying and assessing effects are also presented.

EN 603 Wetlands Ecology with Laboratory (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, EN 601. This course covers the ecology of saltwater and freshwater wetland systems. Linkages between the biotic, hydrologic and chemical components of various wetland types will be emphasized. Wetland delineation, functional assessment of wetlands, and wetland creation and restoration will be among the topics discussed. Field trips and laboratory sessions will focus on a quantitative evaluation of the hydrology, soils and biotic communities of various wetland types. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 604 Ecology of Inland Waters (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, EN 601 Advanced study of ecological processes of inland waters, both lotic and lentic. Some weekend field trips, or acceptable alternative, required.

EN 605 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, EN 601 or permission of the instructor. Advanced study of ecological processes of estruaries and marine habitats and how human activities modify the structure and dynamics of these systems. The laboratory focuses on the characteristics of habitats along the Connecticut coast and in Long Island Sound and their environmental assessment. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 606 Environmental Data Analysis (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: 15 graduate hours and a previous course in statistics, or permission of instructor. The application of analytic techniques to environmental data in the areas of applied ecology, environmental geology and chemistry. These include applied univariate and multivariate statistics as well as geostatistical methods. Introduction to microcomputer software available for environmental analyses.

EN 607 Environmental Reports and Impact Assessment (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: 21 graduate hours including EN 600, EN 601 and CE 606. A study of the EIS/EIA process including the regulatory framework, how to prepare environmental reports and impact assessments, formats required for EIS and other common reports, data collection and presentation, planning and carrying out assessments, and text preparation. Some fieldwork may be required.

EN 608 Landscape Ecology (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, EN 601. In-depth study of the characteristics and dynamics of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on a regional scale. Spatial relationships between ecosystems are examined with regard to natural ecologic and geologic functions and alterations due to human activities. Applications to land-use planning, resource management, conservation and other environmental concerns are addressed via class projects.

EN 609 Data Analysis in the Environmental and Biological Sciences (back to previous page)
Prequisites:  9 graduate hours and a previous course in statistics, or permission of the instructor.  The application of data analysis techniques in the environmental (applied ecology, environmental geology and chemistry) and biological (molecular biology, toxicology) sciences.  These include applied univariate and multivariate statistics as well as geostatistical and non-detect methods.  Extensive use of different types of computer software for data analyses.

EN 610 Environmental Health (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 601 or undergraduate biology major. Principles of public health with general emphasis given to environmental factors such as air and water pollutants, legal standards and preventive measures and their relationships to public health.

EN 612 Epidemiology (back to previous page)
An introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology. Concepts of disease, analysis of morbidity and mortality as well as observational and experimental techniques considered. Illustrative examples concentrate on environmental issues.

EN 613 Radioactivity and Radiation in the Environment (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600 and CH 601, or permission of instructor. Basic principles of nuclear structure and radioactivity; the interaction of radiation with matter and biological effects of radiation; natural and man-made sources of radiation in the environment. The second half of the course will focus on long-term environmental effects of radiation accidents (e.g., Chernobyl and others) and the problems of nuclear waste disposal, plutonium inventories from nuclear weapons, natural radon in buildings and similar concerns. (See also PH 613.)

EN 615 Toxicology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Introductory chemistry. Introduction to environmental and industrial toxicology; toxicologic evaluation; the mode of entry, absorption and distribution of toxicants; the metabolism and excretion of toxic substances; interactions between substances in toxicology; toxicologic data extrapolation; particulates; solvents and metals; agricultural chemicals—insecticides and pesticides; toxicology of plastics; gases; food additives; plant and animal toxins; carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens. (See also SH 615.)

EN 616 Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 601, CE 606 and EN 615. Introduction to application of human health and environmental risk assessment by environmental agencies. Principles of environmental risk assessment, legislative mandates for risk assessment, guidance documents, case studies, analysis and assessment procedures. Emerging developments in the field reviewed through class projects.

EN 617 Subsurface Assessment (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: EN 600, CH 601 and CE 606. Introduction to conducting subsurface contamination assessments. Includes related environmental regulations and liabilities, site hydrogeology, chemical characterization of contaminants, field methodologies, risk assessments and site contamination remediation. Some fieldwork required.

EN 618 Hazardous Materials Management (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: CE 606 and undergraduate organic chemistry or graduate introduction to environmental chemistry (CH 600). The multidisciplinary facets of managing hazardous materials and wastes. Integrates specialized knowledge from the fields of environmental biology, chemistry, engineering, hydrogeology and public health in the techniques used to maintain compliance with environmental standards. Includes regulatory framework, practical exercises and concepts of sound practices of hazardous waste management.

