Catalog Entries |
2024 September Semester
Apr 25, 2024 |
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 | Select the Course Number to get further detail on the course. Select the desired Schedule Type to find available classes for the course. |
| ENSC 111 - Earth and Environment |
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This course introduces students to the theory and practice of environmental science and physical geography; provides an opportunity for students to meet faculty and peers from the Department of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences; and builds a foundation for their academic careers. Students are exposed to a wide range of topics through seminars, invited talks from industry professionals, short assignments, and field trips. This course is graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.
Credits: 1.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 201 - Weather and Climate |
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This course explains the fundamental processes of weather and climate, and leads the student toward an understanding of how the atmosphere works and how to interpret the weather. Topics introduced include: atmospheric energy, solar and terrestrial radiation, the "Greenhouse Effect", and climate change, air quality and stratospheric ozone, humidity, clouds, precipitation, storms and weather systems, hurricanes and tornadoes, stability and thunderstorms, wind and atmospheric dynamics, and weather forecasting.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 202 - Introduction to Aquatic Systems |
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Aquatic systems are central to all areas of life, and are essential for the health, wellbeing and functions of the human population. Aquatic systems are now recognised as fundamental to the regulation of atmospheric gases and therefore of our climate. This course provides a broad overview of the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects freshwater and marine systems. Human perspectives focus on the conservation and exploitation of the resources found within and below lakes, rivers and oceans. Introduction to Aquatic Systems provides a foundation for students wishing to pursue advanced courses in any area of aquatic study.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 250 - Introduction to Environmental Data Analysis |
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This course introduces the principles and practice of developing computer programs to analyze and visualize environmental data. Topics include input and output of data, formatting data, accessing and using package libraries, writing functions, profiling and documenting code, and developing algorithms for environmental data analysis. Example datasets and problems from the geophysical and environmental sciences provide working examples. This course consists of lectures and labs with an emphasis on the development of practical skills in the lab.
Credits: 0.000 OR 2.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Self-Directed, Final Exam, Laboratory |
| ENSC 302 - Low Carbon Energy Development |
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This course provides an overview of low carbon energy sources. The course covers global resources, with a focus on energy development in British Columbia. Topics include environmental, economic and social aspects of nuclear, bioenergy, solar, geothermal, wind, hydro, and ocean energy.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Self-Directed, Final Exam |
| ENSC 303 - Energy Systems and Sustainability |
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This course provides an overview of where our energy comes from, the services we derive from energy use, such as heat, motion, and light, and the environmental implications of increasing energy demand. Topics include electricity and fuel production, energy demand for buildings, transportation and industry, and the potential of electrification and energy efficiency to reduce energy demand. The course examines future energy scenarios that limit greenhouse gas emissions through both changes in how energy is used and the integration of low-carbon energy sources.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 307 - Introduction to Geochemistry |
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This course introduces the fundamental principles of low-temperature geochemistry and biogeochemistry, from the origin of elements to the functions of earth systems. Chemical reactions, energetics and physics are used to explain elemental distributions within and redistribution among reservoirs of: rock, water, soils and the atmosphere over timescales from minutes to geologic eras. Geochemical and biogeochemical principles are applied to topics such as climate change; air, soil and water quality; chronology of human impacts on earth; and availability of mineral elements to the biosphere.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 308 - Northern Contaminated Environments |
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This course offers students a broad knowledge base and a sound understanding of various environmental problems in the north, with particular emphasis on the processes associated with these problems and the requirements to address them. Topics include: physical settings of the north; concepts of environmental pollution; pollutant sources and transport pathways in the north; types of pollutants (such as metals, PM2.5, POPs and petroleum hydrocarbons) in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments; and environmental and human health risk assessment.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Audio/Video, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 312 - Biometeorology |
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This course focuses on the principles of weather and climate at micro-, local and meso-scales. It discusses the processes associated with transfers of heat, mass, and momentum, and the resulting climates near the surface. Other topics include fog, urban and forest climates, bioclimatology, local winds, as well as transport and dispersion of air pollution.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 325 - Soil Physical Processes and the Environment |
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This course focuses on physical principles and processes of soils that influence organisms and the environment, including retention and movement of water, heat transfer, soil strength, gas exchange, transport of solutes, and soil erosion. Examples from areas of land resource management, environmental quality, agriculture and forestry are used to illustrate principles.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 404 - Waste Management |
