Master of Science in Environmental Science

ENST 5810    Environmental Safety    3 s.h.

The proper use of environmental monitoring instruments and personal protective gear. Participation in a series of realistic, hands-on simulation exercises that address a variety of waste clean-up situations. Topics include chemical and physical hazards of chemical compounds and toxicology and adverse effects of chemical exposure. Class meets three hours per week. Successful completion of the course earns OSHA Hazwoper 40 hour training certificate.
Prereq.: ENST 2600, equivalent experience or permission of instructor.

ENST 5820    Sustainability, Climate Change, and Society    3 s.h.

This course explores environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainable development, with an emphasis on economy and society. Through topics such as water, food, and climate change, we examine the role of humans and institutions in sustainable development and possibilities for reconfiguring relationships between our institutions and the natural world.
Prereq.: junior, senior or graduate level standing.

ENST 5830    Toxicology and Risk Assessment    3 s.h.

A study of environmental toxicology of chemicals, primarily anthropogenic pollutants, and their effect on humans and ecosystems. Includes transportation of pollutants in the environment, biochemical reactions, toxicity testing methods, and dose-response assessment. Continues with an introduction in the process of estimating risk and the perception of those risks including how risk is used to set environmental standards.
Prereq.: junior or senior with 9 semster hours in 3700 level or above in ENST, CHEM, BIOL, GEOL or CEEN.

ENST 5860    Environmental Regulations    3 s.h.

An examination of federal and state regulations that relate to cleanup of abandoned waste sites, management of waste from current waste generators, development of new hazardous products and chemicals, safety and health issues, and control of pollution into air and water.
Prereq.: ENST 2600 or equivalent.

ENST 6900    Advanced Environmental Studies    3 s.h.

A study of the principles and issues of environmental science, health, technology, and affairs. Topics will include contaminant chemistry; terrestrial and aquatic ecology; risks to human health; waste management; conservation; and sustainable development, energy, and pollution. Local, regional, and global issues will be studied.

ENST 6901    Sources of Contamination    3 s.h.

A study of the sources and fate and transport of air, water, and soil contaminants that have potential to adversely affect human health and the environment. Topics will include measurement of environmental parameters, data collection and reporting, interpretation of results, compliance issues, and economic implications.

ENST 6905    Teaching Methods in Geology and Environmental Science    2 s.h.

A required course for all Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences graduate teaching assistants. This course will provide guidance and instruction in teaching introductory laboratories in the department.

ENST 6920    Environmental Compliance    3 s.h.

Regulatory compliance concerning operations of environmental and health and safety departments. RCRA permitting (NPDES and air emissions), landfilling, Right to Know, waste generation, storage, shipping (manifests and placarding), disposal of wastes, MSDS, OSHA regulations, safe work practices, hiring consultants (technical and legal), writing requests for proposals, and documenting and report writing.
Prereq.: ENST 5860, ENST 6900, or equivalent.

ENST 6921    Industry/Institutional Management for the Environmental Professional    3 s.h.

A comprehensive background in management principles and operations relating to the environmental professions. Topics include budgeting, staffing, scheduling, leadership, and quality assurance/control. The student will learn to write, evaluate, and implement technical and cost proposals for contracts and grants, scopes of work, operations plans, sampling and analysis plans, health and safety plans, job descriptions, resumes, statements of qualifications, mission statements, meeting agendas (for professionals and the general public), and other written and oral communications (reports, memoranda, memoranda of understanding, policy briefs, press releases, fact sheets, requests for information).
Prereq.: ENST 6900 or equivalent.

ENST 6931    Ecological Risk Assessment    3 s.h.

The student will review human health risk assessment then focus on environmental risks to nonhuman populations focusing on general policy and approaches to conducting and ecological risk assessment (ERA) utilizing US EPA guidelines. Topics will include the study of measurements of adverse effects, threatened and endangered species, wetlands, endocrine disruption, multiple stressors, sediment and soil toxicity, and risk communication.

ENST 6971    Master's Capstone 1    1 s.h.

The Master Capstone Report serves as the culminating experience for students who choose the non-thesis option. It is designed to demonstrate advanced knowledge in environmental science and the ability to apply critical thinking skills through an extended written discussion of an environmentally related topic. Activities include identify and refine the topic, gather and annotate peer-reviewed references, and develop an outline for the report. Approval of program director or department chair required.

ENST 6990    Thesis    1-6 s.h.

Hours arranged. Applicable to master's degree in environmental studies. Research selected and supervised by departmental advisor and approved by graduate faculty of environmental studies program. May be repeated.

ENST 6995    Introduction to Environmental Science Research    2 s.h.

This course introduces the student to the fundamental and practical aspects of research, especially as they apply to environmental sciences. The course emphasizes research methodologies and ethics, how to review the literature, how to write a research proposal, and how research results are presented. The course will include presentations of the faculty research interests.
Prereq.: graduate standing or permission of instructor.

ENST 6999    Special Topics in Environmental Science    1-3 s.h.

Environmental science topics selected by faculty from fields of current research interest or of special emphasis. May be repeated with a different topic up to a total of six semester hours.
Prereq.: Permission of director.