Gannon University

Approved Electives (to provide a minimum of 128 total credits)

Typical 4 year program in Environmental Science

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COMBINED 5-YEAR B.S./M.S. PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Only students who have demonstrated unusual maturity and scientific aptitude will be accepted into the Combined 5-Year B.S./M.S. Program. It is necessary for the student to take up to 18 credits each semester as an undergraduate. It is necessary to plan early and apply before the beginning of the junior year to participate in the combined B.S./M.S. Program. In addition to the B.S. requirements at left, and depending on the area of concentration, the student should plan to complete specific first year graduate courses during the senior year (see below). No more than 12 graduate credits are allowed prior to the completion of the B.S. degree. Graduate level courses taken when not previously approved for the Combined Program will count only toward the B.S. degree. It will be necessary to spend the summer after the senior year and/or after the first year of graduate school in course work, an internship, or in a research project.

Specific Graduate Courses during the Senior Year:

GENV 500 Experimental Design (3)
GENV 536/537 Env Chemistry (3)
GENV 542 Environmental Toxicology (3)
GENV 544 Env Law & Regulations (3)

Total Course Requirements for the 5 yr Combined B.S./M.S. Program includes 164 credits (128 credits undergraduate plus 36 credits graduate). Consult the Graduate Catalog for additional information about other requirements of the graduate program.  

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering program at Gannon University is a demanding curriculum which combines mathematics, the basic sciences, and engineering principles. Students in the program develop strong analytical skills and a broad understanding of environmental problems.

Environmental engineers are qualified to fill jobs designated for environmental scientists, and are also eligible for professional positions not open to those trained as scientists. Engineers often command higher salaries than non-engineers. Graduates will find careers in the public and private sectors: with government agencies, environmental consulting firms, and with private industry.

The Environmental Engineering major at Gannon is new. This means that classes are small, and each student receives individual attention from the faculty. Each environmental engineering student will work with a faculty mentor on a senior design project to bring together the theoretical and practical aspects of engineering design to solve an environmental problem. The University has committed itself to this new program and is committing the resources necessary to make it the premier environmental program in the region. As a result, the program is preparing for an initial ABET visit in 2005 (ABET is the accrediting body for engineering programs). It is anticipated that the visit will go well, and the program will gain full accreditation soon thereafter.

Course Requirements for the B. S. in Environmental Engineering degree (134 credit)

Typical 4 year program in Environmental Engineering

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EARTH SCIENCE MINOR

Earth Sciences contribute to the education of students by providing an Earth Sciences contribute to the education of students by providing an understanding of our physical surroundings and of the natural and man-made conditions that tend to change these surroundings. Nearly every aspect of living in a technological society depends on acquiring accurate knowledge of the earth. The need for this knowledge grows with the increasing complexity of our national environmental concerns and economy. In the past few years, we have been experiencing problems concerning petroleum and mineral shortages, pollution of our atmosphere and water resources, and we have encountered problems in the disposal of solid, chemical and radioactive wastes. All of these are best addressed with an understanding of earth sciences.

Earth Science courses are offered within the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering. Consult the Environmental Science section below for earth science course descriptions. Students majoring in Environmental Science may not minor in Earth Science, but may choose courses from this list as electives.

MINOR IN EARTH SCIENCE
The following program of 26 credits will satisfy the requirements for a minor in Earth Science:
(Numerals indicate credits.)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

ENV 101: Physical Geology
This course will focus on the forces at work on the earth's surface, the development of landscapes, and the nature of rocks and minerals. Topics such as plate tectonics, weathering, running water, ground water, glaciers, the oceans, volcanism, and earthquakes will also be covered.
3 credits

ENV 102: Physical Geology Lab
The lab will include studies of topographic and geologic maps. Rocks and mineral specimens will be studied with emphasis on the characteristics that reveal the origins of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Concurrent with ENV10l
1 credit

ENV 104: Historical Geology
The history of the earth, including the development of life. The changing nature of the surface of the earth and the living forms inhabiting it are studied with emphasis on stratigraphy, plate theory, and the fossil record.
3 credits

ENV 105: Historical Geology Lab
Geologic maps will be studied to establish a familiarity with the principles of stratigraphy. Fossils will provide means by which the methods of preservation of organisms and the evolution of life can be appreciated.
Concurrent with ENV104
1 credit

ENV 110: Investigating Aquatic Environmental Problems
This is a hands-on environmental science course designed to acquaint students with the chemical, physical and biologicalcomponents of Lake Erie. Basic limnological principles will be studied with an emphasis on the effect of human activities and pollution on the normal functioning of the Lake and its ecosystem. Field trips for sampling on Lake Erie utilizing Gannon's research vessel the "Environaut" will be included. This course is designed primarily for the non-science major, the allied health science majors, and for those in non-technical or unrelated science areas. Cannot be used for Environmental Science major.
3 credits

ENV 112: Meteorology
This course deals with the fundamentals of modern meteorology, weather instruments, and observations, weather codes, map plotting and analysis.
3 credits

ENV 120: Introduction to Environmental Science I
The focus of this course will include the underlying scientific principles of environmental concerns and the necessary tools for analyzing and solving such problems. The topics and concepts to be discussed include human population dynamics and effects, matter and energy, geochemical cycling, renewable and nonrenewable resources, preservation of wilderness and endangered species, land use, environmental ethics and sustainability. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of many environmental problems, the political, social, economic, and ethical aspects will also be discussed along with the biological and chemical principles.
3 credits

