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ENST Courses
The following list includes undergraduate courses within ENST. Students should consult the Schedule of Classes to ascertain which courses are actually offered during a given semester.
ENST 100 International Crop Production-Issues and Challenges in the 21st (3 credits). This course examines the role of crop production in elevating humans out of poverty in developing countries. It will introduce students to the basic principles of plant and soil science underlying the international production of food crops and world food security. The role of multinational agencies such as the World Bank in the promotion of sustainable crop production using environmentally-sound technologies will also be discussed.
ENST 105 Soil and Environmental Quality (3 credits) Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST105 or NRSC105. Formerly NRSC 105. Soil as an irreplaceable natural resource, the importance of soils in the ecosystem, soils as sources of pollution, and soils as the media for the storage, assimilation or inactivation of pollutants. Acid rain, indoor radon, soil erosion and sedimentation, nutrient pollution of waters, homeowners' problems with soils, and the effect of soils on the food chain.
ENST 200 Fundamentals of Soil Science (4 credits). Prerequisite: CHEM103, or CHEM131 and CHEM132; or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST200 or NRSC200. Formerly NRSC 200. Study and management of soils as natural bodies, media for plant growth, and ecosystem components. Morphology, composition, formation, and conservation of soils. Chemical, biological, and physical properties are discussed in relation to the production of plants, the functioning of hydrologic and nutrient cycles, the protection of environmental quality, and engineering uses of soils. [download .pdf syllabus]
ENST 214 Introduction to Fish and Wildlife Sciences (3 credits)
An introductory course in fish and wildlife sciences, biology, and management as it impacts the resource and society. The focus centers around lectures, discussion, and readings in social, biological, and human dimension issues facing fisheries and wildlife biologists and natural resource managers in the United States. Coverage will include history and philosophical discussions of fish and wildlife sciences; conservation and management; principles of community, habitat, and animal ecology and management; and, interrelations of wildlife, fish, and forestry.
ENST 233 Introduction to Environmental Health (3 credits)
The course will examine how humans are affected by the quality of air, water, and food as well as how humans affect these survival necessities. Students will learn how the evolution and prosperity of the human species has resulted in concerns about pollution, overpopulation, and other issues that are having a harmful effect on humans and our environment.
ENST 250 Environmental Issues and Culture in USA and Russia (1 credit)
Explore environmental issues and culture with university students at Moscow State University of Environmental Engineering, Moscow, Russia via weekly videoconferences. Culture and environmental issues of both countries will be examined via individual and group presentations and guided discussions.
ENST 281 Computer Aided Design in Ecology (3 credits) Basics of Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) applied to design of constructed ecosystems. Introduction to dynamic ecosystem modeling with iconographic simulation software. Course will be 6 weeks on CAD and 8 weeks on modelling. Use of campus stormwater wetland as case study.
ENST 305 Alternative Energy (3 credits)
An overview of various renewable energy technologies and their current applications. Emphasis will be placed on energy sustainability, consumption, efficiency, and ease of transition to renewable energy alternatives. Quantification of incident solar energy is covered in detail along with the basic physics of energy conversion, current energy usage, and carbon capture and sequestration practices. Technologies include hydroelectric, wind and wave turbines, solar thermal conversion, photovoltaic, hydrogen, fuel cells, geothermal, biogas, and biofuel. Reason for proposal/comments: This is a new course.
ENST 308 Field Soil Morphology (1-2 credits) One hour of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 4 credits. Formerly NRSC 308. Intensive field study of soils with particular emphasis on soil morphology, soil classification, and agricultural and urban soil interpretations. Focus in fall semesters is on soils of the Northeast U.S. Focus in spring semesters is on soils outside the Northeast region. The lab period is devoted to field trips, and student efforts culminate in a mandatory extended field trip.
ENST 314 Fisheries Sustainability and Management (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: one year of course work in Biological Sciences. Formerly AGRI 314. Fundamentals of individual and population dynamics; theory and practice of sampling fish populations; management schemes.
