Environmental Sciences

ENVR 2302 (GEOL 1305) The Global Environment (3 semester credit hours) An introduction to the physical aspects of the world's geography emphasizing the interrelationships between the earth and its climate, vegetations, soils, and landforms. Provides a global perspective on the physical environment and the interactions between global systems to produce regional differences. (Same as GEOG 2302 and GEOS 2302) (3-0) Y

ENVR 3331 Smart and Sustainable Cities (3 semester credit hours) This course will focus on the influence of urban networks, smart city urban planning, smart city infrastructure, sustainable transportation, flow of information and communications, and the role of digital and geospatial data infrastructure and information technology for creating future sustainable urban societies. The course will also discuss the criteria for measuring the smartness of a city, including quality of life, citizen governance, and highlight the issues and challenges that go towards the making of a future smart city. (Same as EPPS 3331 and GEOG 3331) (3-0) T

ENVR 3336 Fundamentals of Sustainability (3 semester credit hours) This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of sustainability, its manifestation in multiple human dimensions, as well as its implications for the future. Various topics related to sustainability will be covered including the meaning and history of sustainability, natural systems, sustainability metrics, global energy production and consumptions, climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, water management and conservation, sustainable agriculture and food production, transportation planning, environmental ethics and history, and social justice. Additionally, the course will explore the complex interrelationships between modern environmental, social, and economic problems, as well as the possible solutions that can be employed to overcome them. Through this course, students will be empowered to make informed decisions and that support a sustainable future. (Same as EPPS 3336 and GISC 3336) (3-0) Y

ENVR 4338 Hazard and Disaster Management (3 semester credit hours) This course will introduce students to the realm of disasters that have affected, overwhelmed and changed human lives throughout the ages. It will first review the causes, characteristics, and histories of various disasters including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, and man-made disasters from various countries around the world. Then, the course will investigate the impacts of these hazards and how they affect our human lives, social and economic structures. Students will also learn key concepts and terminologies used by disaster practitioners to describe and report the impacts of disasters. Finally, students will learn how governments and rescue and relief organizations deal in evacuating, mitigating and managing the communities stricken by a disaster. (Same as EPPS 4338 and GEOG 4338) (3-0) Y

ENVR 4386 Climate Change and Sustainable Solutions (3 semester credit hours) This course will address the issues related to climate change including the science, impacts, and technical and policy solutions to combat it in the near future. In the beginning of the course, students will examine and evaluate the evidence for human-caused climate change with relevant scientific evidence and uncertainties. They will then understand the impacts of climate change on the well-being of the residents in the urban and rural areas as well as the natural environment. Finally, they will be exposed to the various smart and sustainable solutions that are becoming available and policies that are being implemented at the state, federal, and international levels to adapt, combat, and mitigate the climate change impacts in the near future. (Same as EPPS 4386 and GISC 4386) (3-0) Y