Water Based Curriculums

Study of freshwater ecosystems, including physiography, biogeochemistry, and ecology. Prerequisites: BIOL 208/208L. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Introduction to civil and construction applications of AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or other similar civil engineering survey and design-oriented CAD applications. Students will learn basic construction plan reading skills. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Introduction to basic techniques of surveying, including linear, angular, area, and volume field measurements and calculations, as well as GPS and GIS applications common to civil engineering. Prerequisites: MATH 135 or MATH 151. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Basic principles of fluid mechanics. Covers fluid properties, hydrostatics, and fluid flow concepts, including continuity, energy, momentum, dimensional analysis and similitude, as well as flow in closed conduits. Prerequisites: ENGR 261. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Introduces uncertainty based analysis concepts and applications in the planning and design of civil engineering systems emphasizing probabilistic, statistics, and design concepts and methods. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Studies hydraulic engineering theory and applications. Topics include incompressible flow in conduits, pipe system analysis and design, open channel flow, flow measurement, analysis and design of hydraulic machinery. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Emphasizes chemical, ecological and hydrological fundamentals and importance of mass and energy balances in solving environmental engineering problems related to water quality, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution, solid and hazardous waste management, sustainability and risk assessment. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Introduces design and operation of facilities for treatment of municipal water supplies and wastewater. Provides an engineering application of physical, chemical, and biological unit processes and operations for removal of impurities and pollutants. Involves an integrated design of whole treatment systems combining process elements. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Covers basic engineering characteristics of geological materials; soil and rock classifications; site investigation; physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties of geologic materials; the effective stress principle; soil and rock improvement; seepage analysis; stress distribution; and consolidation and settlement analyses. Selected experimental and computational laboratories. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Studies engineering applications of principles of hydrology, including hydrologic cycle, rainfall and runoff, groundwater, storm frequency and duration studies, stream hydrography, flood frequency, and flood routing. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Provides a simulated real world design and construction planning experience where teams integrate across multiple civil engineering sub-disciplines to create a solution that satisfies multiple constraints, including design, client requirements, budget, schedule, technical, regulatory, and societal. Final deliverables include: detailed design drawings, specifications, cost estimate, project schedule, construction plan, oral and written presentation. This course is apart of the CMU-CU Partnership Program.

Examination of local to global environmental issues. Includes human population dynamics and impact of agriculture on the environment, ecosystem function, energy use and sustainable development, air, water and soil pollution, climate change, and environmental policy. Critical evaluation of readings from historical and modern environmental topics supplement lectures. Prerequisites: Declared ENVS major or minor. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Scientific management of natural resources in a changing environment. Problem solving emphasized in a case study approach to ecosystem management. Theories of ecology, economics, fisheries and wildlife management, biology, and sociology to solve problems using realistic and complex landscape scenarios. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: ENVS 101 or ENVS 104. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Introduction to scientific, engineering, and technical elements of pollution control. Includes pollutant characteristics, investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites, waste treatment (air emissions, wastewater discharges, hazardous waste), waste minimization, life cycle analysis, and industrial ecology. Lab focuses on site investigation skills, design and operation of selected treatment technologies, and waste minimization audits. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: ENVS 104 and a mastery of high school algebra. Recommended courses: CHEM 121 or CHEM 131.

Basic practices of effective project management, including proposal preparation, planning, scheduling, cost estimating, cost and progress tracking, and team building. Prerequisites: ENVS 204, ENVS 221, ENVS 331, or ENVS 340.

Introduction to major western ecosystems, their historical and current management, and relevant environmental problems. Examines the effects of outdoor recreation on ecosystems. Topics include the effects of climate change on both ecosystems and outdoor recreation. Prerequisites: ENVS 101. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Function of soils emphasized. Application of soil science to sustainable use of soils in natural and agricultural settings. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 or higher, ENVS 204/204L, or permission from the instructor.

Assessment, management, and control of risk from toxic substances in the environment. Topics include basic elements of toxicity testing and epidemiology, chemical fate in the environment, exposure assessment, uncertainty in risk estimates, approaches to risk management, and risk communication. Prerequisites: ENVS 221/221L and MATH 113.

