Environmental Resources and Policy Courses | 2024-2025 Graduate Catalog | SIU

Application of principles of systems analysis, including chaos and complex adaptive systems, to Earth biogeochemical cycles (e.g. energy, carbon, water, nutrients), inter-relations among them and disruptions to them. Topical focus will vary among: the analysis of how contaminants travel, especially through ground water, and become dispersed in the environment; the origin of soils and the movement of nutrients among plants, water and soils; the origin and distribution of natural resources such as metals and fossil fuels and of natural hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, landslides and volcanism; the global carbon cycle, especially its role in global climate change.

Credit Hours: 3

This course's primary objectives are for the student to gain a firm understanding of the fundamentals of environmental decision making, to be able to communicate conversantly across disciplines in a policy setting and understand the role integrated modeling plays in environmental management. In this course, case studies in U.S. environmental history and policy will be used to provide the student with context for how past environmental decisions have set the template for contemporary natural resource management and policy. Topics to be covered in this course include regulatory approaches, market-based environmental management, structured decision making, federalism, water rights, and river management.

Credit Hours: 3

Readings in a specialized topic under the direction of an approved graduate faculty member. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Invited speakers from federal, state, or local agencies; nongovernmental organizations; academic institutions; and Environmental Resources and Policy faculty will present case studies on the conduct of environmental research, the development of environmental laws and regulation, and the implementation of environmental policies. Additionally, students will present dissertation proposals and defend their dissertations. Taken for one credit each year in residence in the Environmental Resources and Policy program. Restricted to enrollment in the Environmental Resources and Policy program.

Credit Hours: 1

Individual investigation under faculty guidance in environmental resources and policy other than that for the dissertation. Only three hours may be credited toward the degree. Restricted to admission to Environmental Resources and Policy Program.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Research for and writing of the doctoral dissertation. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-12

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree and who are in the process of working on their dissertation. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

Credit Hours: 1