← 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 →

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Catalog pages 312-319

Subject abbreviation: ENSC College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Laosheng Wu, Ph.D., Chair Daniel Schlenk, Ph.D., Vice-Chair CNAS Undergraduate Academic Advising Center, (951) 827-7294; CNASstudent@ucr.edu, envisci.ucr.edu

Professors Michael A. Anderson, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry Jianying “Jay” Gan, Ph.D. Environmental Chemistry Robert C. Graham, Ph.D. Soil Mineralogy and Pedology Keith C. Knapp, Ph.D. Natural Resource Economics Daniel Schlenk, Ph.D. Aquatic Ecotoxicology James Sickman, Ph.D. Watershed Hydrology and Biochemistry Jiri Simunek, Ph.D. Hydrology Laosheng Wu, Ph.D. Soil Physics

Professors Emeriti Christopher Amrhein, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry Janet T. Arey, Ph.D. Atmospheric Chemistry Roger Atkinson, Ph.D. Atmospheric Chemistry Andrew C.-S. Chang, Ph.D. Agricultural Engineering David E. Crowley, Ph.D. Soil Microbiology Walter J. Farmer, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry William T. Frankenberger, Jr., Ph.D. Soil Microbiology William A. Jury, Ph.D. Soil Physics Lanny J. Lund, Ph.D. Soil Morphology, Genesis, and Classification Albert L. Page, Ph.D. Soil Chemistry David R. Parker, Ph.D. Soil Biogeochemistry Roberto Sánchez-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Environmental Policy Henry J. Vaux, Jr., Ph.D. Natural Resource Economics Marylynn V. Yates, Ph.D. Environmental Microbiology Paul J. Ziemann, Ph.D. Atmospheric Science

Associate Professor Roya Bahreini, Ph.D. Atmospheric Science David M. Crohn, Ph.D. Biosystems Engineering Daniel Hirmas, Ph.D. Pedology David Volz, Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology

Assistant Professors Hoori Ajami, Ph.D. Groundwater Hydrology Andrew B. Gray, Ph.D. Watershed Hydrology Pete Homyak, Ph.D. Ecosystem and Soil Microbial Processes Francesca Hopkins, Ph.D. Climate Change and Sustainability King-Fai Li, Ph.D. Environmental Science/ Statistics Ying-Hsuan Lin, Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology William Porter, Ph.D. Environmental Sciences Samantha C. Ying, Ph.D. Soil Biogeochemistry

Cooperating Faculty Emma Aronson, Ph.D. (Plant Pathology & Microbiology) Kenneth A. Baerenklau, Ph.D. (School of Public Policy) Ariel Dinar, Ph.D. (School of Public Policy) Kurt A. Schwabe, Ph.D. (School of Public Policy)

Major

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in Environmental Sciences. Students can choose to concentrate their studies in one of two options: Natural Sci- ence and Environmental Toxicology.

The necessity of maintaining an acceptable level of environmental quality is placing increasing de- mands upon governments and industries locally, nationally, and worldwide. To help meet those demands, the Environmental Sciences program is designed to provide training for students intending to enter environmental professions or for students preparing for graduate study in law, research, or teaching in a capacity that utilizes a background in the science of the human environment.

The structure of the Environmental Sciences curriculum provides a broad scope of instruction that enables students to explore the various disciplines and professions involved with solving environmental problems as well as opportunities for students to focus their training in accordance with their own educational and career objectives. All students majoring in Environmental Sciences must complete a set of “core requirements” consisting of courses that provide a basic under- standing of the physical, biological, and social sciences and their application to the analysis of environmental processes and issues. In addition to the core requirements, students must com- plete the required courses and an appropriate number of elective courses as designated in the option they select. Students are not expected to select an option during the freshman year so that they can be introduced to dimensions of the environmental sciences about which they may have no previous knowledge. Those wishing to change their selection of an option may do so at any time as long as they are able to complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree within the 216-unit limit specified by the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Environmental Internship Program The Environmental Internship Program offers students opportunities to work with govern- ment agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations involved in environmental affairs. As excursions into professional life, internships provide “hands-on” experience in applying the principles presented in courses. Beyond the highly specialized training associated with on-the-job activities, students can gain insights into their aptitudes, aspirations and work habits that enable them to clarify their academic and career objectives. Professional acquaintances established during internships can continue to serve as important contacts for students after the internship is completed.

