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Courses

(Environmental Science & Regional Planning)


The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences offers more than 100 courses with the prefix, ES/RP (Environmental Science & Regional Planning).

Both general and advanced training is offered in most specializations in Environmental Science & Regional Planning. The lower-division courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for those who major in Environmental Science and Regional Planning as well as a stimulating introduction to earth science for the non-major. The 300-400-level courses provide training for professional environmental work as well as preparation for postgraduate study.

500-level & above Courses - Graduate Courses

Environmental Science & Regional Planning (ES/RP):


101 [B] Environment and Human Life 4 (3-3) Interactions between humans and their environment; multidisciplinary introduction to environmental concepts and concerns.
174 [P] Introduction to Meteorology and the Atmospheric Environment 3 Introduction to meteorology, the atmospheric processes; weather, air pollution, and environmental topics. Same as C E 174.
278 Special Topics: Study Abroad V 1-15 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.
285 Planning for a Sustainable Environment 3 Prereq ES/RP 101. Ideas and information necessary to integrate environmental viability and sustainable development with other concerns of environmental planning.
301 Forest and Range Plant Resources I 3 (2-3) Prereq NATRS 300 or c//. Identification and ecology of forest plants with emphasis on trees and the ecosystems in which they occur. Field trips required. Same as NATRS 301.
310 Modeling the Environment 4 (3-3) Construction and testing of computer simulation models of environmental systems. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (EnvS 210).
311 Natural Resource Economics 3 Rec EconS 101. The role of economics in natural resource management and policy. Course equivalent to OSU's AREC 351. Same as EconS 330.
335 [M] Environmental Policy 3 Prereq ES/RP 101. Global, national, and regional environmental issues and policy.
375 Aspects of Sustainable Development 3 Prereq junior standing. Ecological, economical, and sociological aspects of sustainable development. Same as EconS 375.
385 GIS Primer 3 (2-2) Introduction to basic concepts and applications of geographic information systems (GIS), lab exercises on PC-based GIS packages. Cooperative course taught by UI (Geog 385), open to WSU students.
402 Human Health and the Environment 3 Prereq Biol 106, 107, Chem 105, 106; ES/RP 335 or junior in environmental science and regional planning. Problem-solving approach to adverse effects on human health caused by contamination of environmental media or anthropogenic changes in ecosystems. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 402 and 502.
403 Environmental Geology 3 Prereq Geol 101 or 102. Geological hazards and geologic problems associated with human activities. Optional field trip. Same as Geol 403.
404 [M] The Ecosystem 3 Prereq Chem 345; Phys 102 or 202. Rec Biol 372. Ecosystem organization and processes; theory and applications to contemporary environmental problems.
406 Introduction to Radiological Science 2 Prereq one course each in biology, calculus, chemistry, and physics. Fundamentals of atomic physics; interactions of radiation with matter; radiation dosimetry and biology, radioecology and radiological health protection.
409 Applied Radiological Physics 3 (2-3) Prereq calculus course; Phys course; Rec ES/RP 406. Production, interactions and measurement of radiation, with application to radiological health protection concerns. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 409 and 509.
411 [M] Limnology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management 3 (2-3) Prereq Biol 102 or 120; Chem 101. Introduction to the science and management of aquatic ecosystems, emphasizing lakes. Same as NATRS 411.
412 [M] Natural Resource Policy and Law 3 Prereq junior standing or permission of instructor. Development, content and implementation of natural resources and environmental policy and law in the U.S. Emphasis on both historical development and current issues in this field. Credit not granted for both NATRS 438 and 538. Same as NATRS 438.
414 Environmental Biophysics 2 Prereq Math 107. Physical environment of living organisms (temperature, humidity, radiation, wind); heat and mass exchange and balance in plant and animal systems. Credit not granted for both SoilS 414 and 514. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (Biol 415). Same as SoilS 414.
415 Environmental Biophysics Laboratory 1 (0-3) Prereq SoilS 414 or c//. Experimental methods and procedures in environmental measurements; temperature, wind, radiation, and humidity measurements in biological environments. Credit not granted for both SoilS 415 and 515. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (Biol 436). Same as SoilS 415.
416 Radiation Biology 4 (3-3) Prereq introductory radiological physics, or one course each in biology and radiological physics; Rec ES/RP 406. Effects of ionizing radiation at the molecular, cellular, organ and organism level. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 416 and 516.
418 Human Issues in International Development 3 Interdisciplinary analysis of complex interaction between tradition and modernity in Third World societies. Same as Anth 418.
