Environmental Science and Public Policy (EVPP)

Environmental Science and Policy

110 The Ecosphere: An Introduction to Environmental Science I (4:3:3). Study of the components and interactions that make up the natural systems of our home planet. Teaches basic concepts in biological, chemical, physical, and earth sciences in an integrated format with a combination of lecture, laboratory, and field exercises. First semester of a two-semester lab science sequence that can fulfill the science requirements for B.A. students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

111 The Ecosphere: An Introduction to Environmental Science II (4:3:3). Prerequisite: EVPP 110. Study of the components and interactions that make up the natural systems of our home planet. Teaches basic concepts in biological, chemical, physical, and earth sciences in an integrated format with a combination of lecture, laboratory, and field exercises. Second semester of a two-semester lab science sequence that can fulfill the science requirements for B.A. students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

336 Human Dimensions of the Environment (3:3:0). Second Listing 12/2/02 Prerequisites: EVPP 110 or GEOL 101 or SOCI 101 or ANTH 114. Description: Overview of current knowledge regarding human/environment interactions and human ecology. Topics covered include basic theoretical and conceptual issues, the relationship between the social and biological sciences, human causes and consequences of environmental change and contemporary perspectives on environmental issues.

350 Freshwater Ecosystems (4:3:3). Prerequisites: CHEM 211/212 and either EVPP 110/111 or BIOL 307. Study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in lakes, streams, and wetlands. Students will learn about the physical and chemical aspects of aquatic systems and the life cycles and adaptations of aquatic organisms through lectures, field trips and lab exercises.

377 Applied Ecology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: 60 credits, including 8 credits of biology, geology, or chemistry, or permission of the instructor. Introduction to ecosystem concepts and their applications to natural and managed ecosystems.

490 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy (1-4:0). Prerequisites: 60 credits and permission of the instructor. Study of selected topics in environmental science and policy using lectures, guest lectures, student presentations, and/or laboratory exercises. Topics vary, but each offering has a coherent syllabus. May be repeated for credit if topics are significantly different.

503 Field Mapping Techniques (3:0:6). Prerequisites: MATH 105 or equivalent; EVSC 110, GEOG 102 or GEOL 101 or equivalent. Basic techniques for collecting, recording, and plotting spatial field data, including the use of topographic maps, compass, transit, alidade, and global positioning systems. Includes field work and a field-based research project.

505 Selected Topics in Environmental Science (1-4: 1-3:0-6). Prerequisite: A course in ecology or permission of instructor. Topic depends on instructor's specialty.

536 Ichthyology (4:3:3). Second Listing 12/2/02 Prerequisites: Course in Ecology or permission of the instructor. Study of the systematics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and behavior of fishes. Lab time is used for field trips, practice in identifying species, and hands-on experience with lecture subjects.

543 Tropical Ecosystems (4:3:3). Prerequisites: Course in ecology and permission of instructor. Terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems in the tropics, emphasizing plant communities, plant-animal interactions, and the role of humans in the tropics. Field trip to the tropics is required as part of the lab.

546 Estuarine and Coastal Ecology (4:3:3). Prerequisites: Course in ecology and permission of instructor. Emphasizes marine biology of estuarine and coastal habitats of the Chesapeake Bay region and factors affecting distribution and abundance of organisms. Lab provides training in field measurement of physical and chemical parameters and collection and identification of local organisms. Extended field trips to mid-Atlantic sites.

550 Waterscape Ecology and Management (3:3:0). Prerequisite: One course in chemistry and one course in ecology. Study of the physical, chemical, and biological components of freshwater ecosystems with emphasis on streams, rivers, and lakes; links between watersheds and freshwater ecosystems; and the impact of human management.

555 Lab in Waterscape Ecology (1:0:3). Prerequisite: EVPP 550 or permission of instructor. Field and laboratory approaches to freshwater ecology with emphasis on study design, sampling methods, laboratory and data analysis, and report writing.

576 Microbial Ecology of Soils (3:3:0). Prerequisite: A course in microbiology or permission of instructor. Survey of the microbial ecology in surface and subsurface soils. The organisms, their function, and their interaction are described.

577 Biogeochemistry: A Global Perspective (3:3:0). Prerequisite: A course in ecology and a course in chemistry, or permission of instructor. Structure and function of ecosystems, their interactions as components of landscapes, and their contributions to the global environment. Emphasizes biogeochemical cycles of natural, disturbed, and managed ecosystems, and their integration at the landscape and global level as related to current ecological problems such as transfer of nonpoint source pollutants, atmospheric deposition, stratospheric ozone depletion, and global change.

607 Fundamentals of Ecology (3:3:0). Overview of concepts in physiological, population, community, and ecosystem ecology restricted to graduate students with little or no background in ecology.

610 Bioremediation: Theory and Applications (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Courses in microbiology and either organic chemistry or biochemistry, or permission of instructor. Provides the basis for understanding the proper application of bioremedial technologies to treatment of hazardous wastes. Includes evaluation of data to determine successful treatment.

