Marine and Environmental Sciences

EEMB 5130. Population Dynamics. (4 Hours)

Offers a comprehensive overview of the mathematical and computational concepts needed to construct dynamical models. Lectures describe how to mathematically derive and model the effects of species interactions, space, disease, and environmental variability in order to understand the dynamics of populations in a changing world. Emphasizes the mathematical tools required to analyze the dynamical behavior of models (e.g., stability, invasion, graphical, and numerical analyses) and validate their predictions using empirical data (e.g., via maximum likelihood and optimization methods). Tutorials demonstrate how to implement, analyze, and test models using the free R programming language.

Prerequisite(s): ((MATH 1241 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1251 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D- or MATH 1341 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D- ); (ENGW 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1102 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1102 with a minimum grade of C )) or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Writing Intensive

EEMB 5303. Marine Biology Careers Seminar. (1 Hour)

Covers the information and tools needed to begin pursuing career opportunities in marine biology. Encourages students to explore a variety of career paths, construct résumés, contact potential employers for their internship and permanent positions. Presents invited speakers from state and federal agencies, and from private consulting firms, to talk about their work and career track.

EEMB 5305. Professional Development for Ocean Sciences. (2 Hours)

Designed to assist Three Seas students in securing a graduate research internship. Seeks to provide students with the information needed to pursue diverse career opportunities in marine biology. Provides hands-on experience with an array of science communication tools, including resumés/CVs, cover letters, and social media. Speakers from academia, informal science education organizations, and the media present talks on their work and career tracks.

EEMB 5504. Biology of Corals. (2 Hours)

Covers a variety of topics including basic coral biology, the coral/algal symbioses, the mechanisms of coral bleaching, coral microbiology and disease, coral calcification and ocean acidification, and coral speciation and hybridization. Supplements lectures with readings from the primary literature. Focuses on active areas of research and hands-on learning through lab and field activities.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5505

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data

EEMB 5505. Lab for EEMB 5504. (1 Hour)

Accompanies EEMB 5504. Focuses on relevant research questions while providing practical training techniques in coral biology. Hands-on learning includes visual surveys of reef transects, quadrat sampling, coral identification, enumeration of zooxanthellae with a hemocytometer, PAM fluorometry, ImageJ analysis, coral homogenization, and Vibrio plating.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5504

EEMB 5506. Biology and Ecology of Fishes. (2 Hours)

Covers fundamental concepts in reef fish biology, ecology, and conservation. Additional lecture coursework includes analysis of both group and individual research projects conducted in lab. Presents recent or ongoing research projects by the instructor and guest lecturers. Discussions are based on papers from the scientific literature and relate topics about processes and patterns of fish recruitment, reproduction, dispersal, evolution, conservation, and management.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5507

EEMB 5507. Lab for EEMB 5506. (1 Hour)

Accompanies EEMB 5506. Studies methods to conduct research on reef fishes through class exercises and individual research projects. Hands-on learning includes common fish transect methodology, reef fish identification, cast net and handline (on scuba) fishing techniques, and specimen dissection. Emphasizes analyzing and presenting the data and writing clearly and effectively about scientific research through the lab reports.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5506

EEMB 5508. Marine Birds and Mammals. (3 Hours)

Studies principles of classification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and evolution of seabirds and marine mammals. Also addresses conservation and protection of animals and essential habitat. Includes field trips to observe local species.

Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- ) or graduate program admission

EEMB 5510. New England Marine Biomes. (4 Hours)

Investigates the major biomes in the northwest Atlantic, including their habitats—rocky intertidal, tidal estuaries, seagrass beds, kelp forest/rocky reef complex, soft sediments, salt marshes, and continental shelf. Studies the major chemical, physical, geological, and biological forces that shape each habitat. Investigates the ecological framework of each habitat, both in the field and in hands-on exercises. Examines the adaptations of plants, algae, and animals to their respective ecosystem. Offers students an opportunity to develop an appreciation for human-induced changes in each habitat and biome and the conservation and restoration efforts currently being used.