419 Fundamentals of Risk Assessment 2 Prereq Biol 107, 372; Math 107; Stat 412. Overview of risk assessment processes; identification of toxicological effects; introduction to methods used to quantify potential health and environmental risks.
420 Field and Laboratory Techniques in Environmental Science 2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. Prereq Biol 372; Chem 105. Fundamentals and hands-on experience on the use of field and laboratory techniques and instruments utilized in environmental science. Field trips required.
424 Environmental Health Assessment 2 Prereq one course each in biology, calculus, chemistry, general ecology and physics; Rec ES/RP 406. Environmental transport, fate and effects of radioactive and hazardous materials. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 424 and 524.
425 Economic Analysis of Environmental Policies 3 Prereq EconS 301; EconS 311; EconS 330. Nature and practice of environmental policy analysis using economics concepts and tools including benefit cost, social indicators and environmental accounts. Credit not granted for both EconS 431 and 531. Same as EconS 431.
435 Resolving Environmental Conflicts 4 (3-3) Prereq 6 credits S or K GER; junior standing. Introduction to environmental conflict resolution via readings, discussions, simulation role plays and required papers; emphasis on interest-based approaches. Same as CRS 435. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 435 and 535.
444 Environmental Assessment 4 Rec Biol 372. Environmental impact statements and their national and state policy frameworks, methods of assessment, and team preparation of an impact statement. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 444 and 544. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (Geog 444).
445 Hazardous Waste Management 3 Environmental, technical, and political aspects of hazardous waste management; evaluative methods, risk assessment, and current management requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 445 and 545. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students. (EnvS 445)
451 Energy Production and the Environment 2 Prereq biology course; general ecology course; Rec ES/RP 406. Evaluation of the impacts of nuclear and other forms of energy production on humans and the environment. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 451 and 551.
452 Environmental Microbiology 3 Prereq college-level biology, microbiology, organic chemistry. Microbial contamination and interactions between micro-organisms and the environment, methods and mechanisms of bioremediation. Same as MBioS 452. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 452 and 552.
466 Environmental Psychology 3 Prereq Psych 105 or Psych 198. Psychological concepts applied to the mixture of positive and negative interactions individuals have with their physical environment. Same as Psych 466.
469 Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change 3 Prereq Biol 372; Chem 106. Historic and current factors controlling the function of ecosystems and their response to natural and human-caused global change. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 469 and 569.
471 Meteorology 3 Prereq Math 273; Phys 202. Basic meterology; atmospheric thermodynamics; cloud physics; synoptic meterology; radiative processes; climate change. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 471 and 571.
472 Economic Development and Underdevelopment 3 rereq EconS 102. Rec EconS 305. Development theories, policies, and performance of Third World economies; population, land reform, foreign trade, aid, investment, debt, dependency. Same as EconS 427.
473 Engineering Risk Assessment for Hazardous Waste Evaluations 3 (2-3) Prereq senior standing; Rec statistcs course. Assessing risks to public health and environment from chemical contaminants; toxicology, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and environmental modeling; specific toxins and actual waste site studies. Cooperative course taught by UI (ChE 480), open to WSU students.
480 Natural Resource Economics and Policy 3 Prereq EconS 301; EconS 311; EconS 330. Economic principles and models applied to natural resource problems, issues, and policies. Credit not granted for both EconS 432 and 532. Same as EconS 432.
482 Special Topics: Study Abroad V 1-15 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.
486 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 (2-6) Rec DOS knowledge. Geographic Information Systems technology. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 486 and 586.
490 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours.
491 Senior Seminar 1 Prereq senior in environmental science and regional planning.
492 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 hours.
493 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 hours.
495 Undergraduate Internship V 1-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 hours. By interview only. Practical experience in appropriate agencies; for career students in environmental science.
496 Cooperative Education Internship V 2-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 hours. By interview only. Practical experience in appropriate agencies; for career students in environmental science.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. S, F grading.
 
