COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces the use of quantitative methods in environmental analysis.  Students will learn how to apply basic principles of natural science to a variety of globally important environmental problems. Topics covered include estimation techniques and stock-flow modeling; population and resource use; biogeochemical cycles; acid deposition; climate change; stratospheric ozone depletion; toxic pollution and public health; and radiation and radioactivity.  The methods taught in this course have proven useful not only for aspiring environmental scientists and engineers, but also for those working in public policy, environmental law, ecological economics, international development, business, and journalism.

4 Credit hours

4 Lecture hours

CLASS MEETINGS

Tuesday and Thursday 2:00 pm - 3:50 pm

MRSE B104

INSTRUCTOR:   Mark Bishop

Email bishopmark@comcast.net and mbishop@miis.edu

Websites

http://preparatorychemistry.com/

http://institutebishop.org/quant.htm

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

John Harte, Consider a Spherical Cow: A Course in Environmental Problem Solving, University Science Books, 1988 (paperback).  (Available from publisher’s website)

Gilbert Masters and Wendell Ela, Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, 3^rd ed., Pearson Education, 2008 (hard cover). 

John Harte et al., Toxics A to Z: A Guide to Everyday Pollution Hazards, U.C. Press, 1991 (paperback).

OPTIONAL TEXTBOOKS:

Daniel Botkin and Edward Keller, Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet, 6th ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2007 (hard cover).

An Introduction to Chemistry, Chemistry First by Mark Bishop

You can purchase one at

http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Payment_MIIS.htm

Online versions of the text and study guide can be found at

http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_Chemistry_First.htm

You can download chapters of the text iPad, iPhone, Android device, or Kindle at

http://preparatorychemistry.com/Bishop_iBook.htm

WEB LINKS

International Energy Agency

International Energy Agency Publications

UN supported global initiative on Sustainable Energy for All

NASA's Earth Observatory Data 

Center for International Earth Science Information Network

Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/epahome/Data.html

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

http://www.ipcc.ch

WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS)

http://www3.who.int/whosis/menu.cfm

Pacific Institute Web Site – The World’s Water

http://www.pacinst.org/

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/index.aspx

World Resources Institute - Earthtrends database

http://www.wri.org/

U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization FAOSTAT database

http://faostat.fao.org/

http://www.earth-policy.org/

http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/Oil-%20The%20Next%20Revolution.pdf

http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca

Send email to mbishop@miis.edu.