EVSS Specializations

These are ideas of potential courses and faculty to constitute these “specializations,” but every student develops a personalized program of study that best meets their project’s needs.

EVSS Specializations

 Click on a specialization for more information about relevant classes, current student research, and professors.
  • Natural Resource Management

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 650 ENERGY PRODUCTION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
    • A study of the nature of energy and scientific issues relating to its production, storage, distribution and use from a physics perspective.

    EVSS 541 POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

    • This course focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills required to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence pollutant behavior in Earth’s near-surface environments, including fresh water and soils.
    • Laboratory focuses on assessing pollutants in various environmental media using appropriate analytical techniques.

    EVSS 610 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY:

    • This course emphasizes the application of fundamental toxicological and microbiological concepts to problems which exist in the real world. 

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 630 NATURAL RESOURCE LAW AND POLICY:
    • This course is about the laws and policy that regulate and affect the use of natural resources.
    • This course includes an introduction to the administrative law of federal agencies that regulate the use of public lands and resources.

    EVSS 538 INTRODUCTORY HYDROGEOLOGY:

    • Course provides introduction to quantitative nature of water flow within geologic media.
    • Discuss significance of water flow theory and systems in geologic settings.

    EVSS 637 ECONOMIES, CULTURES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:

    • This course critically examines the economic relationship between humans and their environments, focusing on the politically volatile nature of natural resource governance in First and Third World contexts.
    • Focuses on the intersection between capitalist political economy and subsistence cultures, and how their differences affect the politics of environmental governance.
    • Student will develop skills in analyzing the political economy and broaden their understanding how social systems interact with ecological systems.

    EVSS 506 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY:

    • A course exploring the origin, maintenance, and preservation of biodiversity at all levels: genetic, population, community, ecosystem and biosphere.
    • The focus will be on applying ecological, genetic, and evolutionary principles to problems in conservation. Optional field trips will make use of the rich biota of the Charleston area.
  • Environmental Policy, Planning, and Administration

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 601 ECONOMIC THEORY FOR POLICY ANALYSIS:

    • This course covers the application of microeconomic theories to the analysis of contemporary public sector issues, with an emphasis on environmental problems.
    • Attention is given to the conceptual and practical problems associated with resource allocation decisions when there is conflict among efficiency, equity and limited information in policy making.
    • The foundations of welfare economics and applications of cost-benefit analysis as they relate to specific environmental policies and programs are examined as well.

    EVSS 602 PUBLIC POLICY:

    • This course seeks to develop a firm understanding of the public policy making process in the United States.
    • Students study policy making though various perspectives on implementation. The roles of major institutions including the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government, the bureaucracy and interest groups in this process are addressed.
    • Integrated within this study of the process are various perspectives and interpretations of policy making, including incrementalism, rationalism, pluralism and elitism.
    • Selected areas of public policy, including transportation, poverty, energy and the environment are used to illustrate both the process and the different perspectives.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 605 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & REGULATORY POLICY:

    • This course concentrates on the development of environmental laws and regulations in this country.  
    • The course is taught by an attorney and will help students develop an understanding of the scope and substance of environmental laws and the methods by which these statutes address environmental issues using different regulatory techniques.

    EVSS 606 WILDLIFE LAW:

    • The course goes beyond the Endangered Species Act to look at other U.S. statutes dealing with wildlife, as well as international treaties and conventions.
    • Topics include public and private interests in wildlife, protection for biodiversity and ecosystems, federal land issues, perhaps some state fish and game law administration, fisheries, and definitely, international wildlife law.
    • This course is of particular interest to students interested in fisheries, turtles, dolphins and endangered species conservation.
    • There are no prerequisites. Although a standard law school casebook will be used, suitable for a graduate level course, it is not necessary to have had a prior law class.

    EVSS 607 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW:

    • A study of the legislative, adjudicatory, and general policy-making powers of administrative agencies and regulatory commissions, and the scope of judicial review of administrative action.
    • The course is directed primarily toward an analysis of the political nature of the bureaucracy, and secondarily toward the procedural requirements for administrative policy-making.

    EVSS 630 NATURAL RESOURCE LAW AND POLICY:

    • This course is about the laws and policy that regulate and affect the use of natural resources. This course includes an introduction to the administrative law of federal agencies that regulate the use of public lands and resources.

