Please note: Some GEG and GEL courses will change to the prefixes ENV and GIS effective Spring 2003. For Summer and Fall 2002, the prefixes for these courses will remain GEG and GEL.
Changes effective Spring, 2003:
GEG 1200=ENV 1200; GEG 1400=ENV 1400; GEG 2250=GIS 2250; GEG 3210=GIS 3210; GEG 3220=GIS 3220; GEG 3250-GIS 3250; GEG 3400=ENV 3400; GEG 3620=ENV 3620; GEG 4200=ENV 4200; GEG 4410=ENV 4410; GEG 4420=ENV 4420; GEG 4430=ENV 4430; GEG 4840=GIS 4840; GEG 4850=GIS 4850; GEG 4860=GIS 4860; GEG 4870=GIS 4870; GEG 4890=GIS 4890; GEG 4960=ENV 4960; GEL 1540=ENV 1540; GEL 1710=GIS 1710; GEL 3540=ENV 3540; GEL 4000=ENV 4000; GEL 4010=ENV 4010; GEL 4960=ENV 4970

ENV 1200-3 Introduction to Environmental Science (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: minimum performance standard scores on reading, writing, and mathematics preassessment placement tests

This course is an introduction to the study of the physical environment and some of the major related issues and problems. The areas of concern include the nature of the environment, climatic factors, agriculture, solid and hazardous waste site location, global environmental hazards, land use, water resources, and energy and mineral resources, as well as environmental ethics and management and decision making. (General Studies-Level II, Natural Science)

ENV 1400-3 World Resources (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: minimum performance standard scores on reading, writing, and mathematics preassessment placement tests

This course provides a survey of the physical resources of the world, including water, soil, vegetation, energy, and minerals. This course includes an analysis of geographic occurrence, extraction, appraisal, utilization, historic changes, and environmental issues. (General Studies-Level II, Natural Science)

ENV 1540-2 Geologic and Environmental Hazards-Denver and Vicinity (2 + 0)

Prerequisite: GEL 1010 recommended

This courses examines the geologic and environmental hazards around the Denver region, including mass wasting, swelling clays, subsidence and flooding, as well as contamination and remediation efforts at the Lowry Landfill and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Future homeowners learn the meaning of "buyer beware." Note: Students cannot take both ENV 1540 and ENV 3540 for credit.

ENV 3400-3 Water Resources (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENV 1200 or ENV 1400, one of the following: GEG 1100, GEG 1230, or GEL 1010

This course presents an analysis of water as a major resource. It includes the study of the hydrologic cycle, competing water uses, current water problems, and approaches to water management. The relationship of water to land use is examined in terms of dams, watersheds, water laws, pollution, and flood control.

ENV 3540-2 Advanced Geologic and Environmental Hazards-Denver and Vicinity (2 + 0)

Prerequisite: nine hours of geography or geology or permission of instructor

This course requires an analytical approach to the geologic and environmental hazards around the Denver region, including mass wasting, swelling clays, subsidence and flooding, as well as contamination and remediation efforts at the Lowry Landfill and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Future homeowners learn the meaning of "buyer beware." Note: Students cannot take both ENV 1540 and ENV 3540 for credit.

ENV 3620-3 Population, Resources, and Land Use (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: GEG 1000 or GEG 1300, six hours in geography; ENV 1400 recommended

This course examines the distribution and density of the global population and the relationship of these patterns to world resources and development problems. Population shifts, including birth, death, migration, and doubling rates are analyzed. Data analysis and projections are covered.

ENV 4000-3 Environmental Geology (2 + 2)

Prerequisites: GEL 1010 plus a minimum of six hours in geology or physical geography or permission of instructor; GEL 3120 (or GEG 1240) and GEL 3060 strongly recommended

The close relationship of the environment to the geology of the earth is examined. Basic geology, geologic processes, and geologic techniques are applied to the environment in a series of practical problems. Interpretation of topographic and geologic maps is required. Natural geologic hazards are revealed in a series of actual case studies performed by the student.

ENV 4010-3 Environmental Hazards and Planning (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENV 4000; GEG 3610 recommended

This course evaluates environmental hazards relative to various land-use patterns. It utilizes case studies and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to examine hazards and prepare model and alternative plans. Environmental audit procedures and environmental impact statements (EIS) are studied as part of the planning process.

ENV 4200-3 Environmental Policy and Planning (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENV 1200 or ENV 1400 and junior or senior standing; GEG 3610 or ENV 4010 recommended

This course provides an overview of environmental policy and major environmental laws in the U.S. The major statutes are analyzed in terms of purpose, scope, implementation, compliance requirements, and impact on land use. Case studies are examined in a planning context.

ENV 4410-3 Water Law (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENV 1200 or ENV 1400 or ENV 3400 or permission of instructor

This course surveys U.S. water law and administration. Topics include (1) why we need laws regulating water use, (2) how ancient water laws influenced U.S. water law, (3) variations of surface and groundwater law, including prior appropriation, riparian, and hybrid, (4) international and interstate agreements, and (5) a special focus on water administration in the West.

ENV 4420-3 Wetlands (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: ENV 1200 or ENV 1400 or ENV 3400 or permission of instructor

This course offers a broad overview of wetland landscapes. Topics include (1) spatial distribution (local and national), (2) variations in wetlands topology (salt-water versus fresh-water and warmer versus colder climates), (3) relationships between wetlands (migratory flight paths), (4) wetlands ecosystems, (5) human impacts on wetlands, (6) federal, state, and local wetlands regulations, and (7) international wetlands problems.

ENV 4430-2 Habitat Planning (2 + 0)

Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in geography, geology or land use or permission of instructor

This is an interdisciplinary course designed to examine the forces and impacts of urban expansion on wildlife habitats. Topics include national and local trends in urban growth, environmental ethics, economic and political issues related to habitat planning, and examination of selected case studies of habitat conservation plans.

ENV 4960-3 Global Environmental Challenges (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: Twelve hours of upper division courses in geology, geography, biology and/or meteorology or written permission of instructor, and senior standing

This course will include the identification of major global environmental problems, including causes and impacts and the interplay of economic, cultural, and political forces. The approach will be a geographic analysis including location, spatial distribution, density, boundaries, and physical factors such as landforms, soils, and climate. Students are responsible as individuals and groups for presentations and discussions. (Senior Experience)

ENV 4970-3 Environmental Field Studies (1 + 4)

Prerequisites: 12 hours of upper-division courses in geology, physical geography, biology, and/or meteorology or written permission of instructor; completion of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, senior standing

A senior-level capstone course for land use majors. Students will use field geologic techniques which are essential to environmental site analysis. These techniques will include preparation of various maps, use of geologic surveying instruments and field methods of description of earth materials. Students will prepare and present final reports from these exercises. (Senior Experience)