• EVSC 4490

    Air Pollution
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.56

    Last Taught

    Spring 2024

    This course introduces students to research topics in air pollution, including the ozone hole, tropospheric ozone, aerosol chemistry and physics, atmosphere-biosphere interactions, air pollution regulation and control, health impacts, environmental justice, cook stove emissions, and air toxics. Readings are primarily taken from the recent literature. There is an emphasis on understanding the fundamental chemistry and physics of air pollution.

  • EVSC 4542

    Topics in Landscape Evolution
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.91

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    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.

  • EVSC 4559

    New Course in Environmental Science
     Rating

    3.80

     Difficulty

    1.80

     GPA

    3.68

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

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

  • EVSC 4630

    Land-Atmosphere Interaction
     Rating

    4.50

     Difficulty

    3.50

     GPA

    3.80

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Study of energy, water, and carbon exchange between the atmosphere and the land surface.Prerequisite: Must have completed EVSC 3300 or EVSC 3600

  • EVSC 4640

    Water Resources in a Changing World
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    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.

  • 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 4710

    Applied Environmental Mineralogy
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This lecture course focuses on the occurrence and distribution of chemical elements and the processes influencing that distribution among the various reservoirs of the Earth-surface environment, including rocks, soil, water, and air. Prerequisite: CHEM 1410 or CHEM 1420 (one semester of college-level chemistry) and EVSC 2800 (one semester of college-level geology)

  • EVSC 4850

    Coastal Processes
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.74

    Last Taught

    Summer 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 4860

    Geology of Virginia
     Rating

    3.22

     Difficulty

    4.00

     GPA

    3.16

    Last Taught

    Summer 2024

    The course examines the geological evolution of the state and mid-Atlantic region in the context of plate tectonics, including stratigraphy, mountain building, metamorphism and deformation, and geomorphic processes. The human impact on this landscape through the exploitation of mineral resources is examined. Field trips to the various provinces of the state will help provide fundamental understanding of the state's foundation. Prerequisite: Required prerequisite course EVSC 2800 or equivalent college-level introductory geology course by transfer credit.

  • EVSC 4870

    Global Biogeochemical Cycles
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    3.25

     GPA

    3.45

    Last Taught

    Fall 2024

    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.