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EESA01H3 Introduction to Environmental Science
The scientific method and its application to natural systems. The physical and biological processes which drive ecosystem functions. Anthropogenic changes in ecosystem functions at local and global scales. Emphasis on the degradation of the atmosphere, soil, water and biological resources caused by human activity. Renewable and non-renewable resource sustainability.

EESA05H3 Environmental Hazards
This course is an investigation of the geological background and possible solutions to major hazards in the environment.
   Environmental hazards to be studied include: landslides, erosion, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, flooding, glaciation, future climate change, subsidence, and the disposal of toxic wastes. This may be of interest to a wide range of students in the life, social, and physical sciences; an opportunity for the non-specialist to understand headline-making geological events of topical interest. No prior knowledge of the Earth Sciences is required.
Exclusion: GLG103H

EESA06H3 Introduction to Planet Earth
This course explores the composition, structure and origin of the Earth and the physical and biological processes that operate in and on it; the history of the Earth as revealed in the rock record. The flows of energy and mass through natural systems, and the impact of human activity on system processes, with particular reference to land use change, soil degradation and atmospheric pollution.
Exclusion: GGR100Y, GLG110H

EESA07H3 Water
This course consists of a survey of the planet's water resources and the major issues facing the use of water. Topics include: Earth, the watery planet; water, the last great resource; Canada's waters; Ontario's waters; water and man; water contamination; and protecting our waters. Case studies such as the Walkerton tragedy will be studied. No prior knowledge of environmental science is required.

EESA09H3 Wind
A survey of the science, history and applications of wind. Topics include storms including hurricanes, tornadoes and midlatitude cyclones, global circulation, local circulations, measurement of winds, impact of winds on land surfaces, wind power, winds and pollution, historical and literary winds, and contemporary wind research. No prior knowledge of environmental science is required.

EESA10H3 Human Health and the Environment
Because of pollution, our surroundings are becoming increasingly hazardous to our health. The past century has seen intense industrialization characterized by the widespread production and use of chemicals and the intentional and unintentional disposal of a wide range of waste materials. This course explores the relationship between the incidence of disease in human populations and the environmental pollution. Emphasis will be placed on understanding where and what pollutants are produced, how they are taken up by humans and their long term effects on health; the role of naturally-occurring carcinogens will also be examined. The course will include a view of risk assessment and toxicology using case studies. No prior knowledge of environmental or medical science is required.

EESA11H3 Environmental Pollution
This course illustrates the environmental effects of urban expansion, changing methods of agriculture, industrialization, recreation, resource extraction, energy needs and the devastation of war. Drawing on information from a wide spectrum of topics - such as waste disposal, tourism, the arctic, tropical forests and fisheries - it demonstrates what we know about how pollutants are produced, the pathways they take through the global environment and how we can measure them. The course will conclude with an examination of the state of health of Canada's environments highlighting areas where environmental contamination is the subject of public discussion and concern. No prior knowledge of environmental science is required.

EESB02H3 Principles of Geomorphology
The physical and chemical processes responsible for the development of regolith at the surface of the earth and the mechanics of entrainment, transport and deposition of mass by rivers, wind, glaciers, water waves, gravitational stresses, etc., which control the evolution of surface morphology.
   Field excursions and laboratory exercises will allow students to apply theory to natural systems and to understand the dynamics of one man-modified geomorphic system.
Prerequisite: EESA06H

EESB03H3 Principles of Climatology
This is an overview of the physical and dynamic nature of meteorology, climatology and related aspects of oceanography. Major topics include: atmospheric composition, nature of atmospheric radiation, atmospheric moisture and cloud development, atmospheric motion including air masses, front formation and upper air circulation, weather forecasting, ocean circulation, climate classification, climate change theory and global warming.
Exclusion: GGR203H, GGR312H
Prerequisite: EESA06H or EESA09H

EESB04H3 Principles of Hydrology
The water and energy balances; fluxes through natural systems. Process at the drainage basin scale: precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration and streamflow generation. The measurement of water fluxes, forecasting of rainfall and streamflow events. Human activity and change in hydrologic processes.
Exclusion: GGR206H.
Prerequisite: EESA01H or EESA06H or any B-level EES course.

EESB05H3 Principles of Soil Science
A study of the processes of pedogenesis and the development of diverse soil profiles, their field relationships and their response to changing environmental conditions.
   An examination of the fundamental soil properties of importance in soil management. An introduction to the techniques of soil examination in the field, soil analysis in the laboratory and the basic principles of soil classification.
Prerequisite: EESA01H or EESA06H

EESB15H3 Earth History
Planet Earth is at least 4,400 million years old and a geological record exists for at least the last 3,900 million years in the form of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The changing dynamics of convection deep within the Earth's mantle and associated super-continent assembly and breakup along with meteorite impacts, are now recognized as the major controls on development of the planet's atmosphere, oceans, biology, climate and geo-chemical cycles. This course reviews this long history and the methods and techniques used by geologists to identify ancient environments.
Prerequisite: [EESA01H & EESA06H] or permission of the instructor