ENST 333 Ecosystem Health and Protection (3 credits)
Recommended:ENST 233.Discussion of the philosophies, principles, and practices for assessing ecosystem health with emphasis on sustainability and degradation associated with human activities. Concepts will be clarified using case histories from the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
ENST 334 Environmental Toxicology (3 credits)
Prerequisites: BSCI207 and CHEM131/132 or permission from department. Concepts and case histories in ecotoxicology. Emphasis on origin and variety of environmental pollutants, routes of biological exposure, modes of toxicological action, and effects on individuals and populations.
ENST 360 Ecosystem Ecology (4 credits)
Prerequisites: BSCI 106 and MATH 113 or above. Two hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. A survey of the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The laboratory emphasizes field methods with local ecosystems in order to demonstrate lecture topics.
ENST 373 Natural History of the Chesapeake Bay (3 credits)
Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: a course in biological sciences or permission of department. Consideration of the major groups of organisms associated with the Chesapeake Bay and current issues that determine humans' present and future uses for the Chesapeake and its biota.
ENST 388 Honors Thesis Research (3-6 credits) Prerequisite: admission to AGNR Honors Program. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. Formerly NRSC 388. Undergraduate honors thesis research conducted under the direction of an AGNR faculty member in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the College of AGNR Honors Program. The thesis will be defended to a faculty committee.
ENST 389 Internship (3) Prerequisite: permission of department. For ENST, NRMT, NRSC-Conservation of Soil, Water and Environmental majors only. Formerly: NRSC389 and NRMT389. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for practical work carried out by students placed in work environment related to their stated career goals. Students must do an in-depth study in some portion of the work experience and produce a special project or report related to this study. A student work log is also recommended. An evaluation from the external supervisor of the project will be required. Credit arranged with supervising faculty member.
ENST 398 Seminar (1) Prerequisite: Senior standing. A group discussion format course that focuses on presentation and critical evaluation of environmental science research, professional development, and career planning. Students will attend, summarize, evaluate and critique research seminars presented by others. Students also will develop and present original research-based presentations and workplace in-service training sessions.
ENST 405 Energy and Environment (3 credits) Prerequisite: MATH140 or MATH220. Junior standing. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST405, NMRT489Z, or MEES698Z. Formerly NRMT 489Z. Introduction to the role of energy in environmental and human-dominated systems. Discussion of the historical and modern production and consumption of energy. Introduction to energy systems computer simulation and energy auditing.
ENST 410 Ecological Economics (3 credits)
Prerequisite: BSCI 106. Economic techniques and concepts for evaluating ecosystems are introduced. Aspects of market based and non-market based approaches are covered. Emphasis is on decision-making applications.
ENST 411 Principles of Soil Fertility (3 credits) Prerequisite: ENST200 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST411 or NRSC411. Formerly NRSC 411. Soil factors affecting plant growth and quality with emphasis on the bio-availability of mineral nutrients. The management of soil systems to enhance plant growth by means of crop rotations, microbial activities, and use of organic and inorganic amendments. [download .pdf syllabus]
ENST 414 Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification (4 credits) Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST414 or NRSC414. Formerly NRSC 414. Processes and factors of soil genesis. Taxonomy of soils of the world by U.S. System. Soil morphological characteristics, composition, classification, survey and field trips to examine and describe soils.
ENST 417 Soil Hydrology and Physics (3 credits) Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) and a course in physics; or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST417 or NRSC417. Formerly NRSC 417. A study of soil water interactions: the hydrologic cycle; the unique properties of water and soil; the soil components and their interactions; the field water cycle; transport processes involving water, heat and solutes; human effects on soil and groundwater; as well as the measurement, prediction, and control of the physical processes taking place in and through the soil.
ENST 421 Soil Chemistry (4 credits) Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST421 or NRSC421. Formerly NRSC 421. The chemistry and composition of mineral and organic colloids in soils, including ion exchange, oxidation-reduction, acidity, surface charge, and solution chemistry. Lectures and readings pertain to plant nutrition, waste disposal, and groundwater quality.
ENST 422 Soil Biochemistry and Microbial Ecology (3 credits) Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200), CHEM104 or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST422 or NRSC422. Formerly NRSC 422. Relationship of soil microorganisms to the soils' physical and chemical properties. Nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae-plant interactions and microbially mediated cycling.
