New Course Numbering System

For example, EVSC 4470 is an undergraduate atmospheric sciences lecture course; EVSC 2221 is an undergraduate ecology lab.

Ecology

The word ecology is derived from the Greek word oikos, meaning “house”. Literally taken, ecology is the study of organisms in their home. More often, ecology is defined as the study of organisms and the abiotic (physical environment). Within the Department, ecology covers a wide range of topics from nutrient cycling to ecological energetics. Specialties include terrestrial, aquatic, marine, and population ecology; resource conservation; and management of ecosystem resources. Fields of application within ecology include: aquatic ecology; fisheries consulting; forestry and agricultural management; parks and recreation; planning and management; resource conservation; toxic soil and water pollution research.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1200 Elements of Ecology
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography
EVSC 2220 Conservation Ecology

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3200 Fundamentals of Ecology
EVSC 4130 Population Ecology
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 4200 Ecology of Coastal Wetlands
EVSC 4230 Marine Environments
EVSC 4250 Ecosystem Ecology
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4280 Environmental Microbiology
EVSC 4100 Management of Forest Ecosystems
EVSC 4210 Methods in Aquatic Ecology
EVSC 4220 Aquatic Plant Ecology
EVSC 4040 GIS and Arc/Info
EVSC 5030 Applied Statistics
EVSC 5110 Systems Analysis
EVEC 5210 Aquatic Ecology
EVEC 5220 Terrestrial Ecology
EVEC 5230 Microbiol Ecology
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issue In Global Change
EVSC 4993, 494 Special Topics in Ecology - The name and subject of these classes vary semester to semester, as well as the number offered. In the past they have covered topics such as:
Mammalian Ecology
Fish Ecology
Estuarine Ecology
Ecology of Grasslands and Tundra
Ecological-Atmospherical Monitoring

Complementary Courses Outside the Department

MATH 1310, 1320 Calculus
MATH 3351 Elementary Linear Algebra
STAT 1120 Statistics
BIOL 2010, 2020 Introductory Biology
BIOL 311 Genetics
BIOL 4010 Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 4040 Biology of Plants
BIOL 409 Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 410 Vertebrate Zoology
CHEM 1410, 1420 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 2410, 2420 Organic Chemistry
PHYS 2310, 2320 Classical & Modern Physics and Labs
CS 1110 Introduction to Computer Science

Geosciences

Geosciences is the study of earth and other solid bodies in space. Areas of expertise within the Department include: studies on arid land geomorphology; shoreline erosion and structure of barrier islands; systematic mineralogy and petrology; tectonic history of the Appalachians and other mountain belts; volcanology; estuarine water quality and sediment geochemistry; the effects of acid precipitation on biogeochemical cycles of metals in small watersheds and lakes; the solution chemistry of carbonate groundwaters, the kinetics of geochemical reactions; and the occupance of trace metals in groundwaters in Virginia. Fields of application within geosciences include: coastal process consulting; engineering geology; land use planning and management; groundwater pollution research and consulting; and sedimentary process modeling.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1080 Resources and the Environment
EVSC 181 Climate Change: Past and Future
EVSC 2900 Beaches, Coasts, and Rivers
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography

Advanced Courses

EVSC 2800 Physical Geology
EVSC 3840 Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
EVSC 3850 Geodynamics
EVSC 3860 Introduction to Geochemistry
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4040 GIS and Arc/Info
EVSC 48900 Groundwater Geology
EVSC 480 Mineralogy
EVSC 4810 Petrology
EVSC 482 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
EVSC 4142 Earth’s Climatic History
EVSC 4840 Engineering Geology
EVSC 4850 Coastal Processes
EVSC 4870 Global Biogeochemical Cycles
EVSC 4890 Planetary Geology
EVSC 489 Structural Geology
EVGE 5850 Geochemistry
EVGE 5870 Aqueous Geochemistry
EVGE 5820 Geomorphology
EVGE 5840 Sediment Processes and Environments
EVHY 5780 Groundwater Hydrology
EVSC 4993, 494 Special Topics in Geoscience - The name and subject of these classes vary semester to semester, as well as the number offered. In the past they have covered topics such as:
Geology of Virginia
Geological Disposal of Radioactive Materials
Rocks & Minerals
Contaminant Hydrogeology
Catchment Hydrogeochemistry

Complementary Courses Outside the Department

MATH 1310, 1320 Calculus
PHYS 2310, 2320 Classical & Modern Physics and Labs
CHEM 1410, 1420 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 2220 Solutions Chemistry
CS 1110 Introduction to Computer Science
Summer Geology Field Camp

Hydrology

Hydrology can be defined as the study of the waters of the earth on and below the surface of the planet. Hydrology also involves the study of the various properties of water and its relationship with the living and nonliving environment. Areas of specialization within the Department include: surface and groundwater hydrology; watershed dynamics; hydrogeology; and ecosystem hydrology. Fields of application with hydrology include groundwater management and consulting; water pollution research and regulation; and hydrologic modeling and analysis.