Although most internships are part-time (12–15 hours per week) positions in the Riverside area, organizations that host student interns are located throughout the United States and in Washington, D.C. Students working as interns may receive stipends, hourly wages, or serve as volunteers, depending upon the specific appointment. Up to 16 units of credit toward the bachelor’s degree may be earned by developing an academic component of the internship in consultation with a faculty supervisor and enroll- ing in ENSC 198-I.

Undergraduate Research Students interested in enhancing the status of knowledge about environmental process- es or seeking new solutions to environmental problems may gain training and experience as part-time employees in the department’s re- search laboratories and other research facilities, such as the Air Pollution Research Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil and Water Research Service, located on campus. Those wishing to conduct their own research under faculty supervision may earn academic credit by enrolling in ENSC 197. Expenses for both laboratory and field experiments are eligible for funding by the campus mini-grant program which supports undergraduate research and creative activity.

Environmental Toxicology Option As a curriculum that emphasizes the chemistry and biochemistry of toxic substances in the environment, this option prepares students for careers dealing with the control of toxics in the environmental media of air, water, soil, and ecosystems and in such related fields as public health and industrial hygiene. Qualified students completing this option may enter UCR’s gradu- ate program in Environmental Toxicology without significant deficiencies in their undergraduate curriculum. Natural Science Option As a general curriculum emphasizing the natural sciences, this option is suitable for students wishing to maintain a broad range of choices in technically oriented environmental profes- sions such as air and water pollution control, hazardous materials management, public health, natural resource management, and environmen- tal impact analysis. The Natural Science option is also appropriate as background for graduate study in such disciplines as ecology, forestry, air and water science, and environmental engineer- ing. Students may earn either the B.A. or B.S. degree by completing the requirements specified by the College of Natural and Agricultural Sci- ences.

California Teach-Science/Mathematics Initiative (CaTEACH-SMI) California Teach-Science Mathematics Initiative (CaTEACH-SMI) has a goal of addressing the critical need of highly qualified K-12 science and mathematics teachers in California. With an economy increasingly reliant on science, tech- nology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the anticipated large scale retirement of qualified teachers, this is an essential time to explore and prepare for a career in teaching science or mathematics.

CaTEACH-SMI at UCR offers undergraduate students paid/unpaid opportunities, such as the SMI & Alpha Center Apprentice Program, to explore STEM teaching as a career option. Through CaTEACH-SMI, students receive advising and mentoring to prepare for entrance into an intern teaching credential program while diligently coordinating with academic advisors to ensure completion of STEM degree require- ments. The CaTEACH-SMI Resource Center provides future STEM teachers with material and financial resources which includes the National Science Foundation (NSF) Noyce Scholarship Program, to promote planning and professional development towards a science/mathematics education career.

For more information about the CaTEACH-SMI program, please visit smi.ucr.edu, the Resource Center at 1315 Pierce Hall, or on Facebook at facebook.com/ScienceMathInitiativeAtUcr.

Transfer Selection Criteria Applicants to majors in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences are selected on the basis of academic preparation, as assessed by their GPA and the strength of preparation for the intended major. A GPA of at least 2.70 is required. (This is a baseline GPA for consideration and not a guarantee of admission.)

In addition, applicants will need to complete college courses comparable to at least two of the following UCR year-long sequences in order to meet selection criteria for this major. Courses must be completed with “C” grades or better:

MATH 007A or MATH 009A; MATH 007B or MATH 009B (mandatory)

And at least one sequence from:

BIOL 005B (and BIOL 005C, if articulated)

CHEM 01LB, CHEM 001C, and CHEM 01LC

  • 3. Organic chemistry (one-year lower-division),

each course completed with a grade of “B” or better

PHYS 02LB PHYS 002C, and PHYS 02LC

and MATH 046

Courses must be completed with a letter grade, with no grade lower than a “C.” Students should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major preparation requirements.

University Requirements

See Undergraduate Studies section.

College Requirements

See College of Natural and Agricultural Scienc- es, Colleges and Programs section.

Some of the following requirements for the major may also fulfill some of the College’s breadth requirements. Consult with a department advisor for course planning.