Prerequisite(s): (EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2700 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 3460 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 3475 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 4001 with a minimum grade of D- ) or graduate program admission

EEMB 5512. Tropical Terrestrial Ecology. (1 Hour)

Studies the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the new world tropics, with the community structure and diversity of terrestrial Jamaican habitats as an example. Includes field trips to lowland forests, carbonate caves, and the Blue Mountain mist-montane forest. The issue of land use and development vs. conservation is a recurring theme.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

EEMB 5518. Ocean and Coastal Processes. (2 Hours)

Examines the coupling between physical and biological processes on coral reefs and adjacent habitats. Focuses on biophysical, oceanographic, and benthic-pelagic processes acting in coral reef and associated nearshore ecosystems. Specific topics include oceanographic forcing mechanisms, organismal biomechanics, hydrodynamics, and nutrient dynamics.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5519

EEMB 5519. Lab for EEMB 5518. (1 Hour)

Accompanies EEMB 5518. Studies techniques such as estimation of turbulent diffusion coefficients, mean speed, and logarithmic layer parameters using analysis of video imagery (NIH ImageJ); deploying and recovering zooplankton traps and nets and estimating mortality using vital dyes; use of GoPro for behavioral analyses (sediment shedding in corals); estimating flux rates from active suspension feeders like sponges using dye release; and use of the YSI Exo Sonde to measure different water quality parameters.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5518

EEMB 5520. Tropical Marine Ecology. (2 Hours)

Highlights and explores the ecological characteristics and current threats facing four tropical ecosystems—coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests, and tropical lowland rain forests. Explores the connectivity between these ecosystems and the services each provides. Examines how these ecosystems have changed under past threats and are projected to change in future conditions. Includes formal lectures, informal lectures provided in the field, field demonstrations, and interpretive hikes.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

EEMB 5522. Experimental Design Marine Ecology. (4 Hours)

Includes introduction to and application of observational methods in three local marine habitats, experimental design, statistical analysis, R statistical computing and graphics software, and principles of marine ecology. Combines lecture, hand-on research experience, and computer laboratory and includes reading and analyzing the scientific literature and developing research projects. At the end of the semester, students are expected to demonstrate an integrative mastery of course topics by writing a scientific manuscript about a class experiment. Seeks to prepare students for practicing ecology in new environments and to provide students with the foundational knowledge necessary for pursuing more complex concepts in experimental design, statistical analysis, and marine ecology.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data, NUpath Writing Intensive

EEMB 5525. Advanced Field Methods in Marine Ecology. (3 Hours)

Explores the methods used to build and complete scientific studies in marine ecology from observation to data analysis and interpretation within the context of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Offers students an opportunity to build quantitative skills by understanding how and when to apply different statistical methods to a range of ecological datasets. Studies how to appropriately interpret results and effectively communicate the interpretation to any audience. Applies these skills to additional study systems outside the marine environment of the northwest Atlantic.

Prerequisite(s): ENVR 2500 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

EEMB 5528. Marine Conservation Biology. (3 Hours)

Examines several critical issues facing marine ecosystems, including invasive species, marine pollution and eutrophication, fisheries impacts, physical alteration of habitats, and global climate change. Offers students an opportunity to spend field time surveying intertidal and subtidal habitats within the San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor Marine Reserve and to conduct independent research projects.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2311 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data, NUpath Ethical Reasoning

EEMB 5533. Marine Invertebrate Zoology and Botany. (2 Hours)

Explores major groups of marine macroalgae and marine invertebrates, their ecological roles, and interrelationships. Identifies defining features of these groups and the evolutionary and ecological drivers leading to adaptations. Emphasizes important groups in the Pacific Northwest habitats, including kelp forest and rocky intertidal habitats. Hands-on learning with corequisite lab includes field identification; visits to intertidal and subtidal marine environments; and specimen observation, dissection, preparation, and cataloging.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5535

EEMB 5535. Lab for EEMB 5533. (1 Hour)

Accompanies EEMB 5533. Covers topics from the course through various experiments.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5533

EEMB 5538. Conservation and Restoration of Marine Systems. (3 Hours)

Designed to foster an understanding of conservation and restoration strategies in the nearshore marine system using a real-world case study approach. Students collect and analyze historical and newly collected data and use this to inform a conservation and restoration plan within the context of local, state, and federal laws. Uses real-world examples (such as aquaculture, seagrass restoration, and shoreline hardening) to build ecological goals. Seeks to build understanding and appreciation of the input of all stakeholders, including that of marginalized groups. Offers students an opportunity to produce a high-level and annotated deliverable that could serve as a template for real-world use.

