ENV BC 1001x, 1002y
Environmental Science I, II
Global and local capacities to satisfy human demands of land, water, energy,
minerals, and waste disposal. Fall term: Physical processes of the atmosphere,
pedosphere, and lithosphere, and their vulnerabilities in human activities.
Basic principles of ecology, the structure and function of ecosystem energy
flow and nutrient cycling, rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion,
solid waste and New York City, incineration, landfills, and recycling.
Required laboratory sections involve sediment grain size analysis, owl
pellet dissection, vole skeleton assembly, and compass pacing. Spring term:
Ecosystem analysis of local and global processes in the biosphere, geographic
ecology, and biome classification. Environmental disturbances by agricultural
and urban-industrial processes, remedial measures, and plans for a future
sustainable ecology are considered.
Professor - P. Bower.
Lab Directors - Diane Dittrick,
Joseph Liddicoat
Prerequisites: Passing grade on Quantitative Reasoning test or equivalent.
Enrollment limited. BC 1001 required to take 1002. Students must sign up
for lab sections in 328b Milbank during the program-planning period of
the previous term.
Laboratory fee: $30.
4.5 points.
ENV V 2100x, y
Earth's Environmental
Systems: Climate
Formation of winds, storms, and ocean currents. Recent influence of human
activity: global warming, water pollution. Laboratory exploration of topics
through demonstrations, experimentation, computer data analysis, and modeling.
Professors - A.
Del Genio, S. Pfirman,
M. Stute, TBA.
Prerequisites: High school algebra.
Recommended preparation: High school chemistry and physics. Enrollment
limited.
4.5 points.
ENS V 2200x
Earth's
Environmental Systems: Solid Earth
Plate tectonics: Origin and development of continents, ocean basins, mountain
systems on land and sea. Earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, diamonds,
oil. Land-use planning for resource development and conservation. Laboratory
exploration of topics through demonstrations, experimentation, computer
data analysis, and modeling.
Professors -
Prerequisite: ENS V 2100.
Enrollment limited.
4.5 points.
ENS V 2300x
Earth's
Environmental Systems: The Life System
Role of life in biogeochemical cycles, relationship of biodiversity and
evolution to the physical earth, vulnerability of ecosystems to environmental
change: causes and effects of extinctions through geologic time (dinosaurs
and mammoths) and today. Exploration of topics through laboratories, demonstrations,
computer data analysis, modeling, and field trips.
Professors - P.
Olsen, TBA.
Prerequisite: ENS V 2100.
Enrollment limited.
4.5 points.
ENV BC 3014x
Field Methods in Environmental Science
Problem-oriented field methods course provides hands-on experience with
tools and observation methods in a variety of outdoor environments. Sampling
and measurement techniques for air, water, soil, rock, flora, and fauna.
Field and laboratory work, data interpretation and analysis.
Professor - P. Bower.
Enrollment limited; permission of the instructor required. Four required
field trips.
3 points.
ENV BC 3015y
The Earth's Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle, with emphasis on how human activities perturb natural
cycles.
Professor -
Prerequisites: Chemistry BC 1601 and Environmental Science BC 1001, BC
1002 or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3016y
Environmental Measurements
Methods used in analysis of environmental samples for monitoring and research
purposes. Standard and advanced techniques of air, water, sediment, and
soil analysis will be covered, including spectrometric and chromatographic
methods.
Professor - P. Bower.
Prerequisites: CHE BC 1601 or the equivalent and permission of the instructor.
Enrollment limited.
3 points.
ENV BC 3017x
Environmental
Data Analysis
Analysis and interpretation of environmental data. Acquisition and processing
of environmental information, assessment of spatial and temporal variability,
use of computers for analysis and display. Multidisciplinary approaches
to environmental problem-solving.
Professors - S. Pfirman,
M. Stute, TBA.
Prerequisite: One year of college science or ENS V 2100 or permission of
the instructor.
3 points.
ENV BC 3019x
Energy Resources
Energy sources, present and future demand, national and international resources.
Environmental and policy implications of energy production and use. Present
and potential use of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), nuclear fission,
fusion, biomass, hydropower; wind, solar, and geothermal energy.
Professor - S. Pfirman.
Prerequisites: One year of college science or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3021y
Forests and Environmental Change
Exploration of forests in global change: historical and future perspectives.
Resources, including biodiversity, medicinal/ethnobotany; conservation
and management strategies; role in carbon cycle.