Major Requirements

The major requirements for both the B.A. and the B.S. degrees in Environmental Sciences are as follows: Students must fulfill MATH 007A or MATH 009A; MATH 007B or MATH 009B; CHEM 001A, CHEM 001B, CHEM 001C; BIOL 002 or BIOL 005A; BIOL 003 or BIOL 005B; or BIOL 020, ENSC 001, ENSC 002, ENSC 006, ENSC 100, ENSC 101, and ENSC 102 with a grade point average of 2.0 or better and no grade lower than a C-. If a grade lower than a C- is received in 2 or more core courses required for the major, either in separate courses or repetitions of the same course, the student may be discontinued from the major. Students must, under such circumstances, petition the department to remain in the major. Students are also required to choose one of the options and satisfactorily complete the option require- ments. Students in Environmental Sciences are required to demonstrate adequate progress towards earning the degree. Adequate progress is defined as completion of MATH 009B or MATH 007B prior to the beginning of the Winter Quarter of the second year of residence or Ju- nior standing (>90 units) and at least one course from ENSC 100, ENSC 101, or ENSC 102 must be completed prior to the end of the third year of residence or senior standing (>135 units).

Note To gain maximum benefit from participating in the Undergraduate Research and Environmental Internship Programs, students intending to enroll in ENSC 197 and ENSC 198-I should contact their advisor during the quarter prior to enroll- ment in these courses.

Core Requirements

  • 1. Lower-division requirements (36 units)

CHEM 01LC

or MATH 009B

  • d) POSC 010
  • 2. Upper-division requirements (14 units):

ENSC 100, ENSC 101, ENSC 102, ENSC 191

Environmental Toxicology Option (72-78 units)

and CHEM 08LA or CHEM 08HA and CHEM 8HLA or CHEM 12A, CHEM 008B and CHEM 08LB or CHEM 08HB and CHEM 8HLB or CHEM 12B, CHEM 008C and CHEM 08LC or CHEM 08HC and CHEM 8HLC or CHEM 12C

recommended

BCH 110C or BIOL 107A

  • 9. Elective Courses: At least one course from

ENSC 127, ENSC 133/MCBL 133, ENSC 135/CHEM 135/ENTX 135, ENSC 136/ CHEM 136/ENTX 136, ENSC 140, ENSC 141/MCBL 141, ENSC 144/ENVE 144, ENSC 163, BPSC 134/ENSC 134, ENSC 103/ENTX 103, ENSC 104, ENSC 107, ENSC 138/GEO 138, CBNS 150/ENTX 150, ENSC 197, ENSC 198-I

Natural Science Option (70-71 units)

recommended

CHEM 008B and CHEM 08LB or CHEM 08HB and CHEM 8HLB or CHEM 12B

  • 8. Elective Courses:

CHEM 005, CHEM 008C and CHEM 08LC, CHEM 08HC and CHEM 8HLC, CHEM 12C, MATH 009C

  • b) A total of at least five courses from

the following (at least three must be Environmental Sciences) BIOL 116, BIOL 121/MCBL 121, BIOL 121L/MCBL 121L, BPSC 104/BIOL 104, BPSC 165, BPSC 166, CHEM 109, ENSC 120/NEM 120, ENSC 127, ENSC 133/MCBL 133, ENSC 135/CHEM 135/ENTX 135, ENSC 136/CHEM 136, ENSC 140, ENSC 141/MCBL 141, ENSC 144/ ENVE 144, ENSC 163, ENSC 174, BPSC 134/ENSC 134, ENSC 103/ENTX 103, ENSC 104, ENSC 105 ENSC 107, ENSC 138/GEO 138, ENSC 197, ENSC 198-I, ENTX 101, GEO 157, GEO 160

Minor

The minor in Environmental Sciences consists of the following.

  • 1. Lower-division requirements (23 units)

CHEM 01LC

  • 2. Upper-division requirements (20 units)
  • b) Eight (8) units of additional upper-division

courses in Environmental Sciences, no more than 4 units of which are in courses numbered 190-198

Of the specified upper-division units, a minimum of 16 units must be unique to the minor and may not be used to satisfy major requirements.

See Minors under the College of Natural and Ag- ricultural Sciences in the Colleges and Programs section of this catalog for additional information on minors.

Graduate Program

Subject abbreviation: ENSC College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Laosheng Wu, Ph.D., Director James O. Sickman, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor Antonio Knox, Student Services Advisor (800)735-0717 or (951)827-6746 envisci@ucr.edu envisci.ucr.edu

The Environmental Sciences Graduate Program offers the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environ- mental Sciences.

Advanced training in Environmental Sciences is becoming increasingly necessary to address complex problems involving natural resources and environmental quality. Although this task frequently requires specialized knowledge in vari- ous fields of science, it also requires understand- ing and integration of a wide variety of interact- ing physical, chemical, biological, and societal influences. This interaction makes graduate study in environmental sciences distinct from many other scientific fields.