620 Development of U.S. Environmental Policies (3:3:0). Prerequisites: A course in policy process and a course in ecology or permission of instructor. Through lectures, guest speakers, class discussions and assigned reading the course will examine the nature and historical development of environmental policy in the U.S., including consideration of the social, political, economic and environmental factors which affect and determine it, and the ways in which it is expressed and implemented. The course will conclude with considerations of sustainability and emerging issues.

621 Overview of Biodiversity Conservation (3:3:0). Prerequisites: 8 hours of graduate courses in Ecology and Environmental Science and/or Environmental Policy or permission of the instructor. This course will use lectures, reading assignments, class discussions, and orally-presented and written case studies to explore what biodiversity is, why is it important, what are its present status and trends, how has concern with and action for its conservation evolved and where do we stand now.

622 Management of Wild Living Resources (3:3:0). Prerequisites:8 credits of ecology including BIOL 648, or permission of instructor. Through lectures, case studies, and discussions, this course examines the management of different types of wild living resources, animal and plant, aquatic and terrestrial. Reviews the present status of the resources, analyzes the factors that have led to the present situation, and considers what may be required to achieve effective and sustainable management.

623 Translating Environmental Science and Policy into Action (3:3:0). Prerequisites: 8 hours of graduate courses in Environmental Science and/or Environmental Policy or permission of the instructor. The class will use lectures including guest lecturers, class discussions, written and orally-presented case studies and assigned reading, first, to identify and analyze the factors involved in successfully moving from science and policy to concrete action, and second to provide students with an understanding of the basic principles, skills and strategies involved and how they may be applied.

626 Environment and Development in South and East Asia (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Course work in policy process, international development, and ecology, or permission of instructor. Through lectures, guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, and oral and written case studies, this course examines environment and development in selected countries of south and east Asia. Reviews the relationship between environment and development, considers the background and history leading up to the present, analyzes the factors that have led to the present situation, and considers what may be required to achieve more effective and sustainable results.

627 Environment Policy in Latin America (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Course work in policy process, international development, and ecology, or permission of instructor. Through lectures, guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, and oral and written case studies, this course examines environmental policy in Latin America. Reviews the evolution of environmental policy and the relationship between environment and development, considers the background and history leading up to the present, analyzes the factors that have led to the present situation, and considers what may be required to achieve more effective and sustainable results.

628 Environment and Development in Africa (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Course work in policy process, international development, and ecology, or permission of instructor. Through lectures, guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, and oral and written case studies, this course examines environment and development in sub-Saharan Africa. Reviews the relationship between environment and development, considers the background and history leading up to the present, analyzes the factors that have led to the present situation, and considers what may be required to achieve more effective and sustainable results.

630 Methods and Logic of Social Inquiry (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Undergraduate statistics and research methods, or permission of instructor. Emphasizes the gathering, interpretation, and evaluation of scientific evidence. Develops critical-thinking skills and covers the logic of scientific inquiry, including various data collection methods such as experiments, observational research, and Q methodology.

636 Gender, Race and the Natural World (3:3:0). Advanced study of the links among gender, race, and nature using a social-psychological framework, original sources, and seminar and discussion. A critical analysis of the ideologies that underpin the interlocking narratives of gender, race, and nature, and an examination of the role of science in the production of these ideologies.

637 Human Dimensions of Global Change (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Examination of human dimensions of climate change, biodiversity loss, ozone depletion and related anthropogenic alterations of the biosphere.

638 Corporate Environmental Management and Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisites: None. This course aims to provide an understanding of how environmental issues interact with business strategy decisions. Its emphasis is two-fold: to learn about proactive win-win environmental management strategies being implemented by the world's leading firms and to show how government policies and regulations can be designed to simultaneously promote higher environmental protection and competitiveness. Class sessions combine mini-lectures and participatory discussions.

641 Environmental Science and Public Policy (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Course in ecology or permission of instructor. Effects of human activities on the environment. Airborne, waterborne, and solid waste material are considered with respect to sources, control, and effect on ecosystems.

643 Microbial Ecology (4:3:3). Prerequisite: A course in microbiology or permission of instructor. Study of relationships between microorganisms and their natural environment, and methodology for observing their natural environment and their biochemical activities in that environment.

644 Wetland Ecology and Management (4:3:3). Prerequisite: Course work in ecology, chemistry and physics, or permission of instructor. Structure and function of wetland ecosystems. Emphasizes biogeochemical and hydrological processes, the effects of disturbance, and management implications.

645 Freshwater Ecology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: EVPP 550 or permission of instructor. Study of biotic and abiotic interactions that affect the structure and composition of freshwater ecosystems. Emphasis on the research literature and experimental and theoretical approaches.

648 Population Ecology (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Course in ecology or permission of instructor. Survey of ecological models and theory. Topics include population growth and regulation, competition, predator-prey relationships, and models of community structure.

