Course Objectives
- To provide the graduate student with an appreciation and
understanding of the fundamental and theoretical background
and concepts of Environmental Science.
- To provide training in correlation interpretation and
analysis of related topics and issues involved in
Environmental Science.
Course instructors:
Dr. H. M. (Skip) Kingston,
Professor of Chemistry at Duquesne University, received his B.S. degree in chemistry
education, an M.S. degree in analytical chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and environmental management from the American
University. He was a supervisory research chemist and Project Manager of the Consortium
on Automated Analytical Laboratory Systems (CAALS) at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. During 1984 and 1985 he served as Congressional Science
Fellow of the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, advising on environmental
and science issues. His research interests include fundamental research in separation
science, chromatography, microwave energy applications, instrumental development,
standard reference materials development and certification, analytical and environmental
test method development, and laboratory automation including expert systems and
robotics. He has published widely in his field and holds several fundamental analytical
patents.
Stanley J. Kabala holds an M.A. in Public Affairs from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in Public and International Affairs from the University
of Pittsburgh. He has 15 years of experience in the field of international environmental
affairs, having worked with the World Bank, the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the U. S. Agency for International Development, and the National Academy
of Sciences. Dr. Kabala has developed and taught graduate and undergraduate
courses on U.S. and international environmental issues at Carnegie Mellon University,
Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Saint Vincent College.
His most recent publication is a survey of the terrain of environmental management
in international business published by The International Business Center of
the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business of the University of Pittsburgh.
Lecture Text:
Lecture Text: Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions,
11th Ed. by G. Tyler Miller Jr., Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 815 pages, 2000.
Supplement to the Text: Current Literature Study
Potentially an addition of 10-15 literature references that are from current
or classical scientific periodicals. Alternatively this year we may have an online
internet library that is currently being evaluated. You will find this access
account in the back of your text-book. The skills necessary to understand and
retrieve information from the literature is crucial for the individual to maintain
and update their knowledge base and to permit them to investigate topics crucial
to their future organization. Understanding of literature sources is significantly
different from textbook programmed learning and requires new skills of discernment
to be developed in information retrieval and correlation. A reading list will
be provided and discussion of the papers will be a regular part of most classes.
Selected Topics from the Following Areas are Covered
Lecture and Group Topics:
- Overview and Historical Perspective
Population, Resources, Environmental Effects, Agriculture, Industry, Demographics, Population Growth
- Fundamental Concepts
Matter, Energy, Nuclear, Chemical and Physical Changes, Ecosystems and Cycles, Descriptive and Comparative, Food Chain, Effects and Interactions on Ecosystems form Population, Stress, Dynamics, Geologic Processes, Resources
- Global Issues
Global Warming (Greenhouse Effect), Deforestation, Biodiversity, Ozone Depletion, Nuclear Winter, International Policy
- Resources and Resource Management
Resources: Soil, Water, Air, Mineral, Food, Land, Forest, Wilderness, Wildlife
Resource Issues: Depletable Resources, Renewable Resources
Energy: Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Fusion, Recycling
- Pollution
Risk Assessment, Comparative Risk, Hazards, Air, Water, Soil, Food Chain, Pesticides, Chemical and Residual Duration
- Environmental Policies
Policy, Economics, Ethics, Environmental Law, Industrial Impact
Issue Development Project
Specific topics in environmental science will be covered
through the participation of the class. Projects will be
assigned to groups of student who will work cooperatively to
develop the concepts as a class presentation and as a
research paper.
The paper will be approximately 10 pages (double spaced)
discussing the assigned conceptual topic. It will be
developed from the literature and other references
correlated by the group of graduate students. A 15 minute
presentation with a format determined by the cooperative
learning group will be required. The presentation will be
followed by 15 minutes of questions and discussion from the
class. Photo copies of the five primary references will be
handed in with the paper.
Grading:
A graduated letter grade will be assigned in
Introduction to Environmental Science consisting of a letter
and + or -. The grade will be derived from the following
four sources:
- Midterm Examinations 35%
- Final Examination 35%
- Issue Development Project 25%
- Class Participation 5%
The Issue Development Project will be graded partially
by peer evaluation and partially by the instructors.
Introduction to Environmental Science Home Page
Duquesne University Home Page
info@science.duq.edu
Professors
Dr. H. M. (Skip) Kingston
Dr. Stan Kabala
Revised 8/31/99