Courses

The Civil Engineering Master of Science program offers a variety of courses. Core (required) courses for each emphasis are typically offered once per year and electives are typically offered every other year. As the program is tailored to the individual student, elective courses can be offered based on request and pending sufficient enrollment. In addition, Independent Studies can be potentially offered on a specific topic of interest not covered by the curriculum. Many courses have pre- and co-requisites that can be waived on a case by case basis depending on the previous experience of the individual student.

The following courses are offered in the Master of Science in Civil Engineering program. For more details and information, please visit the LMU Bulletin.

CIVL 601: Sustainable Water Quality and Resources (3 semester hours) This course introduces fundamental water quality and resources topics in the context of sustainability. Topics include introductions to aquatic interactions and fates of pollutants in natural environments; watershed protection and stormwater management for surface and groundwater supplies; sustainable management of groundwater supplies; recycled water production and uses; water quality; and water and wastewater treatment systems.
CIVL 605: Aquatic Chemistry (3 semester hours) Review of stoichiometry, oxidation-reduction reactions, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Equilibrium chemistry concepts including acid-base, gas, and solid-liquid equilibria applied to aquatic systems with an emphasis on problem-solving methods to determine chemical speciation and pH effects in natural and treated aquatic systems.
CIVL 608: Contaminant Fate, Transport, and Remediation (3 semester hours) 3 semester hours Introduction to physical, chemical, and biological processes governing the movement and fate of contaminants in the surface and coastal water environment. Practical quantitative problems solved based on contaminant mass transport, equilibrium partitioning, and chemical transformations in the environment. Regulatory implications and remediation approaches. Prerequisite: CIVL 601 or ENVS 605.
CIVL 610: Water Treatment Systems (3 semester hours) Integration of unit processes and operations and functional engineering design of water treatment systems. Prerequisite: CIVL 640.
CIVL 612: Adv Integ Water Trtmnt Systems (3 semester hours) Detailed analysis of emission sources, emission calculation methods, and air pollution controls. The dispersion of air pollutants in the atmosphere (fates and lifetimes, dispersion modeling methods). In-depth techniques of conducting risk assessments due to exposure to air pollutants.
CIVL 617: Water Treatment Processes (3 semester hours) Theory and practice of the physical and chemical treatment processes to treat water and wastewater including reactor performance, screening sedimentation, membrane and media filtration, adsorption, ion exchange, disinfection. Theory and practice of biological treatment of wastewater including activated sludge, attached growth systems, oxygen transfer, secondary clarification, nutrient removal, residuals stabilization and dewatering, natural treatment systems. Prerequisite: CIVL 601. Corequisites: CIVL 605 and ENVS 606.
CIVL 618: Water Reuse and Desalination (3 semester hours) Wastewater reuse and desalination are key components of future water supply systems. This course covers processes used for water reuse and membrane treatment systems. The objectives include understanding: 1) the rapidly expanding wastewater reuse market; 2) advanced treatment processes required for reuse; and 3) the roles and characteristics of membrane systems for treatment of water and wastewater along with desalination for seawater and brackish water. Existing reuse and membrane treatment systems are studied to understand how individual processes are integrated to meet the water quality objectives and treatment requirements for different applications. Prerequisite: CIVL 601.
CIVL 619: Advanced Integrated Water Treatment Systems (3 semester hours) Integrated design of water and wastewater treatment facilities from site and process selection, site layout, hydraulics, flow and material balances, pumping, odor control, and chemical feed systems. Includes the design of additional processes such as ozonation, air stripper, ion exchange, adsorption, nutrient removal, etc. Prerequisite: CIVL 617.
CIVL 620: Computers and Environmental Analysis (3 semester hours) Applications of digital simulations in the analysis of problems in the environment, water quality modeling, numerical methods, statistical analysis, and use of a large scale application program.
CIVL 625: Applied Fluid Mechanics (3 semester hours) Fundamentals of fluid mechanics, and review of the underlying mathematical principles, viscosity, fluid statics, conservation of mass, energy equation, momentum principle, fluid flow in pipes, hydraulic machinery. Open to science majors interested in a Master's degree in Environmental Science. Lecture, 3 hours. Requires consent of instructor.
CIVL 626: Surface Water Hydrology (3 semester hours) Applications of digital simulations in the analysis of problems in the environment, water quality modeling, numerical methods, statistical analysis, and use of a large scale application program.
