Environmental Science Course Descriptions

Principles of structure, function, and cellular organisms. Includes an introduction to the scientific method, characteristics of cytoplasm and basic cytology, energy acquisition and release and heredity. Also includes basic plant structure and function. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 1620. Four hours

The laboratory is designed to support BIO 1610 and must be taken concurrently with the course. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

This course is designed to investigate all topics normally found within the American Chemistry Society recommended guidelines (i.e., atomic structure, physical measurements, chemical reactions and balancing equations, percent composition, solubility and precipitation, redox chemistry, gas laws, thermochemistry, quantum chemistry, VSEPR theory, molecular orbital theory, unit cells and unit cell calculation, and intermolecular forces) for a first-semester freshmen chemistry course. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1620. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry; minimum of Algebra II completed in high school. Four hours.

General Chemistry I Lab investigates many of the concepts discussed in CHM 1610 and reenforces the student’s applied learning. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1610. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

This is the second part of a two-semester sequence in general chemistry. This course studies and problem solves topics in solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, acid-base equilibria, electrochemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHM 1610/1620. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1720. Four hours.

General Chemistry II Lab focuses on the van’t Hoff factor and its effect on boiling point elevation, chemical kinetics of a combustion reaction, chemical equilibria and reaction rates, synthesis of biodiesel, electrochemical cells, oxidation-reduction, and testing functional groups of organic compounds. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1710. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

This is a 3-credit course that surveys the history of political philosophy. It examines major political philosophers from antiquity through modern times, exploring fundamental questions about justice, liberty, equality, human nature, power, and the purpose of the state. Three hours.

A study of the interaction of organisms with their physical environment and with each other. Particular focus will be on application of ecological concepts and field work in various local ecosystems. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 2120. Four hours

This laboratory is designed to support BIO 2110 and must be taken concurrently with the course. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

This course is designed for students preparing for graduate studies in biology/medically related programs (medicine, physical therapy, pharmacy, etc.). The class includes an in-depth look at organization of the human body, cytology, histology, and the study of several of the major organ systems – integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine. A detailed study of the remaining body systems is covered in course BIO 3310/3320. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 3220. Prerequisites: BIO 1710/1720 or consent of the instructor. Four hours.

This laboratory is designed to support ENV 3210 and must be taken concurrently with the course. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

This is a 3-credit course that introduces the study of human behavior. Students explore basic psychological principles, including learning, memory, perception, sensation, motivation, and emotion. The curriculum specifically emphasizes the personal and social aspects of human development. Three hours.

An exploratory study of secular and Christian views of the natural world and humanity’s place in it. Special attention on practical application of a Biblical stewardship ethic. Prerequisite: 55 credit hours of coursework. Three hours.

This course is designed as a capstone course for science majors and is meant to teach valuable skills and give experience with tools needed for science careers or post-graduate education. Prerequisites: BIO 1610/1620 and senior class standing, or consent of the instructor. Three hours. (Cross-listed; register as BIO 4010.)

This course has two parts: analytical chemistry and environmental chemistry. In the analytical portion of this course the student will be expected to master chemical measurements, experimental error, chemical equilibria, titrations, electrochemistry, and redox titrations. Additionally, the student will be introduced to environmental problems, sustainability, and green chemistry. Topics of interests will include air-pollution, global warming, fossil fuels, CO2 emissions, biofuels and renewable energy, water chemistry and eater pollution, use and misuse of nuclear energy, heavy metals, and pesticides and the problems they cause. Within the context of environmental challenges, analytical chemical techniques and practices are introduced. The class will investigate the environmental disasters experienced by Chernobyl, the Gulf of Mexico, and Three Mile Island. Statistical data analysis as well as analytical techniques and experiments in acid-base titration, buffer solutions, determining an equilibrium constant, potentiometry, electrochemistry, and liquid chromatography are investigated. Prerequisites: CHM 1710/1720. Three hours. This course has a fee for consumables used in its lecture-based labs.

A course designed to give the student an opportunity to do individual research on special problems in biology. Prerequisite: BIO 1710 and BIO 2310 or consent of the biology program director. One to three hours. Maximum of six hours permitted.

A survey of origin theories with emphasis on creation/evolution. Explores fossils, design, thermodynamics, chronology, flood geology, life in space, and current creation research. Three hours.

Integrated study of plants as organisms. Deals with plant structure, physiology, development, genetics, ecology, and classification of major plant groups. Prerequisite: BIO 1010/1020 or BIO 1610/1620 or consent of the instructor. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 2420. Four hours.

The laboratory is designed to support BIO 2410 and must be taken concurrently with the course. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs.

Integrated study of animals as organisms. Deals with animal structure, physiology, development, genetics, ecology, and classification of major animal groups. Prerequisite: BIO 1010/1020 or BIO 1610/1620 or consent of the instructor. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 2520. Four hours.

This is a 3-credit undergraduate course that explores the mechanics of American federalism. It covers the actual workings of state, county, and municipal governments, and emphasizes the ways citizens can influence public institutions in their own communities.

This course in statistics provides a rigorous introduction to applied statistics. Topics include sampling principles, elementary probability, the normal distribution, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, inference on numerical and categorical variables, chi-squared, ANOVA, and linear regression. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression will be covered if time permits. Three hours.

ENV 4110 Microbiology is a 4-credit, upper-level biology and environmental science course. This course examines microorganisms, emphasizing their cellular structure, metabolism, genetics, and how they impact human health and the environment. Four hours.

This is a foundational, hands-on laboratory course meant to be taken alongside the ENV 4110 Microbiology lecture. It trains students to safely handle, grow, and identify microorganisms while teaching them to understand how microbes impact human health and the natural environment

A study of both in-depth classical genetics and underlying molecular mechanisms; also genetic mechanisms and processes, recombination, genetic interaction, and gene regulation. The process of expression of genetic information through protein synthesis is also considered in depth. The course includes hands-on laboratory experiments involving current procedures in molecular genetics. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs. Prerequisite: BIO 2310 or consent of the instructor. Three hours.

Research projects or internships to be chosen in the areas of environmental science and outreach in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of the environmental science program director. One to six hours.