EEMB 5540. Changing Global Oceans. (2 Hours)

Investigates the major drivers to short-, medium-, and long-term changes in the world’s oceans. Compares the role of natural and human-induced changes in ocean systems. Key areas focus on the role of nonhuman animals in modifying and mitigating oceanic and atmospheric change. Explores the linkages among oceans and atmosphere through examples in the Pacific Northwest and worldwide.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5541

EEMB 5541. Lab for EEMB 5540. (1 Hour)

Accompanies EEMB 5540. Students participate in daily, topical, paper discussions, carry out laboratory exercises, or explore and collect data in field exercises. Offers students an opportunity to acquire skills such as using oceanographic equipment, modeling simulations, data collection, and data analysis.

Corequisite(s): EEMB 5540

EEMB 5542. Marine Spatial Planning. (4 Hours)

Investigates issues of marine and coastal spatial planning (MCSP) that include offshore wind power siting, fisheries and aquaculture management, natural resource extraction, marine mammal conservation, and/or living shoreline protection and mitigation. Covers the spatial planning process from question to deliverable strategy, including assessment of stakeholder needs and potential ecosystem impacts. Offers students an opportunity to acquire and assess data, apply appropriate statistical tools, and develop spatial maps using geographic information systems (GIS) and other software. Also covers how to synthesize the planning process and develop and evaluate recommendations.

Prerequisite(s): EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2700 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 3460 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 4001 with a minimum grade of D-

Attribute(s): NUpath Capstone Experience

EEMB 5546. Sustainability of the Land-Sea Interface. (3 Hours)

Explores the current issues facing management and conservation of the land-sea interface, also known as the coastal transition zone (CTZ). Evaluates the mitigation, conservation, and restoration tools that are applied to human use of the land-sea interface. Observes these tools during site visits and discusses strategies with experts in sustainability of these habitats. Synthesizes the scientific literature on CTZ tools in the northwest Atlantic and other regions with pressing sustainable land-sea use issues. Offers students an opportunity to develop skills in prioritizing and advocating for particular conservation strategies and to practice science communication skills to effectively reach a broad audience.

Prerequisite(s): (EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 2700 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 3460 with a minimum grade of D- or EEMB 4001 with a minimum grade of D- ) or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Writing Intensive

EEMB 5589. Diving Research Methods. (2 Hours)

Presents experimental design, sampling methodology, statistical analysis, techniques, and the use of underwater equipment to conduct subtidal research.

EEMB 6465. Ecological and Conservation Genomics. (4 Hours)

Provides an overview of ecological and evolutionary genomics. Covers foundational mathematical concepts in population in quantitative genetics, from individual loci up to whole genomes. Concepts covered include Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, F statistics, signatures of natural selection in genomes and methods for detecting them, analysis of quantitative genetic evolution, hybridization, and gene expression. Also covers modern statistical methods used to analyze genomic data using the free and open source R programming environment. Builds knowledge through reading of the primary literature and advanced problem sets. The final project requires students to complete a novel data analysis of an open source genomics data set and write a research paper.

EEMB 6475. Advanced Wildlife Ecology. (4 Hours)

Focuses on wildlife ecology and management, with an emphasis on terrestrial species. Covers habitat use, behavior, wildlife conservation, parasites and pathogens, wildlife sampling, wildlife management, food and nutrition, population viability, and conservation genetics. Engages students in analyzing primary literature and wildlife data, collection, interpretation, and using basic mathematical models.

EEMB 7101. Seminar in Marine Sciences. (2 Hours)

Offers students an opportunity to lead critical discussions of recent and classic papers from primary and secondary literature in marine sciences. Discusses the important scientific paradigms and addresses strengths and weaknesses of these papers from the perspective of scientific communication, including design and presentation of data in figures and tables; the role of synthesis in justifying new concepts; and how terminology and jargon evolve in scientific subdisciplines. Students write occasional reviews of these papers as if they had just been submitted to a journal for consideration.

