Recent literature on temperature, humidity, radiation, wind, gases and particles in crop and forest environments; evapotranspiration and photosynthesis of plant communities; modification of microclimates; applied micrometeorology.

A lecture and seminar course on recent advances in the study of plant-microbe interactions. Topics included are the biochemical, physiological and genetic aspects of plant defenses and the interaction of plants with pathogenic and mutualistic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Offered in conjunction with PBIO*4000. Extra work is required of graduate students.

Exchanges of mass, momentum and energy between the surface and the atmosphere will be studied in the context of larger-scale meteorology. Diffusion and turbulence in and above plant canopies will be examined from theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics include time-series analysis, micrometeorological measurement theory, and basic principles of atmospheric science.

Theoretical and practical aspects of electronic circuits, sensors, and equipment used in meteorological research.

Current topics in selected areas of environmental microbial technology. An emphasis will be placed on the physiology and genetics of microorganisms useful in environmental biotechnology. The course involves extensive use of current journal articles. An undergraduate degree in microbiology or related discipline is recommended prior to registering in this course.

Students will explore topics within atmospheric science such as climatology, animal biometeorology, air pollution meteorology, and hydrometeorology. Normally, an independent course of study will be developed with a faculty advisor and one or more students in the semester prior to enrollment. Occasionally, the course will be offered as a lecture/seminar in a particular area, to be advertised in the semester prior to offering. Typically, students will produce a major paper or scientific report.

The soil as a physical system with special regard to soil water movement and the diffusion and dispersion of chemical substances. Numerical techniques and computer solutions will be developed.

Pedology considers the morphology, survey, geography, characterization and analysis, development, classification, and interpretation of soil. This course focuses on the quantification of pedology, employing modern digital instrumentation, computational capacity and analytical strategies. Students explore how such multi-scale, spatial-temporal information is used in critical zone modeling. Students should have at least an introductory soil, ecology or physical geography course. Students with only an introductory level soil course are encouraged to audit ENVS*4390.

Weekly discussions and seminars dealing with current topics in systematic entomology.

(1) Soil organic matter characterization, (2) dynamics of soil organic matter, (0.5) nutrient cycling.

Thermodynamics of soil solutions; solution-solid phase equilibria; reaction kinetics; computer modelling of solute-mineral interactions.

Emphasis will be placed on soil N transformations and processes, and N sources for crops; field experimentation methods; environmental issues.

Concepts and practical aspects of collecting, synthesizing and interpreting data from spatially and temporally variable and/or correlated fields. Hands-on experience in describing spatial structure of large data sets (supplied by student or instructor) using available software.

This course will examine the application of statistical techniques to analyzing multivariate environmental data. Methods will include Ordination (e.g., Principal Components Analysis, NDMS), Multivariate Regression (e.g., Partial Least Squares Regression), and Structural Equation Modelling. Emphasis will be placed on peer and collaborative learning through discussion, and comparative application of analyses to multivariate environmental data. Students should have at least one undergraduate course in statistics.

Students will explore topics within ecosystem science such as terrestrial ecology, forest science, aquatic systems and environmental biology. Normally, an independent course of study will be developed with a faculty advisor and one or more students in the semester prior to enrollment. Occasionally, the course will be offered as a lecture/seminar in a particular area, to be advertised in the semester prior to offering. Typically, students will produce a major paper or scientific report.

This course will discuss environmental remediation topics including, but not limited to, using plants, microorganisms and substrates (e.g., soil and engineered materials) to improve air, water and soil quality. For example, this course will explore the current sciences and technologies of living walls to improve indoor air quality, green roofs to manage storm water and air pollutants, and constructed wetlands to treat wastewater. Environmental remediation is, by nature, multidisciplinary, involving chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, landscape design, etc.

In this two-week lecture-field course, students will learn about historical and current environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes basin from the perspective of multiple stressors and their cumulative impacts. The importance of linking science and policy, and the role important of governments, are emphasized.

A concise, critical review of an area of study related to the field chosen by the student including analyses and interpretation of relevant data. The project will be written in the form of a scientific paper and presented to the department as a seminar.

