The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
School Of The Environment (SOE)
101 [PSCI] Welcome to the Earth: An Introduction to Geology 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: Enrollment not allowed if credit already earned for SOE 102. Introductory physical geology for non-science majors; emphasis on western US. Credit not granted for both SOE 101 and 102. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
102 Geology for Science Majors 4 (3-3) Enrollment not allowed if credit already earned for SOE 101. Exploration of the many ways in which geoscience supports society, and an examination of how the properties of rocks and minerals relate to features such as volcanoes and mountain ranges on the Earth's surface. Credit not granted for both SOE 101 and 102.
103 [PSCI] The Solar System: An Introduction to Planetary Science 3 Study of the geological processes and environments on planets and moons of our solar system.
103 (Effective through Spring 2024) [PSCI] Other Worlds: Comparative Planetology of our Solar System 3 Study of the geological processes and environments on planets and moons of our solar system.
105 [PSCI] Natural Hazards 3 Survey of key natural resources, the physical processes by which nature and society produce those resources, and the processes of related natural hazards. Recommended Preparation: MATH 103 or higher with a C or better, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%.
105 (Effective through Summer 2024) [PSCI] Natural Resources and Natural Hazards 3 Survey of key natural resources, the physical processes by which nature and society produce those resources, and the processes of related natural hazards. Recommended Preparation: MATH 103 or higher with a C or better, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%.
110 [BSCI] The Environment, Human Life, and Sustainability 4 (3-3) Interactions between humans and their environment; multidisciplinary introduction to environmental concepts and concerns. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
210 [PSCI] Earth's History and Evolution 4 (3-3) Evolution of the Earth across its 4.6-billion-year history; important milestones in the story of our dynamic planet and the biological and geological processes that have shaped the Earth in the past and continue to shape it today.
230 [PSCI] Introductory Oceanography 3 Interdisciplinary study of ocean systems: marine geology, chemistry, physics and biology; oceans' influence on climate and response to human activity. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
250 [PSCI] Introduction to Earth System Science 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 110 or BIOLOGY 106, each with a C or better. Earth's fundamental systems (the geo-, atmo-, hydro-, and bio-spheres) in the context of global change. Recommended: CHEM 101 or 105.
280 [PSCI] How the Earth's Climate System Works 3 Understanding how the Earth's climate system works to provide a scientific foundation for making informed evaluations about management and policy.
285 The Science and Policy of Climate Change 3 The science of the climate system; the case for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and the best policies to do so.
300 [M] Natural Resource Ecology 3 Ecology as applied to management of natural resource ecosystems; biological diversity, conservation biology, global climate change in natural resource ecology. Field trips required.
306 Plants in the Environment 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 300 or BIOLOGY 372. How plants interact with their physical and biotic environments; physiological function of plant acclimation, adaptation, and tolerance with emphasis on forests and trees.
306 (Effective through Summer 2024) Plants in the Environment 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 300. How plants interact with their physical and biotic environments; physiological function of plant acclimation, adaptation, and tolerance with emphasis on forests and trees.
311 Modeling the Environment 4 (3-3) Construction and testing of computer simulation models of environmental systems. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
312 [DIVR] Natural Resources, Society, and the Environment 3 Social views of natural resources; processes by which these views are developed and expressed; social conflict over natural resources.
314 Service Learning in Ecuador: Building Sustainable Local Solutions for Human and Environmental Health 3 Experience working alongside local communities in Ecuador on projects that will improve rural access to sustainable energy, clean water, improved ecosystem health, and sustainable livelihoods. Spring break field trip required.
315 Water and the Earth 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 102 or 106; one of MATH 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, or ENGR 107; one of SOE 101, SOE 102, 4 credits PHYSICS 101 or 201, or PHYSICS 101 and 111, or PHYSICS 201 and 211. Global hydrologic cycle, including rivers and weathering, groundwater, rainwater and the atmosphere, oceans, human impacts. Field research required.
322 Geology of the Pacific Northwest 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 101 or 102. Physical geology of the Pacific Northwest focusing on geological processes important in its evolution. Field trips required.
335 [M] Environmental Policy and Law 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 110. Global, national, and regional environmental issues and policy. Typically offered Spring.
390 Living on the Edge: Global Climate Change and Earth History 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Global earth system: ocean, earth, atmosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere; human impact on the climate system; climate change data predictions; debates. Typically offered Spring.
402 Human Health and the Environment 3 Problem-solving approach to adverse effects on human health caused by contamination of environmental media or anthropogenic changes in ecosystems. Typically offered Even Years - Fall.
404 [CAPS] [M] The Ecosystem 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 110; BIOLOGY 106; BIOLOGY 372 or SOE 390, or concurrent enrollment in either; junior standing. Ecosystem organization and processes; theory and applications to contemporary environmental problems.
