Natural Sciences

Topics in analysis and modeling of spatial heterogeneity, estimation in the earth sciences, and flow and transport processes in geological environments. Course emphasizes modeling of flow and transport under conditions of spatial heterogeneity of the hydrogeologic parameters. Fundamentals of the stochastic approach to spatial variability analysis, known as geostatistics, and fundamental as well as practical aspects of flow and transport in heterogeneous formations.

Research in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry

Covers contemporary topics in plant biology. Examines how plants grow, reproduce, and respond to the environment (e.g., to light) in ways distinct from animals. Presents basic principles of genetics, cell, and molecular biology. Basics of genetic engineering and biotechnology reveal how they are used to modify plants, and these socially relevant issues are assessed. Includes visit to modern plant biology research laboratory, and aspects of plant disease and diversity.

A survey of the principles and practices of conservation biology. Factors that affect the creation, destruction, and distribution of biological diversity at the level of the gene, species, and ecosystem are examined. Tools and management options derived from ecology and evolutionary biology that can recover or prevent the loss of biological diversity are explored.

The field of biogeochemistry offers an interdisciplinary approach to modern global environmental issues, such as climate change feedback effects, stratospheric ozone loss, oxidation capacity of the atmosphere, land use change, and marine ecosystem health. Earth is a complex system where the transformation and flow of chemicals and energy within and between biomes have ramifications for life on this planet. The overall theme of this course will be to explore the imprint of the biota (including humans) on the chemistry of the ocean, land, and atmosphere. This course will explore the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biomes. In addition, the global cycles of environmentally important elements and gases will be explored

This course examines the processes that determine the structure and circulation of the Earth's atmosphere. The approach is deductive rather than descriptive: to figure out the properties and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere based on the laws of physics and fluid dynamics. Topics will include interaction between radiation and atmospheric composition; the role of water in the energy and radiation balance; governing equations for atmospheric motion, mass conservation, and thermodynamic energy balance; geostrophic flow, quasigeostrophic motion, baroclinic instability and dynamics of extratropical cyclones.

Introduction to basic methods used in environmental research by biological, physical, and social scientists. The course is designed to teach skills necessary for majors to conduct independent thesis research in the required senior seminar, 196A-196B/196L. Topics include development of research questions, sampling methods, experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific writing and graphics, and introductions to special techniques for characterizing environmental conditions and features. This course is the prerequisite to 196A, from which the senior thesis topic statement is determined.

A survey of biological and physical environmental problems, focusing on geologic hazards, water and air quality, water supply, solid waste, introduced and endangered species, preservation of wetland ecosystems. Interaction of technical, social, and political approaches to environmental management.

Seminar in which students consider how modern biotechnological approaches, including recombinant DNA methods, can be used to recognize and solve problems in the area of conservation, habitat and endangered species preservation, agriculture and environmental pollution. Students will also develop and present case studies of environmental problems solving using modern molecular methods.

This laboratory course is intended to provide hand-on-training in techniques commonly used in molecular ecology and systematics. Techniques to be covered include DNA extraction, agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR amplification, RFLP and AFLP analysis, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite screening. The genetic basis of each technique will be discussed. Students also will gain experience in the analysis and interpretation of these types of genetic data. During the latter part of the course, students will work in small groups to complete an independent research project and present the results to the class. Grades will be based on laboratory notebooks, homework assignments, and independent projects