Graduate Courses for Environmental Science and Technology (ENST)
Schedule of Classes:
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer
(Only current and next semester available)
ENST 405 Energy and Environment (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH140 or MATH220. Junior standing. Credit will be
granted for only one of the following: ENST405, ENST605, NRMT489Z, or
MEES698Z. Formerly NRMT489Z.
Introduction to the role of energy in environmental and human-dominated
systems. Discussion of the historical and modern production and
consumption of energy. Introduction to energy systems computer
simulation and energy auditing.
ENST 411 Principles of Soil Fertility (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST200 or equivalent. Credit will be granted for only one
of the following: ENST411 or NRSC411. Formerly NRSC411.
Soil factors affecting plant growth and quality with emphasis on the
bio-availability of mineral nutrients. The management of soil systems to
enhance plant growth by means of crop rotations, microbial activities,
and use of organic and inorganic amendments.
ENST 413 Soil and Water Conservation (3 credits)
Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST413 or NRSC413. Formerly NRSC413.
Importance and causes of soil erosion and methods of soil erosion
control. Effects of conservation practices on soil physical properties
and the plant root environment. Irrigation and drainage as related to
water use and conservation.
ENST 414 Soil Morphology, Genesis and Classification (4 credits)
Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST414 or NRSC414. Formerly NRSC414.
Processes and factors of soil genesis. Taxonomy of soils of the world by
U.S. System. Soil morphological characteristics, composition,
classification, survey and field trips to examine and describe soils.
ENST 415 GIS Applications in Soil Science (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST415 or NRSC415. Formerly NRSC415.
Introduction to geospatial analysis of soil and related resources.
Topics will include understanding the nature and portrayal of digital
soils data in soil surveys, the use, analysis, and application of soil
survey and other spatial data types (topography, hydrography, etc.),
uncertainty and validation of spatial data, and methods in geospatial
analysis such as mapping, landscape analysis, and spatial statistics.
Analyses will be performed primarily with ESRI ArcGIS software.
ENST 417 Soil Hydrology and Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) and a course in physics; or
permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENST417 or NRSC417. Formerly NRSC417.
A study of soil water interactions: the hydrologic cycle; the unique
properties of water and soil; the soil components and their
interactions; the field water cycle; transport processes involving
water, heat and solutes; human effects on soil and groundwater; as well
as the measurement, prediction, and control of the physical processes
taking place in and through the soil.
ENST 420 Soil Physical Properties Laboratory (1 credits)
Pre- and corequisites: ENST417 (formerly NRSC417). Credit will be
granted for only one of the following: ENST420 or NRSC420. Formerly
NRSC420.
A study of methods used in measuring static and dynamic soil physical
properties. Implications from hands-on mastery of these techniques
include an increased understanding of soil physical components,
soil-water interactions, as well as the measurement, prediction, and
control of the physical processes taking place in and through the soil.
ENST 421 Soil Chemistry (4 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST421 or NRSC421. Formerly NRSC421.
The chemistry and composition of mineral and organic colloids in soils,
including ion exchange, oxidation-reduction, acidity, surface charge,
and solution chemistry. Lectures and readings pertain to plant
nutrition, waste disposal, and groundwater quality.
ENST 422 Soil Microbiology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200), CHEM104 or permission of
department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following:
ENST422 or NRSC422. Formerly NRSC422.
Relationship of soil microorganisms to the soils' physical and chemical
properties. Nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae-plant interactions and
microbially mediated cycling.
ENST 423 Soil-Water Pollution (3 credits)
Prerequisites: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200) and CHEM104; or permission of
department. Credit will be granted for only one of the following:
ENST423 or NRSC423.
Reaction and fate of pesticides, agricultural fertilizers, industrial
and animal wastes in soil and water with emphasis on their relation to
the environment.
ENST 424 Field Study in Soil Morphology (4 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST424 or NRSC424. Formerly NRSC424.
The fundamentals of making morphological descriptions of soils, using
standard techniques, terminology, and abbreviations of the National
Cooperative Soil Survey. Given a regional perspective and reasonable
assumptions regarding soil properties, students should become competent
to classify soils which they have described in the field and also make
interpretations concerning the suitability of soils for various
potential uses.
ENST 425 Terrestrial Bioremediation (3 credits)
Prerequisite: one course in biology; and CHEM103 or CHEM131 and CHEM132;
or permission of department. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENST425 or NRSC425. Formerly NRSC425.
Biologically based methods for the remediation of contaminated soil.
