Graduate Program in Environmental Science

BIOLOGY

BIOL 5515. Selected Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology ((0-3)-(0-6)-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3112, CHEM 3312, and BIOL 3216. An opportunity to study in depth one of many specialized fields in cellular and molecular biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics include, but are not limited to histology, developmental biology, advanced cell biology, cytological toxicology, and histotechniques. Course may be repeated for credit when topic differs. Laboratory experiences, when included will introduce the student to basic cytological study techniques for that specific field. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours.

BIOL 5225. Selected Topics in Organismic Biology (0-3)-(0-6)-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3112, CHEM 3312, and BIOL 3218. An opportunity to study one of the fields encompassed by organismic biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics will be related to knowledge and investigation of the structure, function, and adaptations of groups of living organisms. Topics include, but are not limited to: morphology, physiology, physiology or taxonomy of various groups of organisms. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours. Course may be taken twice for credit by undergraduate students.

BIOL 5535. Selected Topics in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology (0-3)-(0-6)-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3112, CHEM 3312, and BIOL 3218. An opportunity to study one of the fields encompassed by ecological or evolutionary biology. The specific topic will vary by semester and instructor. Topics will be related to knowledge and investigation of the distribution, abundance and adaptations of living organisms as mediated by the environment and natural selection. Topics include but are not limited to aquatic ecology, biogeography, organic evolution, applied ecology, and toxicology. Lecture and lab hours vary with topic, and laboratory work may extend beyond scheduled hours. Course may be taken twice for credit by undergraduate students.

BIOL 5899. Independent Study (0-(3-9)-(1-3) Prerequisites: Senior standing and permission from Department chair. An opportunity to study a biological topic or carry out a research project in an area of interest. A proposal must be submitted to the department head by the end of the semester prior to the one in which the study is to be undertaken. The proposal must be approved and a faculty mentor identified before registration. Assessment of this study will include a public presentation.

CHEMISTRY

CHEM 7165. Environmental Organic Chemistry (3-0-3) Principles of organic chemistry applicable to the study and evaluation of environmental conditions including reactions of organic pollutants.

CHEM 7175. Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry (3-0-3) Prerequisite: ENVS 7115. A study of the important physical and chemical processes which are important in atmospheric science. Topics include the atmospheric thermal reservoir, radiation transfer, light absorption and scattering, tropo spheric and stratospheric chemistry, in chemistry.

CHEM 7185. Aquatic Chemistry (3-0-3) Prerequisites: ENVS 7115. Study of chemical structure of lakes/rivers. Analytical procedures in the assessment of water quality applied to analysis of natural/and waste-water treatment.

CHEM 7555. Selected Topics in Environmental Chemistry (1-0-1) Topics to be covered could include atmospheric chemistry, air pollution, aquatic chemistry, water pollution, soil chemistry, and biochemical and environmental interactions.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

ENVS 5165. Introduction to Hydrology (3-0-3) Prerequisites: CHEM 1121, CHEM 1321, and MATH 1132. Study of hydrological systems on and beneath the earth's surface. Topics include: precipitation and evaporation, runoff and stream flow, groundwater infiltration, flownets and flow direction analysis of groundwater, properties of aquifers, regional groundwater flow patterns, and water pollution.

ENVS 5225. Natural Environments of Georgia (1-14-3) Prerequisites: BIOL 1115, BIOL 1315, GEOL 1221, and GEOL 1222. The geological framework and natural plant and animal communities of Georgia, examined through a series of weekend field trips to selected locations in the Ridge and Valley, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain provinces. Recommended for teachers and students wanting to broaden their knowledge of Georgia's geology, flora, and fauna. Some travel expenses will be paid by the students.

ENVS 5256. Environmental Geology (3-2-4) Prerequisites: GEOL 1221. Examination of human interaction with the geologic environment. Geologic hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions will be considered, as well as resource and waste management, and human impacts on the physical environment.

ENVS 6105. Environmental Issues (3-0-3) Seminar and lecture course with a focus on the study of current environmental issues such as the generation, reduction and disposal of hazardous materials, management of air and water quality, the status and management of endangered species, as well as the research needs in these areas for the future. Case studies will be used where possible.

ENVS 6106. Environmental Law and Regulations (3-0-3) Study of federal, state, and local laws related to the protection of the environment and populations. Effects and implications of such laws and regulations and the relationships among agencies in the promulgation and enforcement of them. Requirements and obligations of scientists testifying as expert witnesses in environmental cases.

