Courses descriptions in the CATALOG and also listed below

ENS 200 Energy. Designed to acquaint the student with the many societal and technological problems facing the United States and the world due to the ever increasing demand for energy.

ENS 209 Renewable Energy Systems.The study of renewable energy resources and the conversion technologies available to utilize them to meet society’s energy needs. Topics include forms of energy; First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics; energy conversion and efficiency; sustainability; energy storage. Historical perspective on world and U.S. energy usage, conversion technologies, and energy resources. Fundamentals of the conversion processes and systems involved in the use of solar thermal and photovoltaic, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, thermoelectric, hydro and ocean technologies. The use of hydrogen as a fuel and technologies to produce and use it. Economic and environmental issues relevant to renewable energy resources. Class will be supplemented with laboratory demonstrations and field trips to visit existing renewable energy systems.

ENS 250 Water Resources and the Environment. Fluid mechanics as applied to water resources and environmental engineering. Study of pollution in streams, lakes, and reservoirs from point and non-point sources. Introduction to hydrology, water supply development and treatment, and wastewater collection and treatment. Prerequisites: Math 112 or 113, and Physics 120.

ENS 251 Environmental Science and the Atmosphere. The study of the atmosphere and air pollution. Fundamentals of the chemical and physical processes associated with the atmosphere. Basic meteorology; sources, effects, and control of air pollution. Global climate change, ozone depletion, acid rain. Air pollution law and air quality management. Indoor air quality. Prerequisite: College-level math and science. WAC

ENS 252 - Environmental Geotechniques. This course explores the natural characteristics, techniques of coring, methods of classification, and testing of soils as a material impacted by the surrounding environment. The utilized methods of testing are those standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Basic topics covered are soil exploration, composition, flow and permeability, compaction, compressibility, strength, slope stability, and environmental geotechnology with focus on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) testing and design specifications.

ENS 253 Environmentally Friendly Buildings. A large percentage of energy consumption and negative effect on environment is attributable to buildings and their use. In this course, through hands-on experience, computer simulation and research, the students will become acquainted with the inner-workings of the subsystems in buildings, such as: Structures, lighting and appliances, heating/air-conditioning, plumbing, basement/crawl space/attic, water and moisture management; enclosure, interior, exterior. The students will become aware of indoor and outdoor environmental and life cycle costs of the existing systems and will learn the latest science and technology to reduce the negative effect of these subsystems on the environment. Laboratory: hands-on experience with the above subsystems, site visits, Computer simulations, research, projects, presentations. Prerequisite: open to sophomores and up.

ENS 370 Engineering Economics. This course develops and applies analytical and computer tools for the evaluation of economic feasibility and desirability for practical engineering projects. Topics include the time value of money; present, annual, and rate of return analysis; benefit/cost analysis; breakeven analysis; depreciation; and the effects of inflation. Four lecture hours per week.

ENS 307 Hydrology. The study of the processes of surface water hydrology; including the rainfall/runoff process, river and stream routing, and reservoir analysis and design. Introduction to drainage system design, culvert design, and groundwater hydrology. Spreadsheets and computer software are used to assist in analysis and design. Four lecture hours per week. Prerequisite: ENS-250 or ME331.

ENS 310 Environmental Engineering. Analysis and design of water supply and wastewater conveyance systems. Study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes involved in water supply and wastewater treatment. Four lecture hours and three laboratory hours per week. Prerequisites: ENS-250 or ME331, and Chemistry 101 or 110.

GEO 203 Introduction to Remote Sensing An introduction to the techniques of observing the Earth’s land, ocean, and atmosphere from air- and space-born sensors. The course focuses on the application of remote sensing to geology, biology, land use, and the environment, and also covers technical issues affecting the acquisition, processing, and analysis of images, the properties of Earth’s surface materials affecting remote sensing, and the range of instruments used to observe the Earth and other planets. Prerequisites: Any introductory geology course or permission of the instructor; weekly lab.

GEO 204 GIS for Humanity An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and its practical uses. Topics include history of GIS, geographic data types, primary data structures, system design, map coordinate systems, data sources, metadata, census data, geographic coding and address matching, digitizing, remote sensing imagery, measures of data quality, and needs assessment. An emphasis will be on hands-on instruction using GIS software (ArcView). Students will work with ArcView throughout the term to complete assignments and a class project. Focus areas include archaeology, electric and gas utilities, surveying, health and human services, insurance, law enforcement and criminal justice, media and telecommunications, transportation, water and wastewater, and natural resources. The ultimate goal is to use the spatial component of data in conducting analysis and making decisions. Two class hours and two lab hours weekly. Prerequisites: A good background in the use of modern computer software.