EN 620 Advanced Environmental Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600, or undergraduate course in geology, or permission of instructor. Qualitative and quantitative examination of the application of geology to environmental problems including natural hazards and their remediation, site selection for various types of land uses, geology of waste disposal sites and natural resource evaluation. A class project for a local government or environmental agency will demonstrate practical application of these principles and will be used to examine the process of project planning and management, generation and use of geologic data, report preparation and presentation. Laboratories and some weekend fieldwork required. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 621 Hydrology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate course in physics, geology, hydraulics or limnology; or permission of instructor. Lectures cover basic hydrologic theory including nature and chemical behavior of water, precipitation and evapotranspiration, interception, surface water, groundwater supply and treatment, and water law. Other topics may include irrigation, flood control, karst hydrology and water chemistry. Required laboratories cover field measurement, sampling and problem- solving techniques. Some weekend fieldwork required. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 622 Groundwater Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600, or EN 621, or CE 620, or permission of instructor. Physical and chemical behavior of water occurring in rock and soil (groundwater). Covers the geologic environments in which groundwater exists, groundwater movement and chemistry, Karsthydrology use of groundwater as a water supply, groundwater field investigations and testing, contaminant transport in groundwater, and the nature and use of groundwater flow and contaminant models. Laboratories will include practical experience in field techniques (drilling, geophysical, well, logging, etc.), modeling and data analysis. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 625 Geomorphology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600, or a previous college-level course in physical geology or geography, or permission of instructor. Study of landforms and the processes that produce them including the operation of erosional and depositional processes in a variety of geologic settings (fluvial, coastal, glacial, periglacial, karst and arid). Also covers the relationship of landforms and processes to the solution of environmental problems. Lectures cover processes; required laboratories focus on landform recognition and geomorphic process interpretation using maps and aerial photo-graphs. Two required field trips (one 2-day and one 3-day) with shared transportation and costs. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 626 Glacial Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600 or EN 625, or a previous college-level course in physical geology or geography, or permission of instructor. Glacial processes, landforms, materials and history. Relation-ships between various glacial landforms (identifiable on topographic maps) and the materials that comprise them. Two required field trips in New England (one 1-day and one 2 1/2-day) with shared transportation and costs.

EN 627 Soil Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600, or a previous college-level course in physical geology or geography, or permission of instructor. Properties, occurrence and management of soil as a natural resource. Covers the chemistry, physics, morphology and mineralogy of soils, and their genesis and classification. Soil properties will be related to their role in environmental problem solving and decision making.

EN 632 Field Geology of the Northeast (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 600, or a previous college-level course in geology, or permission of instructor. Intensive training in geological field observation and interpretation in a variety of geologic settings. Weekly class meetings cover field techniques and localities. Five required field trips (three 1-day, one 3-day, one 4-day) will focus on site geology, geomorphology and environmental problems as well as field observation and interpretation. Transportation and costs will be shared. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 633 Selected Topics in Field Geology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite(s): EN 600, or undergraduate course in geology; other prerequisite(s) depend on specific course topic. Selected field studies and trips of special interest. Credit varies depending on length of trip or investigation. May be taken more than once. 1-4 credits.

EN 634 Environmental Education Instructor Clinic (back to previous page)
A course about teaching environmental education and natural history topics.  It will be conducted in the field.  Students will receive intensive, field training in natural history and a variety of Environmental Education instruction techniques.  Prerequisites:  One of the following: A course in geology, biology, ecology, or science education OR permission of the instructor.  Laboratory fee.

EN 640 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (back to previous page)
Survey of GIS technology, research and applications in natural resource management, environmental assessment, urban planning, business, marketing and real estate, law enforcement, public administration and emergency preparedness. Includes critical evaluation, case studies and computer demonstrations.

EN 641 Geographical Information System Techniques and Applications I (back to previous page)
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of PC-based computing and consent of instructor/program coordinator. First of a two-course sequence on GIS technology and applications. Laboratory exercises using both raster- and vector-based GIS systems. Hardware and software components of GIS; data acquisition, input, and manipulation; cartographic output; report generation.

EN 642 Geographical Information System Techniques and Applications II (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 641 or consent of instructor. Second of a two-course sequence on GIS technology and applications. Laboratory exercises using both raster- and vector-based GIS systems. Advanced GIS techniques; spatial analysis and modeling for a variety of applications (e.g., environmental science, business, planning); development of GIS systems.

EN 643 Advanced Application of GIS (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 642 or consent of instructor. Study of advanced GIS techniques for spatial analysis and management in a variety of application areas (e.g. environmental science, municipal and utilities management). Includes GIS development, GIS modeling, advanced spatial analysis (e.g. geostatistics) and VBA/ArcObjects GIS programming. Students collaborate on a real world project to design and implement a complete GIS application, and conduct individual GIS projects of interest to them, applying techniques learned in class.

EN 650 Environmental Microbiology (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Undergraduate biology major, or a course in biology and a course in organic chemistry. Interaction of microorganisms (principally bacteria and fungi) and their environments, stressing transformations they may accomplish depending on physical and chemical circumstances. Practical application of microbes in sewage and other soil/wastewater clean-up, biodeterioration, pest control and production of useful products. Laboratory microcosm projects required. 4 credits.

EN 651 Bioremediation Science (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: EN 650 or permission of instructor. Study of the use of microorganisms to decontaminate/remediate soil, ground-water and air emissions containing various organic compounds. Includes survey of applicable microbial activities and growth parameters, classes of organic compounds that can be degraded/modified and application of latest bioremediation technologies for cleanup. Laboratory involves review of site/hydrogeological plans for efficacy of bioremediation, visitation of available bioremediation sites (biopiles, bioventing, biosparging, etc.) and group projects involving a site(s) currently undergoing bioremediation. Laboratory fee; 4 credits.

EN 670 Selected Topics (back to previous page)
A study of selected issues of particular interest to the students and instructor. May be taken more than once.

EN 690 Research Project (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Independent study under the supervision of an adviser.

EN 695 Independent Study I (back to previous page)
A planned program of individual study under the supervision of a member of the faculty.

EN 696 Independent Study II (back to previous page)
A continuation of Independent Study I.

EN 698 Thesis I (back to previous page)
Prerequisite: 15 graduate hours. Periodic meetings and discussions of the individual student’s progress in the preparation of a thesis.

EN 699 Thesis II (back to previous page)
A continuation of Thesis I.