Earth and Environmental Science - Courses
See the current class schedule for current classes and course descriptions
Environmental Science
ENSC 181 - Terrestrial Environment
Interactions among humans and natural land-based systems and their environmental consequences. Topics and labs include terrestrial ecology, biodiversity, biomes, forests, agriculture, rangelands, soils, groundwater, geologic mineral and energy resources, mining, waste management, recycling, environmental justice, ecological economics, conservation, and sustainable production.
ENSC 182 - Atmospheric Environment and Climate Change
Causes, consequences, geologic history and science of climate change and atmosphere. Topics and labs include weather, sun-Earth cycles, air pollution, ozone layer, greenhouse effect, ocean/atmosphere/ice systems, climate models and data, predictions, feedbacks, tipping points, carbon sequestration, energy options.
ENSC 183 - Aquatic Environment
Students learn about freshwater and marine systems including their biology, geology, chemistry, circulation, climate and interactions with humans. Topics and labs include aquatic biodiversity, streams, water pollution, ocean currents, fisheries, sustaining aquatic systems and water resources.
ENSC 265 - Environmental Science Field Methods
Students will gain practical field experience, with online and face-to-face instruction, using protocols to collect scientific environmental data, particularly in wetlands, and on endangered, threatened and invasive species in various environmental settings. Students also explore monitoring, mitigation, and restoration in these areas. They will work side by side with collaborating resource professionals. One of the following courses is recommended to be taken prior to this class: BI 103B, BI 103F, BI 103J, ENSC 181, BOT 213, or WST 230.
SOIL 205 - Introduction to Soil Science
A course describing the basic properties and functions of soils as an integral part of the earth system and environmental understanding. Carries the sustainability designation at LCC.
WST 230 - Watersheds and Hydrology usually offered Winter term
A course that integrates basic environmental principles into an understanding of the science of hydrology by examining how watersheds function. Prior ENSC class is recommended.
ENSC 299 - Environmental Analysis coming in 2019-20!
A synthesis course in environmental science designed for majors who are transferring for a Baccalaureate degree.
Geology
Geology for Non-majors : Geology 101, 102 and 103 Sequence
The geology sequence for non-majors may be taken in sequence or as individual courses taken in any order:
Geology 101: G 101 - Earth's Dynamic Interior
Explore Earth's internal structure, learn how rocks and minerals form, and how plate interactions cause earthquakes, create volcanoes and build mountains.
Geology 102: G 102 - Earth's Dynamic Surface
Examines the dynamic processes that shape the Earth's surface, including the work of weathering, mass wasting, streams, groundwater, wind, waves, glaciers and the long-term effects of climate changes.
Geology 103: G 103 - Evolving Earth
Survey the history of the Earth and life through time, and includes the topics of sedimentary environments, fossilization, plant and animal evolution, and the tectonic and continent building processes that affected North America.
Additional Geology Courses
Geology 146: G 146 - Rocks and Minerals
G 146 is a non-majors' geology course that examines the relationships among rocks, minerals, gems and society.
Geology 147: G 147 - National Parks Geology
National Parks Geology is a non-majors' geology course that emphasizes the geologic setting, history, and landform development in selected National Parks and Monuments.
Geology 148: G 148 - Geological Hazards (hybrid class)
This course provides students an opportunity to examine in some depth the type of natural hazards that put geology in the news! Online content is used heavily in this class in a hybrid mode of instruction.
Geology for Geology Majors and Other Interested Students
Geology 201: G 201 - Earth Materials & Plate Tectonics
Geology 202: G 202 - Earth's Surface Systems
Geology 203: G 203 - Evolution of the Earth
Geology 280: G 280 - Cooperative Education: Geology
Geology 280ES: G 280ES - Cooperative Education: Environmental Studies
Geology 298: G 298 - Independent Study
See department for topics.
General Science 106: GS 106 - Earth, Sea, and Sky (Physical Science)
Prerequisite: MTH 052 or above with grade of 'C-' or better or pass placement test or instructor's permission. GS 106 surveys Earth and space sciences for non-science majors. Topics include geologic processes, time, hazards, atmosphere, and cosmology from asteroids, planets, stars, to galaxies and beyond. Labs include basic scientific techniques, minerals, rocks, maps, and space imagery. Lab included.
Telecourses/Online
General Science 108: GS 108 - Oceanography
GS 108 provides an overview of the basic physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the world ocean. Includes lab (used to be numbered as GS 147).
General Science 109: GS 109 - Meteorology
An introduction to structure of the atmosphere, measurement parameters of the atmosphere, and primary analysis of air structure including clouds, stability, winds, air masses, and fronts. Weather discussions primarily related to needs of the VFR cross-country pilot. This course is designed for Flight Technology program students but is open to any student interested in learning about the weather patterns of the western United States. Undergoing revision in 2019-20 to incorporate laboratory component and also to include aspects beyond those of concern to pilots.
General Science 142: GS 142 - Earth Science: Earth Revealed
An introductory geology course that integrates topics of Earth's history, plate tectonics, rock types, minerals, volcanism, earthquake activity, weathering, rivers, groundwater, glaciers, and coastal landforms.