ENV 121: Introduction to Environmental Science II
This portion of the course will focus upon chemical, biological, and physical agents that are environmentally-mediated and constitute a risk to both human health and the environment. The major concepts that will be discussed include sources, environmental pathways of transmission, exposure-dose relationships, adverse health effects, environmental laws and regulations and control and remediation technologies. The principles and methods of risk assessment and risk management will also be identified and used throughout the course as an underlying theme.
3 credits

ENV 145: Understanding Earth's Dynamics
This course is restricted to non-science majors, and satisfies the science requirement within the Liberal Studies Core Curriculum. This course integrates the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, cryosphere, pedosphere, mesosphere and biosphere. The evolutions of each sphere along with biogeochemical cycles are used as examples of how these different spheres interplay with each other. Students will have web assignments, video critiques, personal logs, lectures, and discussion about current environmental problems related to each sphere and its interaction with the other spheres. Social and ethical issues will be explored as they relate to global environmental problems.
3 credits

ENV 200 and ENV 201: Environmental Seminar I and II
A reading, discussion, presentation of scientific literature relating to the environment along with occasional speakers on environmental topics from inside and outside the university.
1 credit

ENV 210: Environmental Geology
This course explores the environmental consequences of mining and energy production. The geologic background of ore formation, ore extraction, and refining will be studied. Also, the impacts on the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere due to the extraction of coal, gas, and oil will be studied. The consequences for short-term and long-term changes in the global environment will be studied. Throughout the course, the scientific method of inquiry, skepticism, evidence, and conclusion will be employed.
3 credits

ENV 300: Introduction to Environmental Health
This is a course that will provide students with an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of environmental health. Exposures in both the community and workplace will be considered with primary focus on issues pertinent to the United States and Western industrialized societies. In most cases the emphasis will be on appropriate measures for evaluating and controlling environmental and occupational factors for health promotion and for the prevention of injury and disease. Topics that will be emphasized during this course include: toxicology, epidemiology, occupational health, risk assessment and environmental policy and regulations.
Prerequisites: CHEM 114
3 credits

ENV 306: Oceanography
Designed to acquaint students with the marine environment and its associated structure, which covers over seventy percent of the earth's surface. An environmental approach focusing on the physical, chemical and biological properties is emphasized throughout.
Prerequisite: ENV101 or ENV104 or ENV210 or permission of instructor.
3 credits

ENV 307: Soil Science
Designed to acquaint students with the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the world's soils, including use and classification. Particular emphasis is on soil pollution, and soil as a medium for plant growth.
Prerequisite: ENV101 or ENV104 or ENV210 or permission of instructor.
3 credits

ENV 312: Environmental Hydrology
This course involves the study of the hydrologic cycle and changes caused by human activity, including study of urbanizing effect on stream hydrology and stream restoration.
Prerequisite: ENV101 or ENV104 or ENV210 or permission of instructor.
3 credits

ENV 313: Environmental Hydrology Lab
This lab course complements ENV312, and includes field and lab exercises relating to stream hydrology and stream restoration. 3 hrs lab.
Pre- Co-requisite: ENV210
1 credit

ENV 383: Environmental Research
This is a course in supervised research specifically for undergraduates who wish to experience science as a participant. The course requires a minimum of 3 hours per week involved in lab or field work. Students become active in on-going research projects which typically relate to the Great Lakes, local streams, or local industries.
Prerequisite: ENV 201
1 credit

ENV 410: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) use computers to organize and interpret spatially identified data. GIS systems present data in map form, and allow sophisticated analysis of data to aid in better understanding and interpretation. The course introduces the student to ARCVIEW GIS, a software product of ESRI, Inc., the leading GIS software in use today. 2 hr lecture, 3 hrs computer lab.
3 credits

ENV 489: Special Topics in Environmental Science
Topics of special and/or current interest will be covered
1-4 credits

ENV 493: Environmental Management and Engineering
This upper level course applies the principles of science and engineering to pollution management. Specifically covered will be chemical kinetics, mass balance, mass transfer, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and solid and hazardous waste management.
Prerequisite: ENV300, PHYS 105, MATH 140, or permission of the Instructor
3 credits

ENV 494-495: Senior Design Project I and II
1-3 credits

ENV 496: Senior Thesis I
This senior course is the first part of a two-part sequence for all Environmental Science majors. The course is an introduction to the scientific method and the scientific literature. The objective of the course is to lead the student into the world of science by designing an individual scientific study. The class will meet twice a week as a group for presentation of material and discussion of reading assignments. In addition, each student will meet once a week on an individual basis with the Instructor to discuss and develop the student's research plan. The major outcome of the course will be an individual Research Proposal which will be presented to the class and to the departmental seminar. The Proposal will include a Literature Review of the select topic and Methodology for the conduct of an actual study.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, ENV 493
4 credits

ENV 497: Senior Thesis II
This course is the second part of a two-part sequence for all Environmental Science majors. The research proposal prepared the prior semester is conducted. The objective of this course is to mentor the student during the scientific study and to provide support and guidance for the writing of the final Thesis. The class will meet once a week as a group for presentation of material relating to analysis and presentation of data and results. In addition, each student will meet at least once a week with the Instructor on an individual basis to discuss the progress of the student's research. The major outcome of the course is the Senior Thesis which will be presented to the class and to the departmental seminar. The Thesis will include the Literature Review and Methods sections from the Proposal, and Results and Discussion sections reporting the findings of the study.
Prerequisite: ENV 496
4 credits

ENV 498: Environmental Internship
1-3 credits

The following courses are open to seniors in the Environmental Science degree program: (consult the Graduate Catalog for course descriptions; see Combined 5 Year BS/MS Program above for limitations)

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