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This course introduces environmental, technical and political aspects of non-hazardous and hazardous wastes. Topics include sources, evaluative methods, risk assessment, treatment, disposal, and current legal and management requirements.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Audio/Video |
| ENSC 406 - Environmental Modelling |
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This course provides an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that govern contaminant transport and fate in environmental media. Topics include: modelling fundamentals; mass transport in aquatic ecosystems; and mathematical modeling of a wide variety of contamination issues, such as lake eutrophication, river water quality, groundwater contamination, atmospheric deposition, and climate change. Laboratory exercises complement lecture topics and focus on the development of computer-based modelling skills.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 408 - Storms |
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This course covers the analysis and dynamics of synoptic weather systems; cyclones and cyclogenesis; fronts, thunderstorms, and jet streams; stability and thermodynamic charts; satellite and radar imagery; severe weather; and weather forecasting.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 412 - Air Pollution |
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This multidisciplinary course focuses on air pollution. Topics include: emissions, chemistry, air pollution meteorology and dispersion modelling, engineering and legislative controls, health effects, and airshed planning.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 418 - Environmental Measurement and Analysis |
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This capstone course for Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering majors is focused on advanced environmental measurement and analysis of atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial systems. The approach is practical, integrative and problem-based. Students may examine natural and managed systems, including engineering systems (e.g. waste management) and systems impacted by anthropogenic activity (e.g. contamination).
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 425 - Climate Change and Global Warming |
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Climate change and global warming caused by human activity has become one of the most significant environmental, social and economic threats that we have faced. This course presents the science of global climate change and global warming. Emphasis is placed on scientific principles responsible for climate changes, observed evidence of global climate change and global warming, and future climate change. Course topics include climate system, greenhouse effect, El Nino, atmospheric and ocean circulation, Earth's past and present climate, climate models, future climate projection, and climate change impacts on Canada.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Audio/Video |
| ENSC 430 - Undergraduate Thesis |
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The undergraduate thesis allows students in Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering to devote time to a concentrated piece of research. The thesis may be completed over one or two semesters.
Credits: 6.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Undergrad Thesis |
| ENSC 435 - Soil Biological Processes and the Environment |
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Processes at the interface between the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere are critical to the regulation of environmental quality on Earth. This course provides an overview of the soil habitat from a biological perspective and of how soil organisms and the processes they mediate play critical roles in a sustainable planet.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 440 - Internship |
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This course may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credit hours. This course is graded on a PASS/FAIL basis.
Credits: 2.000 TO 6.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Internship |
| ENSC 450 - Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis |
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The focus of this course is on the principles and practicality of the most common environmental and geophysical data analysis methods, including time series analysis and multivariate statistical analysis as well as their application in the environmental and natural sciences. This course includes labs in which students are expected to apply theories and methods covered in lectures to solve practical problems using computer software for statistical data analysis.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Laboratory |
| ENSC 452 - Reclamation and Remediation of Disturbed Environments |
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This course takes an integrative approach to the remediation and reclamation of drastically disturbed environments. Understanding behavior, fate and transport of contaminants is used to place remediation within the context of use-specific risk reduction. Reclamation is examined as a way to return land to some agreed upon purpose. Societal involvement is explored as a guide to acceptable choices of goals and options. The focus is on the remediation and reclamation of terrestrial systems, but aquatic systems are also included.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Audio/Video |
| ENSC 454 - Snow and Ice |
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This course focuses on the physical processes involving snow and ice that influence the hydrometeorology of Northern British Columbia and the rest of Canada including snowpack, permafrost, lake, river and sea ice, and glacier formation and ablation processes; the characteristics of snow and ice and how they evolve with climate change. Students conduct an extensive snow survey in the field.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Self-Directed, Final Exam |
| ENSC 498 - Special Topics |
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This course examines selected environmental topics, depending on student interest and faculty availability. This course may be repeated to a maximum of 6 credit hours if the material is substantially different.
Credits: 1.000 TO 6.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Field Camp |
| ENSC 499 - Independent Study |
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This course concentrates on particular topics agreed upon by the student and a member of the Environmental Science faculty. It may be repeated to a maximum of 6 six credit hours if the material is substantially different.
