ENV - Environmental Biology

Introduces principles of environmental biology with an in-depth analysis of biological and social variables associated with environmental issues. Energy, natural resource use, population dynamics and technological developments are examined in the context of ecological systems. Emphasis is on global climate change, and its effects are related to the concepts in environmental biology.

Analyzes interactions between organisms and the environment. A quantitative approach will be used to examine population dynamics, community interactions, and ecosystem processes. The application of modern ecological theory to current environmental problems is emphasized including the observed and anticipated ecological impacts of global climate change.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501 or permission of instructor.  Examines sources, fates and biological effects of environmental pollutants. Topics covered include: air, water and soil pollution; techniques for monitoring and evaluating pollution effects; and pollution control technologies. Factors leading to global climate change will be examined in depth. The social, economic, and political issues surrounding pollution problems are all examined.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.  See ENV 503. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Introduces statistical methods used in biological research. Topics include sampling methods, frequency distributions, descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, probability, and both parametric and non-parametric tests. A statistical software package is introduced in laboratory exercises. Statistical problems involving global climate change are used throughout the semester

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor.  Examines the applied effects of microorganisms on the environment and on human activity, health and welfare. Topics include basic biology, ecology and history of the archaea, bacteria, protista, algae, and fungi with special attention given to their environmental relationships. Emphasis is on ecological interactions among microbes, between microbes and plants and between microbes and animals.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 506. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor.  Introduces students to the basic biological and ecological principles of natural resource management and the complexities of applying these principles to real-world problems. Quantitative and qualitative techniques are used to analyze ecosystems in an integrated fashion that combines biological, economic and political considerations. The impact of climate change on management plans is also considered

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 507. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of instructor. Examines the critical problems of maintaining, enhancing and restoring biological diversity. Principles of ecology, population biology, genetics and modeling are applied to the conservation of rare species and endangered ecosystems. Topics include international trade in wildlife, ethnobotany, ecological restoration, conservation ethics, natural resource economics, conservation genetics and ecotourism.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 511. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502 or permission of the instructor.  Introduces advanced topics in insect ecology. A broad overview of the major insect orders and their development will be covered. Topics include distribution patterns, diversity, co-evolution, and interactions in insect communities as they relate to each other and other organisms.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 512. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor.  Explores the ecology of marine and estuarine systems, including the plankton, rocky shores, soft-sediment bottoms, seagrass beds, salt marshes and coral reefs. Planktonic and benthic processes will receive equal emphasis. Applied topics in fisheries management and in human impacts on marine environments will be introduced.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 513. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 505, completion of 15 credits of required courses in the ENV program and at least a 3.0 Grade Point Average, or permission of the instructor. Introduces computational techniques of multiple linear regression, logistic regression, chi-square, and nonparametric multivariate analysis. Methods to optimize study design are stressed. Extensive use of a statistical software package will be used. The ability to develop and critically evaluate research proposals in environmental biology will be developed.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502. See ENV 516G. Provides a qualitative and quantitative survey of concepts and physical principles governing the occurrence, distribution, and circulation of water near Earth's surface. Human impacts on watersheds/resources and the linkages among land-use, soil, and water will be addressed.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502. See ENV 516. Provides a qualitative and quantitative survey of concepts and physical principles governing the occurrence, distribution, and circulation of water near Earth's surface. Human impacts on watersheds/resources and the linkages among land-use, soil, and water will be addressed.

Prerequisites as specified for each course, or permission of the instructor. Students will gain practical experience in common ecological sampling methodologies, data collection and analysis.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Students will learn and practice commonly-used aquatic sampling methodologies as well as be introduced to procedures for the analysis of field-collected data. Practical experience will be gained in the methods employed for qualitatively and quantitatively evaluating a wide range of aquatic habitats.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. This course provides an overview of methods employed in the collection and analysis information regarding terrestrial animal populations. In addition, it will provide practical experience in the techniques necessary for qualitatively and quantitatively evaluating the physical, chemical and biological parameters within these systems.

Prerequisites: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor Introduces standard procedures used for data collection and analysis of terrestrial insect communities. Through field work, students will learn how to sample insects in a broad range of categories from litter communities to aerial species, in addition to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluating insects in these same systems.

Prerequisites as specified for each course, or permission of the instructor. Students will gain practical experience in the taxonomy and identification of the specified group of organisms.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the taxonomy and identification of woody vegetation of the Maryland region. Habitat preferences, natural history and methods of collection in preservation also will be covered.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or ENV 503, or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the use of taxonomic keys for the identification of freshwater macroinvertebrates. Insect morphology and development will also be reviewed. Field trips will provide opportunities to observe ecological adaptations and to collect specimens.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to the classification and identification of algae including freshwater, estuarine and marine phytoplankton and macroalgae. The identification of algae will be considered within the context of environmental functions and human significance. Class field trips will provide an opportunity for students to relate algal diversity to habitat.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Introduces collection techniques, identification and natural history of Maryland vertebrates. Field exercises will provide opportunities to observe and collect these organisms in their respective habitats. Ecological adaptations, physiographic distribution and economic importance of selected vertebrates will be covered. 

