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.

A comprehensive treatment of global environmental factors affecting coastal marine systems, including climate change, sea-level rise, alterations in freshwater and sediment transport, disturbance and habitat loss, overfishing, alien species, andeutrophication. Includes case studies providing real-world examples and detailed reviews of the evidence of change and possible solutions.

An advanced introduction to the study of soils as a natural system. Topics include the fundamentals of soil chemistry, hydrology, and biology with respect to genesis, classification, and utilization. Students will use fundamental and advanced field and laboratory methods.

This course will focus on lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs as ecosystems. The goal of the course is to provide an understanding through lectures and discussions of the main physical, chemical, and biological processes that determine similarities and differences among inland waters. Major human impacts on inland waters will also be considered. Prerequisites: EVSC 3200 or equivalent, one semester of chemistry, or instructor permission.

This course will introduce students to the numerical, statistical, and computational methods used to model variability and change in Earth's climate system. The course will provide a conceptual understanding of the physical principles underlying successful Earth system models and teach students mathematical and computational techniques necessary to interpret and analyze model output for a variety of environmental sciences applications.

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.

Individual or group study in developing or special areas of hydrology and water resource analysis and interrelated areas.