650 Environmental Analysis and Modeling (4:3:3). Prerequisite: Course in ecology or permission of instructor. Students learn to conceptualize ecological systems, represent these conceptualizations mathematically, and develop and test models against field data. Multivariate models and dynamic simulation models are emphasized.

652 The Hydrosphere (3:3:0). Prerequisites: 2 semesters of calculus and partial differential equation. The components and transfer processes within the hydrosphere. The hydrosphere consists of the aqueous envelope of the earth including the oceans, lakes, rivers, and snow, ice, glaciers, soil, moisture, ground water and atmospheric water vapor.

670 Environmental Law (3:3:0). Prerequisites: Course in ecology, environmental biology, or permission of instructor. Study of environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act and regulatory issues such as the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. Emphasis on critical evaluation of alternatives to unresolved issues in environmental policies.

675 Environmental Planning and Administration (3:3:0). Interaction of man and ecological systems; causes of damage or deterioration in the environment; content, oversights, and externalities in the management decision processes that affect the environment and the effectiveness of plan implementation; means of assessing environmental impact; and administrative approaches for minimizing environmental impact.

677 Applied Ecology and Ecosystem Management. (3:3:0). Prerequisites: EVPP 607 or equivalent.Use of ecological principles to manage natural resources. Emphasizes hierarchical levels of organization within ecological systems and the management of ecosystems to conserve biodiversity, natural resources, and the environment.

692 Master's Seminar in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1:1:0). Exploration of selected topics in environmental science and public policy using lectures, guest lectures, student presentations, and discussions of current literature. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit.

693 Directed Studies in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1-8:0:0). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and chair. Study of topic not otherwise available in graduate program. May involve any combination of reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, or lab or field study determined in consultation with the instructor. Short study plan required. May not be used to fulfill explicit undergraduate prerequisites for graduate work.

741 Advanced Topics in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1-4:1-3:0-6). Prerequisite: 8 credits of graduate course work in environmental science and public policy or permission of instructor. Study of selected advanced topics in environmental science and public policy using lectures, guest lectures, student presentations, or laboratory exercises. Topics vary, but each offering has a coherent theme. May be repeated for credit if topics are significantly different.

745 Environmental Toxicology (3:3:0). Prerequisites: A course in ecology and a course in physiology, or permission of instructor. Study of the nature, distribution, and interaction of toxic chemicals released into the environment. Emphasizes effects on nonhuman biota, detection and fate of chemicals, and implications for government regulation.

791 Colloquium in Earth Systems Science (1:1:0). Prerequisites: None. This is an introduction in a colloquium format covering the various parts of the Earth systems. Invited talks by GMU faculty and primarily Earth Science experts in the Washington Metropolitan Area will be conducted. Students will be graded on written reports demonstrating and understanding of the wide topics covered.

792 Seminar in Earth Systems Science (1:1:0). Prerequisites: 15 graduate credits and courses on the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. A seminar for Earth Systems Science graduate students who have background in the earth's major systems. Intended to be a capstone experience. Seminars will be presented by faculty and students. Topics will vary from semester to semester.

793 Research in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1-3:0:0). Prerequisites: 8 graduate credits in EVPP and permission of instructor and chair. Library, laboratory, or field investigation under the supervision of the instructor. Short proposal required. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

798 Master's Research Project in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1-3:0:0). Prerequisites: Approved project proposal and permission of instructor and chair. Experimental, observational, literature-based, or theoretical research project chosen and completed under the guidance of a faculty member. Proposal is required before enrollment. Comprehensive report acceptable to student's committee is required for completion. Students taking EVPP 798 may receive no more than 6 credits for both EVPP 793 and EVPP 798. Graded S/NC.

799 Master's Thesis in Environmental Science and Public Policy (1-6:0:0). Prerequisites Approved thesis proposal and permission of instructor and chair. Experimental, observational, or theoretical research under an instructor's supervision that culminates in the production of a thesis. Thesis work should be potentially publishable. No more than 6 credits of EVPP 793 and EVPP 799 may be applied to the master's degree. Graded S/NC.

894 Supervised Internship (3-12:0:0). Prerequisite: Permission of program director and student's doctoral committee. Training in application of ecological skills to environmental management and policy under the supervision of a qualified environmental scientist at a governmental agency, consulting firm, industry, or other acceptable organization.

991 Advanced Seminar in Environmental Science (2:2:0). Prerequisite: 8 hours of ecology or permission of instructor. Topics generally address the interface between environmental science and public policy. May be repeated for credit.

998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (1-6:0:0). Prerequisite: Admission to doctoral candidacy or approval of doctoral program director. Work on a research proposal that forms the basis for a doctoral dissertation. Graded S/NC.

999 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-12:0:0). Prerequisite: Approval of dissertation proposal. Research on a basic or applied problem in environmental science and public policy. Graded S/NC.

See additional course work under Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Public and International Affairs (PUAD), School of Public Policy (PUBP), Geography (GEOG), and Geology (GEOL).