EEMB 7102. Seminar in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. (2 Hours)

Offers an overview of major concepts in the fields of ecology and evolution and how these concepts can be synthesized under a common framework. The first half of the course is organized according to major areas of evolutionary biology, from quantitative genetics to population genetics and phylogenetics and their synthesis. Quantitative genetics, population genetics, and phylogenetics have been historically separate fields and have only recently been synthesized through genomics. Note that quantitative genetics is a field that studies the evolution of phenotypes and requires no genetic information. The second half of the course introduces major concepts in ecology and is designed to introduce students to the major historical underpinnings of community ecology so as to understand the utility (or lack thereof) of these concepts for modern ecology.

EEMB 7103. Seminar in Sustainability Sciences. (2 Hours)

Explores key papers that have shaped modern theory, methodologies, and practices of sustainability science. Sustainability science hinges on integrating social and ecological sciences to assess the sustainability of human-environment interactions. From the social science dimension, many past studies focused on understanding how values, beliefs, and social norms shape human behavior. From an ecological perspective, much work focused on the influence of various institutional arrangements on resource and environmental sustainability. Importantly, a coupled natural-human or social-ecological systems (SES) perspective focuses on the inherently dynamic nature of these systems and interactions.

EEMB 7104. Seminar in Geosciences. (2 Hours)

Exposes graduate students pursuing a PhD in marine and environmental sciences to classical and recent high-impact papers in the fields of recent and deep earth history, landform evolution, microbes and their role in global biogeochemical cycling, nutrient stoichiometry, the global carbon cycle, geochemical proxies, evolution of ocean chemistry, oceanic acidification, the role of organisms in sediment and rock production, and geochemical paleoproxies. Examines applications of the above disciplines to mitigating the impacts of anthropogenic impacts on the Earth system. This is a guided readings course.

EEMB 7674. Marine Biology Research Project. (1 Hour)

Offers an opportunity to design and implement a scientifically rigorous independent research project that builds upon current knowledge from the primary literature, under the supervision of a faculty advisor from the program. Students conduct research at any of the program’s locations and are then required to analyze data using rigorous statistical methods, write a journal-style research paper, and present their results in a research seminar. May be repeated once.

EEMB 8101. Readings in Marine Sciences. (2 Hours)

Designed to prepare PhD students with a concentration in marine sciences for a career in their field by offering an opportunity to learn fundamental aspects of the discipline through readings. Each student works with their Northeastern committee members at their first committee meeting to identify one reading topic per committee member. Committee members provide guidance for the student’s readings around their topic. Students meet with each committee member throughout the semester to discuss the readings, ask questions, and clarify any aspects of their topics.

EEMB 8102. Readings in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. (2 Hours)

Designed to prepare PhD students with a concentration in ecology and evolutionary biology for a career in their field by offering an opportunity to learn fundamental aspects of the discipline through readings. Each student works with their Northeastern committee members at their first committee meeting to identify one reading topic per committee member. Committee members provide guidance for the student’s readings around their topic. Students meet with each committee member throughout the semester to discuss the readings, ask questions, and clarify any aspects of their topics.

EEMB 8103. Readings in Sustainability Sciences. (2 Hours)

Designed to prepare PhD students with a concentration in sustainability for a career in their field by offering an opportunity to learn fundamental aspects of the discipline through readings. Each student works with their Northeastern committee members at their first committee meeting to identify one reading topic per committee member. Committee members provide guidance for the student’s readings around their topic. Students meet with each committee member throughout the semester to discuss the readings, ask questions, and clarify any aspects of their topics.

EEMB 8104. Readings in Geosciences. (2 Hours)

Designed to prepare PhD students with a concentration in geosciences for a career in their field by offering an opportunity to learn fundamental aspects of the discipline through readings. Each student works with their Northeastern committee members at their first committee meeting to identify one reading topic per committee member. Committee members provide guidance for the student’s readings around their topic. Students meet with each committee member throughout the semester to discuss the readings, ask questions, and clarify any aspects of their topics.

EEMB 8982. Readings. (1-4 Hours)

Assigns students independent readings on selected topics in ecology, evolution, and marine biology. May be repeated without limit.