CIVL 627: Urban Water Systems and Stormwater Management (3 semester hours) Overview of the theory and practical applied hydraulic design in an urban setting. Topics include potable water conveyance facilities with pump stations and reservoirs; storm water conveyance systems including pipe, street gutter, storm drains, and culverts. Emphasis is placed on the design Low Impact Development (LID) biorentention, and other facilities for regulatory compliance and sustainability, as well as on the application of modeling software used in practice. Prerequisite: CIVL 625.
CIVL 628: Groundwater Hydrology and Sustainable Management (3 semester hours) Groundwater in California and other regions of the world is a critical component of our water supply portfolio, and proper management requires a judicious balance between municipal, agricultural, and environmental interests. In this course, students will learn about 1) the theory of groundwater occurrence and movement; 2) the engineering involved in groundwater extraction, replenishment, and protection; and 3) sustainable basin management strategies and optimization techniques. Specific course topics include theory of the movement and occurrence of water in a porous medium, Darcy's law, steady and unsteady flow in confined and unconfined aquifers, hydraulics of groundwater wells, municipal water well design, use of professional groundwater modeling software, optimization techniques to sustainably manage groundwater basin pumping, safe yield operation, artificial recharge, conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water supplies, seawater intrusion prevention, and sustainable basin management strategies and agreements. Prerequisite: CIVL 625.
CIVL 629: Groundwater Contaminant Transport and Remediation (3 semester hours) Processes affecting the transport and fate of inorganic and organic contaminants in groundwater. Emphasis is placed on processes involving phase equilibrium, mass transfer, dissolution, etc. Review of flow and contaminant transport models, remediation technologies, and practical/regulatory considerations. Prerequisite: CIVL 628.
CIVL 630: Design of Concrete Structures (3 semester hours) Theory and design of reinforced concrete columns, beams, retaining walls, footings, and slabs. Application to design projects.
CIVL 632: Design of Steel Structures (3 semester hours) Fundamentals of load and resistance factor design of steel components, connections, and systems. Component designs include beams, composite beams, beam columns, tension and compression members, and simple connections. Introduction to computational modeling.
CIVL 633: Design of Wood Structures (3 semester hours) The course addresses properties and behavior of wood products, design criteria using structural timber, glue laminated lumber, and panels, LRFD design of bending and compression members, frames, diaphragms, shear panels, and connection details, and use of resources such as building codes and the National Design Specifications.
CIVL 635: Contaminant Transport in Groundwater (3 semester hours) Processes affecting the transport and fate of inorganic and organic contaminants in groundwater. Emphasis is placed on processes involving phase equilibrium, mass transfer, dissolution, etc. Review of flow and contaminant transport models, remediation technologies, and practical/regulatory considerations. Prerequisites: CIVL 514, ENVS 631, and ENVS 633.
CIVL 636: Nonlinear Structural Analysis (3 semester hours) This course will cover nonlinear response and behavior of new and retrofitted buildings to earthquake ground motions. The course will be taught with lectures and projects (Perform 3D), using both prescriptive and performance-based design methodologies. Topics include nonlinear static and dynamic analysis, response spectra, component and system behavior, damping, latest research references for computational modeling.
CIVL 637: Building Information Modeling (3 semester hours) This course focuses on the knowledge and skills required to create and utilize a Building Information Model (BIM) for construction building projects. This is a project-based course where students apply BIM concepts to real-life projects from the planning and design stages to the construction phase. The course also introduces the use of BIM for clash detection as well as for cost estimating and scheduling purposes. Graduate standing required.
CIVL 638: Construction Management and Sustainability (3 semester hours) Course provides students with an introduction to construction management and sustainable building practices and rating systems including CALGreen and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
CIVL 639: Design of Masonry Structures (3 semester hours)
CIVL 640: Physical and Chemical Treatment Processes (3 semester hours) Theory and practice of the physical and chemical treatment processes to treat water and wastewater including flow equalization, preliminary treatment, grit removal, primary sedimentation, filtration, floatation, adsorption, ion exchange and membrance separation, air stripping, precipitation, chemical oxidation and disinfection. Prerequisites: CIVL 310 or 504 or equivalent; ENVS 631 and 633.