ENVS 6109. Environmental Air Quality (3-0-3) Study of the structure and composition of the atmosphere, methods of analysis of pollutants in the atmosphere, and ozone depletion. Emphasis on transport and diffusion of atmospheric pollutants from the micro scale to the global scale, as well as an examination of global climate change.

ENVS 6206. Water Resources Management (3-3-4) An examination of fluvial and wetland ecosystems and their dynamics, as well as common practices in the management and maintenance of these resources. Topics will include analysis of open-channel flows, flow resistance and sediment transport, gradually varied steady flows, flood control and analysis, computer models and management.

ENVS 6207. Ecological Methods (3-3-4) Applications of ecological principles to societal challenges such as population management, establishment, exploitation and assessment of ecosystems. Special emphasis is placed upon experimental design and methods employed for the analysis of the abundance and distribution of lying organisms and the structure and function of communities.

ENVS 6235. Introduction to Geographic Information and Global Positioning Systems (2-4-4) How to use GIS and GPS to portray existing spatial data sets, create new data sets and analyze data sets with emphasis on environmental applications, especially the analysis of change in environmental conditions on a landscape scale. Projects will require lab time beyond that scheduled.

ENVS 7000. Masters Thesis Defense (0-0-0) Prerequisite: Permission of the Program Director. Degree candidates must be enrolled in this course during the quarter of their defense. (S/U grading.)

ENVS 7115. Environmental Chemistry (3-0-3) A study of aquatic chemistry, atmospheric chemistry and environmental chemistry analysis.

ENVS 7145. Land Use and Waste Management (3-0-3) Prerequisites: ENVS 5165 and ENVS 7115 recommended. Recommended for Advanced students in Environmental Science program. Analysis of the geological factors in urban planning and facilities sighting, and the development and operation of urban waste disposal facilities. Topics include theory and methods of isolating water resources, floodplain protection and development, recycling systems, hazardous and radioactive waste containment, geology of site development for larger facilities, and assessment of geotechnical hazards.

ENVS 7555. Selected Topics in Environmental Science (1-3) Prerequisites: Permission of department head. Semester-length or short courses in specialty areas of environmental science, available as needed or as required by current environmental situations. These are topics not usually available on a regular schedule, such as risk analysis, environmental impact assessment, etc.

ENVS 7999. Research in Environmental Science (1-5 hours) Prerequisites: Approval of theses research topic by student's advisory committee. Thesis research. May be repeated for credit.

GEOLOGY

GEOL 5115. Geochemistry (3-0-3) Prerequisite: GEOL 2265, CHEM 1122, and CHEM 1322. An overview of geologically significant chemical systems. Topics include: cycling of elements within the Earth's crust and mantle, composition and evolution of igneous magmas, chemical weathering, formation of chemical sediments, metamorphism, and development of natural resources.

GEOL 5165. Introduction to Hydrology (3-0-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1121, CHEM 1321, and MATH 1132. Study of hydrological systems on and beneath the earth's surface. Topics include: precipitation and evaporation, runoff and stream flow, groundwater infiltration, flownets and flow direction analysis of groundwater, properties of aquifers, regional groundwater flow patterns, and water pollution.

GEOL 5255. Environmental Geology (3-2-4) Prerequisite: GEOL 1121. Examination of human interaction with the geologic environment. Geologic hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions will be considered, as well as resources and waste management, and human impacts on the physical environment.

GEOL 5275. Vertebrate Paleontology (3-2-4) Prerequisite: GEOL 1122. History and taxonomy of the vertebrates. Analyses of vertebrate origins, periods of mass extinctions, evolution of body structures and function. Laboratory survey of the taxa and techniques of curating. Field trips other than during class time may be scheduled.

GEOL 7565. Selected Topics in Environmental Geology (1-0-1) Graduate seminar addressing advanced topics of interest to students pursuing environmental geology specialization. Offered alternate years.

MATHEMATICS

MATH 5175. Mathematical Statistics (3-0-3) Prerequisite: MATH 2175. Statistical inference, estimation, tests of statistical hypotheses, multivariate distributions, linear regression. Appropriate computational devices and statistical software will be used.

MATH 5176. Statistical Design and Analysis of Experiments (3-0-3) Prerequisite: MATH 2175. Completely randomized designs, treatment comparisons, diagnosing agreement between the data and the model, experiments to study variances, factorial treatment design and applications. Appropriate statistical software will be used.

This page last modified on 07/03/07 by Harlan J. Hendricks