    EVSS 635 LAND USE LAW:

    • This course examines zoning and land use control in the United States and incorporates illustrations and cases from South Carolina in particular.
    • It focuses on enabling legislation for local governments, regulation, the process of development, eminent domain, contract and conditional zoning, and enforcement and violation of land use regulations.

    EVSS 633 HISTORY AND THEORY OF AMERICAN URBAN PLANNING:

    • This course addresses the historical and theoretical underpinnings of urban and regional planning in the United States as it has evolved since the mid-nineteenth century.
    • This course serves as a vehicle to examine the changing nature of the relationship between planning and urban economic development and public policy.

    EVSS 651 RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS:

    • This course examines the conduct and use of applied research in environmental organizations.
    • Topics include the role of scientific information in policy definition and administration, the use and misuse of research data, the prospects for meaningful program evaluation and policy learning, and the influence of alternative organizational structures on the use of information.

    EVSS 695 URBAN PLANNING:

    • This course analyzes contemporary issues/problems in the urban arena and the role of planning in implementing solutions to them.
    • An overview of urbanization and the planning process is given to begin the semester. The majority of the time, however, is spent on studying a variety of issues from economic development through the environment to homelessness.
    • The emphasis is on connecting planning and what planners do with ideas and events in the larger society; less time is spent on dates and names of federal programs and specifics of the planning process.

    EVSS 679 ECONOMIES, CULTURES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:

    • This course critically examines the economic relationship between humans and their environments, focusing on the politically volatile nature of natural resource governance in First and Third World contexts.
    • We will focus on the intersection between capitalist political economy and subsistence cultures, and how their differences affect the politics of environmental governance.

  • Coastal and Marine Management

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 610 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY:

    • This course emphasizes the application of fundamental toxicological and microbiological concepts to problems which exist in the real world.
    • The course should prepare the student interested in environmental problems with the necessary practical information to make sound judgments in assessing meaningful solutions to existing environmental problems.

    EVSS 640 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE:

    • This course investigates the interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, ice, solid-Earth and biological systems.
    • Students will study the evolution of solid-Earth, the formation of the atmosphere and oceans, and the origin of life.
    • Rate and scale of changes of the Earth's environment will be examined through an analysis of changing climates. Finally, the course examines human evolution and technological development to gain an understanding of human impacts on the global environment.

    EVSS 541 POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

    • This course focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills required to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence pollutant behavior in Earth’s near-surface environments, including fresh water and soils.
    • Laboratory focuses on assessing pollutants in various environmental media using appropriate analytical techniques.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 519 BIOLOGY OF CORAL REEFS:

    • An introduction to the biology and ecology of reef-building corals and coral reefs.
    • Topics to be covered include coral ecology (nutrition, reproduction, growth, population structure), taxonomy and systematics, biogeography and reef-building processes.
    • This course will also cover natural and human induced disturbances on coral reefs and discuss exploitation and coral reef management options.

    EVSS 620 PHYSIOLOGY & CELL BIOLOGY OF MARINE ORGANISMS:

    • A study of the regulatory mechanisms found in marine organisms especially as they relate to interactions between the organism and the environment. Mechanisms will be discussed at the organismal, organ-system, tissue, and cellular levels.

    EVSS 622 ECOLOGY OF MARINE ORGANISMS:

    • The study of living organisms in the marine environment - population and community ecology, reproduction and life histories, productivity, evolution and biogeography.
    • A broad overview of these elements is followed by detailed consideration of major coastal and oceanic ecosystems around the world.

    EVSS 623 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY:

    • A study of the physics and chemistry of ocean and estuarine water, circulation, waves, and tides.
    • Lecture and laboratory work will emphasize the interrelationships of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes in the sea.

    EVSS 627 MARINE TETRAPOD BIOLOGY:

    • This lecture, laboratory, and field course emphasizes both the diversity and common themes of the physiological, behavioral, and anatomical adaptations that characterize certain lineages of reptiles, birds, and mammals that exploit a wide array of marine habitats.
    • Highlighting the faunas of South Carolina, we will evaluate marine tetrapods as models for advanced studies in evolution, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation.

    EVSS 724 ICHTHYOLOGY:

    • A study of fishes, emphasizing diversity and evolution, morphology, physiology, ecology, life histories, behavior, systematics and biogeography.
    • Laboratory work will focus on groups important in the local fauna.

    EVSS 726 FISHERIES SCIENCE:

    • A general introduction to methods of harvesting aquatic resources and collection and evaluation of biological data to effectively manage these resources.
    • Topics include age and growth analysis; mortality, recruitment, and yield; production and early life history; stock assessment techniques; and detailed study of certain important fisheries.

