Course Descriptions

Major
Minor
Department of Biology

The Environmental Science Program provides the student with concepts, methods, and practical laboratory and field experience in environmental pollution assessment and pollution control technology. The program is designed to meet the growing demand for environmental scientists in government, industry, and consulting due to a growing body of environmental legislation. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature with emphasis in the basic sciences. An academic minor field is not required under this curriculum. Core courses in the program stress technical and regulatory aspects of environmental quality. Opportunities are available for specialization in ecology, chemistry, geology, or geography.

Students gain practical experience in the field through either an independent research project or the internship program. The internship involves real-world work experience in an area of Environmental Science with government, industry, or a consulting firm. Academic credit is based on a written technical report and an oral presentation.

A minor in Environmental Science is available. Students in the minor are required to take ESC 147, 330, 343, 430, 440; CHM 138/118, 139/119, and BIO 247 or 347.

* Restricted Electives (12 hours - No more than two courses may be taken from a single department.):

AGR 344; CS 162 or 164
BIO 364, 430, 431 (433 or 340)
BIO 474 or STA/MTH 379
CHM 358, 433
GEO 362, 433, 442
GEL 330, 360, 440; ESC 331, 332, 333

ESC 147 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. (Also listed as BIO 147). A general course designed to cover all areas relating to contemporary ecological problems. Topics include air, water, and soil pollution; radiation; limnology; climate; pesticides; wastes; land conservation. Two-hour laboratory. Fall, Spring. Credit 4.

ESC 330 LEGAL ASPECTS OF POLLUTION CONTROL. A study comparing various state and federal laws with particular emphasis on the State of Texas statutes will be conducted. Nature of evidence for prosecution under these laws will be considered. Prerequisites: ESC 147, CHM 241, and junior standing. Fall. Credit 3.

ESC 331 ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION. A study of topics relating to public health and sanitation. The causative agents of human diseases of public health importance are characterized, and present knowledge of prevention and control of these diseases is reviewed. Prerequisites: BIO 138/118, 139/119, 247 OR 347, and eight hours of chemistry. Two-hour laboratory. Even year Fall. Credit 3.

ESC 332 SOLID WASTES AND RECYCLING. A study of solid wastes and recycling pertaining to sources, storage, processing, economics, and legal issues involved. Physical and chemical components of wastes and waste processing and their environmental effects will be stressed. Prerequisites: BIO 138/118, 139/119, 247 or 347, ESC 330, GEL 133/113, and CHM 241. Odd year. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 333 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. A study of industrial hygiene and occupational health and safety. This course will present the basics of industrial hygiene and work place monitoring. Emphasis will be on fundamentals of work place hazard recognition, techniques of evaluation, and methods of control. Prerequisites: BIO 138/118, 139/119; CHM 241; PHY 138/118, 139/119. Even year. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 343 WATER SUPPLY AND WASTE WATER DISPOSAL. Water supply, development, treatment and distribution; waste water collection and treatment; water purification and reuse; and the chemistry and ecology of aquatic systems are studied. Prerequisites: ESC 147, CHM 241, MTH 142 and junior standing. Two-hour laboratory. Fall. Credit 4.

ESC 410:411 UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR. Student discussions of current scientific literature in environmental science. Required of environmental science majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Fall, Spring. Credit 1 each.

ESC 430 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT. This course deals with the technical and regulatory aspects of handling and disposing of toxic and hazardous wastes based on recently mandated legislation procedures. This course will educate current students in an area that is of major national concern and will update persons already working in the field of environmental science. Prerequisites: CHM 241, ESC 147, GEL 133/113, and junior standing. Spring. Credit 3.

ESC 440 AIR QUALITY. An in-depth study of the sources of air pollution is made. Sampling procedures and the chemical analysis required for identification of pollutants are studied. Control methods for the restriction of air pollution are outlined. Prerequisites: CHM 241, 238/218, 239/219, ESC 147, MTH 142 and junior standing. Two-hour laboratory. Spring. Credit 4.

ESC 461 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE. A supervised off-campus intern work experience in an approved area of Environmental Science with industry, business, or government. This course provides the student with direct professional work experience with industry or governmental entity. Academic credit is based on a written technical report and an oral presentation. Prerequisite: 6 hours of advanced Environmental Science and approval of instructor. Summer. Credit 3.

ESC 495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. Individual study in specialized areas of Environment Science. To be directed and approved by the Environmental Science advisor. Credit 1, 2, or 3.

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