Environmental Analysis


Fall 2014, Winter 2015 and Spring 2015 quarters

Taught by

geology, earth science, biogeochemistry
freshwater ecology, quantitative biology, environmental education
(F,W)
chemistry, instrumental analysis

Prerequisites

One year of college chemistry, one quarter of college (physical) geology, one quarter of college biology and one year of college algebra or precalculus mathematics required. Additional quarters of geology and biology are recommended.

Well-designed and accurate chemical, ecological and geological measurements are key to assessing the biogeochemistry of natural ecosystems. This is a field- and laboratory-intensive science program designed for students with solid preparations in general chemistry, biology, geology and precalculus math who want to pursue more advanced investigations of bio-geo-chemical systems.  Students will study statistics, geochemistry, analytical chemistry, freshwater ecology and GIS programming. Instrumental techniques of chemical analysis will be developed in an advanced laboratory. Program work will emphasize quantitative analysis, quality control procedures, research design and technical writing.

During fall and winter quarters, we will address topics in carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in addition to analytical chemistry, GIS, statistics and instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Students will participate in group projects studying water quality, trophic structure, organic matter and nutrient cycling processes of local watersheds. Analytical procedures based on EPA, USGS and other guidelines will be utilized to measure major and trace anion and cation concentrations and weathering rates in natural systems, and to measure analytes and phytochemicals critical to quantification of leaf-litter decay processes and marine-derived inputs to ecosystem function in freshwater systems. Computers and statistical methods will be used extensively for data analysis and simulation, as well as for work with GIS.

In the fall, there will be a week-long field trip to collect natural waters from diverse sites in Eastern Washington. These samples will form the basis for testing and evaluating chemical analysis methods and for developing a quantitative assessment of the geochemistry of the waters. In the winter, students will collect and analyze samples from a suite of ecosystem compartments (e.g., soil horizons, leaves, woody debris, streams, biota) to quantify nutrient storage and cycling on the landscape.

Spring quarter will be devoted to extensive project work building on skills developed in the fall and winter. Students will conduct hypothesis-driven experimental design, sample collection, analysis, and statistical interpretations prior to presenting their results in both oral and written form to conclude the year.

Fields of Study

Preparatory for studies or careers in

geology, chemistry, ecology, biogeochemistry, chemical instrumentation, environmental analysis and environmental fieldwork.

Location and Schedule

Campus location

Olympia

Schedule

Offered during: Day

Final Schedule and Room Assignment

Books

Buy books for this program through The Greener Store.

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

More information about online learning.

Required Fees

$300 for overnight field trips.

Special Expenses

Approximately $300 for spring quarter field trips.

Internship Possibilities

Spring quarter, or under special circumstances with faculty approval. Students must complete an In-program Internship Learning Contract (designed for this program) in consultation with the faculty and Academic Advising.

Research Possibilities

Water quality analysis and chemistry and freshwater riparian ecology in fall quarter. Soil and phyto-chemistry in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in winter quarter. Student-derived and faculty-derived research opportunities are the focus of the spring quarter.

Upper Division Science Credit

Students who satisfactorily complete the program requirements may be awarded upper division science credits.

May be offered again in

Fall, Winter, Spring 2016-17

Registration Information

Credits: 16 (Fall); 16 (Winter); 16 (Spring)

Class standing: Sophomore–Senior

Maximum enrollment: 62

Fall

Course Reference Number

So - Sr (16 credits): 10091

Go to my.evergreen.edu to register for this program.

Winter

Accepting New Students

Signature Required

This program will accept new students with the substantive background in analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, geology, biology, and water analysis. Contact Abir Biswas Ph.D. (biswasa@evergreen.edu) with a written petition or meet with faculty at the Academic Fair, December, 2014. New students will need to complete some catch-up work during winter break.

Course Reference Number

So - Sr (16 credits): 20056

Go to my.evergreen.edu to register for this program.

Spring

Accepting New Students

Signature Required

This program will accept new students with the substantive background in analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, geology, biology, and water analysis. Contact Abir Biswas Ph.D. (biswasa@evergreen.edu) with a written petition or meet with faculty at the Academic Fair, March, 2015. New students will need to complete some catch-up work during spring break.

Course Reference Number

So - Sr (16 credits): 30041

Go to my.evergreen.edu to register for this program.

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