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500-level & above Courses
502 Human Health and the Environment 3 Prereq Biol 106, 107, Chem 105, 106; ES/RP 335 or junior in environmental science and regional planning. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 402; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 402 and 502.
504 Ecosystem Management 3 Analysis of ecosystem processes; dual emphasis on ecological principles and development of methods and concepts to evaluate policies for management.
509 Applied Radiological Physics 3 (2-3) Prereq calculus course; Phys course; Rec ES/RP 406. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 409; additional requirements. Credits not granted for both ES/RP 409 and 509.
510 Applied Radiation Dosimetry 3 (2-3) Prereq ES/RP 509 or course in radiological physics. Determination of exposure and doses from external and internal sources of radiation, with applications to environmental, occupational, and medical protection.
511 Legal Process 3 Rec ES/RP 444. Legal process in general and role of the judiciary in natural resource management. Cooperative course taught jointly by WSU and UI (Law 511).
513 Environmental Epidemiology 3 Prereq Stat 412; Rec MBioS 446; Stat 422. Environmental epidemiologic methods to investigate environmental problems and familiarity with relevant scientific literature.
514 Environmental Biophysics 2 Prereq Math 107. Same as SoilS 514. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 414; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 414 and 514.
516 Radiation Biology 4 (3-3) Prereq introductory radiological physics, or one course each in biology and radiological physics; Rec ES/RP 406. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 416; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 416 and 516.
517 Fate and Effects of Environmental Contaminants 3 Prereq graduate standing. Rec biochemistry, organic chemistry. Rational perspective on the environmental behavior and biological effects of contaminants.
519 International Development and Human Resources 3 History of and recent changes in international development emphasizing anthropological perspectives. Same as Anth 519.
524 Environmental Health Assessment 2 Prereq one course each in biology, calculus, chemistry, general ecology and physics; Rec ES/RP 406. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 424; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 424 and 524.
526 Population Analysis 1 Prereq NATRS/Entom/Biol 529, biometry. Analysis, diagnosis, interpretation, and forecasting of population change. Same as NATRS 526.
527 Environmental Chemistry 2 Natural water chemistry, Agri processes, kinetics, thermodynamics, modeling in lake, river, and sea water. Same as Chem 527.
528 Environmental Management Systems 3 (2-3) Introduction to EMS standards; procedures and requirements for EMS certification; creations and auditing of an EMS.
529 Population Theory 1 Prereq general ecology. Development of the theory of population dynamics from Mathus to the present. Same as NATRS 529.
530 Fundamentals of Industrial Safety 2 Prereq graduate standing or by interview only. Fundamentals for recognizing and controlling hazards and losses to protect the safety and health of workers.
531 Fundamentals of Environmental Toxicology 3 Prereq Biol 353, Chem 345, MBioS 303. Fundamentals of toxicology; environmental fate and biological deposition and effects of natural products, drugs, food chemicals, and pollutants.
532 Applied Environmental Toxicology 3 Prereq ES/RP 531 or P/T 505. Overview of the field of environmental toxicology; interactions of zenobiotics with natural systems.
534 Industrial Ecology: Theory and Practice 3 Complex relationships and interactions among industrial activities, the environment, and society and the need for a sustainable system.
535 Resolcing Environmental Conflicts 4 (3-3) Prereq graduate standing, two social science courses. Same as CRS 535. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 435; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 435 and 535.
544 Environmental Assessment 4 Rec Biol 372. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 444; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 444 and 544. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (Geog 544).
545 Hazardous Waste Management 3 Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 445; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 445 and 545. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students. (EnvS 545)
548 Environmental Law 3 By interview only. Environmental planning and protection, regulation of air and water pollution, waste disposal, use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and remedies for environmental injury. Cooperative course taught by UI (Law 947), open to WSU students.
549 Public Land Law 3 History of public lands, problems with ownership of land by governments, legal issues including land sales, mineral extraction, livestock grazing, timber harvest, recreation, wildlife protection, and preservation. Cooperative course taught by UI (Law 948), open to WSU students.
