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 integrated format with lecture, laboratory, and field exercises. First semester of a two-semester lab science sequence that can fulfill the science requirements for BA students in CAS.

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

201 Environment and You: Issues for the Twenty-First Century (3:3:0) Introduction to broad aspects of anthropocentric environmental considerations in the contemporary world. Topics include global populations and wastewater treatment, environmental law, and genetic engineering.

318 Conservation Biology (3:3:0) Prerequisites: BIOL 307 and 311. Introduces science used to identify species in need of conservation, and techniques to manage and protect organisms.

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

337 Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (3:3:0) Prerequisite: 60 credits. Overview of environmental policy process in developing countries around the world. Major focus on understanding distinctive problems and dynamics of environmental policy making in poor countries to generate better policy decisions and management.

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

361 Environmental Politics (3:3:0) Environmental politics and policymaking since the 1970s. Primary focus on United States, with some discussion of global issues. Examination of policy strategies and outcomes, ethical and economic debates, political controversies, lawmaking and enforcement, and role of key players.

363 Coastal Morphology and Processes (4:3:3) Prerequisite: GEOL 309 or BIOL 309 or GEOL 317; or 9-credit hours in geography, including GEOG 309. Study of global coastal geomorphology and processes with emphasis on U.S. Atlantic and gulf coasts. Topics include plate tectonics, sea level changes, sediment supply, waves, tides, storm impacts, and human activities. Lecture and extended weekend field trips to mid-Atlantic coast.

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.

395 Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science and Policy (1-3:0:0) Prerequisites: 45 credits including at least two upper-level science lab courses. Original research project. May involve field and lab study, computer modeling and analysis, or other original research as appropriate. Research formulated and completed under instructorÕs guidance. Culminates in final report. May be repeated for total 10 credits.

396 Directed Topic in Environmental Science and Policy (1-4:0:0) Prerequisites: 45 credits. Study of topic not otherwise available. May involve readings, lectures, lab assignments, and tutorials as jointly agreed on by student and instructor. Culminates in term paper, final exam, or both. May be repeated for maximum 8 credits.

451 Fungi and Ecosystems (3:3:0) Prerequisite: BIOL 304 or course in microbiology, or permission of instructor. Considers impact of fungi on ecosystems in terms of their effects on biogeochemical cycling, primary and secondary production, and regulating community structure and populations of individual species through activities as symbionts and parasites. Discusses the role of fungi in ameliorating pollutants produced by anthropogenic activities.

490 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy (1-4:0) Prerequisites: 60 credits and permission of instructor. Study of selected topics in environmental science and policy using lectures, guest lectures, student presentations, 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 topographic maps, compass, transit, alidade, and global positioning systems. Field work and field-based research project.

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

515 Molecular Environmental Biology I (3:3:0) Prerequisite: introductory biology and genetics or permission of instructor. Introduction to molecular environmental biology covering basic concepts of molecular biology, molecular evolution, and bioinformatics, and their application to problems in molecular and environmental biology.

524 Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics (3:3:0) Prerequisite: basic algebra skills. Introduction to theory of external costs and benefits, public goods, natural resource management, and benefit and cost analysis for noneconomists. Lecture-discussion format with student presentations and participation. Analytical problems set, short writing assignments, and exams.

525 Economics of Human/Environment Interactions (3:3:0) Prerequisite: EVPP 524/GEOG 524 or equivalent. Advanced topics in environmental, natural resource, and ecological economics for noneconomist. Emphasis on sustainability, intergenerational equity, and economic- ecological feedbacks. Lecture, discussion with substantial student participation. Problem sets, class presentations, term paper.

531 Land-use Modeling Techniques and Applications (3:3:0) Prerequisite: GEOG 550 or permission of instructor. Survey of literature on spatially explicit empirical models of land-use change. Hands-on experience developing and running simple models. Includes statistical models, mathematical programming models, cellular automata, agent-based models, and integrated models.

536 Ichthyology (4:3:3) Prerequisites: ecology course or permission of instructor. Study of systematics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and behavior of fishes. Lab time used for field trips, practice in identifying species, and hands-on experience with lecture subjects.

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

551 Fungi and Ecosystems (3:3:0) Prerequisite: BIOL 304 or course in microbiology, or permission of instructor. Considers impact of fungi on ecosystems in terms of their effects on biogeochemical cycling, primary and secondary production, and regulating community structure and populations of individual species through their activities as symbionts and parasites. Discusses role of fungi in ameliorating pollutants produced by anthropogenic activities.

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.

563 Coastal Morphology and Processes (4:3:3) Prerequisite: previous courses in geology, oceanography, marine science or physical geography, or permission of instructor. Study of global coastal geomorphology and processes with emphasis on U.S. Atlantic and gulf coasts. Topics include plate tectonics, sea level changes, sediment supply, waves, tides, storm impacts, and human activities. Lecture and extended weekend field trips to mid-Atlantic coast.

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

577 Biogeochemistry: A Global Perspective (3:3:0)Prerequisite: course in ecology and course in chemistry, or permission of instructor. Structure and function of ecosystems, their interactions as components of landscapes, and 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 basis for understanding proper application of bioremedial technologies to treatment of hazardous wastes. Includes evaluation of data to determine successful treatment.

