Course Directory

Pract In Coll Teaching

This course introduces prospective composition instructors to the principles and practices of teaching at the college or university levels and provides a forum for discussing those ideas. Students will observe composition classes, draft syllabi, anddevelop, sequence, and test writing assignments. Emphasis is placed on diagnosing writing weaknesses, responding to writing, and evaluating it.

Internship In Writing

Interns receive tutorial, promotional, educational, organizational, or technical writing experience in university or other professional settings. This course provides for writing and editing tasks appropriate to the unit or organization. Some administrative and research work may be involved. (No more than 6 credits may be taken from ENG 523 and ENG 522 combined.)

Seminar In Linguistics

A study of the philosophical basis of present day generative-transformational theory and its relationship to language acquisition and semantics.

Sem Hist Of Eng Lang

Advanced study in historical linguistics. The development of the English language is reviewed toward supporting study and analysis of original historical texts in the English language. Students may elect a general approach or focus on a specific hist,orical period.

Workshops In English

Independent Study

Meth Teach Eng Non-Nat Speak

Overview of the current trends in Teaching English as a Second Language Methodology. Explores techniques that may be used to teach students who are part of the regular classroom but who need to develop skills in language to be able to succeed. Techni,"ques involving speaking, reading, writing, and listening activities are discussed, along with interactive exercises utilizing the culturally diverse language styles found in a regular classroom. Students utilize the comprehensible input of native-speaking members of the class and improve upon their own interaction style. Major approaches and methods in language teaching such as grammar trnaslation, audiolingualism, communicative language teaching, and the natural approach are discussed, along wi|

Second Language Acquisition

Provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in Second Language Acquisiton studies and explores the linguistic, psycholinguistic, and sociolinguistic factors in learning a second language. Every three semesters.

Thesis And Research

This course provides Master's candidates in English with the opportunity to conduct research or literature review for the purposes of writing the Master's Thesis and/or preparing for the Qualifying Examination. Thesis and Examination track students,"only. Prerequisite: Advancement to Candidacy, pursuant to the approval of an acceptable research proposal.

Teacher Research Portfolio

Master's in Education candidates will propose a classroom-based research project, conduct the project, and assemble their findings into a portfolio. Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy, pursusant to the approval of an acceptable research proposal.

Physics Of Energy & Environ

This course is the study of the physical laws and processes that underlie environmental phenomena with a special focus on energy (mechanical, thermal and electrical). We will establish both a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the underlying physical processes. Technical, economic, and social consequences of these laws and processes will be examined to better delineate the complex decisions related to human energy use and environmental issues. This course might serve as a substitute for PH 251 (General Physics I) and will prepare students equally well for PH 252 (General Physics II) should that course be required of their major. Prerequisite: Algebra|

Envir Studies & Policies

Introduces students to the basic language and methodologies used in environmental studies. Examines management policies and diversity of land uses associated with each property. Students study key ecological habitats, some rather pristine and othershighly impacted by humans. Students learn the role science plays in each situation, conduct basic laboratory and field research to learn how scientific data are obtained, and learn the roles history, sociology, politics, economics, etc. play in policy decisions. The course is presently linked to ecological economics for those students enrolled in the transdisciplinary environment and society minor. Two lectures and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisite: One semester of biology, chemistry|

Field Nat History

Explores competencies in biology, meteorology, geology, and astronomy. Emphasizes developing competencies which will be valuable in teaching environmental (outdoor and conservation) education. For non-science majors. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing. Spring, annually.

Sem In Environ & Society

Interdisciplinary seminar synthesizes knowledge and skills acquired in lower-division courses through unifying environmental studies. Broad theme offers a variety of dimensions for study and research. Bases studies and research around environmental s,"ituations existing in this northwest region of Pennsylvania. Two lecture and three laboratory hours weekly. Prerequisites: Junior standing, ENVR 275, PHIL 212, ECON 202, plus nine additional hours of environment and society courses, or consent of instructor. Spring, annually.|

Graduate Sem In Environ Sci

A survey of current literature, concepts, theory, and applications from selected fields of environmental science. One to two discussion hours weekly. By arrangement. Fall and Spring, yearly.

Environ Sci Internship

Internships provide practical experiences that are related to a student?s academic program or research area. Credits earned can be utilized as partial fulfillment of the Master of Science degree in biology. Students considering internship credits to,"be applied toward the Master of Science degree must have the approval of their graduate advisory committee, the cooperating agency, and the appropriate university administrators. On demand.

