Environmental Sciences
33 courses found
Introduces the principles and basic facts of the natural environment. Topics include earth materials, land forms, weather and climate, vegetation and soils, and the processes of environmental change and their implications to economic and human systems.
Studies the natural history of the Earth's hydrosphere, including its origin, evolution, and importance in Earth processes. Introduces the hydrological cycle and the role of water in a variety of Earth processes. Discusses human influences on the hydrosphere and current topics in hydrological science and water resources, such as contamination and resource allocation, emphasizing the scientific basis for past, present, and future decisions.
Analyzes the principles that govern the world's oceans and their integration into an understanding of the major marine environments. Topics include marine pollution, global climate, and marine policy.
Studies the composition, structure, and internal processes of earth; the classification, origin, and distribution of earth materials; earth's interior; and the interpretation of geological data for the solution of problems of the natural environment. Recommended: At least one semester of college chemistry with lab such as CHEM 1410, 1420.
Field and laboratory experimentation into the nature of earth materials and processes, especially as applied to use and human problems. Corequisite: EVSC 2800.
Explores the theory of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications in a range of disciplines using various GIS software packages. Example applications are from physical and social sciences, often with a focus on the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. For students interested in immediate applications of GIS in their work. Experience with word processing, file managers, and other computing skills is essential. Prerequisite: The equivalent of the College natural science/mathematics and social science area requirements.
This course explores interactions between biology and the fluid within which terrestrial organisms (air) and aquatic organisms (water) function. Topics covered include locomotion, heat exchange, diffusion and mass exchange, bio-acoustics, and bio-optics in the two different fluids, as well as living at the interface between air and water. Prerequisite: MATH 1190 or MATH 1210 or MATH 1310 or APMA 1090.
Studies energy flow, nutrient cycling and allocation in natural ecosystems, organization of species at the population and community levels, and interaction between people and the biosphere. Prerequisite: One semester of calculus; recommended; at least one semester of college-level chemistry and biology with labs such as CHEM 1410, 1420, and BIOL 2020.
Field and laboratory experimentation illustrative of ecological systems, and their checks, balances, and cycles. Corequisite: EVSC 3200.
Introduces the physical laws governing atmospheric behavior and examines atmospheric variables and their role in the fluid environment of the earth. Prerequisite: MATH 1190 or MATH 1210 or MATH 1220 or MATH 1310 or MATH 1320 or MATH 2310 or APMA 1090 or APMA 1110 or APMA 2120.
Studies the principles of measurements, instrumentation for measuring atmospheric parameters, and methods of observing and calculating atmospheric variables. Corequisite: EVSC 3300.
Studies the physical principles governing the flow of water on and beneath the earth's surface, including fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics applied to the description of open channel hydraulics, ground water hydraulics, and dynamics of soil moisture. Introduces elements of surface water and ground water hydrology and explores humanity's influence on its hydrological environment. Prerequisite: One semester of calculus.
Field and laboratory experimentation illustrative of the hydrological cycle, including energy and mass transfer in surface and ground water. Corequisite: EVSC 3600.
A weekly, one-hour seminar series for majors, other interested undergraduates, and the University community dealing with environmental processes, research, issues, careers, and graduate study.
Introduction to the physics and techniques of remote sensing. Prerequisite: at least one year of college-level chemistry or physics, or instructor permission.
An ecosystem course which treats the ecology of forests and consequences of forest processes in natural and managed systems. The class emphasizes the "pattern and process" concept that is the central theme in modern vegetation sciences at increasing scales: from form and function of leaves and other parts of trees through population, community and landscape ecology to the role of forests in the global climate and carbon-cycling. Pre-requisites: EVSC 3200, 3400, or 3500 recommended.
An interdisciplinary course covering the physical, biogeochemical and ecological aspects of coastal estuaries. Prerequisites: EVSC 3200 with a D-
We will explore how weather and climate impact human health from the individual to the societal level. Topics will include how the human body responds to heat and cold, weather and physiological stress and strain, impacts of poor air quality on human morbidity and mortality, and the role of weather and climate in disease transmission.We will likewise examine extreme weather events at the macro-level & the role of human adaptation to climate.Prerequisites include an introductory course in atmospheric science (EVSC 1300, EVSC 3300, or the equivalent).
This seminar course will review the atmospheric and oceanic processes responsible for large-scale variability and change in Earth's climate system through readings and discussions of recent peer-reviewed scientific publications.
This course introduces students to research topics in air pollution, including the ozone hole, tropospheric ozone, aerosol chemistry and physics, atmosphere-biosphere interactions, air pollution regulation and control, health impacts, environmental justice, cook stove emissions, and air toxics. Readings are primarily taken from the recent literature. There is an emphasis on understanding the fundamental chemistry and physics of air pollution.
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of environmental science.
Studies the processes that regulate the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus within and between oceans, continents, and atmosphere. Prerequisite: One semester of college chemistry and one or two of the EVSC core classes.
Specialized topics in ecology, atmosphere, hydrology, environmental geology, or environmental systems not normally covered in formal classes under the direction of the faculty. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Original research usually involving a field or laboratory problem in the environmental sciences under the direction of one or more faculty members. The results may form the basis of an undergraduate thesis which is required to partially fulfill the Distinguished Majors Program in environmental sciences. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
Provides credit for doing work in pursuit of the undergraduate thesis option for majors in Environmental Science