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Environmental Science

ENSC 1401 (4-3-2) Introduction to Environmental Science

The introductory course addresses issues in environmental systems, human impacts, biodiversity, conservation, health and toxicology, air, water, solid and hazardous waste, and environmental policy. It is designed to enable students to make wise and ethical-moral decisions in a Christian context concerning issues that affect humans and their environment. This is the initial course in the Environmental Science curriculum; however, it is open to anyone with a desire for introductory knowledge in this field. Lab fee.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall, Online.

ENSC 2305 (3-3-0) Environmental Science Problems I

The first semester of a two-semester environmental science course, covering the topics that form a foundation for advanced courses. Environmental Science principles stressing mass balance concepts are introduced. An introduction to specific topics will include but are not limited to, chemistry and biology from an environmental point of view, materials and energy balance, ecosystems, environmental risk perception, assessment and management, hydrology, and sustainability. This course does not fulfill the requirements for general studies science courses.

Requisites: ENSC 1401.

Offered: Fall.

ENSC 2306 (3-3-0) Environmental Science Problems II

The second semester of a two-semester introductory environmental science course covering the topics that form a foundation for advanced courses. An introduction to specific topics will include but are not limited to, water and wastewater quality and treatment, air pollution, solid and hazardous waste management, noise pollution, and ionizing radiation hazards. This course does not fulfill the requirements for general studies science courses.

Requisites: ENSC 2305.

Offered: Spring.

ENSC 3301 (3-3-0) Water Quality

An advanced undergraduate course in water and wastewater treatment. Disciplines having an application in water supply and wastewater management are covered. The chemistry of water treatment is emphasized. Water distribution, processing, and operation of these systems are covered. The interrelationships between water and wastewater are stressed.

Requisites: ENSC 2306.

Offered: Fall.

ENSC 3303 (3-3-0) Solid and Hazardous Waste

An advanced undergraduate course in solid waste and hazardous management practices. Definitions, benefits, and background information regarding solid waste analysis and minimization, assessment strategies, and solid waste audits, modeling, predicting, and evaluating for various industries will be covered. Technologies used in remediation for soils and solid waste will be addressed. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and RCRA principles that dictate management practices will be covered along with CERCLA. Case studies will be emphasized.

Requisites: ENSC 2306.

Offered: Fall.

ENSC 3305 (3-3-0) Environmental Geology

An advanced geology course including the following areas: Managing geological and hydrogeological resources such as fossil fuels, minerals, surface and groundwater, and land use. Studying the earth’s surface through the disciplines of geomorphology, and edaphology; defining and mitigating exposure of natural hazards on humans managing industrial and domestic waste disposal and minimizing or eliminating effects of pollution.

Requisites: ENSC 2306.

Offered: Spring.

ENSC 3306 (3-3-0) Chemistry of Hazardous Materials

An advanced undergraduate course applying principles from chemistry and physics to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Topics to be covered include corrosives, oxidizers, flammables, explosives, water-reactive, pyrophoric, heavy metals, organic solvents, polymers, and chemicals that can be used by terrorists as weapons. DOT and OSHA regulations pertaining to hazardous chemicals will be discussed. An overview of toxicology and radioactivity is included.

Requisites: ENSC 2306.

Offered: Spring.

ENSC 4301 (3-3-0) Environmental Toxicology

An advanced undergraduate course focusing on the toxic effects on human health from exposure to chemicals in the workplace, environment, or from terrorist incidents. It covers concepts of measuring toxic effects, dose-response relationships, exposure routes, target organs, the molecular basis for the action of toxins, epidemiology, and risk assessment. Specific industrial agricultural and household chemicals are examined. Appropriate safety and health measures to reduce exposure are emphasized.

Requisites: ENSC 2306 and BIOL 1406.

Offered: Spring.

ENSC 4305 (3-3-0) Air Pollution (S-L)

An advanced undergraduate course in air pollution and air pollution control. Air pollution effects, the structure of air pollution, law, atmospheric models, measurement techniques, pollution controls, and devices are covered. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: ENSC 2306, PHYS 1402, MATH 2301.

Offered: Fall.

ENSC 4403 (4-1-6) Senior Project in Environmental Science

This capstone course includes an internship under the guidance of a faculty member and with a selected community partner. The student will undertake an environmental project in risk assessment, laboratory analysis, environmental assessment, or environmental reporting. All students will submit a written report and make an oral presentation at the end of the project.

Requisites: Senior status in ENSC.

Offered: Periodically.