412 [M] Global Biogeochemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106; CHEM 101 or 105. Cycles of biogeochemically important elements and anthropogenic changes to those cycles in terrestrial and aquatic environments on a global scale. Field trip required. Credit not granted for both SOE 412 and SOE 512. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Odd Years - Fall.
416 Soil Processes in the Earth's Critical Zone 3 Soil geochemistry and processes; theory and applications with a focus on reactions at the solid, liquid, and gaseous interface between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. (Crosslisted course offered as SOE 416/516, SOIL SCI 416/516). Credit not granted for both SOE/SOIL SCI 416 and SOE/SOIL SCI 516. Recommended preparation: Basic knowledge of soils (e.g. SOIL SCI 201 or equivalent; CHEM 106; PHYSICS 102). Offered at 400 and 500 level.
430 Introduction to Wildland Fire 3 Course Prerequisite: SOE 300 or BIOLOGY 372; SOE 301. Physical nature and behavior of wildland fire; the fire environment; fire ecology; practice of wildland fire management. Field trip required.
444 Environmental Assessment 3 National and state policy frameworks for environmental assessment that support integration of science and the public into agency decision-making process. Credit not granted for both SOE 444 and SOE 544. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
445 Hazardous Waste Management 3 Environmental, technical, and political aspects of hazardous waste management; evaluative methods, risk assessment, and current management requirements. Credit not granted for both SOE 445 and SOE 545. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
446 [M] Wildlife Habitat Ecology 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: SOIL SCI 368 or concurrent enrollment; STAT 212 or 412; senior standing. The ecology of how wildlife use, respond to, and affect resources in their environment. Field trip required.
450 [M] Conservation Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Patterns of biological diversity, factors producing changes in diversity, values of diversity, management principles applied to small populations, protected areas, landscape linkages, biotic integrity, restoration, legal issues and funding sources.
454 [CAPS] [M] Restoration Ecology 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: Senior standing. Ecological principles used to restore biological communities; ecological processes and species on degraded landscapes.
460 Biotechnology and the Environment 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106, 107, or 120; 3 credit hours CHEM. Benefits, regulations, and human and environmental impacts of biotechnology used for crop protection, agricultural and energy production, and environmental remediation and management. (Crosslisted course offered as ENTOM 460, SOE 460).
461 Watershed Management 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106; CHEM 101 or 105. Principles and practices of management of forest and rangelands for protection, maintenance, and improvement of water resource values. Field trip required. Recommended preparation: SOE 204 or sufficient background in spreadsheets.
463 Water in the Environment 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 140 or 171, or 4 credits PHYSICS 101 or 201, or PHYSICS 101 and 111, or PHYSICS 201 and 211, or PHYSICS 205. Water flows in the natural environment, including cloud formation, rainfall, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater, river flows, lakes, estuaries, mixing, and erosion. Typically offered Spring.
465 Aquatic Microbial Ecology 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 372. Biological, ecological and environmental impact of microbes in aquatic systems. Credit not granted for both SOE 465 and SOE 565. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Even Years - Spring.
476 Biology and Ecology of Pacific Salmon 3 Course Prerequisite: BIOLOGY 106 or 107; CHEM 101 or 105. The life histories, habitat requirements, and current issues facing Pacific salmon. Credit not granted for both SOE 476 and SOE 576. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
477 [CAPS] Environmental Collaborative Governance and Dispute Resolution 3 Course Prerequisite: Junior standing. Exploration of the consequences of complex social, economic, and environmental dynamics that lead to disputes and conflicts over environmental and natural resources; develop toolbox of skills and approaches that may be used to facilitate collaborative solutions and resolution of disputes.
484 Forest Management and Planning 3 Knowledge, skills, and experience in drafting a management plan and managing forested properties for a variety of values, ranging from generation of diverse forest products to maintenance of important environmental values associated with forest lands.
485 Disturbance Ecology 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: SOE 204; SOE 301; SOE 302 or concurrent enrollment. Fire, disease, and other disturbances are primary drivers of structure and composition in terrestrial ecosystems; study of management of insect outbreaks and fungal organisms in combination with fire and other disturbances.
486 Applied Remote Sensing: From Drones to Satellites 3 Course Prerequisite: SOIL SCI 368 or concurrent enrollment, or SOIL SCI 374 or concurrent enrollment. Remote sensing to measure changes in forests, plants, wildlife, wildfire, crops, and geologic features; analyzing and applying data from satellites, drones, airplanes, and lidar to measures on the ground. Credit not granted for both SOE 486 and SOE 586. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
491 Senior Seminar 1 Course Prerequisite: Senior standing. Recommended preparation: Admission to a major in science, mathematics, or engineering. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
492 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Specialized topics within the discipline; content will vary each term. Open to all SOE majors. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
495 Undergraduate Internship V 1-12 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: By interview only. Practical experience in appropriate agencies; for career students in earth science, environment and ecosystem science, forestry, and wildlife. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
498 Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Research papers presented by students, faculty, and visiting scientists on geological research. Credit not granted for both SOE 498 and SOE 598. Offered at 400 and 500 level. S, F grading.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
501 Graduate Skills Seminar 1 Seminar designed to introduce first year graduate students to the science graduate program; roles and responsibilities of graduate students, teaching assistants and researchers. Typically offered Fall. S, F grading.