ENST 423 Soil-Water Pollution (3 credits) Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) and CHEM104; or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST423 or NRSC423. Reaction and fate of pesticides, agricultural fertilizers, industrial and animal wastes in soil and water with emphasis on their relation to the environment.
ENST 424 Field Study in Soil Morphology (4 credits) Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST424 or NRSC424. Formerly NRSC 424. The fundamentals of making morphological descriptions of soils, using standard techniques, terminology, and abbreviations of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. Given a regional perspective and reasonable assumptions regarding soil properties, students should become competent to classify soils which they have described in the field and also make interpretations concerning the suitability of soils for various potential uses.
ENST 427 Nonpoint Source Pollution (3 credits)
Prerequisite: One course in hydrology or permission of department. Also offered as ENBE462. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENBE462 or ENST427. Various techniques to measure non-point source pollution, quantify mass transport, and statistically evaluate water quality criteria. Primary focus is on agriculture and water, but urban NPS pollution is addressed.
ENST 430 Wetland Soils (3 credits) Two hours of lecture per week, plus four field trips scheduled on Saturday. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST430 or NRSC461. Formerly NRSC 461. The soils of wetlands including hydrology, chemistry, genesis, and taxonomy are discussed. The understanding of federal and regional guidelines to wetland soils are covered with an emphasis on validating interpretations through field observations. Saturday field trips are required.
ENST 434 Toxic Contaminants: Sources, Fate, and Effects (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST 333 and BSCI361. Study of the release to the environment, transport through natural compartments, persistence and ultimate fate of various classes of contaminants produced as a result of human activities.
ENST 435 Aquatic Toxicology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST 334. Discussion of the basic concepts and principles of aquatic toxicology. Examples from historic and on-going studies within the Chesapeake Bay watershed will be used to demonstrate the toxicological action of aquatic pollutants at all levels of biological organization from molecular to organismal to whole ecosystem.
ENST 436 Emerging Environmental Threats (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST 333 or permission from the department. Discussion of emergent areas of environmental concern including: global warming, exotic species, non-traditional pollutants, and other complex and potentially significant environmental issues. By its nature, this course will evolve over time to reflect changes in scientific understanding and environmental research priorities.
ENST 440 Crops, Soils and Civilization (3 credits) Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST440 or NRSC440. Formerly NRSC 440. Role and importance of crop and soil resources in the development of human civilization. History of crop and soil use and management as they relate to the persistence of ancient and modern cultures.
ENST 441 Sustainable Agriculture (3 credits) Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST441 or NRSC441. Formerly NRSC 441. Environmental, social and economic needs for alternatives to the conventional, high-input farming systems which currently predominate in industrial countries. Strategies and practices that minimize the use of non-renewable resources.
ENST 444 Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH 220. Sophomore standing. Formerly NRMT 489F. Discussion of the philosophies, principles, and practices of ecosystem restoration. Presentation of restoration case histories include wetlands, lakes, streams, coastal systems, mined lands, and new ecosystems.
ENST 445 Ecological Risk Assessment (3 credits) Prerequisites: ENST 333 and BSCI 361 and BIOM301. Assessment of ecological impacts of perturbations on natural systems. Course will describe quantitative methods for estimating environmental impacts by extrapolating from laboratory and field data. The role of regulatory agencies and implications of scientific uncertainty on risk management will be covered. Coming Soon!
ENST 446 Human Health Risk Assessment (3 credits) Prerequisites: ENST 334 and BIOM 301. Recommended: ENST 333 and ENST 445. Biological, toxicological, medical, and statistical methods for assessment of risks posed by environmental contaminants in air, water, soil, manmade materials, or food on human health (including metals and other in organics, pesticides, solvents, halogenated organics, nanoparticles, genetically engineered chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and metabolic byproducts). Topics will include probabilistic risk models, application of toxicity and exposure models to risk assessment, chemical mixtures, home and occupational chemical hazards, industrial hygiene, and approaches to risk communication and management.