615 Molecular Environmental Biology II (4:3:3) Prerequisite: course in molecular environmental biology or permission of instructor. Applied course covering theory and methodology of molecular environmental biology including analysis of selected case studies in conservation biology of macroorganisms, molecular systematics, and microbial ecology.

620 Development of U.S. Environmental Policies (3:3:0) Prerequisites: course in policy process and course in ecology, or permission of instructor. Through lectures, guest speakers, class discussions and assigned reading, examines nature and historical development of environmental policy in the United States, including consideration of social, political, economic and environmental factors, and ways it is expressed and implemented. Also consider sustainability and emerging issues.

621 Overview of Biodiversity Conservation (3:3:0) Prerequisites: 8 hours of graduate courses in ecology and environmental science or environmental policy, or permission of instructor. Lectures, reading assignments, class discussions, and orally presented and written case studies to explore what biodiversity is, why it is important, how conservation has evolved, and status today.

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, examines management of different types of wild living resources, animal and plant, aquatic and terrestrial. Reviews status of resources, analyzes factors that have led to 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 or environmental policy, or permission of instructor. Guest lecturers, class discussions, written and orally presented case studies, and assigned reading identify and analyze factors involved in moving from science and policy to concrete action; and provide understanding of basic principles, skills and strategies.

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. Guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, and oral and written case studies. Examines environment and development in selected countries of South and East Asia. Reviews relationship between environment and development, considers background and history leading up to the present, 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. Guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, and oral and written case studies. Examines environmental policy in Latin America. Reviews evolution of environmental policy and relationship between environment and development, considers background and history leading up to the present, 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. Guest lecturers, assigned reading, class discussions, oral and written case studies. Examines environment and development in sub-Saharan Africa. Reviews relationship between environment and development, considers background and history leading up to present, 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 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.

631 Spatial Agent-based Models of Human-Environment Interactions (3:3:0) Prerequisite: GEOG 531 or CSS 600 or permission of instructor. Discusses key challenges in spatial modeling of human-environment interactions. Reviews agent-based modeling applications in urban/rural interactions, agriculture, forestry, and other areas. Hands-on development of simple ABM models and investigation of linkages between GIS and ABM.

636 Gender, Race and the Natural World (3:3:0) Advanced study of links among gender, race, and nature using social-psychological framework, original sources, and seminar and discussion. Analyzes ideologies that underpin the interlocking narratives of gender, race, and nature, and examines role of science in producing 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, bio-diversity loss, ozone depletion, and related anthropogenic alterations of the biosphere.

638 Corporate Environmental Management and Policy (3:3:0) Provide understanding of how environmental issues interact with business strategy decisions. Emphasizes learning about proactive win-win environmental management strategies being implemented by the worldÕs leading firms, and shows how government policies and regulations can be designed to simultaneously promote higher environmental protection and competitiveness. Class sessions combine minilectures 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 considered with respect to sources, control, and effect on ecosystems.

642 Environmental Policy (3:3:0) In-depth examination of environmental policymaking. Examines U.S. efforts from 1970 to present to mitigate pollution of the nationÕs air, land, and water. Addresses issues of global concern, including biodiversity loss, ozone depletion, and climate change.

643 Microbial Ecology (4:3:3) Prerequisite: course in microbiology or permission of instructor. Study of relationships between microorganisms and their natural -environment, and methodology for observing their natural environment and 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, 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 structure and composition of freshwater ecosystems. Emphasizes 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: two semesters of calculus and partial differential equation. Components and transfer processes within the hydrosphere, which 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 management of ecosystems to conserve biodiversity, natural resources, and the environment.

681 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3:3:0) Prerequisite: course in molecular biology or permission of instructor. Overview of methods and tools in bioinformatics including Internet interfaces to sequence databases, methods for performing searches of biological databases, sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, other types of DNA sequence analysis, web-based tools, and databases in structural biology.

692 MasterÕs 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 combination of reading assignments, tutorials, lectures, papers, presentations, or lab or field study determined in consultation with 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. Lectures, guest lectures, student presentations, laboratory exercises. Topics vary; each offering has a coherent theme. May be repeated for credit if topics significantly differ.

745 Environmental Toxicology (3:3:0) Prerequisites: course in ecology and course in physiology, or permission of instructor. Study of 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) Covers various parts of the Earth systems. Invited talks by Mason faculty and primarily Earth science experts in the region. Students graded on written reports demonstrating understanding of wide topics covered.

792 Seminar in Earth Systems Science (1:1:0) Prerequisites: 15 graduate credits and courses on the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Seminar for Earth systems science graduate students who have background in major systems. Capstone experience. Seminars presented by faculty and students. Topics 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 supervision of instructor. Short proposal required. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.

798 MasterÕs 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 studentÕs 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 MasterÕs 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 instructorÕs 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 masterÕs degree. Graded S/NC.

894 Supervised Internship (3-12:0:0) Prerequisite: permission of program director and studentÕs 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 environ-mental 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)