550 System Dynamics Models of Environmental Systems 3 Prereq graduate standing. Analysis of environmental system dynamics; development and uses of simulation models using the Stella software on Macintosh. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (EnvS 550).
551 Energy Production and the Environment 2 Prereq biology course; general ecology course; Rec ES/RP 406. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 451; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 451 and 551.
552 Environmental Microbiology 3 Prereq college-level biology, microbiology, organic chemistry. Same as MBioS 552. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 452; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 452 and 552.
555 Environmental Planning 2 State, local and federal approaches to environmental planning and their interactions in private and public land use and development decisions. Cooperative course taught jointly by WSU and U of I(ENVS 555).
556 Insecticides: Toxicology and Mode of Action 1 Prereq biochemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, plant or animal physiology. Insecticides in terms of historical perspective, classification, synthesis, toxicity, mode of action, and metabolism. Same as Entom 556.
557 Herbicides: Toxicology and Mode of Action 1 Prereq biochemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, plant or animal physiology. Herbicides in terms of historical perspective, classification, synthesis, toxicity, mode of action, and metabolism. Same as Entom 557.
558 Pesticide Topics 1 Prereq biochemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, plant or animal physiology. Current issues concerning pesticides in terms of toxicity, mode of action, and metabolism. Same as Entom 558.
560 Watershed Management 3 Prereq NATRS 204, completion of department requirement in biology, chemistry, and physical science, mathematics and statistics; or by interview. Principles and practices of management of forest and rangelands for protection, maintenance, and improvement of water resource values. Field trip required. Same as NATRS 560.
567 Advanced Applications in GIS 4 (1-6) GIS concepts using ARC/INFO geographic information systems.
569 Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change 3 Prereq Biol 372; Chem 106. Historic and current factors controlling the function of ecosystems and their response to natural and human-caused global change. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 469 and 569.
571 Meteorology 3 Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 471; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 471 and 571.
573 Engineering Risk Assessment for Hazardous Waste Evaluations 3 Prereq senior standing; Rec statistcs course. Engineering Risk Assessment for Hazardous Waste Evaluations 3 Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 473; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 473 and 573. Cooperative course taught by UI (ChE 580), open to WSU students.
575 Geographic Information Systems 3 Prereq Geol 385. Computerized management of data organized on regional geographic bases; preparation overlay, coding, and manipulation of data for regional planners and land managers. Cooperative course taught by UI (Geog 475), open to WSU students.
585 Aquatic System Restoration 3 (2-3) Prereq Chem 345 or C E 583; MBioS 101 or C E 581. Study of natural and damaged water systems with emphasis on water quality protection and restoration. Same as C E 585.
586 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 (2-6) Rec DOS knowledge. Graduate-level counterpart of ES/RP 486; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both ES/RP 486 and 586.
590 Special Topics 2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (Geog 590).
591 Special Topics 2 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours.
592 Special Topics V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours.
593 Seminar in Environmental Science and Regional Planning 1 May be repeated for credit, cumulative maximum 8 hours.
594 Environmental and Natural Resources Issues and Ethics 3 Prereq senior standing. Same as NATRS 594.
595 Graduate Internship V 2-5 By interview only. Practical work experience in appropriate agencies; for graduate career students. S, F grading.
596 Cooperative Education Internship V 2-5 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 5 hours. By interview only. Practical experience in appropriate agencies; for career graduate students in environmental science and regional planning. S, F grading.
597 Technical and Public Communications in Environmental Science 2 Prereq technical writing course; Rec public speaking course. Development of written and oral communication skills for practical application in the field of environmental science.
600 Special Projects of Independent Study Variable credit. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading.

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