EEMB 8984. Research. (1-4 Hours)

Offers students an opportunity to conduct research. May be repeated without limit.

EEMB 8986. Research. (0 Hours)

Offers students an opportunity to conduct full-time research under faculty supervision. May be repeated without limit.

EEMB 9000. PhD Candidacy Achieved. (0 Hours)

Indicates successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive exam.

EEMB 9990. Dissertation Term 1. (0 Hours)

Offers theoretical and experimental research for the PhD degree.

Prerequisite(s): EEMB 9000 with a minimum grade of S

EEMB 9991. Dissertation Term 2. (0 Hours)

Offers dissertation supervision by members of the department.

Prerequisite(s): EEMB 9990 with a minimum grade of S

EEMB 9996. Dissertation Continuation. (0 Hours)

Offers dissertation supervision by members of the department.

Prerequisite(s): EEMB 9991 with a minimum grade of S or Dissertation Check with a score of REQ

ENVR 5000. Community Stakeholder Engagement in Environmental Management and Research. (4 Hours)

Introduces the history and theories of public participation in environmental policy settings to reflect on what kinds of participatory processes work best, for what purposes, and under which conditions. Environmental problems of the 21st century can be effectively addressed using processes that link sound scientific analysis with effective public deliberation. Applies principles studied to stakeholder and community engagement in science, research, or policy. Covers best practices for administering participatory processes and community engagement for community science, citizen science, or other participatory practices.

Attribute(s): NUpath Societies/Institutions

ENVR 5115. Advanced Topics in Environmental Geology. (4 Hours)

Examines selected topics in geology through an understanding of the basic processes, materials, and evolution. Topics include basin analysis, landform evolution, volcanology, or regional geology. May be repeated without limit.

ENVR 5150. Climate and Atmospheric Change. (4 Hours)

Offers an in-depth view of the processes that drive change in Earth's climate system. Examines the modern climate system and how and why climate changes through time. Introduces the tools used to explore past climates and changes, and explores the long-term and short-term controls on the climate system. Also introduces the application of climate models to develop future climate projections. Offers students an opportunity to obtain hands-on experience analyzing and interpreting climate data and model output.

Prerequisite(s): (ENVR 1200 with a minimum grade of D- or ENVR 2200 with a minimum grade of D- ) or (PHYS 1151 with a minimum grade of D- ; PHYS 1152 with a minimum grade of D- ; PHYS 1153 with a minimum grade of D- ) or graduate program admission

ENVR 5190. Soil Science. (4 Hours)

Provides a description and evaluation of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Includes soil formation, soil types, and processes that occur in soil including the importance of these processes for the soil productivity and management of soil. Also covers sources, reactions, transports, and fates of chemical species in soils and associated water and air environments, as well as the chemical behavior of elements and compounds and the phenomena affecting natural and anthropogenic materials in soils.

Prerequisite(s): ENVR 1101 with a minimum grade of D- or ENVR 1200 with a minimum grade of D- or ENVR 1400 with a minimum grade of D- or ENVR 2310 with a minimum grade of D- or graduate program admission

ENVR 5201. Geologic Field Seminar. (4 Hours)

Studies aspects of geology/environmental science associated with a particular field setting, in the classroom, followed by an intensive field investigation. Examples include carbonate petrology and reef ecology, then field studies in the Bahamas; glacial geology and volcanology, followed by field studies in Iceland; or stratigraphy of the U.S. Southwest, with field studies in the Grand Canyon. Focuses on using field observations and field data to interpret modern and ancient geologic processes. May be repeated without limit.

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data, NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Natural/Designed World

ENVR 5202. Environmental Science Field Seminar Abroad. (4 Hours)

Offers an intensive environmental science field study experience associated with a particular off-campus geographic setting, such as Iceland, Newfoundland, Bahamas, etc. Offers students an opportunity to learn the principles of field study, to learn to recognize and record significant data, and to reach conclusions about a range of field-based problems being studied. May be repeated without limit.

Attribute(s): NUpath Integration Experience, NUpath Natural/Designed World

ENVR 5210. Environmental Planning. (4 Hours)

Examines aspects of surface runoff from geomorphic and hydrologic perspectives. Develops methods for description and calculation of major river and drainage basin processes and applies the results to the planning process. Examines human modification of these systems—including urbanization, dams, and channelization—and applies this information to an understanding of regulatory processes. This is a writing-intensive course.

