Rutgers Undergraduate Courses Related to Climate and Environmental Change
Chemistry Undergraduate
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50:160:420 Green Chemistry (3)
Scientific fundamentals of green chemistry, chemical industry, and living in a sustainable society by the 10 commandments of sustainability. This course includes interactions between anthrosphere and biosphere, sustainable agriculture, current and projected energy profile, industrial ecosystems and pollution prevention, carbon neutrality, major feedstock chemicals and processes of green technology, using plant biomass and platform compounds in industrial synthesis, catalysis as a major green chemistry approach, nanotechnology, green solvents, pharmaceutical industry, green chemistry to combat terrorism, and living a sustainable lifestyle.
Prerequisites: 50:160:336, 340; 50:640:122.
50:160:450 Principles of Environmental Chemistry (3)
The objective of this course is to develop a solid and practical understanding of the chemistry of air, water, and soil and how anthropogenic activities affect the balance of this chemistry. Specifically, we will examine how chemicals move through the environment, their reaction, and transport phenomena. We evaluate public policy, study current remediation processes, measurements, and data interpretation. The students will be applying chemistry and mathematical concepts to solve remediation process design problems, and express and understand scientific models.
Prerequisite: 50:160:336.
Biology Undergraduate
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50:120:202 Understanding Environmental Problems (R) (3)
Discussion and analysis of environmental problems facing the human species. Emphasis on physical and biological principles affecting population growth; resource and energy consumption; and the pollution of the air, water, and land. Alternative solutions to environmental problems discussed in terms of conflicting economic and political values.
Satisfies the college's natural sciences requirement for nonscience majors. Although open to biology majors, does not satisfy the biology major elective requirement.
50:120:422 Ecology of Soil Organisms (3)
Explores the basic principles of ecology from the viewpoint of soil organisms. The role of soil organisms is essential to the sustainability of ecosystems.
Prerequisites: 50:120:101,102, 351. Required corequisite: 50:120:423.
50:120:460 Medical, Industrial, and Environmental Mycology (3)
Fungi are integral in many ecological processes. They act as decomposers not only of dead plant and animal matter, but are active pathogens of plants and animals, including humans. Since fungi are evolutionarily close to animals, it is often difficult to target fungi with antibiotics which do not also harm their human host. Antibiotic production is a natural defense mechanism of fungi, which has been exploited by humans. Fungi or the byproducts of fungal activity are used in the food industry. They are of huge economic importance in food spoilage and crop reduction. Fungi can be important agents in controlling pollutants in industrial processes and pollutant spills.
Prerequisites: 50:120:101,102, 283, 351.
Geology Undergraduate
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50:460:101 Introduction to the Earth (R) (3)
A one-semester (non-laboratory) description of the earth; processes that affect its composition and architecture; the interaction of solid earth, atmosphere, and oceans. Several field trips may be scheduled.
Fulfills the Gen Ed PLS requirement, taught once per academic year.
50:460:301 Earth and the Environment (R) (3)
Earth and the Environment provides a detailed examination of interactions and connections between people and their geologic environment from an earth systems perspective. Using case studies and current events, students investigate complex environmental processes and issues related to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Students will reach and defend decisions concerning personal, corporate, and governmental actions.
Fulfills the Gen Ed PLS requirement, taught periodically.
Political Science Undergraduate
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50:790:366 U.S. Environmental Politics (3)
The politics and processes of U.S. domestic environmental policy, with a primary emphasis on developments since the late 1960s. Passage of major environmental legislation (the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, Superfund, etc.) and the ongoing policy impact of significant partisan divisions over environmental policy that emerged in the late 1970s. Ongoing policy debates over increasingly complex 21st-century environmental problems, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and persistent organic pollutants.
50:790:367 International Environmental Politics (3)
Topics include the origins of modern global environmental regimes, the evolving environmental foreign policy goals of prominent state actors, the development of the field of international environmental law, and the role international institutions play in addressing 21st-century environmental problems around the world.
50:790:427 Energy Security Policy (3)
Natural resources are closely linked to economic prosperity and international security. The need to procure and protect vital resources, particularly oil and water, has had a profound impact on U.S. national security and foreign policy. The purpose of this course is to study three major aspects linking natural resources and national security: 1) U.S. energy security and energy policy; 2) types of violence associated with conflict over scarce resources; and 3) strategies for conflict resolution. The course concludes with a discussion of the future trajectory of resource disputes and the policy implications for national security.