Bioremediation using bacteria, fungi and higher plants, of both
organic and inorganic contaminants in soil will be addressed.
ENST 427 Nonpoint Source Pollution Assessment Techniques (3 credits)
Prerequisite: One course in hydrology or permission of department. Also
offered as ENBE462. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENBE462 or ENST427.
Various techniques to measure non-point source pollution, quantify mass
transport, and statistically evaluate water quality criteria. Primary
focus is on agriculture and water, but urban NPS pollution is addressed.
ENST 430 Wetland Soils (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENST200 (formerly NRSC200). Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST430 or NRSC461. Formerly NRSC461.
The soils of wetlands including hydrology, chemistry, genesis, and
taxonomy are discussed. The understanding of federal and regional
guidelines to wetland soils are covered with an emphasis on validating
interpretations through field observations.
ENST 440 Crops, Soils and Civilization (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST440 or
NRSC440. Formerly NRSC440.
Role and importance of crop and soil resources in the development of
human civilization. History of crop and soil use and management as they
relate to the persistence of ancient and modern cultures.
ENST 441 Sustainable Agriculture (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST441 or
NRSC441. Formerly NRSC441.
Environmental, social and economic needs for alternatives to the
conventional, high-input farming systems which currently predominate in
industrial countries. Strategies and practices that minimize the use of
non-renewable resources.
ENST 442 Remote Sensing of Agriculture and Natural Resources (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST442 or
NRSC444. Formerly NRSC444.
Interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Application of
remote sensing technology to agriculture and natural resource inventory,
monitoring and management and related environmental concerns.
ENST 444 Restoration Ecology (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH140. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENST444, NRMT489F, or NRMT444. Formerly NRMT489F.
Discussion of the philosophies, principles, and practices of ecosystem
restoration. Presentation of restoration case histories include
wetlands, lakes, streams, coastal systems, mined lands, and new
ecosystems.
ENST 450 Wetland Ecology (3 credits)
One hour of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
BIOM301 or permission of department. Also offered as MEES650. Credit
will be granted for only one of the following: ENST450, NRMT450, or
MEES650. Formerly NRMT450.
Plant and animal communities, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem properties
of wetland systems. Laboratory emphasizes collection and analysis of
field data on wetland vegetation, soil, and hydrology.
ENST 451 Water Quality: Field and Lab Analysis Methods (3 credits)
Two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: {CHEM131 and CHEM132}; and {CHEM104 or CHEM231 and
CHEM232}. Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENBE451,
ENST451, or NRMT451. Formerly NRMT451.
Hands-on experience with techniques for assessing physical, chemical,
and biological characteristics of surface waters, including streams,
lakes, and wetlands. Emphasis is placed on understanding effects of
water quality on ecosystem structure and function.
ENST 454 Environmental Issues in Plant and Soil Sciences (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST454 or
NRSC454. Formerly NRSC454.
Effects of air pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, acid rain,
etc., and soil pollutants such as toxic metals and pesticides on the
growth, productivity and quality of crops.
ENST 460 Principles of Wildlife Management (3 credits)
Three Saturday field trips are scheduled. Prerequisite: Two semesters of
biology laboratory or permission of department. Credit will be granted
for only one of the following: ENST460 or NRMT460. Formerly NRMT460.
Ecological principles and requirements of wildlife as basis for
management, and introduction to the scientific literature. Conflicts in
wildlife management, government administration of wildlife resources,
legislation, and history of the wildlife management profession.
ENST 461 Urban Wildlife Management (3 credits)
Two lectures per week.. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENST461 or NRMT461. Formerly NRMT461.
Ecology and management of wildlife in urban areas. For students in
biological sciences, geography, landscape design, natural resources
management, recreation and urban studies. Planning, design, and wildlife
conservation in landscape ecology. Public attitudes, preferences, and
values, review of private conservation organizations.
ENST 462 Field Techniques in Wildlife Management (2 credits)
Four hours of laboratory per week. Recommended: NRMT460 and NRMT461.
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST462, NRMT462,
or NRMT489B. Formerly NRMT462.
Hands-on experience with field techniques in wildlife management
focusing on various methods of conducting indices, estimates, and
censuses of wildlife populations. Includes capture and handling of
amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals by use of drift fences, cover
boards, mist nets, box traps, and dart guns.
ENST 470 Natural Resources Management (4 credits)
85 semester hours. For NRMT and ENST majors only.
Field work and independent research on watersheds. Intensive seminar on
resource management planning and report preparation.
