...Courses....

Environmental Science and Technology (ENST):

ENST 100 International Crop Production-Issues and Challenges in the 21st Century,
3 credits
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
Two hours of lecture and one hour of discussion/recitation per week. Formerly NRSC105. 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
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM103 or CHEM 131 & 132 or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC200 or ENST200. Formerly NRSC200. 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.

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 04 credits. Formerly NRSC308. 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 388 Honors Thesis Research, 3-6 credits
Prerequisite: admission to AGNR Honors Program. Repeatable to 06 credits if content differs. Formerly NRSC388. 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 411 Principles of Soil Fertility, 3 credits
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC411 or ENST411. Formerly NRSC411. 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.

ENST 413 Soil and Water Conservation, 3 credits
Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC413 or ENST413. Formerly NRSC413. Importance and causes of soil erosion and methods of soil erosion control. Effects of conservation practices on soil physical properties and the plant root environment. Irrigation and drainage as related to water use and conservation.

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: NRSC414 or ENST414. Formerly NRSC414. 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 415 GIS Application in Soil Science, 4 credits
Two hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory, and one hour of discussion/recitation per week. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC415 or ENST415. Formerly NRSC415.  Introduction to geospatial analysis of soil and related resources. Topics will include understanding the nature and portrayal of digital soils data in soil surveys, the use, analysis, and application of soil survey and other spatial data types (topography, hydrography, etc.), uncertainty and validation of spatial data, and methods in geospatial analysis such as mapping, landscape analysis, and spatial statistics. Analyses will be performed primarily with ESRI ArcGIS software.

ENST 417 Soil Hydrology and Physics, 3 credits
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) and a course in physics; or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC417 or ENST417. Formerly NRSC417. 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
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: NRSC421 or ENST421. Formerly NRSC421. 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 Microbiology, 3 credits
Two hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200), CHEM104 or permission of department. Formerly NRSC422. 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: NRSC423 or ENST423. Formerly 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
One hour of lecture and nine hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ENST200. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST424 or ENST608B. 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 440 Crops, Soils and Civilization, 3 credits
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC440 or ENST440. Formerly NRSC440. 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: NRSC441 or ENST441. Formerly NRSC441. 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 Remote Sensing of Agriculture and Natural Resources (3)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC444 or ENST444. Formerly AGRO 444. Interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Application of remote sensing technology to agriculture and natural resource inventory, monitoring and management and related environmental concerns.

ENST 454 Environmental Issues in Plant and Soil Sciences (3)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC454 or ENST454. Formerly AGRO454. Effects of air pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, acid rain, etc., and soil pollutants such as toxic metals and pesticides on the growth, productivity and quality of crops.

ENST 461 Hydric and Hydromorphic Soils, 3 credits
Two hours of lecture per week, plus four field trips scheduled on Saturdays. Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC461 or ENST461. Formerly NRSC461. The soils of wetlands, including hydrology, chemistry, genesis, and taxonomy. Understanding and application of Federal and regional guidelines to hydromorphic soils with emphasis on interpretations based on field observations. Saturday field trips.

ENST 499A Special Topics in Natural Resource Sciences: Ecosystem Health and Protection; 3 credits Grade Method: REG.
Most environmental science/health courses tend to discuss environmental issues from a human health view. This course will examine environmental health from the ecosystem perspective. Students will learn about ecosystems and ecosystem health, what functions and services ecosystems provide, and how humans attempt to assess and protect ecosystem health. In addition, they will learn how we have degraded these ecosystems through our human endeavors. Case histories will be examined from a local level through analyses of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, its degradation and the various attempts at restoration. Guest lectures will discuss ecological economics, the history of an urban river, and the past, present, and future of the Chesapeake watershed. Students will be required to lead discussions on specific ecosystem health issues in Chesapeake Bay so that, by course end, the class will have an understanding of the Bay ecosystems and their problems.

ENST 608 Research Methods (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 4 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC 608 or ENST 608. Formerly NRSC 608.
Development of research viewpoint by detailed study and report on crop and soil research of the Maryland Agriculture Experiment Station or review and discussion of literature on specific agricultural problems or new research techniques.

ENST 689 Special Topics (1-3 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC 689 or ENST 689. Formerly NRSC 689.
Credit according to time scheduled and organization of the course. Organized as a lecture series on a specialized advanced topic.

ENST 711 Advanced Plant-Soil Relationships (2 credits)
Not open to students who have completed NRSC 711. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC 711 or ENST 711. Formerly NRSC 711.
Integration of the biological, physical, and chemical aspects of plant growth in soils.

ENST 722 Advanced Soil Chemistry (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST 200 and permission of both department and instructor.
A continuation of ENST 421 with emphasis on soil chemistry of minor elements necessary for plant growth.

ENST 761 Methods in Pedological Investigations (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ENST 414 (NRSC 414) or permission of department.
This is designed to equip students with analytical tools for soil microfabric and mineralogical analysis in order to understand soil properties and processes. A number of techniques will be discussed, but emphasis will be placed on micromorphology and x-ray diffractometry. Both theoretical and applied considerations will be covered, and students will gain substantial hands on experience in collecting and interpreting data germane to their research interests.

