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title: ENVI 251: Principles of Environmental Science
---Syllabus
David Kahler
Center for Environmental Research and Education
Office: Fisher 333A
Lab: Fisher 339A
| Class | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | Monday and Wednesday | Fisher Hall 324 |
| 3:00-4:15 pm |
Current office hours are available on the Courses page.
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field that considers the interactions between humans and the environment. This course will use the tools of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to examine historically important and current events in environmental science. Environmental research and challenges are presented. Frameworks such as systems thinking and ecosystem services are used to organize thought around environmental issues. The use of computers and programming for environmental models and data analysis will be performed.
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Mines and Lackey (Pearson)
ISBN: 978-0-13-234747-1
Additionally, students will need access to a computer (not a tablet or Chromebook) with:
- Microsoft Excel: https://www.duq.edu/about/campus/computing-and-technology-services/software-catalog/microsoft-office
- QGIS: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/
Students should bring to class a computer or tablet that is capable of using Canvas for quizzes or looking up materials.
Students will be able to:
- recognize complex relationships that weave together the multi-disciplinary field of environmental science;
- evaluate scientific claims from environmental science;
- recognize the role of environmental science in development and environmental conservation, and;
- apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to the analysis of environmental issues present in today’s society and economy.
- 40% Assignments
- 20% Exam 1
- 20% Exam 2
- 20% Exam 3
Homework will be due in class on the due date. Late homework may only earn half credit and will not be accepted more than three school days late. Exceptions to any due dates or exams must be arranged well in advance and via e-mail. See instructor for family or personal emergencies.
Units (book chapter)
- Environmental Science
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- What is environmental science
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- Systems thinking
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- Sustainability
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- Preservation and conservation
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- History of environmental science
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- Perspectives: burden of proof versus precautionary principle
- Fundamentals of Environmental Science
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- Mass and energy (2)
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- Chemical reactions (3)
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- Modeling reactions, environmental systems (6)
- Ecology (4)
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- Population growth
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- Population strategies
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- Ecosystems
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- Habitable zones
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- Population models, epidemiological models (Computer)
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- Biogeochemistry
- Exam #1
- Risk Assessment (5)
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- Sustainable Development
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- Policy context (7)
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- Energy
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- Consumer perspectives (7)
- Water Quality and Quantity
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- Water Quality (8)
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- Environmental water quality
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- Drinking water quality (8)
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- Water withdrawals and consumption
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- Frequency analysis
- Exam #2
- Water Treatment
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- Drinking water treatment (9)
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- Wastewater treatment (10)
- Air Quality (11)
- Subsurface
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- Contaminant remediation (12)
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- Solid waste (13)
- Exam #3
Course policies are available on the Course Policies page. Additionally:
Students must adhere to the Duquesne University and Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences policies on academic integrity. Examples of prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, cheating, falsification or alteration of data, misrepresentation of another's work, and plagiarism.
The Office of Disability Services (Links to an external site.), Union 309, is responsible for determining reasonable accommodations and for assisting students in communicating these to faculty. Student should notify instructors, at the beginning of the term, if any reasonable accommodations are needed; students must be registered with Disability Services. The instructor shall receive confirmation of the reasonable accommodations from the office before accommodations will be granted.