CIVL 641: Biological Treatment Processes (3 semester hours) Theory and practice of biological treatment of wastewater and wastewater residuals including activated sludge, biotower and fixed film systems, oxygen transfer, secondary clarification, nutrient removal, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, composting, oxidation ponds, and wetlands. Prerequisites: CIVL 310 or 504 or equivalent; ENVS 631, 633, and 644.
CIVL 646: Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering (3 semester hours) Introduction to engineering seismology and earthquake ground motions. Evaluation of dynamic soil properties, seismic site response analysis, soil liquefaction evaluation and mitigation, seismic slop stability, and seismic evaluation of dams and embankments. Prerequisite: CIVL 410 or ENVS 652.
CIVL 647: Dams and Levees (3 semester hours) Evaluation of geotechnical, hydrology, and hydraulic components for the design and evaluation of dam and levee structures. Consideration of unconfined groundwater flow, filter design, embankment stability, open channels, and other related topics. Prerequisites: CIVL 620 and permission of the instructor.
CIVL 650: Fundamentals of Environmental Health Risk Assessment (2 semester hours) The fundamental technical aspects and non-technical policy aspects of environmental health risk assessments. Basics of environmental chemistry; partitioning, fate and transport of pollutants in the atmosphere and water; human exposure scenarios, fundamentals of toxicology and epidemiology.
CIVL 651: Remote Sensing with Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Applications (3 semester hours) The course introduces the fundamental concepts of remote sensing from space, remote sensing data, and image data processing. Topics include characteristics of electromagnetic spectrum and remote sensing devices, digital processing methods for interpreting, manipulating and analyzing remotely-sensed image data, and applications of satellite remote sensing to civil engineering and environmental fields.
CIVL 653: Modeling Environmental and Water Resources Systems (3 semester hours) This course provides an introduction to mathematical modeling techniques used to solve and interpret a variety of environmental and water resources engineering problems. Topics include numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, optimization, and statistical analysis of model results. Prerequisite: CIVL 625.
CIVL 655: Computational Fluid Dynamics (3 semester hours) In-depth study of applied computational methods for solving problems involving fluid and heat transport. Course will include both commercially available codes as well as self-generated solving routines. Topics include: numerical solutions to PDEs, steady flow solutions, unsteady flow solutions, flows involving heat transfer. Lecture, 3 hours. Graduate standing required. Prerequisite: CIVL 505 or 605
CIVL 657: Finite Element Methods (3 semester hours) Introduction to the theory and application of finite element methods. Review of the fundamentals of analytical models, elasticity, and structural mechanics. Review of matrix theory and calculation of variations. General process for the development of a finite element solution. Derivations of basic elements, including those for trusses, plane stress and plane strain, beams, plates, and solids. Discussion of the issues of conformity and completeness. Higher order interpolation functions and isoparametric elements. Solutions and applications to problems in structural mechanics, heat transfer, structural dynamics, and elastic stability. Practical examples. Graduate standing required.
CIVL 670: Contracts and Specifications (2 semester hours) Discussion of the design and construction process, contract documents and specifications, contract changes, claims and disputes, property issues, selection of the design professional and professional service contracts.
CIVL 671: Air Quality, Control, and Management (3 semester hours) Air pollution effects, and principal regulations, including greenhouse gases and environmental justice, emission standards, criteria and toxic pollutants, atmospheric stability, mixing, and inversions, and smog formation; detailed analysis of emission sources, emission calculation methods, air pollutant dispersion modeling, and equipment and processes to control criteria and toxic pollutants. Indoor air pollutants and radon are included.
CIVL 672: Sustainable Waste Management (3 semester hours) Overview of the regulatory constraints associated with waste management. Application of current technology in municipal solid waste collection, handling, resource recovery, and safe disposal of residuals including landfill design, operation, gas mitigation, and closure. General characterization of principal industrial wastes, typical treatment processes used for recycling, waste reduction, and safe disposal of residuals. Hazardous waste characterization and minimization, storage, treatment, and residuals disposal; overview of site assessment and remediation strategies.
CIVL 673: Economics of Water and the Environment (3 semester hours) Local, regional, and international economics are a fundamental component of water resources and environmental systems and associated management and decision making. This course covers topics on the debt-monetary system; debt financing for environmental projects; bond market; discount rate; and cash flow equivalence and benefit-cost analysis for project alternatives, including net present value, internal rate of return and unit cost. Students incorporate cost and interest rate uncertainty in project valuation studies as well as perform cost effective analysis using linear programming and other tools. Case studies include water treatment facilities, water transfers, and other environmentally focused projects.
