SOILS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SOILSCI 250

Discuss how Planet Earth is an interconnected system dominated by the ever-present exchange of materials and energy that control the fitness and fate of all living organisms. Designed to introduce the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Science by providing a broad overview of the basic concepts used to make sense of the environment. Explore how natural systems work, the services they provide, important environmental challenges facing these systems, and how people are working to address them. Includes professionals in the field as guest speakers to discuss a future in Environmental Sciences.

SOILSCI 621

Sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in soils and associated water and air environments. Emphasis on the chemical behavior of elements and compounds and the phenomena affecting natural and anthropogenic materials in soils.

ENVIRST/GEOG/SOILSCI 230

Soils are fundamental to ecosystem science. A systems approach is used to investigate how soils look and function. Topics investigated include soil structure, biology, water, fertility, and taxonomy as well as the human impact on the soil environment.

SOILSCI 430

Environmental pollution on global, regional, and local scales is one of humanity's most pressing issues, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Examine the sources and properties of anthropogenic soil pollution including emerging contaminants such as PFAS, nanomaterials, and microplastics. Understand the contaminant mobility in the environment and in turn, how these contaminants affect human and ecosystem health. Apply epidemiological, toxicological, and risk assessment methods to assess soil contamination impacts on local populations. Through case studies from around the world explore issues of soil contamination and interventions to mitigate health impacts.

ENVIRST/SOILSCI 101

Lectures and discussions about environmental issues. Historical and contemporary environmental impacts of humans on the biosphere. Global futures: population, technology, societal values, resources and prospects for sustainable management.