Introductory Courses
EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 2900 Beaches, Coasts, and Rivers
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography

Advanced Courses

EVSC 36600 Physical Hydrology
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 443 Statistical Hydrology
EVSC 4640 Applied Hydrology
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4040 GIS and Arc/Info
EVSC 48900 Groundwater Geology
EVSC 4870 Global Biogeochemical Cycles
EVSC 5440 Physical Oceanography
EVGE 5840 Sediment Processes and Environments
EVHY 5640 Catchment Hydrology
EVHY 5650 Hydrological Transport Processes
EVHY 5670 Environmental Fluid Mechanics
EVHY 5780 Groundwater Hydrology
EVSC 4993, 494 Special Topics in Hydrology - The name and subject of these classes vary semester to semester, as well as the number offered. In the past they have covered topics such as:
Contaminant Hydrogeology
Catchment Hydrogeochemistry

Complementary Courses Outside the Department

MATH 1310, 1320 Calculus
MATH 3250 Differential Equations
MATH 3351 Elementary Linear Algebra
PHYS 2310, 2320 Classical & Modern Physics and Labs
CS 1110 Introduction to Computer Science
CE 2210 Fluid Mechanics
CE 3200 Water Resource Engineering
CE 430 Environmental Engineering

Atmospheric Sciences

Atmospheric Sciences is the study of the Earth’s atmospheric system and other planetary atmospheric systems. The most discussed areas of atmospheric sciences are weather and climate, especially global climate. The atmospheric sciences program at U.Va. focuses on relationships between atmospheric processes and the Earth’s biosphere and hydrosphere on a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Areas of specialization within the Department include: synoptic and dynamic climatology; air quality and visibility; atmospheric chemistry; modeling of acid depositions and trace gas transport; mesoscale meteorology and climatology; convective storms; and coastal processes. Fields of application within atmospheric sciences include: air pollution; bioclimatology and agricultural management; and meteorology and climatology research consulting.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1080 Resources and the Environment
EVSC 181 Climate Change: Past and Future
EVSC 250 Man’s Atmospheric Environment

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3300 Atmosphere and Weather
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 4350 Synoptic Climatology
EVSC 4370 Microclimatology
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4040 GIS and Arc/Info
EVSC 4142 Earth’s Climatic History
EVSC 521 Air Quality Planning
EVSC 5440 Physical Oceanography
EVAT 5410 Atmospheric Dynamics
EVAT 5420 Microclimate
EVHY 5670 Environmental Fluid Mechanics
EVAT 5300 Environmental Climatology
EVSC 4993, 494 Special Topics in Atmospheric Science - The name and subject of these classes vary semester to semester, as well as the number offered. In the past they have covered topics such as:
Climate & History of Human Culture
Ecological-Atmospherical Monitoring
Climate of Engineered Landscapes

Complementary Courses Outside the Department

MATH 1310, 1320 Calculus
MATH 3250 Differential Equations
MATH 3351 Elementary Linear Algebra
STAT 1120 & MATH 3120 Statistics
PHYS 2310, 2320 Classical & Modern Physics and Labs
CS 1110 Introduction to Computer Science

Natural Resources and Land Use Management

The following courses provide the types of specialized experience on which to base graduate training and research, as well as to prepare for professional entry-level jobs in Natural Resources and Land Use Management.

Introductory Courses

Any of the 1000- through the 3000-level courses can be selected for introduction to specific physical processes involving resources and land usage.

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3020 GIS Methods
EVSC 4130 Population Ecology
EVSC 4250 Ecosystem Ecology
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4100 Management of Forest Ecosystems
EVSC 4640 Applied Hydrology
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4030 Environmental Policymaking in the U.S.
EVSC 4840 Engineering Geology
EVSC 4850 Coastal Processes
EVSC 5030 Applied Statistics
EVSC 5110 Systems Analysis in Environmental Science
EVSC 521 Air Quality Planning
EVSC 560 Land Use Policies
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issues in Global Change

Complementary Courses Outside the Department

STAT 1120 Introduction to Statistics
ECON 2010, 2020 Micro, Macro Economics
PLAN 3060 Land, Law, and the Environment
PLAP3610 Intro Public Administration
SOC 461 Population Analysis

Environmental Chemistry

The following courses provide the types of specialization experience on which to base graduate training and research, as well as professional entry-level jobs in Environmental Chemistry.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1080 Resources and the Environment

Advanced Courses

EVSC 4250 Ecosystem Ecology
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 480 Mineralogy
EVSC 4810 Petrology
EVSC 4870 Global Biogeochemical Cycles
EVSC 523 Microbial Ecology
EVHY 5780 Groundwater Hydrology

Complementary Courses

MATH 2310 Calculus III
MATH 3351 Linear Algebra
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 3410 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 5710 Instrumental Methods
PHYS 2310, 2320 Classical & Modern Physics, and Labs
CS 1110 Introduction to Computer Science

Field Methods and Data Acquisition

The following courses provide considerable direct experience in various methods and strategies of research. They each present techniques in an introductory fashion. A good science and math background should allow one to be competitive in any of these courses.

