College of Agriculture and Life SciencesEnvironmental Science
OverviewThis program brings the basic sciences to bear on many crucial concerns about the environment. The environmental matters of particular interest revolve around ecosystems and our land and water resources. Specific concerns include ecosystem services, environmental protection, land-use planning, waste management, ground- and surface-water quality, reclamation and remediation of disturbed or contaminated sites, and minimizing agricultural and other human impacts on the environment. The environmental science curriculum is multidisciplinary and strongly science and technology oriented. The basic sciences and computational skills are at the core of each of the major's four options, but specific requirements make each option unique. The curriculum prepares one for immediate entry into environmental careers, as well as for graduate specializations. The environmental job market is quite strong, with a shortage of qualified individuals in the field. The four concentrations, or curricular options, within the major and some of the career opportunities associated with each are as follows: Aquatic Resources OptionThe emphasis in this option is on fresh water. Both surface- and ground-water quality become degraded as a result of human activities. Those processes, their consequences, and solutions are the focus of this option. Students in this option are entering careers in the areas of regulation, remediation, and environmental protection. Land Resources OptionThis option develops an understanding of many of the complex biological, chemical, economic, geological, and soil factors that must enter into good decisions on land use. The graduates in this option find employment with various governmental agencies and in the private sector. Plant Resources OptionPlants are used in a variety of ways to solve environmental problems. Reclamation of disturbed areas often involves establishing vegetation. Plants are important components of wetlands, which provide a number of important environmental functions. Plants may also be used to remove pollutants from the soil or water. This option provides a track for students seeking environmental careers that build on their interest in plants. Waste Management OptionOur "throw-away society" has begun to feel many of the consequences of that ethic. This option deals not only with environmental cleanup and safe disposal but also with waste minimization, recycling, and other alternatives. Graduates find opportunities in regulatory agencies as well as in the private sector. The reclamation industry is a major employer, as are manufacturers and municipalities that must comply with waste management laws. Requirements for a Major
Requirements for a MinorThe environmental science program also offers a minor. The requirements include CSES 3114 plus 3124 (or CSES 3134) and ENSC/CSES 3604 and 12 to 13 more hours selected from a set of almost 20 courses. See 240 Smyth Hall or www.ensc.vt.edu for more information about a minor in environmental science. Satisfactory ProgressBy the end of the academic year in which a student has attempted 60 hours, "satisfactory progress" will include:
BIOL 1105, 1106, 1115, 1116 Opportunities to ExcelStudents with outstanding records can qualify for the Honors Program and graduate "in honors" in environmental science. Other opportunities for personal and professional growth and for recognition include the department-sponsored Environmental Student Organization, membership in Alpha Zeta and other honoraries, and several scholarships designated for majors. Faculty members work with undergraduates on a variety of environmental research projects. Many employers seek environmental science majors for internship and co-op positions. Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ENSC)2964: FIELD STUDYVariable credit course. 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 2984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 3114 (CSES 3114) (GEOS 3614): SOILS Characterization of soils as a natural resource emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to nutrient availability, fertilization, plant growth, land-use management, waste application, soil and water quality, and food production. For CSES, ENSC, and related plant- and earth-science majors. Partially duplicates 3134. Junior standing. I. Pre: CHEM 1036. Co: 3124. (3H,3C) 3124 (CSES 3124) (GEOS 3624): SOILS LABORATORY Parent materials, morphology, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and related soil management and land use practices will be studied in field and lab. Partially duplicates 3134. I. Co: 3114. (3L,1C) 3134 (CSES 3134): SOILS IN THE LANDSCAPE A study of soils as functional landscape components, emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to plant growth, nutrient availability, land-use management, and soil and water quality. Primarily for FOR/FIW, LAR, and other plant/earth science related majors. May not be taken by CSES or ENSC majors. Partially duplicates 3114 and 3124. Pre: one year of introductory CHEM or BIOL or GEOS. II. (2H,3L,3C) 3604: FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Interrelationships between human activities and the environment; provides national and global perspective; emphasis is on the physical, chemical, and