CIVL 674: Sustainable Engineering (3 semester hours) Introduction to the role of engineers in sustainability with focus on the modern engineer's role on design. Topics include environmental impacts, economics, climate change, stormwater management, recycled water and desalination, waste management, renewable energy, sustainable building and infrastructure, life cycle assessment, and green rating systems for engineering.
CIVL 675: Renewable Energy Systems (3 semester hours) A detailed study of alternative energy technologies including: solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind, fuel cells, and geothermal systems will be covered. In-depth analysis of the technical aspects of these systems will be covered while considering economic and environmental constraints. Energy storage and grid integration will also be considered. Graduate standing required.
CIVL 676: Project Management (3 semester hours) This course will integrate project management theory with practical approaches to establish a fundamental knowledge base for use in today's contemporary dynamic business environment. Project management will be explored from planning and selection through all aspects of the project life cycle. Practical techniques will be developed to organize and control non-routine activities in order to properly manage schedule, quality, budget, and performance objectives. The course will concentrate on project management areas identified as core knowledge areas by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The areas include the management of: Project Integration, Scope containment, Time, Cost, Quality, Human Resources, Procurement, and Risk. Graduate Standing Required.
CIVL 677: Transportation Engineering (3 semester hours) This class introduces basic concepts involved in the broad and important field of transportation engineering. It focuses on passenger transportation, specifically highways and urban public transit. It addresses the characteristics of included modes, basic design of their guideways and stations, selection of appropriate street designs or modes for given applications, conducting trip generation and parking generation studies, and performing demand/capacity analyses. The history of urban transportation, transportation financing, traffic engineering, and transit operations planning is also covered. By the end of the course, students will have a strong basis for continuing their studies in the field and/or will simply be better informed on transportation issues as they inevitably arise in life.
CIVL 678: Research in Civil Engineering & Environmental Science (3 semester hours) This course is designed to provide undergraduates and graduate students with research opportunities and better prepare undergraduates for advanced degrees. Students perform research in accordance with the scientific methodology in areas civil engineering, environmental engineering, and/or environmental science under the supervision of a research advisor who may or may not be the primary course instructor. The precise research topic is selected together by each student and/or advisor. Topics include the research process; hypothesis formulation and testing; modern scientific research; relevant research topics; analysis of scientific articles; data interpretation; critical assessment of public opinion versus scientific evidence; and article, report, and presentation preparation. Requires Permission of instructor.
CIVL 690: Comprehensive Oral Exam (0 semester hours) The oral examination provides an opportunity to assess the student's understanding of some of the fundamental principles of environmental engineering, water resources engineering, and/or environmental science. It provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate her/his problem-solving abilities using knowledge learned through coursework and an indication of student accomplishment broader than what is obtained from conventional classroom assessment. The exam is generally offered on the Friday of final examinations week. Students can register for the class only if all of course requirements will be complete at the end of the semester in which they plan to take the exam. Students with non-engineering undergraduate degrees must also pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam overseen by National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Credit/No Credit grading.
CIVL 691: FE/EIT Environmental Preparation (1 semester hour) The Fundamentals of Engineering exam and Engineer-in-Training is the first step in becoming a licensed Professional Environmental Engineer. This course provides preparation for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) discipline-specific Environmental FE exam with emphasis on water distribution, wastewater collection, treatment, health risk, noise, air quality, fate and transport, and landfills. The FE reference handbook is used in the solution of practice problems. Credit/No Credit grading.
CIVL 692: FE/EIT Other Disciplines (General) Preparation (1 semester hour) The Fundamentals of Engineering exam and Engineer-in-Training is the first step in becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. This course provides preparation for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) general non-discipline specific (other disciplines) FE exam. Credit/No Credit grading.
CIVL 695: Master Thesis (3 semester hours) Master Thesis
CIVL 696: Thesis Defense (0 semester hours) Students who opt for a thesis must defend their research to a thesis committee in the form of a written thesis and an oral presentation. It is the intent of the thesis committee to determine if the student 1) has mastered the subject matter of the thesis, 2) understands the work done by others, and 3) can critically assess that work and his/her own work. No later than two weeks prior to the thesis defense presentation, the student must provide their written thesis to their thesis committee for review. The presentation should take no longer than one hour, including questions and answers from the committee and audience. Immediately after the presentation, the committee will deem the thesis complete, complete with exceptions, or incomplete. Credit/No Credit grading.