ENST 447 Biodiversity, Ecology, and Human Heath (3 credits) The class will investigate how biodiversity and ecological processes affect human health. We will view humans as an integral but unique members of ecosystems whose well-being depends on a range of complex ecological services. Topics will include human-induced environmental changes, species invasions, species interactions, medicines from nature, and infectious diseases. The lab will involve
conducting research on native and introduced species of medical importance.
ENST 450 Wetland Ecology (3 credits) One hour of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOM301 or permission of department. Also offered as MEES650. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST450, NRMT450, or MEES650. Formerly NRMT 450. Plant and animal communities, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem properties of wetland systems. Laboratory emphasizes collection and analysis of field data on wetland vegetation, soil, and hydrology.
ENST 451 Water Quality: Field and Lab Analysis Methods (3 credits)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 131/132 and (CHEM 231/232 or CHEM 104). Also offered as ENBE 451. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRMT 451 or ENBE 451. Hands on experience with techniques for assessing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface waters, including streams, lakes, and wetlands. Emphasis is placed on understanding effects of water quality on ecosystem structure and function.
ENST 452 Wetland Creation and Restoration (3 credits)
Prerequisite: BSCI 106 and (MATH 140 or MATH 220). Recommended: ENST 450 or ENST 444 or BSCI361 or BSCI 460. Also offered as ENST 652. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST 452 or ENST 652. Principles, applications, and design of water treatment wetlands and wetlands that are created, restored, or enhanced for purposes of mitigation or ecosystem restoration. Practical aspects of planning and design, site selection, construction, hydrology, vegetation, geomorphology, ecosystem development, and monitoring will be emphasized.
ENST 460 Principles of Wildlife Management (3 credits)
Three hours of lecture per week. Three Saturday field trips are scheduled. Prerequisite: two semesters of biology laboratory or permission of department. Ecological principles and requirements of wildlife as basis for management, and introduction to the scientific literature. Conflicts in wildlife management, government administration of wildlife resources, legislation, and history of the wildlife management profession.
ENST 461 Urban Wildlife Management (3 credits)
Two lectures per week. Two Saturday field trips are scheduled. Ecology and management of wildlife in urban areas. For students in biological sciences, geography, landscape design, natural resources management, recreation and urban studies. Planning, design, and wildlife conservation in landscape ecology. Public attitudes, preferences, and values, reviews of private conservation organizations.
ENST 462 Field Techniques in Wildlife Management (2 credits)
Four hours of laboratory per week. Recommended: NRMT 460 and NRMT 461. Junior standing. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRMT 489B; NRMT 462. Formerly NRMT 489B. Hands on experience with field techniques in wildlife management focusing on various methods of conducting indices, estimates, and censuses of wildlife populations. Includes capture and handling of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals by use of drift fences, cover boards, mist nets, box traps, and dart guns.
ENST 470 Natural Resources Management (4) 85 semester hours. For NRMT and ENST majors only. Field work and independent research on watersheds. Intensive seminar on resource management planning and report preparation.
ENST 479 Tropical Ecology (1-6 credits)
Prerequisites: BSCI 106, an introductory economics course, and permission of the instructor. Repeatable to 10 credits if content differs. Tropical ecosystems and issues of human use and impact. Includes lectures which lead up to an off campus trip in a tropical environment.
ENST 481 Ecological Design (3 credits)
Prerequisite: BSCI 106. This is an advanced survey course on the field of ecological design. Principles of design are illustrated with case studies from biologically-based waste treatment systems, ecosystem management and sustainable development.
ENST 489 Field Experience (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits. Formerly AEED 489. Planned field experience for both major and non major students.
ENST 499 Special Topics in Natural Resource Sciences (1-4 credits) Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST499 or NRSC499. Formerly NRSC 499. A lecture and/or laboratory series organized to study a selected phase of Natural Resource Sciences not covered by existing courses. Credit according to time scheduled and organization of the course.
ENST 443 Industrial Ecology (3 credits)
Problems of waste management and recycling in human societies are covered. The industrial ecology approach to design is contrasted with analogous patterns and processes from natural ecosystems.
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Last updated: 05/3/2011
