Environmental Science, Minor

Program Requirements

Students majoring in other academic fields who wish to earn a minor in environmental science must complete the following requirements:

Required Courses
ESCI 1401Environmental Science I: Intro to Environmental Science4
ESCI 3351Oceanography3
ESCI 3403Introduction to Meteorology4
ESCI 4301Environmental Regulations3
Select two of the following:6-8
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Biology
Occupational Safety and Accident Prevention
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Theory
Oil Spill Prevention and Response Theory
Environmental Health
Introduction to Industrial Hygiene
Environmental Geology
Total Hours20-22

Note:

Students wishing to minor in environmental science should consult the appropriate section of the catalog to determine any additional prerequisites needed before they may take these courses.

Courses

ESCI 1401  Environmental Science I: Intro to Environmental Science  
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)  

Principles of the scientific method and critical thinking provide a foundation for subsequent consideration of environmental issues through a multidisciplinary approach. Laboratory exercises and local field experiences reinforce concepts introduced in the lectures. Fall, Spring.

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
TCCNS: ENVR 1401  
ESCI 1490  Selected Topics  
1-4 Semester Credit Hours (1-4 Lecture Hours)  

Subject materials variable. May be repeated for credit when topics are significantly different. Faculty approval required. Offered on sufficient demand.

ESCI 3202  Professional Skills  
2 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours)  

Presentation and discussion of selected topics relating to the professional skills of practicing environmental scientists including literature searches, reviews, paper presentation, professional and career opportunities, professional ethics. Fall, Spring.

ESCI 3351  Oceanography  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Methods and principles of oceanography. A survey of oceanography with emphasis placed on the physical processes affecting water and water masses of the world oceans. Fall (on sufficient demand), Spring.

Prerequisite: CHEM 1412, ESCI 1401 or GEOL 1403.

ESCI 3403  Introduction to Meteorology  
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)  

This course is an introduction to meteorology and the dynamics of planetary atmospheres. Emphasis on atmospheric accretion, composition, evolution, structure, and dynamics. Lab exercises cover basic measurement techniques, weather maps, and forecasting. Fall, Spring (on sufficient demand).

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
ESCI 3443  Environmental Biology  
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)  

Historical, contemporary, and projected concerns of human activities on biological aspects of ecosystem functioning.

Prerequisite: BIOL 1407.

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
ESCI 4130  Oil Spill Prevention and Response Lab  
1 Semester Credit Hour (2 Lab Hours)  

Practical techniques for control, containment, countermeasures, removal, and disposal of oil spills in an environmentally safe manner. Field exercises will include use of boats, booms and skimmers. Fall, Spring, Summer (on sufficient demand).

Prerequisite: ESCI 4230*.
* May be taken concurrently.

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
ESCI 4170  Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Lab  
1 Semester Credit Hour (2 Lab Hours)  

Practical techniques for handling, reducing, and disposing of hazardous wastes in an environmentally safe manner. Lab exercises in use of personal protective gear and safe handling of hazardous substances. Fall, Spring, Summer (on sufficient demand).

Prerequisite: ESCI 4270*.
* May be taken concurrently.

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
ESCI 4201  Scientific Diving Techniques  
2 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours)  

Theory, science, and art of underwater diving technology and its application to scientific objectives. Course helps fulfill some training requirements of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Guidelines for scientific diving.

ESCI 4202  Issues in Environmental Science  
2 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours)  

Exploration of major issues in environmental science posing past, present and future challenges. Selected readings, student presentations and papers.

Prerequisite: ESCI 1401.

ESCI 4230  Oil Spill Prevention and Response Theory  
2 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours)  

Historical perspective of laws and regulations governing oil spill prevention and response. Current methods for control, containment, countermeasures, removal, and disposal of oil spills in an environmentally safe manner. Fall, Spring, Summer (on sufficient demand).

ESCI 4270  Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Theory  
2 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours)  

Study of the laws and regulations of hazardous waste management from an historical perspective followed by current techniques for handling, reducing, and disposing of hazardous wastes in an environmentally safe manner. Fall, Spring, Summer (on sufficient demand).

ESCI 4301  Environmental Regulations  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

A survey of state and federal environmental laws and regulations, and their impact on the environment. Case studies of environmental issues and legislated regulations.

Prerequisite: POLS 2305 and 2306.

