ESCI 1301 Introduction to Environmental Science

This course provides students with an introduction to environmental science from various perspectives (regional to global). Topics include: population, environmental health, biodiversity, geology and earth resources, air and water management, sustainability, energy, and environmental policy issues.

Lec 3, Cr 3. 

Co-requisite: ESCI 1101 (or prior credit, with a C or better).

 

ESCI 1101 Introduction to Environmental Science Laboratory

This course provides students an opportunity to learn practical applications for the basic principles learned in the Introduction to Environmental Science course (ESCI 1301)

Lab 3, Cr 1. 

Co-requisite: ESCI 1301 (or prior credit with a C or better).

  

ESCIU 2355 Natural Disasters

This course will explore hazardous Earth processes, including landslides, subsidence, tsunami, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, as well as, the nature and effects of human interaction with the environment.

Lec 3, Cr 3.

Prerequisite: None.

 

ESCI 3305 Oceanography

An introduction to the nature and origin of the world's oceans. Topics will cover geological, chemical, physical and biological processes throughout the oceans.

Lec 3, Cr 3.

Prerequisite GEOL 1303, GEOL 1103 and (GEOL 1304 and GEOL 1104) or (BIOL 1307 and BIOL 1107), all with a C or better. Co-requisite: ESCI 3105 or GEOL 3105.

 

ESCI 3105 Oceanography Laboratory

This course includes the practical application of oceanographic principles, marines water property distribution, rock identification and depositional environment interpretation, geologic and bathometric map interpretation, and geological data analysis.

Lab 3, Cr 1. 

Concurrent enrollment in ESCI 3305 (or prior credit with a C or better).

 

ESCI 3334 Conservation of Natural Resources

A survey of the distribution of natural resources, with special emphasis on new solutions to problems of resource scarcity. Topics include: energy, water, air and food resources, and other selected components of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Economic, demographic, and political issues are considered as they affect natural resources.

Lec 3, Cr 3. 

Prerequisite: ESCI 1301 and 1101 with a C or better.

 

ESCI 3351 Environmental Sciences Field Methods and Data Anaylsis

This course will introduce many field and data analysis methods. During the field excursions, students will practice the field methods and collect data for later analysis.

Lec 3, Cr 3. 

Prerequisite: Environmental Sciences major or minor with junior status and MATH 1342 with a C or better.

 

ESCI 4301 Environmental Regulations

An overview of pertinent state, national and international environmental regulations, policies and treaties, Topics include: common law liability, the Clean Air and Water Acts, sustainable development, stratospheric ozone, global warming, endangered species, environmental justice hazardous waste and much more. An emphasis will be placed on U.S./ Mexico specific issues.

Lec 3, Cr 3. 

Prerequisite: ESCI 3334 or GEOG 3334 with a C or better, or permission of instructor.

 

ESCI 4325 Environmental Science Internship

This course will give environmental science students the opportunity to gain experience by applying by principles and concepts in an actual work-related environment. The student will perform the internship under the supervision of both an environmental sciences faculty member and a collaborating member of the participating internship site.

Lec 3, Cr 3.

Prerequisite: Junior standing with 12 hours of ESCI courses or consent of the instructor.

 

ESCI 4370 Topics in Environmental Sciences

Specialized lecture content not available in other courses. May be retaken  for credit as topics change but no more than three credit hours may apply toward the Environmental Science major.

Lec 3, Cr 3.

Prerequisite: Junior standing,  with 12 hours of ESCI courses or consent of the instructor.

 

ESCI 4399 Research Problems in Environmental Sciences

Research under the supervision of an Environmental Sciences faculty member. May be repeated for credit but no more than three semester credit hours may apply toward the Environmental Science major. Students enrolling for ESCI 4399 will present research results in a Department seminar.

Lec 3, Cr 3.

Prerequisite: Junior standing, completion of three advanced courses  in ESCI (nine upper-division semester credit hours) and approval of instructor.