Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Courses

Some courses may not be offered every year. Check with the college or department office for current information about when specific courses are offered.

For course syllabi, see the departmental website.

ENV 101 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (3)

Studies human impacts on the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere from a natural sciences perspective. (Note: This liberal studies course does not meet any requirements for a major or minor in environmental sciences.) Letter grade only. Corequisite: ENV 101L SAS

ENV 101H INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - HONORS (3)

ENV 101L INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LAB (1)

Investigates the impacts of humans on the natural world while developing an appreciation of the value of scientific inquiry and the tools for scientific research. 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Corequisite: ENV 101 or ENV 101H LAB

ENV 110 EXTREME WEATHER (3)

Explores basic physical and chemical atmospheric processes and how humans affect, and are affected by, atmospheric conditions. Includes study of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, air pollution, ozone depletion, and global warming. Letter grade only. SAS

ENV 115 CLIMATE CHANGE (3)

Evolution of the Earth's climate and the causes of climate change, including global warming. Letter grade only. SAS

ENV 181 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES (3)

An introduction to the ways in which we perceive the environment: how our environment is structured and functions, how we relate to the environment from humanistic, cultural and political perspectives, and how we identify, approach and resolve major environmental issues. SAS

ENV 199 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3)

Foundations of intellectual inquiry. In-depth study of a substantive problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for a maximum of six units.

ENV 230 FOUNDATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (4)

Introduces scientific methods of investigating and solving environmental problems. Interdisciplinary analysis of interactions among living and nonliving environmental components, focusing on human interactions. Lab emphasizes experimental design and presentation. Majors only. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required.

ENV 280 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESSES IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND HYDROSPHERE (4)

Integrated approach to Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere, emphasizing composition, chemical processing, physical transport, and aspects of human impacts and policy. Lab includes experimental design, statistics, and writing. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: ENV 230 and CHM 151 and CHM 151L and CHM 152 and CHM 152L

ENV 299 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3)

In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.

ENV 300 PROBLEMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (1)

Analytical approach to selected problems in the environmental sciences; fieldwork and lab research with selected problems. May be repeated for up to 2 hours of credit. SAS

ENV 301W TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (3)

Intensive writing projects and discussion in subject areas within Environmental Studies. Course content varies. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: Junior Status or higher JWRT

ENV 326 ECOLOGY (3)

Introduces ecological principles, including the distribution and abundance of organisms, population dynamics, community organization, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. Cross-listed with BIO 326. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: (ENV 230 or BIO 181 or BIO 181H) and BIO 182 and Corequisite: ENV 326L

ENV 326L ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY LAB (1)

Introduces the application of ecological science in environmental management. Focus on land and resources management issues and hypothesis testing using data collected from the field. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: ENV 230 and Corequisite: ENV 326

ENV 332 SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT (3)

Waste identification, physicochemical properties, fate and transport in the environment, site characterization and assessment, remediation tools and technologies. Cross-listed with CENE 332. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: ENV 280 and (CHM 230 or 235) with grades greater than or equal to C

ENV 375 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES OF THE SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN (3)

Scientific investigation of the San Juan River Basin. Focus on ecology, geomorphology, and aqueous geochemistry. Also an exploration of impacts of river management on biotic and abiotic components of the riparian corridor. Letter grade only.

ENV 385W ENERGY, RESOURCES AND POLICY (4)

Origins and exploitation of energy and mineral resources, and the policies that control how we obtain and use them. This course fulfills NAU's junior-level writing requirement. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. JWRT

ENV 389 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (1-12)

Individualized preplanned cooperative employment experience related to your field of study or career objectives. Pass-fail only. Fee required. No repeat limit.

ENV 399 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3)

In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.

ENV 399H SPECIAL TOPICS-HONORS (1-3)

In-depth study of an aspect, concept, or problem within a program of study. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Prerequisite: Honors Student Group

ENV 408 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE (1-12)

Supervised field experience in an appropriate agency or organization. Department consent. Pass-fail only. Course fee required.

ENV 409 SOIL AND GROUNDWATER BIOREMEDIATION (3)

Fundamental concepts of bioremediation, including discussion of the following topics: degradation kinetics, bioaugmentation, metal biotransformation, molecular approaches to bioremediation, chlorinated solvents, phytoremediation, petroleum hydrocarbons, and natural attenuation. Cross-listed with BIO 409. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: CHM 151 and CHM 152 and BIO 205

ENV 410 METEOROLOGY (4)

Introduces meteorology emphasizing synoptic methods combined with theory to gain practical experience with the behavior of circulation systems and their surface and upper-level analysis. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required.

ENV 430 ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY (3)

Rigorous introduction to the chemistry of natural systems, including redox properties and complex equilibria, element cycling, and atmospheric chemistry. Cross-listed with CHM 440. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: CHM 152

ENV 440 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY (3)

Scientific basis for conserving and managing biological diversity, emphasizing applications of ecology, drawing on other scientific disciplines, and integrating public policy and sociological issues. Co-convened with ENV 540. Cross-listed with BIO 441. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: ENV 326 or FOR 313

ENV 440L CONSERVATION BIOLOGY LAB (1)

Combines class field studies and independent research investigating the scientific basis for conserving and managing biological diversity. Requires several extended weekend field trips. Co-convened with ENV 540L. Cross-listed with 440L. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Corequisite: ENV 440

ENV 466 LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP (1-12)

Supervised internship in the Arizona Legislature during spring term. Students are selected on a competitive basis, and you must apply during the fall term. (To be eligible, you must be a candidate for a bachelor's degree, have completed all lower-division requirements, and have attained senior status at the end of the fall term preceding the internship.) Course enrollment is handled by the associate provost for academic administration after the legislature has made its final selection. Pass-fail only. Department consent required.

ENV 471 MICROBIAL ECOLOGY (3)

Population, community and ecosystem ecology of microorganisms emphasizing interactions with plants and animals and the roles of microorganisms in ecosystem processes. Co-convenes with ENV 571. Cross-listed with BIO 471 and BIO 578. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: BIO 205

ENV 485 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)

Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. Pass-fail only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Department consent.

ENV 490C SENIOR SEMINAR IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (3)

Presentation of internship results in scientific meeting format. Participation in weekly seminar and cooperative project with a team of student colleagues is required. You must receive a 70% grade to be awarded the B.S. in environmental sciences. Prerequisite: ENV 408 or ENV 485 CAP

ENV 495 GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE (3)

Characteristics of the global climate system, estimating past and predicting future impacts of human activities on climate and environmental systems, and policy implications. Prerequisite: Senior Status or higher

ENV 497 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6)

Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Pass-fail only. Department consent.

ENV 497H INDEPENDENT STUDY - HONORS (1-6)

Individualized approach to selected topics by guided reading and critical evaluation. Pass-fail only. Prerequisite: Honors Student Group

ENV 499 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS (1-3)

Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. Letter grade only. No repeat limit.