Courses
EES 105. PLANET EARTH
THREE CREDITS The nature of our planet and how it works are examined in the context of Earth as a constantly changing dynamic system. An emphasis on global scale processes and the interaction of humans and their physical environment is coupled with in-depth coverage of how science is done and the scientific principles that influence our planet, its rocks, mountains, rivers, atmosphere and oceans. Major subtopical areas in the Planet Earth series may include geology (Forces of Geologic Change), oceanography (The Restless Ocean), astronomy (The Cosmic Perspective), and the relationship between people and their physical surroundings (The Global Environment). Intended for students who are not majoring in science, engineering, prepharmacy, nursing, or B.S. programs in mathematics or computer science. Two hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. Fee: $65. Prerequisite: No previous background in science or college-level mathematics is required. EES 202. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY THREE CREDITS Fundamentals of the circulation of materials through the earth's air, soils, waters, and living organisms are examined from the perspective of introductory chemical principles. Global cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur are investigated in detail with emphasis on the roles of microorganisms, chemical equilibrium, and oxidation-reduction processes in biogeochemical cycling. Laboratory focuses on (1) student designed projects to gather data which illustrate key concepts in chemical weathering processes in aqueous solutions, oxidation-reduction reactions, and microbial mediation of elemental cycling and (2) building problem solving skills. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Fee: $75. Prerequisite: CHM 115. EES 210. GLOBAL CLIMATIC CHANGE THREE CREDITS The nature and function of earth's global climate are examined from a unified system perspective. Major questions focus on scientific versus public understanding of trends in global temperature, precipitation, and sea level. The course emphasizes negative and positive feedback processes that force key changes in the earth's climate system: past, present, and future. Topics include fundamentals of global and regional heat and water balance; the role of elemental cycles in controlling climate (e.g. the carbon cycle); descriptive climate classification; long-term, short-term, and catastrophic climatic change (e.g. ice ages and bolide impacts); and human effects on climate (e.g. enhanced greenhouse, rising sea level). This course integrates a scientific understanding of climatic change and explores contemporary social and economic policy responses to change scenarios. EES 211. PHYSICAL GEOLOGY FOUR CREDITS Description, analysis, and laboratory studies of earth materials, structures, and processes, including earth's surface, interior, age, and origin. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (For CS/Engineering/Math/Science majors only). EES 212. HISTORICAL GEOLOGY THREE CREDITS A study of the geologic record of the earth's formation and evolution, including methods of dating. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: EES 211 or consent of instructor. EES 218. ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS THREE CREDITS An examination of the central problems of environmental ethics as viewed from the perspectives of science and of philosophy. The value of nature and "natural objects," differing attitudes toward wildlife and the land itself, implications of anthropocentrism, individualism, ecocentrism, and ecofeminism, bases for land and water conservation, and other topics will be examined within a framework of moral and scientific argument. (same as PHL 218). Prerequisite: PHL 101 or EES 240 or permission of instructor. EES 230. OCEAN SCIENCE FOUR CREDITS An interdisciplinary approach to the study of the fundamentals of oceanography emphasizing physical, chemical, and biological interrelationships. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (For CS/Engineering/Math/Science majors only). EES 240. PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOUR CREDITS A study of living systems as they are integrated with their physical environments and impacted by human activity. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (For CS/Engineering/Math/Science majors only). EES 242. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FOUR CREDITS To provide students with an understanding of man's impact on the environment and how those impacts can be controlled or mitigated. Students completing this course should be able to recognize environmental problems and understand control and preventative measures. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisites:Introductory physics and chemistry. Students who have taken EES 240 will be admitted only with the consent of the instructor. EES 244. INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS THREE CREDITS Primarily a laboratory course in the applications of instrumental techniques for obtaining quantitative information about the composition and structure of matter. Lab work includes chromatographic, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Emphasis is placed on the use of computers for data acquisition, management and analysis. The course serves students in biochemistry, chemistry, biology, geology, health-related sciences, engineering and environmental sciences who desire experience with these techniques and how they are applied to problem solving. Two 1-hour lecture and one 3-hour laboratory sessions per week. (Cross-listed with CHM 244) Fee: $75. Prerequisite: CHM 116 EES 251. SYNOPTIC METEOROLOGY FOUR CREDITS Topics include surface and upper-air weather systems, weather phenomena, climate, and local weather influences. Synoptic map analysis and interpretation are emphasized. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (For CS/Engineering/Math/Science majors only). EES 261. REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY THREE CREDITS Topics covered include maps and charts, and basic elements of physical, cultural, historical, and economic geography as applied to specific geographic regions. Three hours lecture. EES 271. ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING I: THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM THREE CREDITS An introduction to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and environmental mapping concepts and applications. Topics include coordinate systems, reference ellipsoids, geodetic datums, and map projections. Practical field use of GPS is emphasized within the context of understanding system components, satellite signal processing, selective availability, base station differential correction, and data export to a geographical information system. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisite: EES 240 or EES 211 or consent of instructor. EES 272. ENVIRONMENTAL MAPPING II: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS THREE CREDITS An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics include history of GIS, relational database management, data input/output, quality control, integration with CAD and remote sensing technologies, data analysis, and GIS as a decision support tool. Laboratory component emphasizes practical skills in GIS data management and analysis. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisite: EES 240 or EES 211 or consent of instructor. EES 280. PRINCIPLES OF ASTRONOMY FOUR CREDITS Topics include orbital mechanics, results of planetary probes, spectra and stellar evolution, and cosmology. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (For science majors only) EES 302. LITERATURE METHODS ONE CREDIT The nature and use of important sources of information in earth and environmental sciences are developed through retrospective searching methods and current awareness techniques. The use of computer data bases, the design of personal computer information files, information search strategies, and manual search procedures are included. Literature preparation for Senior Projects (EES 391-392). Prerequisite: Junior standing. EES 304. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA ANALYSIS TWO CREDITS To acquaint students majoring in earth and environmental sciences with the techniques and methods of data acquisition and analysis, including environmental sampling methodology and data management. Emphasis will be placed on examination of real data sets from various areas of the earth and environmental sciences with particular emphasis placed on using and applying graphical and statistical procedures used in EES 391-392 (Senior Projects). Prerequisite: MTH 150 and junior standing. EES 341. LIMNOLOGY THREE CREDITS A study of the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of freshwater systems. Laboratory investigations will consist of in-depth analyses of local lakes and streams. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. (same as BIO 341). Prerequisite: BIO 121-122 or consent of instructor. Offered in alternate years. EES 343. MARINE ECOLOGY THREE CREDITS An examination of the biology of marine life within the context of modern ecological principles. The structure and physiology of marine organisms will be studied from the perspectives of adaptation to the ocean as habitat, biological productivity, and interspecific relationships. Emphasis will be placed on life in intertidal zones, estuaries, surface waters, and the deep sea. Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Fee: $75. (Same as BIO 343). Prerequisites: EES 230 (Ocean Science) and BIO 121-122 or consent of instructor. EES 344. ECOLOGY FOUR CREDITS Ecology examines contemporary ecological thinking as it pertains to the interrelationships of organisms and their environments. Interactions at the population and community level are emphasized. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, three hours a week. Laboratory fee: $75. (Same as BIO 344). Prerequisites: BIO 121-122, 223-224, or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years. EES 366. FIELD BOTANY THREE CREDITS This is a specialized summertime field course which emphasizes a taxonomic, phylogenetic, and ecological survey of higher plants indigenous to Northeastern Pennsylvania. Due to the extensive field work, enrollment is somewhat more restricted than in other courses; therefore, written permission from the instructor is the prime prerequisite of those upperclassmen wishing to register for the course. (Same as BIO 366). Prerequisites: BIO 121-122, 223-224, or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years. EES 370. GEOMORPHOLOGY THREE CREDITS Land forms, their evolution, and the human role in changing the surface of the earth, utilization of geologic and hydrologic information, and field investigations. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisites: EES 211 and ENV 321. EES 381. MINERALOGY THREE CREDITS Ionic structure of minerals; physical properties and external form as consequences of structure; determination of minerals by physical tests. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisites: EES 211 and CHM 115. EES 382. PETROLOGY THREE CREDITS A study of the identification, classification, composition, genesis, and alteration of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and their relation to crustal processes and environments. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Fee: $75. Prerequisites: EES 381. EES 391. SENIOR PROJECTS I ONE CREDIT Design and development of selected projects in earth and environmental sciences and other related fields under the direction of a staff member. Technical as well as economical factors will be considered in the design. A professional paper and detailed progress report are required. Prerequisite: Senior standing in EES. EES 392. SENIOR PROJECTS II TWO CREDITS Design and development of selected projects in earth and environmental sciences and other related fields under the direction of a staff member. Technical as well as economical factors will be considered in the design. A professional paper to be presented and discussed in an open forum is required. Prerequisite: EES 391 or approval of the instructor. EES 394. FIELD STUDY ONE TO THREE CREDITS On-site study of an earth or environmental problem or situation incorporating field documentation and investigation techniques. May be repeated for credit when no duplication of experience results. One hour lecture, plus field trip(s). Fee: $75. Prerequisites: EES 211 and EES 240. EES 395-396. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH I & II ONE TO THREE CREDITS EACH Independent study or research of a specific earth or environmental science topic at an advanced level under the direction of a departmental faculty member. For three credits, a defensible research paper is required. Prerequisites: Upper-class standing and approval of academic advisor, research advisor, and department chairperson. EES 399. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION ONE TO SIX CREDITS Professional cooperative education placement in a private/public organization related to the student's academic objectives and career goals. In addition to their work experience, students are required to submit weekly reaction papers and an academic project to a Faculty Coordinator in the student's discipline. (See the Cooperative Education section of this Bulletin for placement procedures). Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, 2.0 cumulative average, consent of academic advisor, approval of placement by department chairperson. EES 198/298/398. TOPICS IN EES VARIABLE CREDIT Departmental courses on topics of special interest, not extensively treated in regularly scheduled offerings, will be presented under this course number on an occasional basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Varies with topic studied. EES 498. ADVANCED TOPICS ONE TO THREE CREDITS Departmental courses on advanced topics of special interest, not extensively treated in regularly scheduled offerings, will be presented under this course number on an occasional basis. Available for either undergraduate or graduate credit. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing. |
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