Credits: 1.000 TO 6.000 Levels: Undergraduate Schedule Types: Self-Directed |
| ENSC 604 - Waste Management |
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This advanced course introduces environmental, technical and political aspects of non-hazardous and hazardous wastes. Topics include sources, evaluative methods, risk assessment, treatment, disposal, and current legal and management requirements.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 607 - Environmental Modelling |
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This advanced course provides an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that govern contaminant transport and fate in environmental media. Topics include: modelling fundamentals; mass transport in aquatic ecosystems; and mathematical modeling of a wide variety of contamination issues, such as lake eutrophication, river water quality, groundwater contamination, atmospheric deposition, and climate change. Laboratory exercises complement lecture topics and focus on the development of computer-based modelling skills.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory, Tutorial |
| ENSC 608 - Storms |
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This advanced course covers the following topics: analysis and dynamics of synoptic weather systems; cyclones and cyclogenesis; fronts, thunderstorms, and jet streams; stability and thermodynamic charts; satellite and radar imagery; severe weather; and weather forecasting.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 612 - Air Pollution |
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This advanced multidisciplinary course focuses on air pollution. Topics include:emissions, chemistry, air pollution meteorology and dispersion modelling, engineering and legislative controls, health effects, and airshed planning.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 618 - Environmental Measurement and Analysis |
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This advanced course for Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering majors is focused on advanced environmental measurement and analysis of atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial systems. The approach is practical, integrative and problem-based. Students may examine natural and managed systems, including engineering systems (e.g. waste management) and systems impacted by anthropogenic activity (e.g. contamination).
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Lec/Lab/Tut Combination, Laboratory |
| ENSC 625 - Climate Change and Global Warming |
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The climate change and global warming caused by human activity has become one of the most significant environmental, social and economic threats that we have faced. This course presents the science of global climate change and global warming. Emphasis is placed on scientific principles responsible for climate changes, observed evidence of global climate change and global warming, and future climate change. Course topics include climate system, greenhouse effect, El Nino, atmospheric and ocean circulation, Earth's past and present climate, climate models, future climate projection, and climate change impacts on Canada.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 635 - Soil Biological Processes and the Environment |
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Processes at the interface between the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere are critical to the regulation of environmental quality on Earth. This advanced course provides an overview of the soil habitat from a biological perspective and of how soil organisms and the processes they mediate play critical roles in a sustainable planet.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Self-Directed, Final Exam |
| ENSC 650 - Environmental and Geophysical Data Analysis |
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The focus of this advanced course is on the principles and practicality of the most common environmental and geophysical data analysis
methods, including time series analysis and multivariate statistical analysis as well as their application in the environmental and natural sciences. This course includes labs in which students are expected to apply theories and methods covered in lectures to solve practical problems using computer software for statistical data analysis.
Credits: 0.000 OR 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Laboratory |
| ENSC 651 - Groundwater Hydrology |
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This course introduces fundamental principles of groundwater flow and their applications to solve problems related to groundwater resources evaluation, development, and management. Topics include the role of groundwater in geological processes, the occurrence and movement of groundwater, steady-state and transient well hydraulics, aquifer testing techniques, unsaturated flow theory, and groundwater modeling techniques. Supporting computer software may be used.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam |
| ENSC 652 - Reclamation & Remediation of Disturbed Environments |
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This advanced course takes an integrative approach to the remediation and reclamation of drastically disturbed environments. Understanding behavior, fate and transport of contaminants is used to place remediation within the context of use-specific risk reduction. Reclamation is examined as a way to return land to some agreed-upon purpose. Societal involvement is explored as a guide to acceptable choices of goals and options. The focus is on the remediation and reclamation of terrestrial systems, but aquatic systems are also included.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Final Exam, Audio/Video |
| ENSC 654 - Snow and Ice |
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This advanced course focuses on the physical processes involving snow and ice that influence the hydrometeorology of Northern British Columbia and the rest of Canada including snowpack, permafrost, lake, river and sea ice, and glacier formation and ablation processes; the characteristics of snow and ice and how they evolve with climate change. Students conduct an extensive snow survey in the field.
Credits: 3.000 Levels: Graduate Schedule Types: Lecture, Self-Directed, Final Exam, Audio/Video |
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