CIVL 698: Special Studies (1-4 semester hours)
CIVL 699: Independent Studies (1-4 semester hours) Independent Studies
CIVL 2200: Engineering Thermodynamics (2 semester hours) Fundamental of classic thermodynamics, properties of pure substances, ideal gas laws and climate variables, work, heat, energy balances for closed and open systems, second law, entropy, irreversible processes, isentropic processes, power, and refrigeration cycles. Prerequisite: CHEM 114, MATH 132
CIVL 2300: Mechanics of Materials (4 semester hours) Development of relationships between loads applied to a nonrigid body including axial and torsional loading and the resulting stresses and deformations in the body, the relation between stresses and strains, develop adequate procedures for finding necessary dimensions of a member with respect material capabilities and design constraints. Topics include Torsion, Bending, Stability of Columns, analysis of bolted or welded joints. Prerequisite: ENGR 200 Lecture, 4 hours.
CIVL 2500: Surveying and Mapping (4 semester hours) Study and utilization of state-of-the-art surveying instruments and related computations for topographic surveys, horizontal and vertical curves, and the design of highways. Introduction to computer aided design and geographic information systems (applications of Autodesk Civil 3D to civil engineering design and fundamentals of GIS using ArcView). Prerequisite: Sophomore standing Lecture, 2 hours; Laboratory, 4 hours.
CIVL 3040: Probability and Statistics in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2 semester hours) Introduction to probability and statistics with an emphasis on techniques and applications useful in engineering. Prerequisite: MATH 132.
CIVL 3100: Fluid Mechanics (4 semester hours) Properties of fluids, fluid statics, kinematics, energy, hydrodynamics, momentum and dynamic forces, steady flow of compressible and incompressible fluids. Course includes a Fluids Lab component. Prerequisites: CIVL 2200, MATH 234, and MATH 245 or concurrent enrollment.
CIVL 3150: Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering (4 semester hours) Flood control hydrology including rainfall – runoff methods of analysis, unit hydrographs, flood routing, flood frequency analysis. Development of surface and groundwater supplies, reservoir yield and operation, determination of water requirements, analysis of water supply and distribution systems. Risk & reliability statistics. Analysis of pumps. Hands-on fluid lab experiments with pumps and open channels. Prerequisites: MATH 246, CIVL 3100 and, CIVL 3400 or MATH 360
CIVL 3200: Introduction to Sustainability & Environmental Engineering (4 semester hours) Introduction to sustainability and environmental engineering principles. Topics will include water and wastewater treatment processes; solid waste management; air pollution; sustainable water resource and pollution management in natural and urban environments; renewable energy. Integrated laboratory demonstrations are included. Lecture, 4 hours. University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Nature of Science, Technology, and Mathematics (Civil Engineering majors only). Prerequisites: BIOL 114, CHEM 114, MATH 132, and MATH 246 or concurrent enrollment.
CIVL 3350: Structural Analysis and Design (4 semester hours) Analysis of determinate and indeterminate deformable structures at the element and system level using classical methods, and an introduction to computer methods of analysis to develop design skills. Introduction to the International Building Code. Prerequisites: CIVL 2300 and MATH 246.
CIVL 3360: Structural Dynamics and Seismic Systems (4 semester hours) Brief review of particle dynamics. Introduction to fundamentals of structural dynamics through theory and lab. Free and forced vibration of discrete and multiple degree of freedom systems, continuous systems, design for earthquake loading, application of the Uniform Building Code to the seismic design of structures. Structural dynamics experiments will be conducted. Prerequisites: CIVL 2300 and MATH 246.
CIVL 3400: Analytical Methods in Civil and Environmental Engineering (2 semester hours) Introduction to probability and statistics with an emphasis on techniques and applications useful in engineering. Prerequisite: MATH 132.
CIVL 3410: Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering (4 semester hours) Soil formation, classification, physical and mechanical properties, soil compaction, flow through porous media, effective stress, earth pressures, consolidation, shear strength, and application to design of foundations and earth structures. Laboratory testing of soils. Perquisites: CIVL 2300, CIVL 3100.