Professor - R. D'Arrigo.
Prerequisites: One year of college science or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3022x
Environmental Case Studies
Investigation of the scientific and social aspects of particular cases
that illustrate major environmental problems.
Professors - M. Stute.
Prerequisites: One year of college science, ENS V 2100, or permission of
instructor.
Offered in Spring 1999.
3 points.
ENV BC 3023y
The Hudson River Environment
An integrated examination of the relationship between system function and
human habitation for one of the great rivers of the world. Geologic origins,
watershed development, estuarine dynamics, habitats, fisheries, industrialization,
and transformation of the landscape. Special topics include: PCBs and radionuclides,
heavy metals, the Storm King controversy. Three field trips.
Professors - P. Bower.
Prerequisites: One year of college science or permission of the instructor.
Enrollment limited.
Alternate years. 3 points.
ENV BC 3024x
Oceanography
Ocean circulation, waves, tides, structure and function of coastal seas,
deltas, estuaries, wetlands, beaches, marine sediments. Local and international
concerns about ocean pollution. Chemical and biological oceanography, nutrients.
Influences of sea level change and storms on coastal zone management.
Professors - S. Pfirman.
Prerequisites: One year of college science or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years. 3 points.
ENV BC 3025y
Hydrology
Structure and properties of water and the hydrologic cycle, including atmospheric
waters, lakes, rivers, glaciers, groundwater. Availability and demand for
freshwater resources. Environmental problems associated with the contamination
of drinking water.
Professors - M. Stute.
Prerequisites: ENS V 2100, physics, or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3030x
The Atmosphere: Meteorology and Air Pollution
Introduction to atmospheric science. Processes controlling the structure
and dynamics of the atmosphere, general atmospheric circulation, and weather.
Sources, transport, and effects of air pollution on regional and local
scales.
Professors - A.
Del Genio.
Prerequisites: ENS V 2100 or permission of the instructor.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3032y
Global Land Use and Habitability
Human transformation of the terrestial environment since Paleolithic times.
Physical process involved in human-environment interactions. Guidelines
for sustainable development using present and past examples of environmental
use and abuse.
Professors - C. Rosenzweig.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3033y
Waste Management
Liquid and solid waste management. Cradle-to-grave analysis of product
and waste streams. Municipal solid waste, landfills, incineration and recycling,
hazardous waste, sewage, and sewage treatment. Increase in waste generated
by growing populations, international equity in generation and disposal
of waste, public health, and environmental risks of different disposal
methods. Restrictions on disposal options; rising disposal costs.
Professors - P. Bower.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3035x
Environmental Hazards and Disasters
Prediction and avoidance of catastrophic events that originate in natural
and technologic systems. Response strategies to minimize damage before,
during, and after events such as floods, hurricanes and nuclear breakdowns.
Environmental impact of war.
Professors - P. Bower.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3040x
Environmental Law, Policy, and Decision-making
Local to international environmental laws and development of environmental
policy. Risk management, land-use planning, and the role of industry, academia,
and government in environmental decision-making, economic analysis and
policy-making, the interplay of common and public law, environmental and
toxic torts, corporate law, contracts and property. Criminal law in environmental
cases, environmental rights, wetlands, the Storm King controversy, endangered
species and the Spotted Owl, air and water pollution.
Professors - P. Bower.
Alternate years.
3 points.
ENV BC 3800y
Senior Seminar
Guided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior essay.
Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral
and written reports. Discussions of current events.
Professors - Staff.
Senior majors (juniors with permission of the instructor).
Provides credit for the senior thesis.
4 points.
ENV BC 3997x, 3998y
Environmental Research
Advanced independent research under the supervision of a faculty member
for the purpose of preparing the senior thesis.
Professors - Staff.
Variable points. Permission of major adviser required. May be used in the
Fall to prepare for ENS BC 3800y, or substituted for ENS BC 3800y in the
case of January graduates.
ENV BC 3999x, y
Problems and Projects in Environmental Science
Advanced projects for students who have adequate backgrounds to work
independently with guidance from a member of the faculty.
Professors - Staff.
Permission of the chair required. Does not provide major credit. Variable
points to a maximum of 6.
ENS V 3008y
Climates of the Past
Professors -
Major credit is not granted for both this course and ENS BC 3031y Climate:
Present, Past, and Future.
Alternate Years
3 points.
ENS W 3327y
Principles of Geomorphology
Professors -
3 points.