Graduate Environmental Management Courses
This course serves as an introduction to and covers broad aspects of environmental science and environmental studies. For all cases, the resulting environmental impacts are studied in detail. Specifically, this course examines the risks associated with growth in a developing world; environmental impact of population growth on natural resources; mineral and resource extraction; water resource uses; and renewable and non-renewable sources for power generation. Emphasis is placed on a holistic approach to environmental science using laboratory exercises, environmental surveys, and class discussions to reinforce scientific principles. Cross-listed With: ENVA 110.
A survey of the ethical issues facing the global/environmental community. Review of the foundations of ethical and environmental thought, and application of these perspectives to a wide range of topics. Topics include environmental justice, corporate responsibility, the shaping of a global community, valuing non-human species and biodiversity.
A critical analysis of values and traditions of environmental thought. The philosophy of environmental policy issues and ethical systems related to environmental thought.
When is a discharge limit better than a concentration limit? Why use a risk-based standard rather than a technology standard? How do ideas of pollution prevention and market incentives get incorporated into policy? Why are some policies more expensive or more strongly enforced than others? We will explore these and other questions by examining the technical, political, economic, legal, and social bases for designing and implementing environmental policies. This course will provide students with a solid understanding of the broad features of existing US and California environmental policies' their achievements and shortcomings' and challenge students to think about the kinds of future policies needed to address environmental concerns.
A brief introduction to the institutions and forces which combine to make and implement environmental policy in the United States. An important underlying theme of the course is the role that democracy has, for better or worse, on policy making.
This course surveys environmental management policies that use the incentive structure of our market economy. We start with a survey of traditional direct environmental policies and then juxtapose them with incentive or market-based policies, such as taxes, subsidies and tradable emissions permits. Prerequisite: ENVM 614 or permission of instructor.
Examines basic principles of environmental science and evaluates large-scale human impacts to the global ecosystem.
A survey of the requirements of state and federal laws dealing with impacts on the natural environment and human health. Legal theory and case applications are reviewed.
Survey of the principles of economics as they apply to environmental management. The principles of cost-benefit analysis are applied to evaluating the impacts of sustained growth and development.
An introduction to basic ecological concepts through their application to environmental management problems. The course will evaluate a series of case studies and scientific literature covering ecosystem management, watersheds, habitat restoration, endangered species, and other topics.
An overview of concepts and practices in restoration ecology. Emphasis will be on the application of ecological principles to restoration design, implementation, and monitoring. Prerequisite: ENVM 611.
This laboratory course is a companion to ENVM 621 and will emphasize field and laboratory analyses of restoration projects, involving one lab meeting per week. Prerequisite: ENVM 620.
This course provides an overview of the principles and practices of environmental planning at the federal, state and local level. Course work focuses on planning theory, case studies, and applicable analytical methods.
An introduction to wetland ecosystems, including hydrology, soils, vegetation, and animals. The course will include a survey of wetland types from vernal pools to tidal salt marshes and a review of wetland policy and management.
This laboratory course is a companion to ENVS 626 and will emphasize field and laboratory analyses of wetland ecosystems. Students will learn sampling techniques and data analysis for wetland hydrology, soils and plants.
An overview of the ecology and management of riparian ecosystems. The course will cover the basic ecological processes that drive the formation and restoration of riparian areas; ecological services provided by riparian areas; and relevant regulatory requirements and issues.
Hydrogeology introduces students to ground water flow and related environmental applications. There is an emphasis on gaining intuitive insight through quantitative understanding and practiced examples. Some particular topics include Darcy's Law, field assessment techniques, and ground water resource management.
This course covers broad aspects of water quality in fresh water environments. The principle goal of this course is to provide students with the necessary understanding of water resources, uses, impacts on quality, and regulations so that they may manage water use policies by considering planned uses and interpretation of water quality data.
This course aims to introduce students to air quality management and some of the challenges involved. The course looks at the framework for air quality management, including current challenges, regulations, and meteorological and topographic impacts. It then examines various air pollution control strategies for managing air pollution.
The environmental permitting process requires the understanding of how the laws and regulations evolved. This course will examine the permitting process with the different environmental media. The interaction between industry, the public, and government agencies will be addresses as well. By taking this course, the student will obtain a firm understanding of how our current regulations were developed, and how permitting and enforcement provide for the adherence to these regulations.
Through reading, lecture, discussion, and individual projects, this course evaluates the types of models used for environmental planning and policy-making and introduces general principles for using and critiquing models. Students will develop modeling skills for uncertainty analyses, including sensitivity analysis.
Provides an overview of the mechanisms for incorporating resource assessment data into resource management decisions within the regulatory framework.
This course serves as an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It is designed to provide students with basic concepts, principles and applications of GIS and their use in the decision-making process pertaining to natural resource management. Students will perform practical exercises using ESRI's ArcGIS software, the industry standard in GIS applications.
This course will provide the student with an understanding of the complex array of interacting, overlapping and sometimes conflicting laws, regulations, safety programs and compliance issues as they are translated into practical application within the work environment. Emphasis is placed on identifying regulatory programs, their major elements for implementation, as well as the compliance issues typically encountered.
This course explores
how physical, biological and chemical pollutants affect the environment and, in
turn, human health. Topics include sources of pollution, environmental
estrogens, pathogens, and the spread of disease. Pre-requisites: None, other than the MSEM
entry requirements.
This course investigates the impacts pollutants have on the structure and function of ecosystems and human health. The conceptual framework of environmental toxicology will be used as a basis for probing various aspects of environmental health. Some of the fundamentals to be covered include environmental chemodynamics, abiotic- and bio-transformations, and distribution (toxicokinetics), and intoxication mechanisms and the expression of toxic action (toxicodynamics).
The focus of the course is on the study of chemical, bacteriological and viral agents found in the environment that affect human populations. Students will gain applied knowledge of the basis of environmental health and epidemiology in a unified way.
Provides an overview of the mechanisms for incorporating resource assessment data into resource management decisions within the regulatory framework.
Examines the use of risk analysis to make decisions in the face of uncertain adverse events. Beginning with a brief overview of social theories of risk, the course will cover project-based risk management, environmental risk considerations in policy making, and risk communication.
Examines the use of risk analysis to make decisions in the face of uncertain adverse events. Beginning with a brief overview of social theories of risk, the course will cover project-based risk management, environmental risk considerations in policy making, and risk communication.
Covers the principles and methods used in evaluating human health risks from environmental hazards, including quantitative and qualitative aspects of hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, and risk characterization.
Covers the relevant statistical and quantitative methods for calculating risks associated with engineered and other human activities and natural adverse events.
This course examines present and potential future energy trends. Energy usage and its impact on the environment are emphasized, as well as economic, technical, and political issues.
Practical aspects of hazardous material and waste management in industry and other components of society, and resource recovery of hazardous waste streams.
Engineering principles are used to examine and understand pollutant transport in surface water and the atmosphere.
Engineering principles and techniques from ENVM 654 are expanded and used to examine and understand pollutant transport in groundwater. Prerequisite: ENVM 654.
Physical, chemical, and biological control technologies of solid and hazardous waste generation, transport and siting.
This course is an introduction to both financial and managerial accounting concepts as currently practiced in American business. The emphasis is on how environmental issues are reflected in the annual report and in internal decision-making.
Overview of atmospheric and oceanic processes that regulate climate, including methods used to reconstruct past climates, and consideration of earth's dynamic environmental history relative to past and potential climate change impacts on the biosphere. Prerequisite: ENVM 611.
Recognizing that human activity is altering the earth's climate, this course focuses on climate change mitigation options for changing human activities and reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses to avert negative climate change impacts. Working seminar-style, we will examine efforts to develop and implement climate policies at multiple levels: international agreements (e.g., United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, current COP agreements, alternative agreements), regional policies (e.g., European Union), and US national and state policies (especially California). We will also discuss non-governmental and private sectors efforts on climate change mitigation. To understand the structure and effectiveness of different agreements, we will examine major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and ways of reducing them, ranging from automobile fuel economy standards to carbon caps and trading mechanisms. Course readings, the latest climate news, and current research will inform our discussion.
A variety of specialty courses are provided to meet students' professional needs and address current environmental issues.
Development of research problem and literature searches of research area.
Planning and methodologies of research design. Prerequisite: ENVM 688.
Research Methods will introduce you to the nature and conduct of research in an environmental science and management context. You will learn the important processes of formulating a research question, developing a testable hypothesis, and justifying the proposed research based on a critical analysis of relevant peer-‐reviewed literature. You will also gain understanding of multiple research methods, qualitative and quantitative, the peer review and response process as it works in scientific context, as well as ethical considerations in research. This course will hone your skills in critical analysis, writing, and presentations, all essential for any environmental professional. This course will also facilitate your undertaking of the Master’s Project.
Students complete a focused research project under the supervision of a faculty member. A completed report must be filed.
This course is the capstone portion of the curriculum and is designed to give the student an opportunity to develop an in-depth study of a specific area within the broader discipline of Environmental Management. The project includes a detailed synthesis of the literature on a question of interest, as well as a professional presentation on this topic.
Completion and presentation of thesis research. Prerequisite: ENVM 688.