Physical, chemical, and biological properties of aquatic systems. Includes movement of water in the watershed, stream classification and stability, lake circulation, aquatic ecology, chemistry and biology of natural and polluted waters, water quality monitoring, regulation and protection of surface water, and watershed assessment and management. Lab focuses on practical skills and field measurements culminating in assessment of a local watershed. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 or higher and STAT 200. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Examination of the structure and organization of macroinvertebrate assemblages in streams and rivers. Topics include sample collection, sample preservation, sample identification, and analysis using the State of Colorado Multimetric Index for assessing water quality. Prerequisites: ENVS 204/204L or BIOL 105/105L. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Examination of ecosystem-based technology to benefit both humans and the environment. Topics covered include the philosophy of ecological design and technology, relevant ecological principles, and ecological technologies including treatment wetlands, anaerobic digesters, algal flow ways, ecological treatment systems, rain gardens, green walls, and green roofs. Prerequisites: CHEM 121/121L, ENVS 204, and MATH 103. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Exploration of systems thinking as an approach to environmental issues. Topics covered include the meaning of systems and systems thinking, examining systems using the “triple P” framework (people, planet, profit), drawing system diagrams, conducting life cycle assessment and emergy analysis to quantify environmental impacts, and modeling systems. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: ENVS 204 and MATH 103. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Seminars covering topics related to natural resources including water, soil, land, mineral, and energy resources in the western United States. Guest speakers are invited from the academic community, industry or government agencies to give formal oral presentations following by informal discussion with students and faculty. Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 4 credit hours.

Examination of regulatory requirements pertaining to air pollution, water pollution, hazardous materials, and radioactive materials. Additional topics include enforcement, compliance management systems, compliance auditing, and innovative approaches to regulation. Prerequisites: ENVS 221 and junior/senior standing.

Physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing the persistence and migration of chemicals in the environment. Includes consideration of air, surface water, soil, and ground water. Emphasis on quantitative problem solving. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 or CHEM 132 and MATH 119, MATH 119A/119B, MATH 131, or MATH 151. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Survey of field sampling and analytical methods for study of environmental systems. Topics include sampling design, regulatory issues, quality assurance, quality control, data interpretation, and reporting. Three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Examination of strategies and techniques for investigating contaminated sites and monitoring environmental pollutants. Topics include Phase I assessments, development and implementation of sampling and monitoring plans, quality assurance, methods of analysis, and data interpretation and presentation. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 or CHEM 131 and STAT 200. Recommended courses: ENVS 221/221L.

Examination of water and wastewater treatment processes including physical, chemical, and biological treatment technologies. Emphasis on unit process design and modeling. Prerequisites: ENVS 331 (only the lecture).

Principles and practices of restoring the functions and values of streams, ponds, and wetlands. Addresses physical, chemical, and biological aspects of these aquatic systems. Prerequisites: ENVS 331/331L.

Examination of principles and techniques for designing experiments and analyzing data in environmental sciences. Emphasis on practical application of analysis techniques using environmental data with computer applications. Prerequisites: ENVS 204 or ENVS 221, STAT 200, and 6 upper division credits or permission from the instructor.

Small-group environmental projects for outside organizations. Preparation of project proposals, project planning and implementation, project reports, and oral presentations to clients. Exit exams for the Environmental Science and Technology major are administered as part of this course. Prerequisites: Senior standing. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Introduction to the essential nature of water on Earth. Comprehensive foundation in the water cycle, human use of water, politics of water, and critical issues surrounding water as a resource. Overview of global water issues, with focus on the American West, including sources and uses of water, water conservation, and the legal, political, economic, and physical infrastructure of water control. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Mapping of several small areas using GPS, aerial photographs, and pace and compass methods. Profiles, cross-sections, and maps are prepared. Some unscheduled time is required to do mapping projects. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: GEOL 111/111L or GEOL 113/113L and GEOL 112/112L, which may be taken concurrently.

Quantitative methods of geologic data analysis with the data manipulated on the computer. Methodical approach with limited theoretical emphasis; statistical concepts; special programs for graphical presentation and analysis. Three lectures per week and computer laboratory time to complete exercises are required. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: GEOL 111/111L or GEOL 113/113L and GEOL 112/112L or permission from the instructor. Recommended course: STAT 200.

Geologic aspects of environmental problems involving natural processes and anthropogenic activities. Studies include landslides, earthquakes, flooding, coastal erosion, and land subsidence as well as environmental impacts of mineral resource extraction, soil erosion, fossil fuel consumption, and climate change. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: GEOL 100, GEOL 104, GEOL 105, GEOL 111, or GEOL 113.

Three two-hour evening lectures with films and slides used to preview geology of the Colorado Plateau. A five-day field trip to the selected sites is conducted during spring break. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: GEOL 100, GEOL 105, or GEOL 112.