CIVL 4001: Civil Engineering Design, Practice, and Ethics (4 semester hours) An integrated senior design experience which utilizes knowledge from the civil engineering curriculum. In addition to the technical aspects, the designs consider costs, sustainability economics, and environmental factors. Class lectures include discussion of the design process, environmental impact, engineering and professional ethics, the engineering profession, professional practice issues, the role of the engineer in the construction process, and procurement of engineering work. Student project reports and presentations are required. Lecture, 2 hours; Design Laboratory, 4 hours. Senior standing required. Prerequisites: CIVL 2100, CIVL 3150, CIVL 3200, CIVL 3350, CIVL 3360, CIVL 3410, CIVL 395,
CIVL 4900: Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review (0 semester hours) Topics for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination will be reviewed. The review will include sample test questions.
ENVS 605: Aquatic Chemistry (3 semester hours) Review of stoichiometry, oxidation-reduction reactions, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Equilibrium chemistry concepts including acid-base, gas, and solid-liquid equilibria applied to aquatic systems with an emphasis on problem-solving methods to determine chemical speciation and pH effects in natural and treated aquatic systems.
ENVS 606: Applied Environmental Microbiology (3 semester hours) Emphasis on the practical physical and biochemical aspects of bacterial metabolism and behavior in the environment as applied to environmental engineering and environmental science; kinetics and energetics of micobial growth as applied to wastewater treatment, biosolids stabilization, and biogas generation. Prerequisite: CIVL 601 or ENVS 605.
ENVS 607: Environmental Engineering and Science Lab (3 semester hours) Students will learn the theory, application, and techniques of several key environmental laboratory tests and methods of instrumental analysis associated with environmental monitoring and wastewater treatment operations. Tests will be performed on samples collected from various field sites (e.g., Ballona Creek, Dockweiler Beach), local wastewater treatment facilities, or during a field trip to Ballona Wetlands. Students will develop strong technical and scientific writing skills through the course. Prerequisite: CIVL 601 or ENVS 605.
ENVS 608: Contaminant Fate, Transport, and Remediation (3 semester hours) Introduction to physical, chemical, and biological processes governing the movement and fate of contaminants in the surface and coastal water environment. Practical quantitative problems solved based on contaminant mass transport, equilibrium partitioning, and chemical transformations in the environment. Regulatory implications and remediation approaches. Prerequisite: CIVL 601 or ENVS 605.
ENVS 651: Remote Sensing with Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Applications (3 semester hours) The course introduces the fundamental concepts of remote sensing from space, remote sensing data, and image data processing. Topics include characteristics of electromagnetic spectrum and remote sensing devices, digital processing methods for interpreting, manipulating and analyzing remotely-sensed image data, and applications of satellite remote sensing to civil engineering and environmental fields.
ENVS 652: Spatial Data Analysis and Geographical Information Systems (3 semester hours) Concepts, principles, and use of geographic information systems (GIS) to investigate spatial patterns associated with physical and social processes. Specific topics include dataset management, site suitability analysis, modeling, remote sensing, cartography and visualization, with a focus on civil and environmental engineering and environmental science applications.
ENVS 678: Research Civl Engr & Env Sci (3 semester hours) This course is designed to provide undergraduates and graduate students with research opportunities and better prepare undergraduates for advanced degrees. Students perform research in accordance with the scientific methodology in areas civil engineering, environmental engineering, and/or environmental science under the supervision of a research advisor who may or may not be the primary course instructor. The precise research topic is selected together by each student and/or advisor. Topics include the research process; hypothesis formulation and testing; modern scientific research; relevant research topics; analysis of scientific articles; data interpretation; critical assessment of public opinion versus scientific evidence; and article, report, and presentation preparation. Requires Permission of instructor.
ENVS 680: Engineering Geology (3 semester hours) Evaluation of the significance of geologic origin, composition, and structure on the characteristics of soils and rocks. Influence geology and plate boundary impacts have on design and construction of engineering projects.
ENVS 681: Ecosystem Services in Urban Landscapes (3 semester hours) This course focuses on the concept of ecosystem services and how they are integrated into urban watersheds to make cities more sustainable and resilient to a changing climate. Key topics include the structure and dynamics of watersheds, the impacts of poor resource management and pollution to environmental quality within urban watersheds, and reestablishing ecosystem services through green infrastructure and similar strategies, and habitat restoration activities. Material is learned through class discussions, presentations by guest researchers and resource managers, several mandatory weekend field trips, and class projects.
