Environmental Science
Head: Thomas L. Thompson
Coordinating Counselor and Career Advisor: M. J. Eick (231-8943; eick@vt.edu)
Overview
This 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 environmental protection, pollution prevention and remediation, 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 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that employment of environmental scientists and specialists is expected to increase by 28% between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Water Resources Option
The 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 may 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 Option
This 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 Option
This 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.
Degree Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html for degree requirements.
Requirements for a Minor
The 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.cses.vt.edu/undergraduate-programs/ensc/index.html or visit 240 Smyth Hall for more information about a minor in environmental science.
Satisfactory Progress
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education) (see "Academics") and toward the degree.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the specific degree can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html.
Opportunities to Excel
Students 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 SCIENCE
Interrelationships 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)
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)
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 3614): 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 or MATH 2024).
(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)
4134 (CSES 4134): SOIL GENESIS AND CLASSIFICATION
Formation of soils across landscape, soil-forming factors
and processes, applied soil geology/geomorphology,
applied soil biochemistry, soil hydrology, diagnostic
horizons and characteristics used in Soil Taxonomy;
soil classification and mapping. Three outdoor lectures
and one 3-day field trip are mandatory.
Pre: (CSES 3114, CSES 3124) or (ENSC 3114, ENSC 3124) or (GEOS 3614, GEOS 3624) or CS
ES 3134 or ENSC 3134.
(3H,3C)
4164 (BIOL 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)
4314 (CSES 4314): WATER QUALITY
Provide comprehensive information on the physical, chemical,
biological, and anthropogenic factors affecting water
quality, fate and transport of contaminants in water, water
quality assessment and management, and current water quality
policies.
(3H,3C)
4324 (CSES 4324): WATER QUALITY LABORATORY
Teach students a variety of laboratory chemical and
biological techniques for water quality analysis.
Complementary to ENSC/CSES 4314.
Pre: CHEM 1046.
Co: CSES 4314, 4314.
(3L,1C)
4414: MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Provides comprehensive hands-on-laboratory-and
field-based experience and information on the principles
and methods for field monitoring and sampling, as well
the physical, chemical, and biological analysis of soil,
surface water, groundwater, and solid wastes within
the context of regulatory compliance. Optional 40-hour
Hazards Materials (HAZMAT) training will be available.
Senior standing required.
Pre: (3604 or 4314 or CSES 4314 or BIOL 4004), (MATH 1026 or MATH 2015, CHEM 1036, BIOL 1105).
(1H,3L,2C)
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.
Pre: CSES 3114, CSES 3124, CHEM 2514 or CHEM 2535, CHEM 3114, (MATH 2015 or MATH 1026).
(3H,3C)
4764 (CSES 4764): BIOREMEDIATION
Overview of environmental biotechnology and the use of
microbes and other organisms to remove contaminants and
improve environmental quality. Topics include treatment of
contaminated soils, waters, and wastewaters, as well as
remediation of industrial waste streams.
Pre: BIOL 2604.
(3H,3C)
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 GE
OG 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 wetland functions under various land uses.
Soil and hydrologic factors important to wetland delineation
and jurisdictional determination. Mitigation of wetland
impacts with emphasis on restoration and creation. Outdoor
lectures at local wetlands and a two-day long field trip to
observe and identify wetlands soils are mandatory.
Pre: (CSES 3114, CSES 3124) or (ENSC 3114, ENSC 3124) or (GEOS 3614, GEOS 3624) or CSES 3134 or ENSC 3134.
(2H,3L,3C)
4864: CAPTSTONE: ENV SCIENCE
Discussion based learning that utilizes prior knowledge
gained in the major to synthesize information, and prepare
a written comprehensive work plan. The work plan will
demonstrate the student's understanding of contaminant
fate and mobility in different environmental media and will
be defended orally. Review and explore available careers
in environmental science through seminars and working
groups within environmental professionals discussing the
role and responsibilities of environmental scientists in
industry, consulting, regulatory agencies, and non-profits.
ENSC majors only. Senior Standing.
Pre: (CSES 3634 or ENSC 3634), (ENSC 4414), (CHEM 4734 or CSES 4734 or ENSC 4734), (C
SES 4854 or ENSC 4854).
(3L,1C)
4964: FIELD STUDY
Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.