EESB16H3 Feeding Humans - The Cost to the Planet
Examines the origins and systems of production of the major plants and animals on which we depend for food. Interactions between those species and systems and the local ecology will be examined, looking at issues of over harvesting, genetic erosion, soil erosion, pesticide use, and impacts of genetically modified strains.
Prerequisite: BGYA01H & BGYA02H

EESB17H3 Integrated Management of Transboundary Waters
Competition for water resources between countries is common; population and economic growth are exacerbating this. The socio-political, environmental and economic aspects of transboundary water transfers are explored; the success of relevant international treaties and conventions, and the potential for integrated management of transboundary waters are assessed. Examples from Asia, Africa and the Middle East are presented.
Prerequisite: EESA01H or EESA07H

EESC03H3 Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
This course focuses on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) for solving a range of scientific problems in the environmental sciences and describing their relationship with - and applicability to - other fields of study (e.g. geography, computer science, engineering, geology, ecology and biology). Topics include (but are not limited to): spatial data types, formats and organization; geo-referencing and coordinate systems; remotely sensed image manipulation and analysis; map production.
Prerequisite: EESA06H & 1.5 FCEs in B- or C-level EES courses.
Recommended: A prior introductory GIS course and some experience with the use of computers (Windows or Unix-based.)

EESC04H3 Biodiversity and Biogeography
Theoretical and practical aspect of the evolution of organismal diversity in a functional context; examination of species distributions and how these are organized for scientific study. Emphasis will be on the highly diverse invertebrate animals. Topics include biomes, dispersal, adaptation, speciation, extinction, and the influence of climate history and humans.
Prerequisite: BGYB50H or (BGYB50Y) or permission of the instructor

EESC07H3 Groundwater
Groundwater represents the world's largest and most important fresh water resource.
   This basic course in hydrogeology introduces the principles of groundwater flow and aquifer storage and shows how a knowledge of these fundamental tools is essential for effective groundwater resource management and protection. Special emphasis is placed on the practical methods of resource exploration and assessment; examples of the approach are given for aquifers under environmental stress in southern Ontario, the US and Africa.
Prerequisite: EESA06H & 1 FCE in B-level EES courses

EESC13H3 Environmental Impact Assessment and Auditing
To familiarize students with the relevant legislation, qualitative and quantitative approaches and applications for environmental impact assessments and environmental auditing. The focus will be on the assessment of impacts to the natural environment, however, socio-economic impacts will also be discussed. Environmental auditing and environmental certification systems will be discussed in detail. Examples and case studies from forestry, wildlife biology and land use will be used to illustrate the principles and techniques presented in the course. Students will acquire "hands-on" experience in impact assessment and environmental auditing through case studies.
Exclusion: GGR393H
Prerequisite: 2.5 FCE of EES courses or permission of the instructor

EESC15H3 Research Seminar in Environmental Science
Concepts and methods developed in Environmental Science will be applied to practical environmental problems, within the framework of individual or group projects; a research proposal and a research seminar will be produced. The course is also designed to ensure interaction between students from disparate streams of environmental science through participation in joint seminars with faculty and with environmental practitioners from the community at large.
Prerequisite: Permission of co-ordinator

EESC16H3 Field Camp I
Many environmental problems can only be assessed by collecting geological and other environmental data in the field. This course will provide students with the necessary skills for fieldwork investigations in a range of environments. The camp will be held in Costa Rica in May 2008.
Prerequisite: EESB15H and permission of the instructors.

EESC18H3 The Great Lakes: An Introduction to Physical Limnology
North America is endowed with eight of the twelve largest fresh-water lakes in the world. The hydrodynamics and hydraulics of the Canadian Great Lakes are used as examples of large lacustrine systems. Fundamental concepts in physical and biological limnology are related to features found in the Great Lakes. Topics include: classification and origin of lakes, temperature structure, seasonal circulation, heat budgets, Langmuir circulation, seiches, waves and water levels, eutrophication and invasive species.
Prerequisite: EESB03H
Recommended course: EESB02H

EESC19H3 Marine Systems
The world's oceans constitute more than 70% of the earth's surface environments. This course will introduce students to the dynamics of ocean environments, ranging from the deep ocean basins to marginal seas to the coastal ocean. The large-scale water circulation is examined from an observationally based water mass analysis and from a theoretical hydro-dynamical framework. The circulation of marginal seas, the role of tides, waves and other currents are studied in terms of their effects upon the coastal boundary.
Prerequisite: EESB03H
Recommended Course: EESB02H

EESC21H3 Urban Environmental Problems of the Greater Toronto Area
Urban areas such as the GTA are the focus of many acute environmental problems such as the disposal of solid and liquid wastes, and the contamination of soil, air and water by industrial activity. Specific cases of such problems drawn from the GTA will be reviewed, with reference to field investigations, environmental audits, due diligence and liability, and remedial solutions. Students will carry out their own field investigations and will report on specific issues, paying particular regard to government legislation and guidelines issued by regulatory agencies. This course is essential to students in the Environmental Science Program, but is also directly relevant to business and management students.
Prerequisite: 10 FCEs in an EES Program, or permission of the instructor.