ENVS 682: Urban Coasts: Habitats, Stressors, and Resilience (3 semester hours) Urban coastal regions provide a wealth of ecosystem services associated with their shallow marine, shoreline, estuarine, and wetland habitats, but are under constant stresses from human activities and a changing climate. Through this course, students will learn about: 1) the nature of coastal habitats; 2) the natural and anthropogenic interactions between oceanic, coastal, and watershed processes impacting these habitats; and 3) policies and strategies, both behavioral and structural, to mitigate stressors resulting in more resilient coastal cities.
ENVS 683: Environmental Toxicology and Health Risk (3 semester hours) An introduction to the principles of risk assessment, perception of risk and risk communication as it relates to chemicals, pathogens, and radiation in the environment and their effect on humans and animals considering dermal, ingestion, and inhalation pathways; chronic daily intake, potency factors, dose response, bioconcentration, and bioaccumulation are discussed along with regulatory fundamentals.
ENVS 684: Climate Change and Impacts (3 semester hours) Overview of Earth's climate system and exploration of the science, impacts, and politics of global climate change. Specific topics include the greenhouse effect; climate drivers; atmospheric and oceanic circulations; observations and projections; climate modeling; politics; vulnerability; resiliency, adaption, and mitigation; impacts on water resources, extreme climate events, and agriculture.
ENVS 686: Climate Change Mitigation (3 semester hours) Opportunities and challenges of climate change mitigation in different sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, transport, housing, urban planning, etc. Co-benefits to the environment and health of climate change mitigation policies at the local, urban, national, and global levels. Linkages with the Paris Climate Change Treaty and the National Determined Contributions.
ENVS 687: Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (3 semester hours) Current and future climate impacts on planetary and human health, ecosystems, food systems, socioeconomic determinants, human security, etc. Vulnerability issues. Opportunities of climate adaptation and resilience. Disaster Risk Reduction and Risk Management. Climate adaptation strategies, policies, and planning at the community, city, national, and global levels. The Paris Climate Change Treaty and adaptation in the National Determined Contributions.
ENVS 688: Environmental Health (3 semester hours) Introduction to the field of environmental health sciences. Examination of series of topics relevant to science of environmental health (e.g., population, agriculture/food, microbiology, energy, climate change, water, waste, air) by introducing scientific basis from ecological perspective and describing how topics relate to health. Risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. Application of scientific information to real world problems and ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders. Emerging issues and solutions.
ENVS 689: Sustainability, Health, and Equity (3 semester hours) Sustainability Development goals and practices to protect the planet, human health, welfare, equality, biodiversity, oceans, peace, etc. as part of the new sustainable development 2030 agenda with a focus on health and equity targets. Sustainable production and consumption, sustainable cities, climate action, education, etc. Inter-sectoral, innovative, socio-economic, and environmentally sustainable and equitable solutions. Design an implementation strategy for a specific community on a specific item that is part of one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Emerging circular economy.
ENVS 690: Comprehensive Oral Exam (0 semester hours) The oral examination provides an opportunity to assess the student's understanding of some of the fundamental principles of environmental engineering, water resources engineering, and/or environmental science. It provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate her/his problem-solving abilities using knowledge learned through coursework and an indication of student accomplishment broader than what is obtained from conventional classroom assessment. The exam is generally offered on the Friday of final examinations week. Students can register for the class only if all of course requirements will be complete at the end of the semester in which they plan to take the exam. Credit/No Credit grading.
ENVS 695: Master Thesis (3 semester hours)
ENVS 696: Thesis Defense (0 semester hours) Students who opt for a thesis must defend their research to a thesis committee in the form of a written thesis and an oral presentation. It is the intent of the thesis committee to determine if the student 1) has mastered the subject matter of the thesis, 2) understands the work done by others, and 3) can critically assess that work and his/her own work. No later than two weeks prior to the thesis defense presentation, the student must provide their written thesis to their thesis committee for review. The presentation should take no longer than one house including questions and answers from the committee and audience. Immediately after the presentation, the committee will deem the thesis complete, complete with exceptions, or incomplete. Credit/No Credit grading
ENVS 698: Special Studies (1-4 semester hours)
ENVS 699: Independent Studies (1-4 semester hours)