• EVSC 1300

    Earth's Weather and Climate
     Rating

    3.85

     Difficulty

    3.36

     GPA

    2.80

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    An overview of the atmospheric sciences primarily for non-science majors. Topics include weather forecasting, the greenhouse effect and global warming, ozone depletion, El Niño, air pollution, atmospheric optical effects, global climate, and the impacts of weather on human health. Three lectures per week. No science/math background is required.

  • EVSC 3600

    Physical Hydrology
     Rating

    3.97

     Difficulty

    2.65

     GPA

    2.99

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVGE 5820

    Geomorphology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.00

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Studies the processes that shape the land surface and their relationship to human activity. Prerequisite: EVSC 2800 or 3600.

  • EVSC 3300

    Atmosphere and Weather
     Rating

    4.00

     Difficulty

    3.36

     GPA

    3.05

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 2800

    Fundamentals of Geology
     Rating

    3.25

     Difficulty

    3.17

     GPA

    3.12

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 3200

    Fundamentals of Ecology
     Rating

    3.23

     Difficulty

    2.83

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 2050

    Introduction to Oceanography
     Rating

    2.81

     Difficulty

    2.83

     GPA

    3.21

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analyzes the principles that govern the world's oceans and their integration into an understanding of the major marine environments. Topics include marine pollution, global climate, and marine policy.

  • EVSC 4290

    Limnology: Inland Water Ecosystems
     Rating

    4.17

     Difficulty

    2.17

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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. Prerequisite: EVSC 3200 with D- and 1 semester of chemistry or instructor permission.

  • EVSC 1010

    Introduction to Environmental Sciences
     Rating

    3.36

     Difficulty

    2.19

     GPA

    3.33

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVGE 7542

    Topics in Landscape Evolution
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.34

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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 4050

    Topics in Oceanography
     Rating

    3.55

     Difficulty

    2.36

     GPA

    3.47

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 3601

    Physical Hydrology Laboratory
     Rating

    4.17

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.49

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 4140

    Global Coastal Change
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.49

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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, and eutrophication. Includes case studies providing real-world examples, and detailed reviews of the evidence of changes and possible solutions.

  • EVSC 3201

    Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory
     Rating

    4.24

     Difficulty

    3.00

     GPA

    3.51

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVEC 5220

    Terrestrial Ecology
     Rating

    4.17

     Difficulty

    4.00

     GPA

    3.53

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Analyzes the patterns and processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Topic include macro- and micro-meteorological factors such as producer, consumer, and decomposer processes; hydrologic and biogeochemical pathways; and changes through space and time. Three lecture and four field or laboratory hours. Prerequisite: EVSC 3200 or equivalent, and instructor permission.

  • EVSC 3020

    GIS Methods
     Rating

    3.44

     Difficulty

    2.69

     GPA

    3.55

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVAT 5559

    New Course in Atmospheric Sciences
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.57

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of atmospheric sciences.

  • EVGE 5559

    New Course in Geosciences
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.59

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of geosciences.

  • EVSC 5559

    New Course in Environmental Science
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.60

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 5030

    Applied Statistics for Environmental Scientists
     Rating

    4.50

     Difficulty

    3.25

     GPA

    3.60

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Provides a firm knowledge of experimental design, hypothesis testing, and the use of statistical methods of data analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 1110, STAT 1120, or equivalent; corequisite: EVSC 5031.

  • EVSC 5020

    Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.63

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 3301

    Atmosphere and Weather Laboratory
     Rating

    3.33

     Difficulty

    3.33

     GPA

    3.63

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 2801

    Fundamentals of Geology Laboratory
     Rating

    3.86

     Difficulty

    1.71

     GPA

    3.67

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 7559

    New Course in Environmental Science
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.68

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 4993

    Independent Study
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.68

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVGE 5860

    Isotope Geochemistry
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.70

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Investigates natural phenomena by means of stable and unstable isotopes and changes in their abundance, including isotope fractionation. Includes age dating, paleotemperature determination, and isotope tracers in natural systems.

  • EVSC 4995

    Supervised Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.71

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVEC 7140

    Global Coastal Change
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.71

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 4991

    The Theory and Practice of Biodiversity Conservation
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.76

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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)

  • EVSC 5050

    Advanced Oceanography
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.88

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    The principles of oceanography with views on real world applications, especially to the teaching of this class at the high school as well. Prerequisite: At least one year of college-level chemisty or physics or instructor permission..

  • EVSC 4542

    Topics in Landscape Evolution
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.91

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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 4002

    Undergraduate Seminar
     Rating

    4.67

     Difficulty

    1.00

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 4015

    Advanced Remote Sensing
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Remote sensing is a technique to obtain data about an object without physical contact with it. It is a powerful tool for extracting quantitative information about Earth's surface and subsurface. As an upper-level class in remote sensing, in this seminar, we will focus on advanced remote sensing techniques at different spatial scales that help to gain information about the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

  • EVSC 4390

    Climate Modeling and Analysis
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 4460

    Synoptic Meteorology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 4640

    Water Resources in a Changing World
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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 4999

    Thesis Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVHY 5559

    New Course in Hydrology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subject of hydrology.

  • EVSC 7015

    Advanced Remote Sensing
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Basic concepts have been covered in EVSC 7012 Introduction to Remote Sensing. As an upper-level class in remote sensing, in this seminar, we will focus on advanced remote sensing techniques at different spatial scales (ground, airborne, and space). We will read scientific papers on the application of remote sensing, and provide hands-on training on coding and field spectroscopy and drone flights.

  • EVSC 7092

    Departmental Seminar
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVEC 7290

    Limnology: Inland Water Ecosystems
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVSC 7390

    Climate Modeling and Analysis
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVAT 7460

    Synoptic Meteorology
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    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.

  • EVHY 7999

    Independent Study: Hydrology and Water Resources
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 8999

    Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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

  • EVSC 9995

    Research Problems
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Individual or group research on interdisciplinary problems in environmental sciences.

  • EVSC 9999

    Non-Topical Research
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

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