Undergraduate Courses in Environmental Sciences Curriculum at Saint Joseph's University

Course Descriptions

ADM 2551 (POL 2211) Environmental Protection Management(3 credits)

This course analyzes the various managerial problems associated with the prevention, mitigation, and cleanup of environmental problems. It also focuses on an examination of the EPA and OSHA and state and local regulations involving hazard control. Finally, it attempts to provide a basic framework for planning a cost effective response to technical and legal requirements of environmental issues.

BIO 1011 Biology I: Cells (4 credits)

The study of the structure and function of representative prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Chemical makeup, organelle interactions, energy producing and biosynthetic reactions will be stressed. Three lecture periods, one three-hour laboratory period. First of three courses in the core program.

BIO 1021 Biology II: Genetic and Evolutionary Biology (4 credits)

The study of heredity and the mechanism of transmission of genetic information in biological systems. The course material is approached from the population, organismic, and biochemical perspectives. Three lecture periods, one three-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: BIO 1011

BIO 1031 Biology III: Organismic Biology (4 credits)

The study of common problems and their solutions in animals and plants. Topics include development, nutrition, locomotion, transport, and homeostatic controls. Three lecture periods, one three-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: BIO 1011 and 1021

BIO 2061 Microbiology (4 credits)

The structural, cultural, and physiological characteristics of microorganisms and their role in the economy of nature. The principles of immunity, serology, and virology are also considered. Two lecture periods, one four-hour laboratory period.

BIO 2111 Animal Behavior (4 credits)

The study of animals and their behaviors, with a strong emphasis on evolutionary relationships and ecology. Live animals will be studies in the classroom, laboratory, and field. Two lecture periods, one four-hour laboratory period.

BIO 2131 Ecology (4 credits)

A study of the complex interrelationship between organisms and their environment. The course will include discussions on fundamental themes in ecology such as food webs and population growth, as well as topices of current interest such as oil spills and the destruction of the rain forest. Two lecture periods, one four-hour laboratory period.

BIO 2171 Plant Ecology and Conservation (4 credits)

A study of the abiotic and biotic factors regulating plant distributions, communities and ecosystem processes. Weekend field trips provide first hand experience sampling vegetation.

BIO 2191 Plant Systematics (4 credits)

A survey of plants, including algae and fungi. The course will emphasize organisms that are important in terms of their ecology, evolutionary relationships, and use as experimental systems. Labs include practice in plant identification and recognition. Two lecture periods, one four-hour laboratory period.

CHM 1011-1021 General Chemistry (freshman year) (6 credits)

Theories of chemical bonding and structure of molecules; thermodynamics; oxidation potentials; chemical equilibrium; descriptive chemistry of the elements emphasizing group relations and structural consideration. Three lecture periods, one quiz period. CHM 1011 prerequisite to CHM 1021

CHM 1112-1122 Analytical/General Chemistry Laboratory (freshman year) (4 credits)

A lecture-laboratory course to accompany CHM 1011-1021, with emphasis upon concepts in chemistry, quantitative and qualitative analysis and introduction to instrumental methods. one four-hour period. CHM 1112 prerequisite to CHM 1122

CHM 2311 Organic Chemistry (first semester sophomore yr) (4credits)

Modern organic chemistry in which the treatment of aliphatic and aromatic compounds is integrated as much as possible. Reactions of the functional groups are explained in terms of electronic mechanisms. Considerable time is devoted to reactions used in the qualitative analysis of organic compounds. Three lecture periods. CHM 2311 prerequisite to CHM 2321

CHM 2312 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)

This semester concentrates on experiements designed to introduce students to the various techniques used in the organic laboratory. One four-hour laboratory period

CHM 2711 Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)

Characterization of both pristine and polluted environments using basic concepts of chemistry. Topics to be covered include: atmospheric chemistry, water quality, soil chemistry, mass transfer and transformation pathways of organic pollutants, and concepts of green chemistry.

