Synoptic meteorology is the study of the weather systems (high- and low-pressure systems, waves in the jet stream, fronts) that impact day-to-day weather. This class will introduce the foundational theories of synoptic meteorology and allow students to practically apply them to case studies of past and current significant weather events, with a particular focus on North American weather systems.

This seminar treats topics in the physical processes that shape landscapes. Topics will rotate with each semester, and will initially focus on the Appalachian Mountains and Chesapeake Bay as natural laboratories for studying interrelationships between mountain building, erosion, climate, and sea-level. Lectures & discussions of scientific literature will introduce geologic context, physics and chemistry relevant to particular geomorphic processes.

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

This class will explore methods in the analysis and provision of water resources systems, building on principles of hydrologic science, global change, and equity. Our understanding of water as an integral component of human society and environment is rapidly changing with climate and land use change, and the increasing recognition of current and past inequity in water access, and exposure to hazard. Prerequisite: EVSC 3600.

Reviews wave generation, wave prediction, wave refraction, transformation, shoaling, and associated inshore currents. Topics include the generation of littoral drift and shallow water surge; beach and barrier island geomorphology and problems of erosion. Includes the historical development of research in coastal processes and a quantitative analysis of spatial patterns along sandy coasts. Prerequisite: EVSC 2800; corequisite: EVSC 4851.

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.

The goal of this class is to rigorously compare real-life conservation program implementation with the theoretical goals of conservation science. This course is a senior-level offering designed to serve as a capstone class for students enrolled in the Environmental and Biological Conservation Specialization program and will be presented in a seminar format where a theoretical presentation of conservation science within the context is presented. Prerequisite: EVSC 3200 (fund. of Ecology) or BIOL 3020 (Evolution and Ecology)

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