Course Descriptions

ENV 135 Earth Science 4 hours
Prerequisite: Any LS 105 requirement; Term Winter. Fee: yes. General Education option.
Physical and chemical processes related to the past, present and future behavior of the Earth system and the energy systems that drive these processes. The course will focus on the Earth’s materials, the Earth’s surface and the Earth’s interior. Laboratory included.

ENV 201 Ecology & The Environment 4 hours
Prerequisites: LS 105, ENG 107; Term Fall. Fee: yes. General Education option. Cross-listed with BIO 201

A survey of the biological, chemical and physical environmental problems caused by overpopulation. Topics include the interrelationship of living things with the environment, ecological principles, land resources, energy, land pollution, pest control, water and air pollu­tion, and endangered species. Laboratory included.

ENV 300 Weather & Climate 4 hours
Prerequisite: ENV 130 or ENV 135; Term winter; Fee: yes; offered alternate years

This course will orient you to the fundamentals of weather and climate. The course seeks to answer questions such as: Why is there weather in the first place? What drives the movement of air and water around the globe? How do the climates of various places differ, and what factors drive these differences? Why do the great majority of the world’s peoples live near the coasts? How might the climate be changing, and what factors might be driving these changes? Vari­ous aspects of meteorology will be discussed, includ­ing solar radiation, global circulation, winds, stability, precipitation processes, weather systems, and severe weather. Basic physical principles behind the weather, terminology, and weather analysis will be explored. Laboratory included.

ENV 312 Junior Seminar 2 hours
Corequisites: Junior standing in the major, ENG 312; Term Winter; Fee: yes; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/

HSC/ISC 312.
Junior Seminar has been designed to help science majors improve their writing AS SCIENTISTS. Competence in writing in science requires critical evaluation of one’s work. In order to encourage the development of critical thinking, students critique published work as well as write essays, reviews, and research reports. The heart of the course lies in the weekly interaction between the instructor and students through discussion both in class sections and one-on-one. A weekly lecture provides structure and continuity and allows consideration of other topics such as interviewing and resume writing, poster presentations, ethics in science, and the nature of science and creativity. This is the program’s writing intensive course.

ENV 320   Introduction to Environmental Sustainability 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108; Term: Fall.

This course introduces students to the dynamics between the influences of social, economical and environmental factors important in any analysis of environmental sustainability. The course will examine both historical and current perspectives of sustainability and the challenges in creating a balance between development and the environment.

ENV 350 Environmental Chemistry 3 hours
Prerequisites: CHM 241 & 325; Term: Fall. Offered alternate years

Introduces students to environmental chemistry, the branch of chemistry dealing with the origins, transport, reactions, effects and fates of chemical species in the water, air, soil and living environments.

ENV 370 Environmental Policy and Regulations 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108; Offered alternate years. Term:Winter

This course is intended as a simple, practical introduction into America’s environmental politics, policies and regu­lations. It will answer questions such as; who governs the environmental regulations, what are examples of these regulations, are the regulations and politicians focusing on the most important priorities? What are the environ­mental concerns in Michigan and the Metropolitan Detroit Area?

ENV 380 Environmental Sampling and Analysis 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 108; Term:WinterI. Offered alternate years: Fee: yes.

Critical decisions in regard to the protection of our surroundings are based on data collected and derived from laboratory measurements of environmental pollutants. The students will learn valid data measures, data reporting systems and data analysis.

ENV 388 Cooperative Field Experience 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing, biology major, departmental approval; Term: Fall, Winter, Summer

Supervised work experience in activity related to an area of specialization. This is planned in consultation with advisor, co-op supervisor and employer. Recording, reporting and evaluation of experience will be required.

CHM 410 Special Topics in Environmental Studies: Urban Issues 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENV320 Term: TBA.

Advanced study of urban environmental problems ranging from health, crime, pollution and policy.

ENV 491 Independent Study 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor; biology major or minor; Junior status; Term: Fall, Winter, Summer

Opportunity to earn credit for the independent study of a course not listed in the catalog as a specific offering. By arrangement.

BIO 496A Senior Seminar: Library Research 2 hours
Prerequisites: ENV 312; Senior standing in ENV major; completion of general education and writing requirements; Term: Fall, Winter; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496A.

This course is designed for senior science majors to have the opportunity to write and orally present a research proposal. This will include conducting a literature review and designing an original research project. Students carry out their research project in BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496B. Use of computer for informational searches, data analysis, and word processing; oral presentations and final research paper required.

BIO 496B Senior Seminar: Laboratory Research 2 hours
Prerequisites: ENV 496A; Senior standing in ENV major; completion of general education and writing requirements; Term: Fall, Winter; Fee: yes; Cross-listed with BIO/CHM/ENV/FSC/HSC/ISC 496B.

This course is designed for senior science majors to conduct research with the direction of a faculty member. The student will carry out a research project of their own design. Specifically students will conduct experiments, write up the results of those experiments, write up the conclusions based on those results and present the results and conclusions of the project both in written and oral formats.