Environmental Science

Stephen C. Hodges, Chair

Program Advisory Committee: Stephen C. Hodges (chair); W. L. Daniels; T. A. Dillaha; D. L. Gallagher; W. R. Kerns; G. L. Long; D.M. Orcutt; D.J. Parrish; J. Randolph; J. R. Voshell; J.R. Webster

Career Advisor: N. Persaud (231-3817; npers@vt.edu)

Coordinating Counselor: D. J. Parrish (231-9778; dparrish@vt.edu)

This interdisciplinary program, leading to a bachelor of science in environmental science, is offered through the Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences. The major brings the basic sciences to bear on many crucial concerns about the environment. The environmental matters of particular interest revolve around our land and water resources. Specific concerns include land-use planning, waste management, ground- and surface-water quality, reclamation and remediation of disturbed or contaminated sites, and agricultural and other human impacts on the environment.

The environmental science curriculum is multidisciplinary and strongly science and technology oriented. The basic sciences and computational skills are at the core of each of the major's four options, but technical requirements make each option unique. The curriculum prepares one for immediate entry into environmental careers, as well as for graduate specialization.

Aquatic Resources Option

The emphasis in this option is on fresh water as a resource (not necessarily as habitat). Both surface- and ground-water quality may become degraded as a result of activities that take place on and in the soil. Those processes and their consequences are the focus of this option. Students in this option are considering careers in the areas of regulation, remediation, and environmental protection.

Land Resources Option

Intelligent use of our land resource demands a sound base of knowledge in the natural and social sciences. This option develops an understanding of many of the complex biological, chemical, economic, geological, and soil factors that must enter into good decisions on land use. The graduates in this option will find employment with various governmental agencies and in the private sector.

Plant Resources Option

Plants are used in a variety of ways to solve environmental problems. Reclamation of disturbed areas often involves getting a sustainable vegetation reestablished. Plants are important components of wetlands, which provide a number of important environmental functions. Plants are also used in phytoremediation projects, where they can help to remove pollutants from the soil or water. This option emphasizes such uses and provides a track for students interested in careers with both public and private organizations.

Waste Management Option

Our "throw-away society" has begun to feel many of the consequences of that ethic. This option deals with safe disposal of and potential alternative uses for wastes. Graduates will be knowledgeable in new technologies as well as the current constraints on waste management. They will find opportunities in regulatory agencies as well as in the private sector. The reclamation industry is a major employer as are manufacturers and municipalities who must be in compliance with waste management rules and laws.

Course Requirements for Majors

Requirements for Minor

The EnSc program also offers a minor in environmental science. The course requirements include CSES 3114, 3124, and EnSc 3604 and 12 more hours elected from a set of 14 courses from within and outside of the CSES department. See the Coordinating Counselor for more information about minoring in EnSc.

Satisfactory Progress

By the end of the academic year in which a student has attempted 50 hours, "satisfactory progress" will include:

• declaring an option within ENSC
• passing the following:

  BIOL 1105, 1106, 1115, 1116
  12 hours of CHEM
  ENSC 3604
  CSES 3114 and 3124
  9 hours of MATH and/or STAT

Undergraduate Courses (EnSc)

2964: FIELD STUDY

Variable credit course.

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

3114 (CSES 3114): SOILS

Characterization of soils as a natural resource emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to nutrient availability, fertilization, plant growth, land-use management, waste application, soil and water quality, and food production. For CSES, ENSC, and related plant- and earth-science majors. Partially duplicates 3134. Junior standing. Pre: CHEM 1036. Co: 3124. (3H,3C) I.

3124 (CSES 3124): SOILS LABORATORY

Parent materials, morphology, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and related soil management and land use practices will be studied in field and lab. Partially duplicates 3134. Co: 3114. (3L,1C) I.

3134 (CSES 3134): SOILS IN THE LANDSCAPE

A study of soils as functional landscape components, emphasizing their physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties in relation to plant growth, nutrient availability, land-use management, and soil and water quality. Primarily for FOR/FIW, LAR, and other plant/earth science related majors. May not be taken by CSES or ENSC majors. Partially duplicates 3114 and 3124. Pre: one year of introductory CHEM or BIOL or GEOL. (2H,3L,3C) II.

3604: FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Interrelationships between human activities and the environment; provides national and global perspective; emphasis is on the physical, chemical, and biological principles and processes that are essential to an understanding of human-environment interactions; the role of energy in human and natural systems; environmental legislation and human behavior. Pre: BIOL 1105 or CHEM 1035. (3H,3C) I,II.

3634 (CSES 3634): PHYSICS OF POLLUTION

Physical processes that control the fate of pollutants in our land, air, and water resources. Types and sources of pollutants, physical processes in the soil-water-atmosphere continuum controlling the dispersion and deposition of pollutants, the movement of pollutants, including radionuclides, by surface and subsurface water flow in soils, and physics of disturbed soils. Pre: CSES 3114, MATH 2514, MATH 2016, PHYS 2206. (3H,3C) I.

3644 (CSES 3644): PLANT MATERIALS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

Overview of ecological principles related to revegetation and restoration of disturbed sites. Function and species requirements of plants in stabilizing disturbed areas including mines, rights-of-way, constructed wetlands, and for the remediation of contaminated soils. Pre: BIOL 1106. Co: CSES 3114. (3H,3C) I.

4004: SENIOR SEMINAR

Professional ethics within environmental science; critical consideration of topics of current interest in environmental science. Senior standing required. Restricted to ENSC majors. (1H,1C) I.

4114 (CSES 4114): SOIL PHYSICS

Application of the principles of physics and mathematical analysis to the study of soils. Covers the physical nature and properties of soil solids, basic soil mechanics, physical state of water in soils, infiltration and movement of water in soils, mass transport in soil solutions, soil gases and soil aeration, heat and heat transfer in soils. Pre: CSES 3114, MATH 2015, PHYS 2205. (3H,3L,4C) I.

4734 (CSES 4734): ENVIRONMENTAL SOIL CHEMISTRY

Chemistry of inorganic and organic soil components with emphasis on environmental significance of soil solution-solid phase equilibria, sorption phenomena, ion exchange processes, reaction kinetics, redox reactions, and acidity and salinity processes. Pre: CHEM 2514, CHEM 2535, CHEM 3114, CSES 3114, CSES 3124, MATH 2015. (3H,3C) I.

4844 (CSES 4844, GEOG 4844): SOIL INTERPRETATION USING GIS AND DSS

Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to compile digital maps, imagery, and natural resource data. Digital data will be downloaded from the Internet and verified in the field with GPS units. Decision support systems (DSS) will be used to produce interpretative maps from digital soil data. A hypothesis, proposal, and GIS project will be created and project results presented in class. Attendance required on day-long field trips to GIS application sites. Pre: CSES 4124 and either GEOG 4084, BSE 4344, or CEE 4204. (2H,3L,3C) II.

4964: FIELD STUDY

Variable credit course.

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY

Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY

Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Variable credit course.

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Virginia Tech -- Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2004
Last update: August 2002

URL: http://www.vt.edu/academics/ugcat/ucdEnSc.html