ENST 789 Advances in Research (1-4 credits)
Repeatable to 4 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC 789 or ENST 789.
A study of recent advances in NRSC agronomy research.

ENST 798 Graduate Seminar (1 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRSC 798 or ENST 798.
First and second semester.

ENST 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits)

ENST 821 Advanced Methods of Soil Investigation (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST 200; permission of both department and instructor.
First semester, alternate years. An advanced study of the theory of the chemical methods of soil investigation with emphasis on problems involving application of physical chemistry.

ENST 831 Soil Mineralogy (4 credits)
Soil minerals, with emphasis on clay minerals, are studied from the viewpoint of soil genesis and physical chemistry. Mineralogical analyses by x-ray and chemical techniques.

ENST 832 Advanced Soil Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST 417; and permission of both department and instructor.
An advanced study of physical properties of soils.

ENST 898 Pre-Candidacy Research (1-8 credits)

ENST 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 credits)

Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP)

ENSP 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 credits
Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion/recitation per week. Not open to students who have completed PBIO235 or BSCI205. First part of a two-semester course sequence that introduces students to the topics studied and methods employed in modern environmental science studies. Emphasis will be on critical evaluation of information available on such topics as atmospheric chemistry, radiation transfer, water pollution and overuse of groundwater, natural resources and biodiversity.

ENSP 102 Introduction to Environmental Policy, 3 credits
One of two courses that introduce students to the topics studied and methods employed in modern environmental science and policy. Emphasis on the process of formulating, implementing, and evaluating policy responses to environmental problems, with particular attention to policy controversies related to scientific uncertainty, risk assessment, the valuation of nature, and distributional equity. Open to all students. Note: ENSP 101 is not a prerequisite for ENSP 102.

ENSP 210 Environment-Related Careers: Academic and Career Exploration, 1 credit
Not open to students who have completed more than 60 credits. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: CPSP118E or ENSP210. Explore environment-related majors and careers. Begin academic planning and professional development activities. A course for freshmen and sophomore.

ENSP 386 Internship, 3-6 credits
Prerequisite: internship proposal approved by the specialty advisor, the director of ENSP and the student’s internship sponsor. ENSP 399 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy (1-3) Restricted to ENSP majors or permission of department. Repeatable to 12 credits if content differs. A substantive and specialized examination of contemporary issues in environmental science or policy. Enrollment by permission only. You must have an approved Internship Proposal on file in the Director's office PRIOR to registering for this course.

Internship Proposal Form - HERE
Internship Links - HERE

ENSP 399 Special Topics in Environmental science and Policy, 1-3 credits
Restricted to ENSP majors or permission of department.  Repeatable to 12 credits if content differs.  A substantive and specialized examination of contemporary issues in environmental science or policy. Course homepage HERE.

ENSP 400 Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy, 3 credits
Prerequisite: Senior Standing or Permission of the Director of ENSP; ENSP101 and 102. For ENSP majors only. Integration of physical, biological, and social sciences with applications to environmental science and policy. Problem-solving and multidisciplinary case study evaluations pertinent to contemporary and future issues related to the environment. Course homepage HERE.

ENSP 499 Honors Thesis Research, 1-6 credits
Prerequisite: Admission to ENSP Honors and permission of department. Repeatable to 06 credits. Individual research, thesis, and oral defense. The research project will be conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. ENSP Honors homepage HERE.





Natural Resources Management (NRMT)

NRMT 314 Biology and Management of Finfish, 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.

NRMT 388 Honors Thesis Research, 3-6 credits
Prerequisite: admission to AGNR Honors Program. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. 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.

NRMT 389 Internship, 3 credits
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits. Formerly AGRI 389. Students are placed in work experiences related to their stated career goals for a minimum of eight hours a week for a semester. Each student must do an in-depth study in some portion of the work experience and produce a special project and report related to this study. A student work log is also required. An evaluation from the external supervisor of the project will be required.  Organizations at which our students have completed internships! Organizations at which our students have completed internships!

NRMT 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.

NRMT 450 Wetland Ecology, 3 credits
One hour of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: BIOM 301 or permission of department. Also offered as MEES 650. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: NRMT 450 or MEES 650. 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. Course Syllabus

NRMT 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.

NRMT 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.

NRMT 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.

NRMT 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.

NRMT 470 Natural Resources Management, 4 credits
 85 semester hours. For NRMT majors only. Field work and independent research on watersheds. Intensive seminar on resource management planning and report preparation. Projects completed by students.

NRMT 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.

NRMT 487 Conservation of Natural Resources I, 3 credits
Formerly AEED 487. Designed primarily for teachers. Study of state’s natural resources: soil, water, fisheries, wildlife, forests and minerals; natural resources problems and practices. Extensive field study. Concentration on subject matter. Taken concurrently with NRMT 497 in summer season.

NRMT 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.

NRMT 497 Conservation of Natural Resources II, 3 credits
Formerly AEED 497. Designed primarily for teachers. Study of state’s natural resources: soil, water, fisheries, wildlife, forests and minerals; natural resources problems and practices. Extensive field study. Methods of teaching conservation included. Taken concurrently with NRMT 487 in summer season.

NRMT 499 Special Problems, 3 credits
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs.