COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

*General Education Requirements

BIO 111 General Biology Laboratory (1)
A two-hour weekly laboratory course for students not planning to major in biology or any related field. This course is intended to challenge to student's ability to understand problems, develop and implement strategies for solving problems, manipulate data, draw conclusions, think analytically, develop hypotheses, work cooperatively, and effectively communicate the outcome of each laboratory experiment. The course will cover five broad areas of biology: cell structure and function, plant structure and physiology, animal structure and physiology, ecology, and heredity and evolution.

BIO 103 Basic Ideas of Biology (3)
Introductory biology. Discussion topics are those relevant to both plants and animals - cell structure and function, molecules important to living things, metabolism, heredity, environment.

*CHE 105 General College Chemistry I (3)
A study of the principles of chemistry and their application to the more important elements and their compounds.  Not open to students who have already completed both CHE 104 and CHE 106, but is open to students who have completed just CHE 104.  Prerequisite: Math ACTE of 21 or above, or MA 109 (or Math placement test), or Chemistry placement test, the community college course CHE 102R or CHM 100.

CHM 105 General College Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
This laboratory and recitation course deals with chemical and physical properties, qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis.  Lecture: 1 hour, laboratory : 3 hours.  Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or credit in CHE 105 or equivalent.

*CIS 105 Introduction to Computing (3)
The evolution of computers and their role in business are included. Additionally the processing cycle, ethical issues and fundamentals of programming are covered. Students use a microcomputer and applications software (word processing, database, and spreadsheet) to prepare elementary documents, reports, and graphs. Lecture 3 hours.

CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications and Development (3)
Students use a microcomputer and current word processing, database, and spreadsheet software. The word processing package includes a thesaurus and a spell checker. The requirements, capabilities, limitations and applications of these software packages are included. Students use the software to develop solutions to common business problems. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq. CIS 100 or CS 101 or equivalent.

*ENG 101 Writing I (3)
A course in writing, designed to teach students to generate and develop ideas through significant revision clear, effective written English. Course includes a review of grammar, usage, punctuation, and mechanics.  Note: Credit not available by special examination, Advanced Placement excepted.

*ENG 102 Writing II (3)
Study and practice in writing in response to written texts. Writing assignments include summary, synthesis, critique, argumentation. Instruction in library research methods and in the conventions of academic writing. Note: Credit not available by special examination, Advanced Placement excepted. Prereq: ENG 101 or equivalent.
*EST 150 Introductory Ecology (4)
This course introduces the students to the basic concepts in ecology and to the application of those concepts to current environmental issues.  Topics include: the relationships between organisms and the environment; factors that influence distribution and abundance of organisms; population structure and regulation; energy flow, nutrient cycling, and community development, structure, and response to disturbance. A weekly 2 hour laboratory will provide field and laboratory experiences for the students. Lecture: 3 hours. Laboratory: 2 hours. 		 Students identifying trees

*EST 160 Hydrologic Geology (3)
This course provides an introduction to geology and hydrology with an emphasis on understanding natural geological processes and the effects of human activities.  Major topics covered include: plate tectonics; formation and classification of rocks and minerals; the processes affecting the hydrologic cycle; soil formation and classification; subsurface geology and groundwater movement; stream formation and flow; floods; and human impacts to stream hydrology and morphology.

Students at Masterson Station Park

EST 170 Environmental Sampling Laboratory (2)

This is a laboratory course which provides the fundamentals in evaluating and designing sampling approaches for different situations and different media. The course will provide students with field experience in sampling soil, surface water, groundwater, and benthic invertebrates.  Laboratory:  4 hours.  Prerequisite: EST 150 or consent of  instructor.

EST 220 Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems (3)
This course examines freshwater ecosystems and typical aquatic pollutants.  Discussion topics focus on the sources, transport, fate, and effects of common pollutants such as domestic wastewater, metals, acidity, and pesticides.  Methods to minimize or eliminate the sources and effects of pollutants are also explored. Prerequisites or concurrent: EST 150, EST 160, CHE 105, and CHM 105 or consent of instructor.

EST 230 Aquatic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
This course provides focused study on the chemistry of water.  The course will provide students with laboratory experience in analyzing surface, ground, and drinking waters for a variety of chemical constituents.  Laboratory:  4 hours.  Prerequisite: CHE 105, CHM 105, and prerequisite or concurrent EST 220. 		Male student using a spectrophotometer in the lab

EST 240 Sources and Effects of Air Pollution (4)
This course provides an introduction to the study of ambient and indoor air pollution with an emphasis on sources, dispersion, and health and welfare effects of the major pollutants.  Both regulatory and engineering controls of stationary and mobile sources are explored.  A laboratory provides experience with sampling and analysis of air pollutants.  Lecture: 3 hours, laboratory: 2 hours.  Prerequisite:  EST 150 and CIS 130 or equivalent or consent of the instructor.

EST 250 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3)
This course examines methods of managing solid and hazardous waste, with an emphasis on pollution prevention.  Topics covered include relevant legislation, recycling, incineration, landfill operations, management of radioactive waste, remediation of waste sites and site worker health and safety.  Prerequisite:  EST 150 and EST 160 or consent of the instructor.  

EST 270 Environmental Law and Regulation (3)
This course is structured to provide the student with a basic understanding of major current federal and state environmental legislation and regulation with an emphasis on those portions that affect the regulated community.  The course will also include an examination of the role of common law and the branches of government in environmental protection.  Lecture: 3 hour. Prerequisite or concurrent: EST 220, EST 240, and EST 250 or consent of instructor.

EST 280 Environmental Trends Seminar (1)
This course provides an examination of current approaches used to address a variety of environmental problems.  Students will hear and critique presentations from professionals in the environmental field.  Students will also research and give a presentation on a specific method to minimize or eliminate a current environmental problem.  Lecture: 1 hour.  Prerequisites or concurrent: COM 181 or COM 252, EST 170, EST 220, EST 260, and EST 250 or consent of instructor.

EST 299 Selected Topics in Environmental Science Technology (1-4)
A special project or experience in Environmental Science will be selected to enhance core material in the Environmental Science Technology Program. It provides the student an opportunity for independent study or specialized instruction as approved by an instructor. This course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours.

*MA 109 College Algebra (3)
Selected topics in algebra and analytic geometry. Develops manipulative algebraic skills required for successful calculus study. Includes brief review of basic algebra, quadratic formula, systems of linear equations, introduction to analytic geometry including conic sections and graphing. Not available for credit to persons who have received credit in any mathematics course of a higher number with the exceptions of MA 112, 123, 162, 201 and 202. Credit not available on the basis of special examination.  Prereq: Two years of high school algebra or MA 108R.

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