Prerequisite(s): ENGW 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGW 1102 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1111 with a minimum grade of C or ENGL 1102 with a minimum grade of C or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Writing Intensive

ENVR 5220. Ecosystem-Based Management. (4 Hours)

Introduces the principles and practice of ecosystem-based management. Covers how ecosystem-based management draws from social, economic, and ecological principles, as well as how these principles are fundamentally coupled. Begins by covering the evolution of resource management, from single-species to ecosystem-based approaches, including the strengths and challenges of each approach. Focuses on how ecosystem-based management has been applied to terrestrial, freshwater aquatic, and marine ecosystems, including challenges and successes of adopting this approach. Draws from a wide range of examples, including marine protected areas, terrestrial and marine spatial planning, and habitat restoration. Designed for upper-intermediate or advanced undergraduates and graduate students in environmental science and related fields.

ENVR 5242. Ancient Marine Life. (4 Hours)

Begins with a survey of major events, processes, and important invertebrate phyla preserved in the fossil record. This knowledge of paleontology is then utilized to evaluate evolutionary principles and the nature of function and adaptation in the history of life. Organization of populations into paleocommunities and their relationships to changes in environments through time permit the assessment and evaluation of paleoecology in Earth history.

Corequisite(s): ENVR 5243

ENVR 5243. Lab for ENVR 5242. (1 Hour)

Accompanies ENVR 5242. Introduces invertebrate fossil morphology by study of fossil specimens of all major groups. Principles of paleoecology and evolutionary theory are illustrated by analysis of suites of fossil specimens.

Corequisite(s): ENVR 5242

ENVR 5260. Geographical Information Systems. (4 Hours)

Examines geographical information systems (GIS), a way to input, store, analyze, and display spatial data (data with a geographic location). Introduces the major components and applications of this exciting new tool. Consists of two lectures and one laboratory period a week. Laboratory exercises introduce methods of data analysis as well as practical issues of how to manipulate various GIS software packages.

Attribute(s): NUpath Creative Express/Innov

ENVR 5350. Sustainable Energy and Climate Solutions. (4 Hours)

Examines the role of sustainable energy on emissions from energy production and the resulting impacts on climate changes. Introduces current observations, predictions of future climate change, and the resulting impacts on ecological and human systems. Assesses past and current sources of U.S. energy-related and non-energy-related sources of greenhouse gases. Reviews sustainable energy alternatives and emission reduction strategies with a focus on comparing moderate and deep decarbonization strategies and the overall goal of reaching zero net emissions.

ENVR 5410. Human Behavior and Sustainability. (3 Hours)

Offers a graduate-level introduction to the interdisciplinary field of human behavior and sustainability sciences. Explores an emerging literature embracing the complexity of social-ecological systems to better engage with the processes that reinforce unsustainable pathways and those that might be leveraged toward more sustainable futures. Focuses on understanding how observations about the psychology of individuals and collectives, and their relationship to institutions, have been theorized in relation to the environment and the approaches and methodologies used to test and describe such relationships.

ENVR 5450. Applied Social-Ecological Systems Modeling. (4 Hours)

Covers the key frameworks, theories, and approaches for conducting social-ecological systems (SES) research. Involves topic and paper discussions focused on developing detailed knowledge and agility at describing the theoretical and applied foundations of interdisciplinary SES research. Includes semester-long projects to develop hands-on skills for conducting robust, methodologically sound studies of social-ecological systems. Particularly emphasizes participatory modeling as a tool for both scientific inquiry and stakeholder engagement. Students complete a participatory modeling project, including all steps of the scientific process, and have an opportunity to gain experience with research design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication.

ENVR 5500. Advanced Biostatistics. (4 Hours)

Describes the advanced statistical concepts and approaches needed to analyze complex biological data. Examines the theoretical underpinnings of modern statistical methods and discusses their suitability for addressing questions from a variety of biological fields. Studies how to apply these methods using the R programming environment. Topics include a brief review of general linear models, likelihood and optimization, generalized linear models and survival analysis, model selection and regularization, generalized mixed-effects models, generalized additive models, Bayesian modeling, constrained and unconstrained ordination, supervised and unsupervised classification, ensemble modeling, and machine learning.