Prerequisites: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Introduces the classification and identification of major insect orders and families found in Maryland. Identification will be considered within the context of ecological functions, economic importance and human significance. In lieu of a final exam, students are required to submit an insect collection either by enrolling concurrently in ENV522D or by other independent efforts.

Prerequisites as specified for each course, or permission of the instructor. Students will gain practical experience generating, processing and analyzing ecological data.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Examines genetic variation as the raw material of evolutionary processes and as a tool for assessing evolutionary history of populations or species. The use of molecular data in determining the relationships among species will also be discussed. Molecular techniques that are useful to conservation will also be introduced in the laboratory.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Introduces the modeling of populations. Deterministic and stochastic models will be used to assess variability in demographic parameters. Several aspects of population structure will be considered, including age, stage, genetic and spatial structure. Topics include population dynamics, regulation and harvesting; metapopulation structure; conservation genetics; risk assessment; and population viability analysis

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. Introduces information systems, georeferenced data, and vector-based versus raster-based GIS. The course focuses on basic principles of map design and digital cartography, including scale, projection, and symbolization and generalization of geometry and content. Lectures complement intensive, hands-on use of the ArcGIS software package through in-class and homework tutorials and challenge exercises.

Prerequisites: ENV 502 and ENV 526G, or permission of instructor Introduces advanced GIS analysis. Topics include the statistical and scientific principles that underlie the measurement of geographic distributions, the identification of geographic patterns and clusters, and the analysis of geographic relationships. Advanced applications in the ArcGIS software package are covered through in-class and homework tutorials and challenge exercises.

Prerequisites: ENV 502 and ENV 526G or permission of the instructor. ENV 526 is strongly recommended. Introduces remotely sensed data and how it can be used to address environmental questions. Lectures complement intensive, hands-on use of the IDIRSI and ArcGIS software packages.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of instructor. Through lab and field work, students will learn how to sample soils for fertility analysis, interpret soil test results, describe field soil profiles, and assess sites for land use suitability.

Prerequisites as specified for each course, or permission of the instructor. Students will gain practical experience in the specified area of ecological research through laboratory or field work.

Prerequisite: ENV 502 or permission of the instructor. This course provides an introduction to the science and art of sexual and asexual propagation of plants. Seed propagation will include topics such as harvesting, seed testing and storage, germination, seed treatments, and dormancy. Vegetative propagation concepts will include topics such as the harvest and treatment of cuttings, grafting techniques, and budding.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502 or permission of the instructor.   Introduces students to principles of behavioral ecology. Focus is on the role of natural selection in the evolution of intra- and interspecific behaviors. Topics include foraging, predator-prey relationships, habitat utilization, sociality and kinship, sexual selection and parental investment.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor. Examines current or emerging issues of environmental concern. Relevant current literature including environmental journals, environmental impact statements, recent interdisciplinary reference works and news media information will be studied and discussed in making cause-and-effect analysis of selected issues.

Prerequisite: ENV 501 and ENV 526G or permission of the instructor. This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly developing science of Landscape Ecology. Studying ecological processes at large spatial scales has been facilitated by the development of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and more specialized computer programs. This course will provide an opportunity to develop ArcViewGIS skills and gain experience in analyzing spatial environmental and ecological data. There will be an emphasis on practical learning through laboratory exercises and coursework.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.See ENV 550I. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 526G and ENV 526H.  Geographic data is a special class of data that is referenced to a specific place on the Earth through an established coordinate system. The advent of the Global Positioning System, geographic Information Systems, and public portals such as Google Earth has made the collection, analysis, and presentation of geographic information a powerful tool in the environmental sciences as well as a variety of other disciplines. This course will provide the student with working knowledge of the Python scripting language that is used to automate geo-processing tools in ARCGIS. The student will also learn Keyhole Markup Language, the engine behind Google Earth. With these tools, the student will prepare sophisticated, web-driven applications that will allow for the analysis and presentation of data in an interactive environment.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.See ENV 550L. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502. Sometimes thought of as inert systems, soils are in fact dynamic living bodies in a constant flux of chemical, biological, and physical interactions. This course will introduce graduate students to advanced topics in soil chemistry, soil biochemistry, and soil microbial ecology to explore how soils influence nutrient cycling, pollution bioremediation, and water quality. Students will explore current topics in soil ecological research through review of assigned peer-reviewed journal articles and the presentation of one thoroughly researched and critically reviewed paper in the students’ area of interest within soil ecology.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 550M. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502. Examines behavior, physiology, and morphology in the context of organismal nutritional needs, energetic investments, ecological relationships, and environmental parameters. Topics include trophic interactions and food web dynamics, foraging ecology, capture and assimilation of nutrients, isotopic ecology, and quantitative techniques and methodology. Particular consideration is given to anthropogenic influences on nutritional ecology.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502. See ENV 550N. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 502 or permission of Instructor

Introduction to fundamental concepts of plant pathology.  We will focus on plant pathogenic microorganisms, tools for diagnosing plant diseases, types/categories of diseases, plant-pathogen interactions, plant disease management, and human impacts on plant disease epidemics.  modern molecular tools for disease management will also be discussed.  The importance of scientifc research for the advancement of plant pathology concepts will also be explored through readings, discussions, and assignments.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor. 

