Fall 2007 Courses

Graduate Courses, MS in Environmental Science and Policy. To register for courses, visit the College of Graduate Studies.

ESP 5420 Applied Hydrogeology (3 credits) Instructors: Kevin McGuire and Tom Shevenell
Mondays, 3:30 – 6:00 pm, Boyd Science Center Room 235

This course provides comprehensive coverage of groundwater hydrology and the role of water in geologic processes from theory (i.e., principles governing the flow of groundwater) to practice with application to issues of groundwater supply, contamination, and resource management. Practical experience is gained through the use of real data sets and by the investigation of real-world problems.

ESP 5660 Ecology and History of the White Mountains (3 credits) Instructors: Geoff Wilson and Sarah Turtle

Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

This course will be a survey of the history and workings the forests of the White Mountain region.  The course will focus on the northern hardwood forest, but also include the spruce-fir zone and tundra.  Class periods will emphasize the reading and discussion of the primary literature, texts, and popular writings, such as the multitude of good logging era books.  Field trips will be a key component of the course.

ESP 5640 Methods of Social Research (3 credits) Instructor: Brian Eisenhauer

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30 – 10:45 am; Rounds Hall Room 107

We encounter information about cultures and society in many ways throughout our lives. This course will enable students to become more astute and critical consumers of social research studies through exploring the thinking behind social research and the methods used to collect, analyze, and report the findings of the social sciences. Students will gain knowledge in research design and implement an actual study of social phenomena. Skills to be presented include theory application and construction, operationalizing variables, evaluating strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies, determining causality, sampling, hypothesis formulation and testing, data collection, analysis and depiction, and proposal writing.

ESP 5710 Science Colloquium Series (1 credit per year)

Wednesdays, September 12, 19, 26, October 10, 17, 24, 31, November 14, & 28,  4:00 – 5:00 pm, Boyd Science Center Room 001

This graduate seminar is designed to be a core course in the Environmental Science and Policy program. It will focus on the analysis on contemporary issues in environmental science. Specific topics will vary from year to year and will be tailored to the interests of the students enrolled and faculty interests. The course will create a foundation of knowledge of contemporary issues. It is also expected that it will help students refine their research interests as well as be exposed to new ideas through interaction with others in the course.

ESP 5500 Special Topics: Loon Population Modeling (3 credits) Instructor: Tom Boucher
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:45 pm, Hyde Hall Room 327

ESP 5920 Independent Environmental Research (1-4 credits)
Students select a topic and project in consultation with their advisor and committee. Collaboration with external organizations and partners is encouraged. A timeline, goals, deliverables, credits, and expected outcomes are outlined for each project.

ESP 5900 Master’s Thesis Research (1-8 credits)
Students select a topic in consultation with their advisor and committee. A timeline, proposal, and defense are outlined. A final thesis is prepared in accordance with program thesis guidelines.