Field Methods, Observation, Data Acquisition

EVSC 2800L, 320L, 340L, and 350L (Labs)
EVSC 4640 Applied Hydrology

Laboratory Analytical Techniques, Instrumentation, and Observation
EVSC 2800L, 320L, 340L, and 350L (Labs)
EVSC 4090 Instrumental Methods for Analysis
EVSC 480 Mineralogy
EVSC 4810 Petrology
EVSC 523 Microbial Ecology

Mathematical Models, Statistics, Computing and Research Design
EVSC 3200L and 340L (Labs)
EVSC 3020 GIS Methods
EVSC 4130 Population Ecology
EVSC 443 Statistical Hydrology
EVSC 4640 Applied Hydrology
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 4350 Synoptic Climatology
EVSC 464 Land Use and Environmental Models
EVSC 4040 GIS and Arc/Info
EVSC 5030 Applied Statistics-Environmental Science
EVAT 5410 Atmospheric Dynamics

General Environmental Science

Each of these courses provide a basic introduction to the concepts and terms of specific areas of Environmental Sciences. For interests in science writing, either a set of courses from this list or a major with detailed specialization in one area is a good approach.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1200 Elements of Ecology
EVSC 161 Land Use and Environmental Impact
EVSC 181 Climate Change: Past and Future
EVSC 2010 Materials That Shape Civilization
EVSC 2900 Beaches, Coasts and Rivers
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography
EVSC 2220 Conservation Ecology
EVSC 2030 Introduction to Environmental Policy
EVSC 250 Man’s Atmospheric Environment

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3020 GIS Methods
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4100 Management of Forest Ecosystems
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4030 Environmental Policymaking in the U.S.
EVSC 4840 Engineering Geology
EVSC 4850 Coastal Processes
EVSC 521 Air Quality Planning
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issues in Global Change

For greater detail in physical processes, the DepartmentÆs core courses are recommended:

EVSC 2800, Physical Geology
EVSC 3200, Fundamentals of Ecology
EVSC 3660, Physical Hydrology
EVSC 3300, Atmosphere and Weather

Environmental Law

Each of the courses listed below contain considerable legal or planning content, or clearly explain the processes which are frequently the subject of litigation, legislation, planning, and regulation. Material is presented in an introductory fashion.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1200 Elements of Ecology
EVSC 1080 Resources & the Environment
EVSC 161 Land Use and Environmental Impact
EVSC 181 Climate Change: Past and Future
EVSC 2010 Materials That Shape Civilization
EVSC 2900 Beaches, Coasts and Rivers
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography
EVSC 2220 Conservation Ecology
EVSC 2030 Introduction to Environmental Policy
EVSC 250 Man’s Atmospheric Environment

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3020 GIS Methods
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4100 Management of Forest Ecosystems
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4030 Environmental Policymaking in the U.S.
EVSC 4840 Engineering Geology
EVSC 4850 Coastal Processes
EVSC 521 Air Quality Planning
EVSC 560 Land Use Policies
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issues in Global Change

Complementary Courses

The 3000-level core courses provide the first level of advanced work in specific processes.

Human and Animal Health

The following courses deal directly with human evolution, human health, plant and animal population, or with toxins and other pollutants in the environment that influence short- and long-term health.

Introductory Courses

EVSC 1200 Elements of Ecology
EVSC 1080 Resources & the Environment
EVSC 2220 Conservation Ecology

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3200 Fundamentals of Ecology
EVSC 4130 Population Ecology
EVSC 4250 Ecosystem Ecology
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4280 Environmental Microbiology
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 521 Air Quality Planning
EVSC 523 Microbial Ecology

Complementary Courses

The core courses provide the first level of advanced work in specific processes.

Environmental Management

The following courses deal with the basic natural processes and applied aspects of materials, water, air and biological activity, which are managed, financed, regulated and analyzed by business. Materials are presented in an introductory fashion.

Introductory Courses
EVSC 1010 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVSC 1200 Elements of Ecology
EVSC 1080 Resources & the Environment
EVSC 161 Land Use and Environmental Impact
EVSC 2010 Materials That Shape Civilization
EVSC 2900 Beaches, Coasts and Rivers
EVSC 2050 Introduction to Oceanography
EVSC 2220 Conservation Ecology
EVSC 2030 Introduction to Environmental Policy
EVSC 250 Man’s Atmospheric Environment

Advanced Courses

EVSC 3020 GIS Methods
EVSC 4050 Topics in Oceanography
EVSC 4270 Soil Science
EVSC 4100 Management of Forest Ecosystems
EVSC 4470 Introduction to Climatological Analysis
EVSC 462 Land Use Management
EVSC 4030 Environmental Policymaking in the U.S.
EVSC 4142 Earth’s Climatic History
EVEC 5250 Ecological Issues in Global Change
EVSC 4840 Engineering Geology
EVSC 4850 Coastal Processes
EVSC 560 Land Use Policies