Spec Problems In Environ Sci

Advanced topics in environmental science. The professor selects the format most suitable to the study. Course offered on request of students, subject to availability of staff. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. On demand.

Research & Thesis Environ Sci

Independent research project on an approved topic supervised by a faculty member. Required of all students working toward the thesis option Master of Science in Biology, Environmental Science concentration. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Ondemand.

Basic Earth Science

Surveys the earth sciences, including Earth-space relations. Includes Earth motions, development of landforms, weather and climate, soils and related vegetation, water as a resource, and oceans. Emphasizes the lithosphere (mountain building and erosion) and the atmosphere. Each semester. ES 111 or permission of instructor.

Natural Disasters

Focuses on natural disasters and the normal processes of the earth/atmosphere system which produce them. Particular attention is placed on the energy sources that cause underlying disasters such as plate tectonics, weather/storm processes, climate change, processes operating in rock, water and the atmosphere, the significance of geologic time, complexities of multiple variables operating simultaneously, and detailed case histories of significant events. The course is acceptable for natural science credits. Prerequisite: none. Annually.

Physical Geology w/Lab

Study of the earth, including minerals and rocks, and the processes, both constructional and destructional, which have shaped it since it was formed. Constructional processes include volcanism, mountain building, and sedimentation. Destructional processes include the erosional activity of streams, glaciers, ground water, waves, and wind. Acquaints students with the methods and work of geologists and with some of the research at the frontiers of geology. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory. No prerequisites. Each semester.

Explorations In Earth Sci

Designed to fully explore the physical landscape of a predetermined region/location. The chosen region/location varies annually. Interactions between climate, weather, landscape evolution, soils, water resources, oceanographic influences (where applicable), glacial processes (where applicable), and plate tectonics are examined relative to the resulting physical environment for the region/location. Online and field methodologies are combined to examine applicable physical processes. A capstone field course will be administered during the last week of the semester to directly explore the region/location. The course is acceptable for natural science credits. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Annually during summer.

Solar System Astron

Examines the motions of Earth, moon, and the planets and their effects on the appearance of the sky; the nature of the sun and the planets; the instruments of the astronomer; and the role the history of astronomy played in the development of our understanding of the sky. Includes constellation identification through the use of the planetarium. Each semester.

Stellar Astronomy

Explores human understanding of the nature, formation, and evolution of those celestial objects that lie beyond the solar system. Includes stellar properties and spectra, stellar evolution, special stars and star systems, the milky way and other galaxies, cosmology, and cosmogony. Uses the planetarium for constellation study and the development of coordinate systems. Prerequisite: ES 200. Spring, annually.

Fund of Digital Mapping

Introduces the basic knowledge required to work with digital maps. General and specialized online and desktop mapping options are discussed, and an introduction to the geo-spatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing is emphasized. The potential uses of those technologies in the areas such as environmental studies, forestry, marketing, demographics, and utilities are also presented.

Cartography I With Lab

Systematic study of basic concepts and components of thematic map-making. Emphasizes familiarization with and utilization of drafting instruments and equipment essential to map design and construction. Presents techniques of photographic reproduction, of student map projects. Two lectures and three hours of laboratory weekly. Prerequisite: GEOG 125 or consent of instructor. Offered annually.

Historical Geology w/Lab

Deals with the changes the Earth has experienced through time. Emphasizes the geologic evidence for plate tectonic movements of ocean basins and continents, uplift and erosion of mountains, and deposition of strata in various sedimentary basins. Examines in detail the evolutionary changes and mass extinction of life-forms, as preserved in the fossil record. Prerequisite: ES 150 (may be taken concurrently). Offered Spring Semester annually.

Geomorphology With Lab

Study of the physical forces that sculpt and modify the landforms of the earth, including chiefly weathering, streams, glaciation, and shore processes. Includes some preliminary work on topographic and geologic maps and rocks. Called geomorphology in older catalogs. Prerequisite: ES 150. Offered annually.

Environmental Geology

Examines the uses of geology in the solution of human problems with the physical environment. Includes hazardous geologic environments, mineral and energy resources, water supply, waste disposal, and the uses of geology in urban and regional planning. Draws many examples from western Pennsylvania. Prerequisite: ES 150 or 111. Offered annually.

Oceanography

A study of the physical properties, marine biology, chemistry, and geology of the oceans, and to a minor extent, the role of the sea in the history, culture, and technical developments of humankind. Once annually.