College of Agriculture and Life SciencesEnvironmental Science
OverviewThis program brings the basic sciences to bear on many crucial concerns about the environment. The environments of particular interest are terrestrial and wetland ecosystems and associated 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 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 three options, but specific requirements make each option unique. The curriculum prepares graduates 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 three concentrations, or curricular options, within the major and example of the career opportunities within each are as follows: Water Resources OptionThe emphasis in this option is on fresh water systems and resources, although there are obvious connections to esturine and marine settings. 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 affect land use decision-making. Because our strategy of handling waste is often to "dump it in a hole", this curriculum also deals with issues of waste management and environmental clean-up. The graduates in this option find employment with various governmental agencies and in the private sector. Plant Resources OptionThis option provides a track for students seeking environmental careers that build on their interest in plant sciences. Plants are used in a variety of ways to solve environmental problems. For example, reclamation of disturbed areas often involves establishing and managing adapted vegetation. Plants are important components of wetlands, which provide a number of important environmental functions and values. Plants are also used to remove pollutants from the soil or water. Requirements for a Major
Requirements for a MinorThe Environmental Science program also offers a minor. The requirements include CSES/ENSC 3114 plus 3124 (or CSES/ENSC 3134) and CSES/ENSC 3604 and 14 to 15 more hours selected from a set of 23 courses. See www.ensc.vt.edu or visit 240 Smyth Hall 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 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 often offer undergraduates opportunities to become involved in a variety of environmental research projects. Many employers seek environmental science majors for internship and co-op positions. Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ENSC)1015-1016: FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEInterrelationships between human activities and the environment; emphasis on biological, chemical, and physical principles that govern the flow of energy, materials, and information among physical, ecological and human systems. (3H,3C) 1115-1116: FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LABORATORY Lab component for ENSC 1015 and 1016. Selected experiments illustrate principles and concepts relating to environmental science. Co-requisite ENSC 1015 (for ENSC 1115) and ENSC 1016 (for ENSC 1116). Co: 1015 for 1115; 1016 for 1116. (3L,1C) 2964: FIELD STUDY Variable 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. Pre: CHEM 1036. Co: 3124. (3H,3C) I. 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. Co: 3114. (3L,1C) I. 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. (2H,3L,3C) II. 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) 3614 (CSES 3164): SOIL PHYSICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL PROPERTIES Soil physical and mechanical properties and the physical processes controlling soil water retention and flow in agronomic and natural settings. Grain size distribution, weight-volume relationships, specific surface, electrical charge density, consistency, stress, compaction, rainfall runoff, water retention, steady/non-steady water flow in saturated/unsaturated soil, infiltration, bare soil evaporation, and soil water balance. Pre: (CSES 3114, CSES 3124) or (GEOS 3614, GEOS 3624). (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. I Pre: BIOL 1106. Co: CSES 3114. (3H,3C) 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. Pre: BIOL 2604. (2H,3L,3C) II. 4444 (CSES 4444): MANAGED ECOSYSTEMS, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, AND SUSTAINABILITY Description and interactions of climate, soils, and organisms within intensively managed ecosystems used to produce food, fiber, bioenergy, fresh water, recreation, cultural, and other ecosystems services essential for human well-being. Ecological concepts applied to agricultural, grassland, and urban/turf ecosystems. Ecologically-based principles for sustainably managed ecosystems. Regional and global significance of managed ecosystems in context of sustainable food systems, and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Pre-Requisite: Junior or Senior Standing required. Pre: CSES 3114 or CSES 3134. (3H,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. I Pre: CSES 3114, CSES 3124, CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535, CHEM 3114, MATH 2015. (3H,3C) 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. Pre: (CHEM 3114, CHEM 3124) or (CSES 3114, CSES 3124). (3H,3L,4C) II. 4774 (CSES 4774): RECLAMATION OF DRASTICALLY DISTURBED LANDS Remediation, rehabilitation, revegetation strategies for lands disturbed by mining, construction, industrialization, and mineral waste disposal. Disturbed site characterization and materials analysis procedures. Regulatory and environmental monitoring frameworks for mining sites and other disturbed lands. Prediction and remediation of water quality impacts from acid drainage. Pre: CSES 3114 or ENSC 3114 or GEOS 3614 or CSES 3134 or ENSC 3134 or CSES 3304 or GEOG 3304 or GEOS 3304. (3H,3C) 4854 (CSES 4854): WETLAND SOILS AND MITIGATION Wetland soils as components 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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