Prerequisite(s): ENVR 2500 with a minimum grade of C- or graduate program admission

Attribute(s): NUpath Analyzing/Using Data, NUpath Formal/Quant Reasoning

ENVR 5563. Advanced Spatial Analysis. (4 Hours)

Offers an in-depth evaluation of theoretical, mathematical, and computational foundations of geographic information systems (GIS). Examines advanced concepts and techniques in GIS analysis and spatial statistics methods. Topics include spatial information theory, database theory, mathematical models of spatial objects, and GIS-based representation.

Prerequisite(s): ENVR 3300 with a minimum grade of D- or ENVR 5260 with a minimum grade of C- or ENVR 5260 with a minimum grade of C-

ENVR 5600. Coastal Processes, Adaptation, and Resilience. (4 Hours)

Introduces the forcing and response of the built and natural coastal environment, including hurricanes and extratropical storms, wind waves, astronomical tides, storm surges, currents, sediment transport, and morphological changes. Seeks to provide an overview of the physical processes and interaction with human activity at the water and land interface, including anthropogenic, natural, and nature-based features for coastal defense. Uses examples and case studies of climate adaptation plans to illustrate alternatives to increase coastal resiliency. Emphasizes the challenges to developing resilience solutions in urban coastal areas, where population growth coupled with sea-level rise and climate extremes exacerbate exposure of people and infrastructure to flood hazards.

ENVR 5610. Technology and the Blue Economy. (4 Hours)

Focuses on emerging technology and the global blue economy that generates trillions of U.S. dollars in economic activity. Introduces key sectors including global shipping, operations of port and harbors, fishing and aquaculture, tourism, ocean monitoring and exploration, finance models, energy, and minerals extraction. Examines challenges to a sustainable and equitable blue economy including global biodiversity loss, marine pollution, decarbonization, access to capital, and national security. Includes virtual field trips to companies and institutions involved in technology and the blue economy.

ENVR 5670. Global Biogeochemistry. (4 Hours)

Examines the biological, chemical, and physical interactions that shape our global environment. These interactions combine in the global biogeochemical cycles. Industrial emission of gases, use of fertilizers and plastics, and the expansion of cities are altering the biogeochemical cycling of the elements carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus at rates unprecedented in the geological record. Uses lectures and the latest update to Chapter 6, “Carbon and Other Biogeochemical Cycles,” of the International Panel on Climate Change report to explore the main interactions between human activity, biogeochemical change, and climate. Discusses primary literature to delve deeper into these interactions.

Attribute(s): NUpath Natural/Designed World

ENVR 5700. Streams and Watershed Ecology. (4 Hours)

Studies the physical, chemical, and biological processes in streams and surrounding watersheds. Explores the hydrology, structure, function, and biota of running waters and the landscape that supports them. Examines current and relevant issues in stream science and policy, including natural and anthropogenic disturbance, climate change, and management and restoration techniques in stream systems. Provides broad foundational knowledge on stream science, which offers students an opportunity to learn experimental techniques and employ them in the field. The first half of the course consists of lecture and discussion, while the second half is taught principally in the field.

Prerequisite(s): EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of C- or ENVR 1400 with a minimum grade of C-

ENVR 5750. Urban Ecology. (4 Hours)

Investigates the myriad ways that natural systems intersect with human-dominated landscapes, including urban hydrology, nutrient cycling, and the distribution of organisms in cities. Urbanization is rapidly expanding with over half of humans currently inhabiting urban landscapes. The conversion of natural areas to human-dominated landscapes is resulting in the loss of biodiversity, habitat connectivity, and ecosystem services. It is also changing how we perceive and value natural systems. Evaluates the ecology in cities but also ecology of cities, including how cities integrate into larger landscapes; ecosystem service provisioning; and the biological, cultural, and psychological value of urban nature for people. Culminates by looking to the future of how urban spaces adapt to climate change, increasing populations, and other emerging issues.