ENST 479 Tropical Ecology and Resource Management (1-6 credits)
Prerequisites: BSCI106, an introductory economics course, and permission
of instructor. Repeatable to 10 credits if content differs. Formerly
NRMT479.
Tropical ecosystems and issues of human use and impact. Includes
lectures which lead up to an off-campus trip in a tropical environment.
ENST 487 Conservation of Natural Resources I (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST487 or
NRMT487. Formerly NRMT487.
Designed primarily for teachers. Study of state's natural resources:
soil, water, fisheries, wildlife, forests and minerals; natural
resources problems and practices. Extensive field study. Concentration
on subject matter. Taken concurrently with NRMT 497 in summer season.
ENST 489 Field Experience (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 6 credits.
Formerly NRMT489.
Planned field experience for both major and non-major students.
ENST 497 Conservation of Natural Resources II (3 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST497 or
NRMT497. Formerly NRMT497.
Designed primarily for teachers. Study of state's natural resources:
soil, water, fisheries, wildlife, forests and minerals; natural
resources problems and practices. Extensive field study. Methods of
teaching conservation included. Taken concurrently with ENST487 in
summer season.
ENST 499 Special Topics in Environmental Science and Technology (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Formerly NRSC499 and NRMT499.
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST499, NRMT499,
or NRSC499.
An independent study, and/or lecture, and/or laboratory series organized
to study a selected phase of Environmental Science and Technology not
covered by existing courses. Credit arranged with supervising faculty
member.
ENST 608 Research Methods (1-4 credits)
Prerequisite: permission of department. Repeatable to 4 credits if
content differs. Credit will be granted for only one of the following:
ENST608 or NRSC608. Formerly NRSC608.
Development of research viewpoint by detailed study and report on crop
and soil research of the Maryland Agriculture Experiment Station or
review and discussion of literature on specific agricultural problems
or new research techniques.
ENST 689 Special Topics (1-3 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST689 or NRSC689. Formerly NRSC689.
Credit according to time scheduled and organization of the course.
Organized as a lecture series on a specialized advanced topic.
ENST 711 Advanced Plant-Soil Relationships (2 credits)
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST711 or
NRSC711. Formerly NRSC711.
Integration of the biological, physical, and chemical aspects of plant
growth in soils.
ENST 722 Advanced Soil Chemistry (3 credits)
Prerequisite: AGRO302 and permission of both department and instructor.
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST722 or
NRSC722. Formerly NRSC722.
A continuation of AGRO 421 with emphasis on soil chemistry of minor
elements necessary for plant growth.
ENST 761 Methods in Pedological Investigations (4 credits)
Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite:
ENST414 (formerly NRSC414) or permission of department. Credit will be
granted for only one of the following: ENST761 or NRSC761. Formerly
NRSC761.
This is designed to equip students with analytical tools for soil
microfabric and mineralogical analysis in order to understand soil
properties and processes. A number of techniques will be discussed, but
emphasis will be placed on micromorphology and x-ray diffractometry.
Both theoretical and applied considerations will be convered, and
students will gain substantial hands on experience in collecting and
interpreting data germane to their research interests.
ENST 789 Advances in Research (1-4 credits)
Repeatable to 4 credits if content differs. Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: ENST789 or NRSC789. Formerly NRSC789.
A study of recent advances in agronomy research.
ENST 798 Graduate Seminar (1 credits)
Repeatable to 6 credits. Credit will be granted for only one of the
following: ENST798 or NRSC798.
First and second semester.
ENST 799 Master's Thesis Research (1-6 credits)
ENST 821 Advanced Methods of Soil Investigation (3 credits)
Prerequisites: AGRO302; permission of both department and instructor.
Credit will be granted for only one of the following: ENST821 or
NRSC821. Formerly NRSC821.
First semester, alternate years. An advanced study of the theory of the
chemical methods of soil investigation with emphasis on problems
involving application of physical chemistry.
ENST 831 Soil Mineralogy (4 credits)
Soil minerals, with emphasis on clay minerals, are studied from the
viewpoint of soil genesis and physical chemistry. Mineralogical analyses
by x-ray and chemical techniques.
ENST 832 Advanced Soil Physics (3 credits)
Prerequisites: AGRO417; and permission of both department and
instructor. Credit will be granted for only one of the following:
ENST832 or NRSC832. Formerly NRSC832.
An advanced study of physical properties of soils.
ENST 898 Pre-Candidacy Research (1-8 credits)
ENST 899 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-8 credits)