Geochemistry and its relationship to weathering and soils, geochemical surveys and prospecting techniques, reactions of contaminants with earth materials, and methods of reducing environmental degradation. Prerequisites: CHEM 121/121L or CHEM 131/131L and GEOL 111/111L or GEOL 113/113L. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Introduction to physical hydrologic processes including precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff and subsurface flow. Examination of hydrologic modeling, problem solving, and monitoring techniques as well as water resource management issues at both local and global scales. Prerequisites: MATH 113 or MATH 151 or permission from the instructor.

Knowledge of landform genesis and shaping processes is applied to solve modern problems with emphasis on local soils, slopes, rivers, erosional surfaces, and structural framework. Laboratory and field studies used to explore frost, running water, slope movement, ground water, wind, and glaciers which have affected the local environment. Practical techniques of measurement and interpretation, including statistical and computer techniques, used to produce models of landscape development. A term project must be completed. Two major field trips are required. Four lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: GEOL 202, GEOL 204, and permission from the instructor.

Exploration and analysis of the hydrologic cycle and river forms and processes in the context of watershed science. Prerequisites: MATH 113 or MATH 151. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Relationships of ground water to other water sources, hydrologic cycle, water balance, hydrologic characteristics of rocks, hydraulics and equations defining flow, ground water quality, and contamination, exploration and measurement techniques (including geophysical procedures), state and federal regulations, and computer modeling. Laboratory: Acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of ground water data. Three lectures and one two hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: GEOL 111/111L or GEOL 113/113L, MATH 151, and at least high school level biology, chemistry, and physics.

Concepts and methods of subsurface data analysis and models applied to sedimentary rocks that commonly form subsurface reservoirs and aquifers. Analysis of multiple geoscience data types (e.g., cores, well logs, seismic, statistical data) to construct 2D and 3D subsurface displays and models to evaluate and interpret geological, geophysical characteristics, and petrophysical properties. Prerequisites: GEOL 111/111L or GEOL 113/113L. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Analysis of scientific data and evidence that are the basis of climate change science. Students will review geosystem cycles, processes, timescales, and rates as related to global climate within the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. Skills associated with leading group discussions and scientific critical thinking will be developed. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Fundamentals of GIS and digital mapping, including basic GIS skills and an introduction to geospatial databases and analyses. Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisite: GEOG 131 or GIST 305.

GPS techniques and applications as they relate to GIS data collection. Includes additional course fees. Prerequisites: GIST 332/332L.

Study of politics and public policy surrounding natural resource allocation, preservation, development and consumption by human social systems. Emphasis on challenges of public policy formation and implementation in areas of land, water, energy, minerals, food, and habitat at domestic and global levels. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Exploration of ways in which physical landscapes shape political attitudes, ideas, and institutions. Emphasis on key concepts of place, mapping, borders, territory, nationalism, and ecological and social impact of natural settings. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Analysis of management of world politics and economics by networks of states, international and regional organizations, and non-state participants. Includes human and environmental security, human rights, global health, organized crime, global political economy, and development. Examines successful and unsuccessful problem management in a globalized world. Prerequisite: POLS 270. Term Typically Offered: Spring.

Study of major philosophies and their treatment of the environment. Special emphasis on indigenous and alternative ecological perspectives, extension of rights and agency to non-human entities, and the diversity of theories guiding the modern environmental movement. Term Typically Offered: Fall.

Introduction to the political issues and problems associated with patterns of socio-economic growth and its environmental impact at both domestic and global levels of analysis. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Introduction to basic kayak and water reading skills. Students will learn kayaking safety, hazard evaluation, terminology, whitewater river reading skills, and paddling strokes. Includes additional course fees. Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Introduction to whitewater rafting skills and knowledge. Students will learn about river trip planning, safety procedures, equipment, logistics, and minimizing environmental impact. Includes additional course fees. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.

Examination of leadership, ethics, and organizational culture in outdoor industry businesses, including law and finance, brand management and strategic marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship, product design and service development, liability and risk management and corporate social responsibility. Explores the quantitative and analytical techniques used in product and service-based businesses, including planning and management. Prerequisite: OREC 205. Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

Exploration of the field of public lands and resource management. Examines the role of federal, state, tribal, and local governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, recreation users, and wildlife in public lands. Examines histories, current issues, and cultural trends in public lands agencies, as well as policies that govern land management. Prerequisites: OREC 205. Term Typically Offered: Spring.