Prerequisite(s): ENVR 1400 with a minimum grade of C- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of C- or graduate program admission

ENVR 5800. Climate Adaptation and Nature-Based Solutions. (4 Hours)

Examines ways of measuring ecological resilience, adaptation capacity, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and developing transformation pathways to new stable states. The effects of climate change are having wide-ranging impacts on people and nature. Climate mitigation and adaptation can slow or stop climate impacts and decrease their severity. Natural mitigation and adaptation strategies (nature-based solutions) offer sustainable approaches to respond to these challenges. Evaluates climate change impacts on natural systems and explores strategies that reduce and adapt to these changes, including impact assessment; evaluation of ecological health for ecosystems, habitats, communities, and populations; and response prioritization. Offers students an opportunity to build skills in informing and evaluating the potential for these strategies at local, regional, and global scales and opportunities to deploy these strategies.

Prerequisite(s): (ENVR 1101 with a minimum grade of C- or EEMB 2302 with a minimum grade of C- ) or graduate program admission

ENVR 5984. Research. (1-4 Hours)

Offers an opportunity to conduct research under faculty supervision. May be repeated without limit.

ENVR 6000. Professional Development for Co-op. (0 Hours)

Introduces the cooperative education program. Offers students an opportunity to develop job-search and career-management skills; to assess their workplace skills, interests, and values and to discuss how they impact personal career choices; to prepare a professional résumé; and to learn proper interviewing techniques. Explores career paths, choices, professional behaviors, work culture, and career decision making.

ENVR 6102. Environmental Science and Policy Seminar 2. (4 Hours)

Critically explores fundamental and modern theory, methodologies, and practices for conserving and managing coupled social-ecological systems (SES). Focuses on science and policy of environment management through the lens of coupled SES. Historically, the majority of studies focused on human-environment interactions have typically involved measuring and describing the negative impacts of human populations and development on natural ecosystems. More recently, however, environmental science and practice have experienced a paradigm shift to where now humans and the natural environment are recognized as tightly coupled systems. From an SES perspective, humans continue to shape the structure and function of ecosystems through both stressors and stewardship. However, a key advancement is the recognition that people and their behavior are directly influenced by structure, function, and services of ecosystems.

ENVR 6150. Food Security and Sustainability. (4 Hours)

Explores the science of sustainable food production around the world and examines the issues related to nutrition and hunger, food safety, and food production. Discusses issues such as population growth, climate change, and sustainability, which are presented as thematic topics. Also discusses issues such as soil health, genetically modified (and engineered) foods, water use, governmental food guidelines, and human health. Pulls focus on the thematic topics from scientific literature but also includes additional sources of information, such as gray literature, media coverage, documentaries, and popular nonfiction. Explores local examples of sustainable agriculture, including incentives in food security and sustainability in New England.

ENVR 6200. Water Resources. (4 Hours)

Focuses on the hydrologic cycle, including global and regional patterns of water movement; characteristics of surface and groundwater systems, including the linkage between streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater, and the sea; water management issues and regulations that have been enacted to control the use of water as a resource; water quality measures for surface water and groundwater; and examples of water use conflicts and emerging water issues. Case studies of specific water challenges include examples from the United States, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

ENVR 6500. Biostatistics. (4 Hours)

Offers an in-depth overview of statistical methods used to analyze data, with a focus on the biological sciences as well as nonbiological applications. Covers probability theory, Bayes' theorem, hypothesis testing, derivations of statistical distributions, models used for inference with categorical and/or continuous data, linear models, model selection, information theory, and nonparametric methods in statistics. Offers students an opportunity to learn how to apply models to data in supervised lab sessions in the R programming environment.

Corequisite(s): ENVR 6501

ENVR 6501. Lab for ENVR 6500. (1 Hour)

Accompanies ENVR 6500. Introduces the core principles for programming in R, key functions, and application to real datasets.

Corequisite(s): ENVR 6500

ENVR 6954. Co-op Work Experience - Half Time. (0 Hours)

Provides eligible students with an opportunity for part-time work experience.

Prerequisite(s): MATH 6000 with a minimum grade of S

ENVR 6962. Elective. (1-4 Hours)

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

ENVR 6964. Co-op Work Experience. (0 Hours)

Provides eligible students with an opportunity for work experience. May be repeated without limit.