ENV 1011 Environmental Science (3 credits)

An overview of the field of environmental science. This course will examine the fundamental themes of ecology, the impact of humans on the environment, current topics in environmental science, and the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems and solutions. Included will be an introduction to the environmental movement and the career opportunities for people with degrees in environmental science. Three lecture periods. Prerequisite: BIO 1011, BIO 1021, CHM 1011, CHM 1021

ENV 1021 Environmental Theory and Ethics Seminar (3 credits)

An introduction to the political, economic, social, scientific, and philosophical concerns involved in environmental issues. Students will read, discuss, and write about current and controversial topics or problems integrating the aforementioned disciplines of study. A major goal of this course is to expose the students to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science and the challlenges of solving environmentally related problems. Three lecture periods. Prerequisite: ENV 1011, BIO 1011, BIO 1021, CHM 1011, CHM 1021

ENV 1031 Introduction to Planet Earth (3 credits)

This course will explore the internal and external features and processes that shape our planet. Topics will include the concept of geologic time, the development of an understanding of how the Earth's past can be deduced from fossils and rocks, and an exploration of plate tectonics and geophysics, earthquakes, volcanism, mountain building, and weathering and erosion. Non-science majors can take this course to fulfill a GER natural science requirement

ENV 2111 Environmental Science Internship(3 credits)

The Environmental Science Internship entails spending a minimum of eight hours each week in a supervised fieldwork experience or approved environmental field course. Grading is based on student reports during weekly meetings with internship instructor, preparation of an internship journal, academic papers, exams, and formal evaluation by internship supervisor. Junior and senior Environmental Science majors only

HIS 2561 Urban America (3 credits)

A survey of the development of cities and the process of urbanization in America with special emphasis on urban institutions--government, police, voluntary associations--and the changing character and functions of cities in the modern period.

MAT 1251-1261 Calculus for Biology and Social Science (6 credits)

This course covers the fundamental topics of derivatives and integrals with emphasis on methods and applications. It is especially directed towards Biology and Social Science majors in order to provide a valuable and useful device to help them solve problems. MAT 1251 is prerequisite to MAT 1261

POL 2101 Public Policy (3 credits)

An analysis of public policy-making process in America. Emphasis will be placed on the structure of policy-making, the steps in the policy-making process, and substantive policy issues such as health and education.

POL 2291 Environmental Politics (3 credits)

Examines the roles of authority, values, knowledge, and ethics in governing human use of the ecological system. Topics include wilderness, endangered species, pesticides, toxic substances, technology transfer to less developed nations, tropical forests, secondhand smoke, and desertification. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed.

POL 2461 Political Economy of the Third World (3 credits)

Focuses on economic and political change in the Third World of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Topics include inequality, poverty and underdevelopment, dependency, the role of the military, foreign aid and the role of the state in development.

POL 2681 Global Food Politics(3 credits)

Examines the challenge to the political position of the agricultural establishment in North America and Western Europe. Includes the impact of food safety, environmental groups, and Green parties on government food policy.

PHY 1051-1061 General Physics (10 credits)

This two-semester sequence is a calculus-based physics course presented at a level appropriate for students majoring in the physical sciences. The course is analytical rather than purely descriptive. Emphasis is on understanding fundamental principles and applying them to the analysis of physical phenomena. Classical kinematics and dynamics, kinetic theory of gases, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear structure are among the topics studied. Includes a weekly laboratory (PHY 1052 and PHY 1062)

SOC 2251 Sociology of Economic Development (3 credits)

This course examines the history, theory, and reality of economic development. Problems caused by both underdevelopment and development are discussed. Various models of development are compared and contrasted.

SOC 2301 Urban Sociology (3 credits)

An analysis of contemporary urban and suburban environments as they affect family life, community participation, and the national society; the physical, social, and economic problems occasioned by urban blight; private and public housing and redevelopment programs, urbanization in Third World countries.

SOC 2441 (ECN 2811) Populations (Demography) (3 credits)

Overview of population components and dynamics, i.e., birth rates, migration flows, death rates and life tables; studies causes and consequences of population pressures, including teenage birthrates, family planning alternatives; looks at pertinent economic and social models; some attention to Third World populations, particularly Latin America.