Introductory course to the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies with special emphasis on the relationship between human activities and the environment.

This course covers advanced ecological theory and applications relating to population and community dynamics, including population growth, species interactions, diversity, disturbance, succession, food webs, and their relation to conservation biology.

The Student Team Project is a community service and educational program by the KSU MES Program. It is a one semester effort by teams of three to five students attempting to solve a current environmental problem facing a community organization or governmental unit in close proximity to KSU. Student team projects, required of all first-year students, mix students from different backgrounds and place them in contact with faculty members, government officials, and community leaders. Team members will gain experience initiating and terminating a long-term project, managing team members with diverse backgrounds, and collecting and disseminating information.

This course will cover principles of experimental design and statistical analysis of data, their application in a statistical program, and use in research.

Students will examine and have an understanding of how different agroforestry systems function with landscapes across multiple scales (plot, watershed, landscape) and how these systems contribute to achieving multiple benefits (environmental, social, economic, etc.). Credit: 3 semester hours.

This graduate course will expose students to the concepts, software, data and analysis processes of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will develop a real world, working knowledge of GIS through hands-on work with mapping software, its potential, its limitations and future trends in the mapping industry. MES graduate students will develop a real world project that examines spatial data and utilizes modeling software to create a production quality, full scale, mapping product.

Basic principles of experimental design and data analysis with emphasis on their applications in environmental studies and aquaculture research.

Integrated study of the environmental impact of human energy use patterns. Overview of current energy resources, current energy production and use patterns, alternative energy production options, and environmental, social, and economic consequences of each.

This course investigates the interaction of aquatic organisms with their biotic and abiotic environment. Sampling and laboratory methods of limnological analysis will be covered.

This course explores a wide range of issues in contemporary environmental ethics. Employing one of the most respected anthologies in the field, the course will engage such important issues as the nature of environmental ethics, who counts in environmental ethics, and is sustainability possible.

This course attempts a critical investigation of major issues in envronmental justice, including tensions between justice for ecosytsetms and justice for urban populations; regional as well as global issues are examined.

This course will cover topics such as application of microeconomics on environmental problems, elements of renewable resource and forestry economics, cost-benefit analysis of environmental renewal projects, economics of the environmental impacts of different agricultural practices such as livestock farming, aquaculture, and chemical use in row crop farming.

Exploration of the ecological effects of modern intensive agriculture, and the challenge of attaining a secure supply of food through ecologically sound and sustainable practices. The definition, emergence, and growth of sustainable agriculture will be discussed along with pertinent soil, crop and livestock management practices.

Principles and practices of organic agriculture are presented in the context of their historical, philosophical, economic, and scientific underpinnings. Students will develop a broad theoretical and practical understanding of organic agriculture. Credit: 3 semester hours.

Examine contributions of food gardens to community health and food system sustainability. Explore potential of compact urban agriculture to offset community food needs through high and low input production. Gain hands-on experience with tools, techniques and practices used to grow and process food and ornamental crops in urban environments.

Provides a thorough understanding of the identification, morphology, classification, nomenclature and adaptability of ornamental plants used in landscape environments. Students will examine the use of plants in home, business, and public landscapes to reduce water use, pollutants, energy and labor inputs.

This course provides an understanding of both traditional plant propagation and tissue culture as well as sustainable plant production systems. Plant propagation is a critical part of nursery and greenhouse management not only to reduce production costs but also to maximize the potential profit. Sustainable practices and production of horticultural crops is also examined to reduce water use, pollutants, energy, and labor inputs. Topics covered also include soil, plant nutrition, pest, and disease management that are essential for small scale farmers. Credit: 3 semester hours

This course examines how molecular biological approaches are used to address major issues in environmental biology.  Lecture/laboratories examine how molecular methods can be applied to wildlife management, ecology, pollution control and remediation, and environmental health.

A comprehensive study of physical, chemical and biological factors that impact human diseases. Includes hands-on training in areas such as Occupational Safety, Health Implications of Environment, Food Safety, and advanced Molecular Biological techniques.

Explores ways in which animal management impacts the environment, and ways to utilize animal behavior to modify such impacts. Students will gain hands-on experience working with livestock to learn basic handling and management procedures.

This course in intended for those with theoretical and practical interest in the field of food sciences, especially those interested in a wide range of subjects and hands on/practical approaches in microbial food processes, general food safety, public health and epidemiology. Various aspects of food production, maintenance, supply chains, potential contaminations, introduction to food borne toxins and outbreaks of food borne infections, safe food handling and preparation techniques will be introduced to the students. Credit: 3 semester hours.

This course provides an introduction to issues in agricultural and environmental policy, with emphasis on environmental management strategies, environmental and human health risks such as toxicity, environmental issues in agriculture, and climate change.

This course provides an introduction to major issues in the field of environmental law with particular emphasis on federal environmental law and the role of states in enforcement.

Intensive examination of an environmental science topic chosen by a faculty member in the Master of Science in Environmental Studies Program. Requires intensive reading and discussion, as well as writing at a graduate student level.

The course introduces fundamental principles of remote sensing applications for recording electromagnetic energy from the earth’s surface for studying vegetation, soil, water, and urban infrastructure. Credit: 3 semester hours.

This course is intended for those with theoretical and practical interest in environmental issues and is designed to provide a wide range of subjects and practical work experience using standard methods, concepts and equipment in environmental science. The fate and transport of pollutants in the environment and their final destination, dilution, dispersion, adsorption, persistence, degradation, their adverse effects, and the route that the toxin in question takes in the environment will be discussed and possible solutions and remediation techniques will be presented.

Laboratory or field research on approved thesis topic.

Preparation of research based thesis on approved topic.

The independent research capstone project would be designed in collaboration with an interdisciplinary advisory committee of two or three selected KSU faculty/research members. This is a yearlong project which will serve as the culminating activity for the MES degree. Pass/Fail only. Must be repeated once for a total of 6 hours.