A case-study approach, based on current and historical issues, and involving presentations from faculty, professionals and students, will be used to develop an advanced understanding of current issues in the environmental sciences, including examination of the underlying science and management of the issues, and the effectiveness of associated policies.

This course will provide an interactive and critical forum for studenrts to participate in an advanced discussion and debate on current environmental issues, and to learn about the practical skill set(s) required by various employment sectors in solving these issues.

This course is focused on the role of wetlands in maintaining healthy ecosystems and in controlling contaminant fluxes to water. Lectures complement field and laboratory assessments of wetlands to understand element biogeochemical cycles in these transitional environments. The course includes field trips to Ontario wetlands.

Students will learn concepts, techniques and analysis related to the characterization of soil in the landscape. Focus will be given to soilscapes encountered in southern Ontario. Course involves multiple field excursions to examine the distribution of soils in this region.

Students will learn concepts, techniques and analysis related to the ecological characterization of forests. Focus will be on southern and mid-central Ontario forests and will involve periodic excursions to various locations for the purpose of demonstrating theoretical principles, sampling techniques, in-field measurements, and collecting samples for in-lab assessment.

The biology of pollinators will be discussed in lectures and seminars stressing fundamental and applied aspects. The honey bee will be used as the model system.

In this course students will explore the ecology of pollination with an emphasis on the factors affecting declines in pollinating insects as well as potential mitigation strategies to ensure long-term stability of food production and maintenance of biodiverse wild plant communities. Offered in conjunction with ENVS*4070. Extra work is required of graduate students.

Concepts associated with integrated pest management of insect pests of various plant hosts will be introduced to students in an interactive lecture and laboratory format. Experiential learning and skill development, associated with economic entomology, will also be emphasized. Offered in conjunction with ENVS*4100. Extra work is required of graduate students.

The basis of insecticide bioactivity will be examined, with emphasis on mode of action, structure-activity relationships and analytical methods. Students will choose a specific insecticide or class of insecticides as their primary topic of study for the semester. Students will participate in seminars, prepare a conference poster and complete a research paper.

An exploration of energy flow and distribution in forest ecosystems. Both components will be examined in the context of biomass and productivity, perturbations and resilience. Some aspects of modelling will be covered.

Students will explore topics within soil science such as soil physics, pedology, soil chemistry and microbiology. Normally, an independent course of study will be developed with a faculty advisor and one or more students in the semester prior to enrollment. Occasionally, the course will be offered as a lecture/seminar in a particular area, to be advertised in the semester prior to offering. Typically, students will produce a major paper or scientific report.

This course will examine the geological characteristics and processes that influence groundwater flow systems and contaminant transport and fate in different geological settings. The course will include seminar discussions of readings, guest speakers from industry and government agencies as well as hands-on exercises in class.

Students will explore topics within environmental earth science such as glacial geology, environmental geophysics and hydrogeology. Normally, an independent course of study will be developed with a faculty advisor and one or more students in the semester prior to enrollment. Occasionally, the course will be offered as a lecture/seminar in a particular area, to be advertised in the semester prior to offering. Typically, students will produce a major paper or scientific report.

This course explores the chemical processes that influence organic compounds in the environment. Topics discussed include: the transformation of anthropogenic organic contaminants, the form and function of natural organic matter, and analytical methods including compound specific stable isotope analysis and environmental nuclear magnetic resonance. Offered in conjunction with ENVS*4370. Extra work is required of graduate students.

Students will explore topics within plant and environmental health such as integrated pest management, apiculture and environmental microbiology. Normally, an independent course of study will be developed with a faculty advisor and one or more students in the semester prior to enrollment. Occasionally, the course will be offered as a lecture/seminar in a particular area, to be advertised in the semester prior to offering. Typically, students will produce a major paper or scientific report.

This course provides information and training in scientific presentations for thesis-based Environmental Sciences (ENVS) programs. Students will prepare a written research proposal and make an oral presentation of their proposed studies. Students are expected to complete this course in their second or third semester of study.