ESCI 4320  Environmental Health  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Overview of the toxicology and epidemiology of pollutants in the air, water and soil. Associations of environmental exposure with adverse health effects such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive outcomes; also chemical markers and symptoms of disease. Pollutants studied include lead, asbestos, radiation, radon, noise, metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, silica, indoor air quality, formaldehyde, and outdoor air pollutants. Offered on sufficient demand.

ESCI 4321  Introduction to Soil and Groundwater Restoration  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Introduction to methods for restoring contaminated soil and groundwater by examining the factors and processes influencing the efficacy of remediation systems. An emphasis will be placed on the scientific principles upon which soil and groundwater remediation is based. Cross listed with GEOL 4321.

ESCI 4322  Introduction to Industrial Hygiene  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Introduction to health protection practices in the industrial environment. Health basis for OSHA laws, regulations. Sampling and testing procedures.

ESCI 4324  Introduction to Industrial Toxicology  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Review of human physiology, general concepts of toxicology: dose-response relationship, interactions between the host and the agents, risk assessment, to provide an introductory understanding of toxicology related to the chemicals in the workplace.

ESCI 4332  Wetlands and Water Quality  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Introduction to wetland ecosystems (natural, constructed and restored) with an emphasis on the role of wetlands in water quality. Topics include wetland systems, their history and role in society, relationships between biology, geology, ecology, hydrology and chemistry in wetland environments. Offered on sufficient demand.

Prerequisite: BIOL 1407, CHEM 1411 or ESCI 1401.

ESCI 4335  Climate and Climate Variability  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Course intended to guide environmental science majors in developing a conceptual understanding of Earth's global climate and its variability. Review of past climates, present mean state of the climate system, climate variability from seasonal to multidecadal time scales, and climate change. Special attention given to climates of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and surrounding land regions. Plausible climate-change scenarios, as well as mitigation and adaptation strategies are also discussed. Cross listed with ATSC 4335. Spring.

Prerequisite: (ESCI 3351 or 3403) and (PHYS 1401 or 2425).

ESCI 4340  Severe Weather  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Introduction to mesoscale weather systems including thunderstorms, squall lines and hurricanes, as well as the mechanisms of tornado and lighting. Methods of observing, analyzing, and predicting these severe weather systems with the interpretation of satellite and radar images will also be introduced in this class.

Prerequisite: ESCI 3403.

ESCI 4344  Air Pollution and the Clean Air Act  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Introduction to the chemistry and physics of air pollution and regulations. Topics include photochemistry, acid rain, air pollution meteorology and dispersion, global change, and the Clean Air Act.

ESCI 4360  Physical Oceanography  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

Physical description of the sea, physical properties of seawater and sea ice, methods and measurements, wind-driven ocean circulation, thermohaline ocean circulation, boundary processes, waves, tides and mixing. Seasonal and interannual variability such as El Niño/Southern Oscillation phenomena. Implications for marine biology, marine geology, human impacts, other topics. Fall.

Prerequisite: PHYS 2426.

ESCI 4365  Occupational Safety and Accident Prevention  
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)  

This course provides students with fundamental knowledge of regulatory requirements on occupational safety and practical techniques on accident prevention in the work environment. Offered on sufficient demand.

ESCI 4408  Environmental Microbiology  
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)  

Relationships between microorganisms and their biotic and abiotic environment. Current topics such as air quality (i.e., molds), water quality and bioremediation will be discussed. Laboratory will include techniques for sampling from soil, air and water. Offered on sufficient demand.

Prerequisite: BIOL 2421.

Co-requisite: SMTE 0096.  
ESCI 4480  Environmental Site Assessment  
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)  

Interdisciplinary application of environmental regulations, risk assessment to specific examples. Knowledge of United States environmental regulations assumed; ESCI 4301 Environmental Regulations recommended.

ESCI 4490  Selected Topics  
4 Semester Credit Hours (4 Lecture Hours, 4 Lab Hours)  

Subject materials variable. May be repeated for credit when topics are significantly different. Faculty approval required. Offered on sufficient demand.

ESCI 4496  Directed Independent Study  
1-4 Semester Credit Hours  

Requires a formal proposal of study to be completed in advance of registration and to be approved by the supervising faculty, the Chairperson, and the Dean of the College. Fall, Spring, Summer.

ESCI 4498  Internship in Environmental Science  
1-4 Semester Credit Hours  

Two to four semester hours of credit may be earned by working in an internship position in a governmental agency or industry.