Analyzes how environmental fluctuations impact plant populations, along with current problems in plant ecology. Topics include the vital processes of plants, the effects of environmental factors on their metabolism and energy transformations and their ability to adapt to these factors.

Prerequisites: ENV 501, ENV 502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H, and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. 

See ENV 551. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501 and ENV 502, or permission of the instructor. Explores physical, chemical and biological aspects of lakes and streams. Aquatic organisms are surveyed along with their interrelationships and the physical and chemical components of the aquatic environment controlling their distribution and abundance. Productivity, energy flow and nutrient cycles are also discussed. Sampling and analysis techniques are described

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.See ENV 563. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 501, ENV 502 and ENV 503, or permission of the instructor. Introduction to the principles of pharmacology and pathology that apply to mammalian toxicology. Emphasis will be on basic concepts of toxin/drug response, uptake, distribution and metabolism in mammalian systems. Other major environmental topics to be considered are pathology, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, teratogenicity and pharmacogenetics.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.  See ENV 564. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: ENV 564 or permission of the instructor. Focuses on laboratory-based environmental toxicology and the requirements of the EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program. Students will follow EPA guidance on the requirements for sampling, toxicity assays, statistical analysis and report writing. Students will also evaluate assays and draw appropriate conclusions.

Reading and/or research in a selected field. An approved title for the independent study must be submitted with the registration forms. Prerequisite: permission of the chair of the department. A maximum of 6 credits may be applied to a degree program.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or successful completion of all ENV core courses, ENV 501, ENV 502, ENV 503, ENV 505 and ENV 507, and at least one 1-credit ENV course, or permission of instructor.  Integrates several core areas in the field of environmental biology and applies them to current issues in global climate change. Students will apply principles of adaptation, ecology, pollution biology, statistics, and resource management to current developments in the field. Topics include recent climate-change data, vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation, and methodological approaches.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor.  See ENV 577. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment or successful completion of 30 ENV credits, including all core courses: ENV 501, ENV 502, ENV 503, ENV 505 and ENV 507 and at least one 1-credit ENV course, or permission of the instructor. The final programmatic requirement for ENV students in the Non-Research Track, Capstone Option; requires successful completion of a comprehensive final exam. This course integrates the core areas of environmental biology as they relate to global climate change. Students will apply principles of adaptation, ecology, pollution biology, statistics, and resource management to climate-change data, vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation, and methodological approaches.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV  502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I or permission of instructor. See ENV 578. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: All required and four elective courses. The student must collect and analyze data that address a specific hypothesis. A written proposal must be submitted to a faculty adviser prior to the student’s enrolling and a final written report is due to the adviser at the end of the project.

Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV 502, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I. See ENV 579. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate and is only available to students simultaneously pursuing the MS in Environmental Biology. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisites: Completion of 12 credits of ENV coursework, including ENV 505 and ENV 515. 

By invitation only. Supervision of the Master's thesis. Required of all degree candidates who select the thesis option after being invited.

Prerequisite: ENV 580A

Completion of master's thesis research

Prerequisites: Completion of 12 credits of ENV coursework, including ENV 505 and ENV 515. 

By invitation only. Supervision of the Master's thesis. Required of all degree candidates who select the thesis option after being invited. See ENV 580A. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

Prerequisite: ENV 580AG

Completion of master's thesis research

Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least 21 ENV credits, including ENV 515 and a 3.0 GPA. Students opting for the non-research option within the ENV program are eligible for internship credit as a capstone experience. This course cannot be taken for elective credit. On-site training in environmental biology with a cooperating organization. Interns gain practical, on-the-job skills and experience in environmental biology with an industry, consulting firm, unit of government, government agency, or non-profit organization. An individualized project must be conducted by the student under the direct guidance of a senior level scientist at the cooperating organization.

Prerequisites: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENV 501, ENV 502, ENV 515, ENV 526G, ENV 526H and ENV 526I and permission of instructor. A 3.0 GPA is also required. See ENV 591. This course is available as an elective for the GIS-ENV Certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that this course will count toward the GIS-ENV Certificate by the drop/add deadline each semester, so that GIS-focused assessments can be completed. Once a student declares the GIS option, the course cannot revert to the non-GIS version.

The content and methods depend upon the interests of the faculty and students. (1-6 credits)