Undergraduate Courses
SYGN203:
NATURAL AND ENGINEERED ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Introduction to natural and engineered environmental systems analysis.
Environmental decision making, sustainable development, pollution sources,
effects and prevention, and environmental life cycle assessment. The
basic concepts of material balances, energy balances, chemical equilibrium
and kinetics and structure and function of biological systems will be
used to analyze environmental systems. Case studies in sustainable development,
industrial ecology, pollution prevention and life cycle assessment with
be covered. The goal is this course is to develop problem-solving skills
associated with the analysis of environmental systems. Prerequisites:
CHGN 111 or 121; MACS 111; PHGN 100; SYGN 101; or consent of instructor.
3 credits (lectures,
demonstrations)
ESGN301:
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Organism structures, energy transformations, photosynthesis, respiration,
reproduction, and adaptation are covered. Physiological processes of
plants, animals and people are emphasized with respect to environmental
issues. Examples are: mineral nutrition, water, relations, growth, and
development.
ESGN303:
GENERAL BIOLOGY II
This is the continuation of General Biology I. Emphasis is placed on
an examination of organisms as the products of evolution. The diversity
of life forms will be explored. Special attention will be given to the
vertebrate body (organs, tissues and systems) and how it functions.
Prerequisite: General Biology I, or equivalent. 3 hours lecture; 3 semester
hours.
ESGN321:
INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS (II)
A study of the mechanisms by which biological information is encoded,
stored, and transmitted, including Mendelian genetics, molecular genetics,
chromosome structure and rearrangement, cytogenetics, and population
genetics. Prerequisite: General Biology I or equivalent. 3 hours lecture
+ 3 hours laboratory; 4 semester hours.
EGGN335:
ENGINEERING FIELD SESSION, ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALTY
The environmental module is intended to introduce students to laboratory
and field analytical skills used in the analysis of an environmental
engineering problem. Students will receive instruction on the measurement
of water quality parameters (chemical, physical, and biological) in
the laboratory and field. The student will use these skills to collect
field data and analyze a given environmental engineering problem. Prerequisites:
EGGN 353
ESGN353:
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING I
Topics covered include: history of water and related environmental law
and regulation, major sources and concerns of water pollution, water
quality parameters and their measurement, material and energy balances,
water chemistry concepts, microbial concepts, aquatic toxicology and
risk assessment. Prerequisites: MACS213/223.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN354:
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING II
Topics covered include: history of environmental law and regulation
(air and soil), major sources and concerns of air and soil pollution,
soil science concepts, air science concepts, mass and energy balances
(air and soil), environmental quality of air and soil (physical, chemical
and microbiological parameters), air and soil toxicology and risk assessment.
Prerequisites: MACS213/223
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN401:
FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGY
Biological and ecological principles discussed and industrial examples
of their use given. Analysis of ecosystem processes, such as erosion,
succession, and how these processes relate to engineering activities,
including engineering design and plant operation. Criteria and performance
standards analyzed for facility siting, pollution control, and mitigation
of impacts. Concepts of forestry, range, and wildlife management integrated
as they apply to all the above. Three to four weekend field trips will
be arranged during the semester. Prerequisites: ESGN301 and ESGN300/CHGN300,
or consent of the department.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN440:
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: SOURCES,
CHARACTERISTICS, TRANSPORT AND FATE (I)
This
course describes the environmental behavior of inorganic and
organic chemicals in multimedia environments, including
water, air, sediment and biota. Sources and characteristics of
contaminants in the environment are discussed as broad categories,
with some specific examples from various industries.
Attention is focused on the persistence, reactivity, and partitioning
behavior of contaminants in environmental media.
Both steady and unsteady state multimedia environmental
models are developed and applied to contaminated sites. The
principles of contaminant transport in surface water, groundwater
and air are also introduced. The course provides students
with the conceptual basis and mathematical tools for
predicting the behavior of contaminants in the environment.
Prerequisite: EGGN353 or consent of instructor.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN453:
WASTEWATER ENGINEERING
Analysis and design of primary, secondary and advanced wastewater treatment
systems. Includes analysis of nutrient and toxic removal and residual
issues. Also includes the design of collection systems and pump stations.
Regulatory analysis under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Prerequisite: EGGN353.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN454:
WATER SUPPLY ENGINEERING
Water supply availability and quality. Theory and design of conventional
potable water treatment unit processes. Design of distribution systems.
Also includes regulatory analysis under the Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA). Prerequisite: EGGN353.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN456:
SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
A critical examination of the experiments, calculations and assumptions
underpinning numerical and narrative standards contained in federal
and state environmental regulations. Top-down investigations of the
historical development of selected regulatory guidelines and permitting
regulations. Prerequisite: EGGN353.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN457:
SITE REMEDIATION ENGINEERING
This course describes the engineering principles and practices associated
with the characterization and remediation of contaminated sites. Methods
for site characterization and risk assessment will be highlighted while
the emphasis will be on remedial action screening processes and technology
principles and conceptual design. Common isolation and containment and
in situ and ex situ treatment technology will be covered. Computerized
decision-support tools will be used and case studies will be presented.
Prerequisite: EGGN354.
3 hours lecture;
3 semester hours.
ESGN460. ONSITE WATER RECLAMATION AND REUSE
Appropriate solutions to water and sanitation in the U.S. and globally need to be effective in protecting public health and preserving water quality while also being acceptable, affordable and sustainable. Onsite and decentralized systems have the potential to achieve these goals in rural areas, peri-urban developments, and urban centers in small and large cities. Moreover they can improve water use efficiency, conserve energy and enable distributed energy generation, promote green spaces, restore surface waters and aquifers, and stimulate new green companies and jobs. A growing array of approaches, devices and technologies have evolved that include point-of-use water purification, waste source separation, conventional and advanced treatment units, localized natural treatment systems, and varied resource recovery and recycling options. This course will focus on the engineering selection, design, and implementation of onsite and decentralized systems for water reclamation and reuse. Topics to be covered include process analysis and system planning, water and waste stream attributes, water and resource conservation, confined unit and natural system treatment technologies, effluent collection and clustering, recycling and reuse options, and system management. Prerequisite: ESGN/EGGN353 or consent of instructor. 3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN462A:
SOLID WASTE MINIMIZATION AND RECYCLING
See
ESGN562
ESGN463:
POLLUTION PREVENTION: FUNDAMENTALS AND PRACTICES
See
ESGN563
ESGN490:
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Specially designed for the needs of the environmental quality engineer,
scientist, planner, manager, government regulator, consultant, or advocate.
Highlights include how our legal system works, environmental law fundamentals,
all major US EPA/state enforcement programs, the National Environmental
Policy Act, air and water pollutant laws (RCRA, CERCLA, TSCA, LUST,
etc.) Prerequisites:ESGN301, ESGN303, or consent of instructor.
3 hours lecture; 3 semester hours.
ESGN498. SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (I, II)
Pilot course or special topics course. Topics chosen from special interests of instructor(s) and student(s). Usually the course is offered only once. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. Variable credit; 1 to 6 credit hours.
ESGN499. INDEPENDENT STUDY (I, II)
Individual research or special problem projects supervised by a faculty member, also, when a student and instructor agree on a subject matter, content, and credit hours. Prerequisite: “Independent Study” form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar. Variable credit; 1 to 6 credit hours.