510 Species Distribution Modeling 3 Theory and application of species distribution models, including niche, occupancy, and spatial capture-recapture models; manipulation of spatial data and software packages (ArcGIS, R, MaxEnt, PRESENCE). Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
512 [M] Global Biogeochemistry 3 Cycles of biogeochemically important elements and anthropogenic changes to those cycles in terrestrial and aquatic environments on a global scale. Field trip required. Credit not granted for both SOE 412 and SOE 512. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Odd Years - Fall.
516 Soil Processes in the Earth's Critical Zone 3 Soil geochemistry and processes; theory and applications with a focus on reactions at the solid, liquid, and gaseous interface between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. (Crosslisted course offered as SOE 416/516, SOIL SCI 416/516). Credit not granted for both SOE/SOIL SCI 416 and SOE/SOIL SCI 516. Recommended preparation: Basic knowledge of soils (e.g. SOIL SCI 201 or equivalent; CHEM 106; PHYSICS 102). Offered at 400 and 500 level.
526 Ecology of the Columbia River 3 Interdisciplinary approach to the interconnections between the physical, geological, chemical, biological, and social dimensions of this large, iconic aquatic ecosystem. Recommended preparation: BIOLOGY 372.
531 Fundamentals of Environmental Toxicology 3 Fundamentals of toxicology; environmental fate and biological effects of chemical pollutants in air, water, and food. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
532 Applied Environmental Toxicology 3 Overview of and current issues in the field of environmental toxicology.
535 Integrated Water Resources Science and Management 3 Introduction to the physical, social, and cultural drivers that shape how water is managed within the larger environmental and human landscape. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
536 Climate Change Impacts on Physical, Natural, and Human Systems 3 Methods for studying human-caused climate variability and change; discussion of impacts on the physical environment and natural and human systems.
540 Agroecology 3 Social and ecological aspects of agriculture and human food systems.
544 Environmental Assessment 3 National and state policy frameworks for environmental assessment that support integration of science and the public into agency decision-making process. Credit not granted for both SOE 444 and SOE 544. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
545 Hazardous Waste Management 3 Environmental, technical, and political aspects of hazardous waste management; evaluative methods, risk assessment, and current management requirements. Credit not granted for both SOE 445 and SOE 545. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
548 Applied Spatial Ecology 3 Foundational research principles in spatial ecology applied to new data; production of methods and results sections suitable for publication, using R and GIS programming. Recommended preparation: Introductory-level experience with R and ArcGIS. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
555 System Dynamics Models of Environmental Systems 3 Analysis of environmental system dynamics; development and uses of simulation models using the Stella software on Macintosh. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
556 Foraging Ecology of Herbivores 2 Synthesis of foraging behavior concepts including nutritive quality of forages, digestive and metabolic constraints, and diet and habitat selection. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
562 Watershed Biogeochemistry 3 Sources, transformations, fates and impacts of biogeochemically important compounds as they move downstream through watersheds to the coastal zone. Typically offered Even Years - Fall.
565 Aquatic Microbial Ecology 3 Biological, ecological and environmental impact of microbes in aquatic systems. Credit not granted for both SOE 465 and SOE 565. Offered at 400 and 500 level. Typically offered Even Years - Spring.
576 Biology and Ecology of Pacific Salmon 3 The life histories, habitat requirements, and current issues facing Pacific salmon. Credit not granted for both SOE 476 and SOE 576. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
577 Advanced Environmental Hydrology 2 Water (ground, soil, surface, plant, atmosphere) dynamics and support of ecosystem functions and organization in natural, disturbed, and human/impacted systems. Recommended preparation: college-level physics, multivariate calculus, and introduction to hydrology.
584 Stable Isotope Geochemistry 3 Principles and applications of isotope geochemistry in the geological sciences. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
586 Applied Remote Sensing: From Drones to Satellites 3 Remote sensing to measure changes in forests, plants, wildlife, wildfire, crops, and geologic features; analyzing and applying data from satellites, drones, airplanes, and lidar to measures on the ground. Credit not granted for both SOE 486 and SOE 586. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
592 Advanced Topics in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits.
592 (Effective through Summer 2024) Advanced Topics in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: By instructor permission.
593 Graduate Seminar in Earth and Environmental Sciences 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 8 credits.
594 Environmental and Natural Resources Issues and Ethics 3 Ethical systems applied to natural resources; issues of professionalism and ethics in natural resource management. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
597 Advanced Topics in Geology V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Topics of current interest in geology.
598 Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Research papers presented by students, faculty, and visiting scientists on geological research. Credit not granted for both SOE 498 and SOE 598. Offered at 400 and 500 level. S, F grading.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to a School of the Environment PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.