Earth and Environmental Science Courses

Introduction to basic principles in the biological, physical, and social science areas of environmental science.

Natural environment; nature, distribution, and relationships of climate, landforms, oceans, vegetation, hydrography, and soils.

Evolution of the physical earth, plants, and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history.

Evolution of the physical earth, plants, and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history.

Identification of energy, macro/micro nutrient and fluid requirements during exercise; evaluation of dietary regimens and ergogenic aids for pre and post competition, weight maintenance, and wellness.

The geology of earthquakes including the cause of fault rupture, seismic waves, focal mechanisms, and earthquakes associated with all fault types in a variety of tectonic settings; methods of identifying paleo-earthquakes in the geologic record, and the assessment of seismic hazard and risk in active fault environments.

Principles of nutrition; physiology of digestion, absorption and metabolism of nutrients.

Physical basis for climatic processes and patterns; mechanics of global atmospheric circulation; radiation balance and heat budget of the earth; models of weather patterns and climate. Additional assignments and quantitative exercises required for graduate credit. (Spring, alt/yrs)

Fundamental toxicological concepts including dose-response relationships, absorption of toxicants, distribution and storage of toxicants, biotransformation and elimination of toxicants, target organ toxicity and teratogenesis, mutagenesis, and carcinogenesis; chemodynamics of environmental contaminants including transport, fate, and receptors; chemicals of environmental interest and how they are tested and regulated; risk assessment fundamentals. Students registering for FS 509 are required to prepare an additional in-depth report.

The history of food, hunger, and the global nature of food systems. Food & culture, environmental impact of food decisions, agricultural production, world populations relative to food supply, hunger, biotechnology, safety of our food supply, sustainability, effects of urbanization, and problems of under- and over-nutrition will be examined.

This course discusses the concept of sustainable development and its promises and pitfalls as a leading concept for the planning and design of communities. The course provides an overview of the different interpretations of sustainability and discusses the usefulness of these interpretations for planning in the context of the communities in which we live. Additional work required for graduate credit.

Concepts of area-based hydrologic modeling and assessment and the various types of spatially distributed information commonly used in these activities, such as topographic data, vegetation cover, soils and meteorological data. Hands-on experience in manipulating these types of data sets for hydrologic applications.

Basic concepts of pollution prevention and waste minimization; pollution prevention strategies and case studies for solid waste, hazardous waste, water and energy use, and air pollution.

Details on a variety of equipment and processes used by business in order to decrease generation of solid and hazardous waste.

Understand the characterization, testing, and treatment of chemical, microbial and hazardous compounds and their impact on human health. Be familiar with drinking water standards, regulatory aspects and protection of municipal, community, and private well systems. (Spring, Alt/yrs)

Presented as online doculectures, covering topics such as: Origins of Sustainability, Standards of Sustainability, Culture of Waste, Built Environment, Industrial Sustainability, Energy Sustainability, Water Resources, Measuring Sustainability, Sustainable Impact Assessment, and Our Sustainable Future. Readings and homework are assigned with each topic. Learning assessment will be from homework, exams and written papers. Additional work is required for graduate credit. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Principles of soil fertility management; availability of plant nutrients and their relationship to plant growth and fertilization practices.

Assessment of the controls and drivers of emission processes and impacts on air quality from fires, industry, and other natural sources. Overview of the combustion and emission process, how these emissions impact the ‘quality of air’, and what models exist to monitor the emission. Other topics to include: recent EPA and other guidelines for smoke management planning, attainment issues, atmospheric transport and deposition processes. Additional work required for graduate credit.

General principles of toxicologic evaluation of chemicals, which intentionally or unintentionally enter the food chain. Toxicology of food additives, colors, preservatives, drugs, pesticides and natural toxins in foods and risk characterization. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

General principles of toxicologic evaluation of chemicals, which intentionally or unintentionally enter the food chain. Toxicology of food additives, colors, preservatives, drugs, pesticides and natural toxins in foods and risk characterization. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Covers the history of humanity’s relationship to energy. Takes a historical approach beginning with ancient sources of energy, the discovery and exploitation of coal and the industrial revolution, the critical importance of oil and its derivatives, natural gas, nuclear and renewables. Finishes with a look to possible future energy sources.

Includes aspects of science, policy, and economics of energy use and efficiency measures. Considers use trends and existing and potential efficiencies primarily on a national scale with some consideration of both global and local situations. Focuses on residential and transportation energy with some coverage of commercial and industrial energy use.

History, botanical characteristics, seed physiology and production, plant population, physiology of growth, and pest management; factors influencing maturation, harvest, yield, grade, bruise control, storage, and quality maintenance; economics of production and research on a global basis. Requirements for graduate credit include comprehensive term paper and class presentation on selected topic. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

A 504 is a temporary course designation. Once a formal number is assigned, catalog text will become available.

This class introduces first semester Bioregional Planning and Community Design students to bioregional planning concepts and current implementation practices.

Provides an overview of the processes and methods for preparing comprehensive plans for local and county governments in the context of federal and state lands and regional growth management: Integrates land-use with economic development, housing, historic preservation, agricultural viability.

This is an overview course of the methods used in making evidence-based decisions in regional planning. This course will focus on the scientific method, statistics, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, spatial analysis, qualitative analysis, and design methods; giving students a feel for power and limitations of each.

Seminar provides a historical and theoretical basis to address the application of knowledge to public and political decisions and the ethics of professional practice within public and non-governmental settings. Readings, discussions, and essays will focus on underlying traditions and assumptions, cultural contexts, social justice and “planner” roles. Non-majors may choose to take the course for two credits, which will not include a professional ethics segment.

Covers the sampling and analysis of environmental contaminants from a statistical perspective. Includes designing sampling plans for environmental studies, statistically analyzing environmental data, and touches on more advanced techniques such as time series analysis and censored data.

Students will work on one or more projects that target the needs of an Idaho community or regional agency. The projects will involve the application of various tools including GIS, comprehensive planning, physical design, economic development, transportation systems or other relevant methods in the creation of products or proposals. In this course, students will learn a variety of skills related to facilitation, negotiation, community politics, conflict management and assessment tools such as social impact or environmental impact assessments.

This course is intended to allow students to integrate a number of skill sets by choosing a project that builds on their program specialization. Students work with faculty advisors to develop and complete final projects.

Discuss the principles and practices of commonly used quality management systems used to maintain and improve the quality of their products and services. Use statistical tools to monitor and assess quality. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.