    EVSS 695 APPLIED MARICULTURE:

    • The overall objective of this course is to understand and implement the scientific method through experiential learning of the applications of oyster farming in South Carolina.
    • The course will be split between field and class work, with an emphasis on data collection, data analysis and interpretation, field methods and the relationships the oyster farming industry has with the world around us.

    EVSS 639 WETLANDS AND WATERSHEDS:

    • Introduction to water flow and biogeochemical processes in wetland systems.
    • Discuss the significance of hydrology in wetlands and importance of biogeochemical cycles on water quality in wetlands. Quantitative analysis of water budgets and biochemical cycles. Lectures and student-led seminars.

    EVSS 746 AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY:

    • An introduction to assessing the effects of toxic substances on aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
    • Topics include general principles of toxicology, fate and transport models, quantitative structure-activity relationships, single-species and community-level toxicity measures, regulatory issues, and career opportunities.
    • Examples will be drawn from marine, freshwater and brackish-water systems.

    EVSS 549 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

    • This course will cover spatial types and quality, data input operations, database management, data analysis, and software design concerns.
    • We will also examine institutional and political concerns for using GIS. Computer-based GIS software (Unix, PC, and Mac) will be used throughout the course.

  • Environmental Education

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 611 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES:

    • This class will offer an introductory review of the environmental and sustainability studies discipline and practice, including interdisciplinary scholarship, career opportunities, in public, nonprofit, and private sectors, and contemporary challenges in policy and administration.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 637 ECONOMIES, CULTURES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:

    • This course critically examines the economic relationship between humans and their environments, focusing on the politically volatile nature of natural resource governance in First and Third World contexts.
    • We will focus on the intersection between capitalist political economy and subsistence cultures, and how their differences affect the politics of environmental governance. 
  • Environment and Human Health

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 640 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE:

    • This course investigates the interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, ice, solid-Earth and biological systems.
    • Students will study the evolution of solid-Earth, the formation of the atmosphere and oceans, and the origin of life.
    • Rate and scale of changes of the Earth's environment will be examined through an analysis of changing climates. Finally, the course examines human evolution and technological development to gain an understanding of human impacts on the global environment.

    EVSS 541 POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

    • This course focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills required to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence pollutant behavior in Earth’s near-surface environments, including fresh water and soils.
    • Laboratory focuses on assessing pollutants in various environmental media using appropriate analytical techniques.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS XXX: Ecosystem Services and Human Health

  • Environmental Sciences

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 610 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY:

    • This course emphasizes the application of fundamental toxicological and microbiological concepts to problems which exist in the real world.
    • The course should prepare the student interested in environmental problems with the necessary practical information to make sound judgments in assessing meaningful solutions to existing environmental problems.

    EVSS 624 BIOMETRY:

    • A broad treatment of statistics concentrating on specific statistical techniques used in biological research.
    • Topics covered include sampling procedures and analysis of distributions (binomial, poison, and normal), hypothesis testing and estimation with emphasis on analysis of frequencies, regression and correlation.
    • Several nonparametric and multivariate methods are also discussed. Emphasis is on application of statistical techniques and not theory, therefore a knowledge of mathematics through calculus is expected.

    EVSS 640 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE:

    • This course investigates the interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, ice, solid-Earth and biological systems.
    • Students will study the evolution of solid-Earth, the formation of the atmosphere and oceans, and the origin of life.
    • Rate and scale of changes of the Earth's environment will be examined through an analysis of changing climates. Finally, the course examines human evolution and technological development to gain an understanding of human impacts on the global environment.

    EVSS 541 POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

    • This course focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills required to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence pollutant behavior in Earth’s near-surface environments, including fresh water and soils.
    • Laboratory focuses on assessing pollutants in various environmental media using appropriate analytical techniques.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 644 PLANT ECOLOGY:

    • Plant Ecology will explore the population ecology of plants covering the genetic, spatial, age, and size structure of plant populations.
    • The focus will be on understanding the origin of these different kinds of structured, understanding how they influence each other, and understanding why they change with time.

    EVSS 746 AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY:

    • An introduction to assessing the effects of toxic substances on aquatic organisms and ecosystems.
    • Topics include general principles of toxicology, fate and transport models, quantitative structure-activity relationships, single-species and community-level toxicity measures, regulatory issues, and career opportunities. Examples will be drawn from marine, freshwater and brackish-water systems.