We have designed our program to offer ad- vanced training in a number of specialized field areas within environmental sciences, operating within a single graduate degree program ad- ministered by the Department of Environmental Sciences. Students trained in the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program can fill many areas of expertise needed in the state and nation. Potential career opportunities exist at regulatory agencies, consulting firms, government and academic research institutions, and industrial research facilities.

Admission Entry to the program requires completion of a baccalaureate degree in a field appropriate as preparation for graduate study in environmental sciences. Students normally will come to the program from an environmental sciences related discipline such as atmospheric science, aquatic science, earth science, environmental chemistry, hydrology, or soil science; or a basic science such as biology, chemistry, or physics. Students may conduct research under the su- pervision of a sponsoring faculty member in any of the following field areas.

In addition to the following requirements, all applicants must meet the general requirements as set forth in this catalog under the Graduate Studies section.

Atmospheric Sciences The Atmospheric Sciences field area encom- passes diverse topics such as atmospheric chemistry and air quality, health effects of air pollution, drivers of radiative forcing and global warming, remote sensing of the atmosphere, and atmosphere-ocean interactions. Students will receive training in observing, modeling, and understanding atmospheric circulation and the fate of atmospheric chemical species. Much of the research being conducted addresses the societal impacts of air pollution and climate change.

Entrance requirements There are no entrance requirements for the Atmospheric Sciences area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. It is recommended that students have completed one year of chemistry, as well as courses in gen- eral physics, organic chemistry, calculus through integrals, and statistics. Students who have not completed courses required for their research may need to complete additional courses to remedy deficiencies.

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology The Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology field area focuses on the sources, physical and chemical transformations, and removal process- es of chemicals in soil, water, and air, and their impacts on ecological systems.

Entrance Requirements There are no entrance requirements for the En- vironmental Chemistry area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. For Ecotoxicology, prospective students would be expected to have had courses in General Biol- ogy/Zoology and Organic Chemistry. Students who do not have sufficient background to take the core course or specific elective courses may, however, need to first take prerequisite courses.

Environmental Microbiology The Environmental Microbiology field area encompasses the study of microbial processes in natural and agricultural ecosystems and the effects of microorganisms on environmental processes and environmental quality. Research topics include fundamental research on microbial physiology, genetics, and ecology as related to the environment, applied research on microbial effects on the fate and transport of pollutants, anthropogenic effects on microbial communities, fate and transport of human pathogenic microor- ganisms in the environment, and the application of microorganisms and microbial assays as indicators of soil and water quality.

Entrance Requirements Students admitted to the Environmental Microbiology field area are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in biology, microbiolo- gy, or closely related field or demonstration of extensive background in biology and microbiol- ogy. Recommended prior course work includes chemistry (general, organic, and biochemistry), biology (general and advanced course work), microbiology (general), and statistics (general). Deficiencies in these areas must be remedied during the first year of graduate school.

Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and Policy The economics and policy field area is not cur- rently accepting new students. Students seeking advanced training in environmental and natural resource economics and policy should contact the Graduate Advisors in the Department of Economics and the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside for alternative programs of study.

Hydrologic Sciences The Hydrologic Sciences field area offers com- prehensive training in the understanding and quantification of physical and biogeochemical processes that govern movement, storage, and quality of water in the environment. Students can specialize in a variety of areas including catch- ment hydrology, ecohydrology, vadose zone and groundwater hydrology, hydrologic modeling, irrigation and water management in agricultural fields and urban landscapes, catchment biogeo- chemistry, contaminant fate and transport, earth surface processes, and related areas.

Entrance requirements There are no entrance requirements for the Hydrologic Sciences area beyond the general requirements for admission to the ESGP. It is recommended that students have completed one year of general chemistry, general physics, organic chemistry, calculus through differential equations, statistics, and physical geology or physical geography.

Soil and Water Sciences The Soil and Water Science field area offers comprehensive training in the chemistry, physics, biology, and ecology of soils, surface waters and wetlands. Students can specialize in a variety of areas, including soil and aquatic chemistry, limnology, soil-plant relations, biogeochemistry, bioremediation, geomicrobiology, contaminant fate and transport, water resources manage- ment, hillslope processes, soil genesis, soil min- eralogy and geomorphology, and related areas.

Entrance Requirements Admission to the Soil and Water Sciences field area requires a baccalaureate degree with preparation in both physical and life sciences. It is recommended that students have completed one year of general chemistry, as well as courses in general physics, organic chemistry, calculus through integrals, general biology, statistics, and physical geology or physical geography.