biological principles and processes that are essential to an understanding of human-environment interactions; the role of energy in human and natural systems; environmental legislation and human behavior. I Pre: BIOL 1105 or CHEM 1035. (3H,3C) 3634 (CSES 3634): PHYSICS OF POLLUTION Physical processes that control the fate of pollutants in our land, air, and water resources. Types and sources of pollutants, physical processes in the soil-water-atmosphere continuum controlling the dispersion and deposition of pollutants, the movement of pollutants, including radionuclides, by surface and subsurface water flow in soils, and physics of disturbed soils. I Pre: (CSES 3114, PHYS 2206, MATH 2016). (3H,3C) 3644 (CSES 3644): PLANT MATERIALS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION Overview of ecological principles related to revegetation and restoration of disturbed sites. Function and species requirements of plants in stabilizing disturbed areas including mines, rights-of-way, constructed wetlands, and for the remediation of contaminated soils. Pre: BIOL 1106. Co: CSES 3114. (3H,3C) I. 4004: SENIOR SEMINAR Professional ethics within environmental science; critical consideration of topics of current interest in environmental science. Senior standing required. Restricted to ENSC majors. I (1H,1C) 4114 (CSES 4114): SOIL PHYSICS Application of the principles of physics and mathematical analysis to the study of soils. Covers the physical nature and properties of soil solids, basic soil mechanics, physical state of water in soils, infiltration and movement of water in soils, mass transport in soil solutions, soil gases and soil aeration, heat and heat transfer in soils. I Pre: CSES 3114, PHYS 2205, MATH 2015. (3H,3L,4C) 4164 (BIOL 4164) (CEE 4164) (CSES 4164): ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY Ecology, physiology, and diversity of soil and aquatic microorganisms; incorporates the significance of these topics within the context of environmental applications such as bioremediation, wastewater treatment, control of plant-pathogens in agriculture, and pollution abatement in natural systems. The laboratory portion of the course will stress methodology development, isolation and characterization of microorganisms from natural and engineered systems, and examination of the roles of microorganisms in biogeochemical cycling. II Pre: BIOL 2604. (2H,3L,3C) 4734 (CHEM 4734) (CSES 4734): ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY Chemistry of inorganic and organic soil components with emphasis on environmental significance of soil solution-solid phase equilibria, sorption phenomena, ion exchange processes, reaction kinetics, redox reactions, and acidity and salinity processes. Pre: CSES 3114, CSES 3124, CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535, CHEM 3114, MATH 2015. (3H,3C) I. 4754 (CHEM 4754) (CSES 4754): INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Theory and principles of common analytical instruments and their applications to agriculture and environmental science research. Topics include atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, spectrophotometric methods (UV, visible, luminescence, and automation), chromatography, ion-selective electrodes, and microwave digestion. Infrared spectroscopy, atomic ratio and molecular mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance will also be included. Provides hands-on experience with modern analytical instruments. Prerequisites or graduate standing required. II Pre: (CHEM 3114, CHEM 3124) or (CSES 3114, CSES 3124). (3H,3L,4C) 4844 (CSES 4844) (GEOG 4844): SOIL INTERPRETATION USING GIS AND DSS Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile digital maps, imagery, and natural resource data. Digital data will be downloaded from the Internet and verified in the field with GPS units. Decision support systems (DSS) will be used to produce interpretative maps from digital soil data. A hypothesis, proposal, and GIS project will be created and project results presented in class. Attendance required on daylong field trips to GIS application sites. Taught odd years. II Pre: CSES 4124, GEOG 4084 or BSE 4344 or CEE 4204. (2H,3L,3C) 4854 (CSES 4854): WETLAND SOILS AND MITIGATION Wetland soils as componenets of natural landscapes: biogeochemistry, hydrology, geomorphology, hydric soil indicators, and classification. Soil and hydrolic factors important to wetland delineation and jurisdictional determination. Mitigation of wetland impacts with emphasis on restoration and creation. Constructed wetlands for water treatment. Odd years. I Pre: 3114 or 3134 or CSES 3304. (3H,3C) 4964: FIELD STUDY Variable credit course. 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 4984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Programs of Study
Agricultural and Applied Economics | Agricultural and Extension Education | Agriculture and Life Sciences Agriculture Technology | Animal and Poultry Science | Biochemistry | Biological Systems Engineering Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences | Dairy Science | Entomology | Food Science and Technology | Horticulture Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise | Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science |
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