Introduces the principles and basic facts of the natural environment. Topics include earth materials, land forms, weather and climate, vegetation and soils, and the processes of environmental change and their implications to economic and human systems.

Explores the impact of people on the environment in the past and present with projections for the future. Addresses the phenomena and effects of food and energy production and industrial processes, including such topics as lead pollution, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and the disposal of radioactive waste. Demonstrates how the environment works in the absence of humans and discusses how human use of resources perturbs the environment.

Studies the composition, structure, and internal processes of earth; the classification, origin, and distribution of earth materials; earth's interior; and the interpretation of geological data for the solution of problems of the natural environment. Recommended: At least one semester of college chemistry with lab such as CHEM 1410, 1420.

Field and laboratory experimentation into the nature of earth materials and processes, especially as applied to use and human problems. Corequisite: EVSC 2800.

Explores the theory of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications in a range of disciplines using various GIS software packages. Example applications are from physical and social sciences, often with a focus on the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. For students interested in immediate applications of GIS in their work. Experience with word processing, file managers, and other computing skills is essential. Prerequisite: The equivalent of the College natural science/mathematics and social science area requirements.

Studies energy flow, nutrient cycling and allocation in natural ecosystems, organization of species at the population and community levels, and interaction between people and the biosphere. Prerequisite: One semester of calculus; recommended; at least one semester of college-level chemistry and biology with labs such as CHEM 1410, 1420, and BIOL 2020.

Field and laboratory experimentation illustrative of ecological systems, and their checks, balances, and cycles. Corequisite: EVSC 3200.

Introduces the physical laws governing atmospheric behavior and examines atmospheric variables and their role in the fluid environment of the earth. Prerequisite: MATH 1190 or MATH 1210 or MATH 1220 or MATH 1310 or MATH 1320 or MATH 2310 or APMA 1090 or APMA 1110 or APMA 2120.

Studies the principles of measurements, instrumentation for measuring atmospheric parameters, and methods of observing and calculating atmospheric variables. Corequisite: EVSC 3300.

Studies the physical principles governing the flow of water on and beneath the earth's surface, including fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics applied to the description of open channel hydraulics, ground water hydraulics, and dynamics of soil moisture. Introduces elements of surface water and ground water hydrology and explores humanity's influence on its hydrological environment. Prerequisite: One semester of calculus.

Field and laboratory experimentation illustrative of the hydrological cycle, including energy and mass transfer in surface and ground water. Corequisite: EVSC 3600.

Studies the principles that govern the distribution and abundance of the elements in the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Prerequisite: EVSC 2800 encouraged but not required.

A weekly, one-hour seminar series for majors, other interested undergraduates, and the University community dealing with environmental processes, research, issues, careers, and graduate study.

Introduction to the physics and techniques of remote sensing. Prerequisite: at least one year of college-level chemistry or physics, or instructor permission.

An ecosystem course which treats the ecology of forests and consequences of forest processes in natural and managed systems. The class emphasizes the "pattern and process" concept that is the central theme in modern vegetation sciences at increasing scales: from form and function of leaves and other parts of trees through population, community and landscape ecology to the role of forests in the global climate and carbon-cycling. Pre-requisites: EVSC 3200, 3400, or 3500 recommended.

This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of environmental science.

Studies the processes that regulate the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus within and between oceans, continents, and atmosphere. Prerequisite: One semester of college chemistry and one or two of the EVSC core classes.

Specialized topics in ecology, atmosphere, hydrology, environmental geology, or environmental systems not normally covered in formal classes under the direction of the faculty. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Original research usually involving a field or laboratory problem in the environmental sciences under the direction of one or more faculty members. The results may form the basis of an undergraduate thesis which is required to partially fulfill the Distinguished Majors Program in environmental sciences. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Provides credit for doing work in pursuit of the undergraduate thesis option for majors in Environmental Science

This is an introductory course focusing on the theory and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology. The course combines related theory with practical laboratory assignments.

Examination of the fundamental radiative, thermodynamic, and fluid dynamic processes in Earth's atmosphere with an emphasis on climatic time and space scales. Topics include atmospheric composition and radiative transfer, synoptic climatology, atmospheric general circulation, climate change, El Niño, and teleconnections. Prerequisites include EVSC 3300 or an undergraduate science degree.

In this course, students will learn about the behavior, dynamics, and thermodynamics of the tropical atmosphere. A wide range of time and space scales will be examined, from the large-scale energy balance down to cumulus convection and tropical cyclones. Emphasis will be placed on studying atmospheric convection. This course is a foundation for advanced study and research in atmospheric science, meteorology, and atmosphere-related disciplines.

In this course, various aspects of the effects of mountains on weather and climate will be covered. Examples include diurnal mountain wind systems, mountain waves, and cold air pools. Applications of mountain meteorology to other fields (air pollution, carbon cycle) will also be discussed. The students will learn to write up the results of an independent investigation of a research topic related to mountain meteorology and to present the results.

Studies the physical properties, processes, and structure of the oceans; mass and energy budgets; methods of measurements; and the nature and theory of ocean currents, waves, and tides in the open sea, near shore and in estuaries. Prerequisite: PHYS 2310, 2320 or equivalent, two semesters calculus, MATH 1310, 1320 recommended, or instructor permission.

Studies the erosion, transport, and deposition of sediment; initial motion of sediment, bedload and suspended load transport and bedforms; and important sediment-transporting environments. Applies sediment transport theory to problems of geological and environmental interest. Prerequisite: one year of calculus and physics, or instructor permission; corequisite: EVGE 5841.

Laboratory and field investigations of sediment transport phenomena and readings of classic and current research. Corequisite: EVGE 5840.

Studies the principles that govern the distribution and abundance of the elements in the earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere. Prerequisite: College chemistry and calculus; intorductory earth science or geology recommended.

Introduction to the physics and techniques of remote sensing. Prerequisite: At least one year of college-level chemistry or physics, or instructor permission.

Studies current problems in environmental research management or public policy as presented by visiting speakers, faculty, or advanced graduate students.

An ecosystem course which treats the ecology of forests and consequences of forest processes in natural and managed systems. The class emphasizes the "pattern and process" concept that is the central theme in modern vegetation sciences at increasing scales: from form and function of leaves and other parts of trees through population, community and landscape ecology to the role of forests in the global climate and carbon-cycling. Pre-requisite: Introductory Ecology or Instructor Permission.

For master's thesis, taken under the supervision of a thesis director.

Individual or group research on interdisciplinary problems in environmental sciences.

For doctoral research, taken under the supervision of a dissertation director.