    EVSS 639 WETLANDS AND WATERSHEDS:

    • Introduction to water flow and biogeochemical processes in wetland systems.
    • Discuss the significance of hydrology in wetlands and importance of biogeochemical cycles on water quality in wetlands. Quantitative analysis of water budgets and biochemical cycles. Lectures and student-led seminars.

  • Geospatial Analysis

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 632 SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES:

    • This course will introduce students to social science methodologies used to understand humans’ relationships to the environment.
    • The course will provide a basic understanding of the practice of collecting both quantitative and qualitative social science data, developing mixed-methods or interdisciplinary projects, and train students on how to interpret such data.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 542 FUNDAMENTALS OF REMOTE SENSING:

    • Course includes fundamentals of remote sensing and digital image processing for applications in earth and environmental sciences.
    • This includes concepts of electromagnetic radiation, satellite image data collection, reduction and application, software tools, data acquisition, and ground truthing.

    EVSS 549 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

    • This course will cover spatial types and quality, data input operations, database management, data analysis, and software design concerns.
    • We will also examine institutional and political concerns for using GIS. Computer-based GIS software (Unix, PC, and Mac) will be used throughout the course.

    EVSS 569 ADVANCED GIS: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HAZARDS MODELS:

    • This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in the science and applications of Geographic Information Systems.
    • Topics include: Cloud GIS, model building, processing automation, LIDAR and image processing and FEMA’S HAZUS.

    EVSS 642 GEOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING:

    • Course will cover the fundamentals and applications of remote sensing.
    • Topics include: remote sensing theory, data collection, reduction and application, computer software tools, data acquisition and ties to geographic information systems (GIS).
    • The course emphasis is on environmental problems.

    EVSS 695 APPLIED QUANTITATIVE METHODS/STATISTICAL PROGRAMMING IN R:

    • This course will be ideal for students with an interest in applied statistics, programming, and GIS.
    • The course is very hands on with a focus on developing a core skill set and then applying those tools on student projects.

  • Hazards Management

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 640 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE:

    • This course investigates the interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, ice, solid-Earth and biological systems.
    • Students will study the evolution of solid-Earth, the formation of the atmosphere and oceans, and the origin of life.
    • Rate and scale of changes of the Earth's environment will be examined through an analysis of changing climates. Finally, the course examines human evolution and technological development to gain an understanding of human impacts on the global environment.

    EVSS 541 POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT:

    • This course focuses on theoretical and quantitative skills required to assess how natural and anthropogenic factors influence pollutant behavior in Earth’s near-surface environments, including fresh water and soils.
    • Laboratory focuses on assessing pollutants in various environmental media using appropriate analytical techniques.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 569 ADVANCED GIS: ENVIRONMENTAL AND HAZARDS MODELS:

    • This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in the science and applications of Geographic Information Systems.
    • Topics include: Cloud GIS, model building, processing automation, LIDAR and image processing and FEMA’S HAZUS.
  • Sustainability Studies

    Core Courses:

    EVSS 611 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES:

    • This class will offer an introductory review of the environmental and sustainability studies discipline and practice.
    • This includes interdisciplinary scholarship, career opportunities, in public, nonprofit, and private sectors, and contemporary challenges in policy and administration.

    EVSS 632 SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODS:

    • This course will introduce students to social science methodologies used to understand humans’ relationships to the environment.
    • The course will provide a basic understanding of the practice of collecting both quantitative and qualitative social science data, developing mixed-methods or interdisciplinary projects, and train students on how to interpret such data.

    Elective Courses:

    EVSS 695 ECOPRENEURSHIP:

    • This course approaches environmental problems as entrepreneurial opportunities and sees entrepreneurs as influential in creating social and economic change.
    • This course will help students recognize opportunities to create new businesses that move us towards a more sustainable economy.
    • Industry sectors with strong representation the Lowcountry with a high need and/or possibility for improvement in environmental sustainability will be a particular focus.
    • Students will learn about these sectors through speakers, case studies and industry research.


    EVSS 637 ECONOMIES, CULTURES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:

    • This course critically examines the economic relationship between humans and their environments, focusing on the politically volatile nature of natural resource governance in First and Third World contexts.
    • We will focus on the intersection between capitalist political economy and subsistence cultures, and how their differences affect the politics of environmental governance.