EESC24H3 Advanced Readings in Environmental Science
An advanced supervised readings course that can be taken in any session. Students will follow structured independent readings in any area of Environmental Science. A description of the objectives and scope of the individual offering must be approved by the Supervisor of Studies. Two papers are required in the course; the supervisor and one other faculty member will grade them. The course may not be used as a substitute for EES Program requirements.
Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 2.5, and 3 FCEs in EES courses. Permission of the Supervisor of Studies.

EESC30H3 Microbial Biogeochemistry
This course examines the diversity of microorganisms, their adaptations to special habitats, and their role in the ecosystem and geochemical cycling. Other topics include microbial phylogeny, physiological diversity, species interactions and state of the art methods of detection and enumeration.
Exclusion: (BGYC55H)
Prerequisite: [CHMA10H & CHMA11H or (CHMA02Y)] and [BGYB50H & BGYB51H or (BGYB50Y)]

EESC31H3 Principles of Glacial Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
The last 2.5 million years has seen the repeated formation of large continental ice sheets over North America and Europe. The landscape of Ontario is a fossil landscape inherited from the last Laurentide Ice Sheet that disappeared only 10,000 years ago; much of southern Ontario is buried by glacial sediments and the Great Lakes are the direct result of glaciation. The course will review the cause of glaciations and their geological and geomorphological effects paying special regard to the long record of past glacial and interglacial climates preserved in the Toronto region.
Prerequisite: EESA06H

EESC32H3 Mineralogy and Petrology
This course provides an overview of common mineral and rock types and the methods for describing and identifying them. The fundamentals of crystal structure will be reviewed and used as a basis for mineralogical classification. Simple microscopic techniques for mineral identification and the mineralogy and origin of the more common sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock types are presented. This course is necessary for those students who wish to seek professional registration as a Professional Geoscientist in Ontario.
Limited enrolment: 20
Exclusion: GLG206H, ERS201H, ERS203H
Prerequisite: EESA01H3 & EESA06H

EESD02H3 Contaminant Hydrogeology
Natural hydrochemical processes; the use of major ions, minor ions, trace metals and environmental isotopes in studying the occurrence and nature of ground water flow. Point and non-point sources of ground water contamination and the mechanisms of contaminant transport.
Prerequisite: CHMB55H and at least 1 FCE in Environmental Science at the C-level.

EESD06H3 Climate Change Impact Assessment
Climate change over the last 150 years is reviewed by examining the climate record using both direct measurements and proxy data. Projection of future climate is reviewed using the results of sophisticated climate modeling. The climate change impact assessment formalism is introduced and applied to several examples. Students will acquire practical experience in climate change impact assessment through case studies.
Prerequisite: EESB03H

EESD07H3 Field Camp II
This field camp will familiarize students with several geological settings and modern environments. The camp will be held in Costa Rica in May 2008 in conjunction with EESC16H.
Prerequisite: EESC16H and permission of the instructors

EESD09H3  

EESD10Y3 Research Project in Environmental Science
The design, implementation, and reporting of a substantial research project involving laboratory and/or fieldwork. Existing faculty research allows a broad range of possible topics. The course should be undertaken after the end of the 3rd Year, subject to faculty availability. Faculty permission and supervision is required; open only to those students who have either completed or are undertaking specialist courses in the area of intended study. Students having a B+ or higher standing may be eligible for summer financial support from research projects. Permission of the co-ordinator must be obtained.
Exclusion: GLG470Y, GLG471H
Prerequisite: EESC15H

EESD11H3 Process Hydrology
The motion of water at the hill slope and drainage basin scales. The relationship between surface and subsurface hydrological processes. Soil hydrologic processes emphasising infiltration. Stream flow generation mechanisms, hydrometric and isotopic research methods. Problems of physically based and empirical modelling of hydrological processes. Snowmelt energetics and modelling.
Prerequisite: EESB04H

EESD15H3 Cleaning Up Our Mess: Remediation of Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments
This course consists of a study of the ways in which hazardous organic and inorganic materials can be removed or attenuated in natural systems. The theory behind various technologies, with an emphasis on bioremediation techniques and their success in practice. An introduction to the unique challenges associated with the remediation of surface and ground water environments, soils, marine systems, and contaminated sediments.
Prerequisite: BGYA01H & BGYA02H & EESB04H & EESB05H & CHMB55H

EESD32H3 Contaminant Fate in Terrestrial Environments
This course will present fundamental chemical concepts and reactions that occur in soils with emphasis on contaminant behaviour. Students will learn the basics of soil chemistry and how these processes relate to quantities, attenuation, sequestration, and movement of ions, heavy metals, and organic molecules in terrestrial environments.
Prerequisite: CHMB55H & EESB05H

SCIB01H3 Science Engagement Outreach

SCIB02H3 Science Engagement In-Reach
(See the Science Engagement section of this Calendar for full course descriptions.)

Published Friday January 18th, 2008   Section last updated Fri Jan 18, 2008

Calendar 2007-2008 Back to English Continue to Environmental Science and Technology Up to Table of Contents and Search or Alphabetic Index