Environmental Sciences and Management The Environmental Sciences and Manage- ment field area is not currently accepting new students. Students seeking advanced training in environmental management and policy should contact the Graduate Advisors in the Depart- ment of Economics and the School of Public Policy at UC Riverside for alternative programs of study.

Course Work The Ph.D. and M.S. degree programs both require completion of the following courses.

  • • Each student must complete at least one

additional graduate-level, four-unit elective within or outside of the Department of Environmental Sciences.

Each student may complete additional upper- division undergraduate courses and/or graduate- level courses depending on the student’s field area and research focus.

Students with a M.S. objective may need to take additional courses to fulfill the requirements of the Plan I (Thesis) or Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) options. Upon acceptance to the program, the student will select an Advisory Committee made up of three members of the participating faculty in the ESGP to assist in the planning of the individualized curriculum. Electives are chosen in consultation with the Advisory Committee. Students are encouraged to attend a seminar each quarter (to be chosen in consultation with the major advisor). Students must complete 2 units of ENSC 401 (Professional Development in Environmental Sciences) within their first year of entering the ESGP. There is no foreign language requirement for the program.

Master’s Degree

The Department of Environmental Sciences offers the M.S. degree in Environmental Scienc- es under the Plan I (Thesis) and Plan II (Com- prehensive Examination) options. The general requirements for the M.S. degree are found in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog. All students are required to give a pre- sentation annually at the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Student Symposium.

Plan I (Thesis) Plan I (Thesis) Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses in, or significantly related to, Environmental Sciences. These must include the course requirements given above. At least 24 of the 36 units must be in graduate courses. A maximum of 12 of these units may be in graduate research for the thesis. No more than 4 units of ENSC 290 and 2 units of graduate seminar courses may be applied toward the degree. A thesis must be written and accepted by the M.S. thesis committee members, and a final oral defense of the thesis must be passed.

Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) Students must complete a minimum of 36 quarter units of graduate and upper-division undergraduate courses in, or significantly related to, Environmental Sciences. These must include the course requirements given above. At least 18 units must be in graduate courses. Students may count no more than 2 units of graduate seminar courses and 6 units of graduate intern- ship courses toward the required 18 units and no units from graduate research for thesis or dissertation.

Students must take a comprehensive written ex- amination that covers fundamental topics in en- vironmental sciences. The written examination, which is three to four hours long, is prepared and evaluated by a committee appointed by the field director. The examination is taken during the latter part of the final quarter in the M.S. pro- gram. Students must wait at least eight weeks before retaking a failed examination. Students failing the examination twice are dismissed from the program.

Normative Time to Degree 2 years

Doctoral Degree

The Department of Environmental Sciences of- fers the Ph.D. degree in Environmental Sciences. The general requirements for the Ph.D. degree are found in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog.

Course Work Students must complete the course require- ments given above. All students are required to give a presentation annually at the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program Student Sympo- sium.

Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Following completion of all course work pre- scribed by the student’s Advisory Committee, a Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination will be prepared and administered to the student by a Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Commit- tee. The Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination Committee will consist of at least three faculty members with interests in the student’s line of research. The purpose of this examination is to determine that the student has gained suffi- cient knowledge in the chosen field to perform professionally and competently. This exam may be attempted only twice. If this exam is failed twice, the student may be redirected to the M.S. degree if the student does not already hold an M.S. in Environmental Sciences or terminated from the program.

Ph.D. Oral Qualifying Examination A student who satisfactorily passes the Ph.D. Written Qualifying Examination may proceed with the Ph.D. Oral Qualifying Examination, which will focus on the dissertation proposal. This examination is conducted before the Oral Qualifying Examination Committee, consisting of five faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the ESGP. This examination may be attempted only twice. If this exam is failed twice, the student will be redirected to the M.S. degree if the student does not already hold an M.S. in Environmental Sciences or terminated from the program. The Ph.D. Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations will normally be taken at the end of the second year of graduate study and before the start of the third year.

Dissertation All Ph.D. students must write a doctoral disser- tation, which must be read and accepted by all members of the Doctoral Dissertation Commit- tee, comprised of at least three faculty members from the ESGP. A final oral dissertation defense in front of at least three Doctoral Dissertation Committee members is required.

Relationship between Master’s and Doctor- al Programs The M.S. and Ph.D. programs are separate. Stu- dents who enter the Ph.D. program do not need to acquire a M.S. degree first, although students may elect to take both.

Normative Time to Degree 5 years

Courses