• EVSC 4050

    Topics in Oceanography
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    2.42

     GPA

    3.48

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    Introduces oceanography together with a survey of marine resources and the scientific bases for their management. Prerequisite: One year college-level science.

  • EVSC 4100

    Management of Forest Ecosystems
     Rating

    4.19

     Difficulty

    2.43

     GPA

    3.52

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    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.

  • EVSC 1020

    Practical Concepts in Environmental Sciences
     Rating

    3.00

     Difficulty

    2.53

     GPA

    3.54

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    Practical concepts and problem solving in environmental sciences through demonstrations, hands-on activities, structured discussions, and problem sets beyond those of traditional lectures or discussion groups. Emphasizes experience and critical thinking in the four core areas: geology, hydrology, atmospheric sciences, and ecology.

  • EVSC 2220

    Conservation Ecology: Biodiversity and Beyond
     Rating

    2.30

     Difficulty

    2.60

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Studies ecological science relevant to sustaining populations, species, ecosystems, and the global biosphere. Includes discussion of genetic inbreeding, critical population size, community structure and organization, maintenance of critical ecosystem function, and global biogeochemistry. Case studies from around the world demonstrate links between human-driven environmental change and the health of the biosphere, at all levels, from the organism to the planet.

  • EVSC 3600

    Physical Hydrology
     Rating

    3.97

     Difficulty

    2.65

     GPA

    3.00

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    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.

  • EVSC 3060

    Biomechanics of Organisms
     Rating

    4.11

     Difficulty

    2.67

     GPA

    3.46

    Last Taught

    Spring 2024

    This course explores interactions between biology and the fluid within which terrestrial organisms (air) and aquatic organisms (water) function. Topics covered include locomotion, heat exchange, diffusion and mass exchange, bio-acoustics, and bio-optics in the two different fluids, as well as living at the interface between air and water. Prerequisite: MATH 1190 or MATH 1210 or MATH 1310 or APMA 1090.

  • EVSC 4660

    Hydrological Field Methods and Data Analysis
     Rating

    5.00

     Difficulty

    2.67

     GPA

    3.81

    Last Taught

    Spring 2024

    Hydrological instruments are introduced; students employ the instruments to make field measurements and perform a range of data analysis exercises. Prerequisite: EVSC 3600.

  • EVSC 2900

    Beaches, Coasts and Rivers
     Rating

    2.73

     Difficulty

    2.71

     GPA

    2.88

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    Studies the geologic framework and biophysical processes of the coastal zone, and the role of the major river systems in modifying the coastal environment. Emphasizes human modifications, including case studies along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts.

  • EVSC 3020

    GIS Methods
     Rating

    3.45

     Difficulty

    2.71

     GPA

    3.56

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    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.

  • EVSC 3200

    Fundamentals of Ecology
     Rating

    3.24

     Difficulty

    2.81

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    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.