UNLV Informatics

Environmental Informatics

Ecosystem Informatics involves cognate courses from the Department of Environmental Studies at UNLV.

Undergraduate Program

Credits required for graduation are:

• 30 credits core Informatics courses
• 9 credits other Informatics requirements
• 18 credits elective Informatics courses
• 15 credits cognate courses
• 52 credits UNLV General Education Core and Free Electives

Environmental Informatics
Core Cognate Courses

ENV 101
Introduction to Environmental Science
Introduction to the relationship of humans and the environment. Selected aspects of current thinking and research concerning the impact of industrialization and urbanization on environmental quality, including the population explosion; the potential decline of the affluent society by the depletion of natural resources; the pollution of air, land surface and water; the public agencies and policies designated to solve environmental problems. 3 credits.

ENV 205
Environment and Development
Many environmental issues faced by developing countries differ fundamentally from those familiar to Americans. Discovers interactions between development, population growth and the environments and evaluates the value of possible interventions. 3 credits

ENV 480
Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management
Introduction to the use of GIS for environmental problem analysis and management. Covers fundamental concepts as well as technical skills including: the nature of geographic data, data collection and conversion, geo-coding, database development and management, spatial analysis, use of spatial information in management. Prerequisite: ENV 360 or equivalent. 4 credits

Environmental Informatics
Elective Cognate Courses (select two)

ENV 220
Introduction to Ecological Principles
Introduction for environmental studies students to the major ecological principles at work in the environment. Focuses not only on these principles, but also on understanding the processes that underlie them. Three hour lecture. 3 credits.

ENV 360
Environmental Assessment Methods
Uses the scientific method to examine aspects of environmental and social systems important for environmental research and management. Introduces a range of data collection and analysis methods and gives students practical experience in applying assessment methods to key landscape, physical, chemical, biological and sociological parameters through class and field exercises. Prerequisites: ENV 101, ENV 220, MATH 124. 4 credits.

ENV 377
Environmental Economics
(Same as ECON 307.) Economics of environmental quality and resource development. Consideration of public policies to account for environmental pollution to air, water, and land resources. Prerequisites: ECON 102 or ECON 190. 3 credits.

ENV 410
Environmental Policy
Fundamental principles of policy and politics that shape environmental protection strategies in this nation and abroad. Prerequisite: ENV 101. 3 credits.

ENV 411
Environmental Risk Management
(Same as PUA 404.) General approaches to solving environmental risk problems. Students develop a "toolbox" of basic risk analysis and management methods, as well as the appropriate role of these methods in effective public and private decision making. Introduces risk analysis methods and explores policy implications of those methods. Prerequisite: ENV 360. 3 credits.

ENV 430
Land Use Management
(Same a AAL 430.) Planning, implementation, and evaluation of land use covering both non-urban and urban situations. Emphasis on sustainable use with a focus on conservation of valuable terrestrial resources as well as energy. Constraints related to individual property rights and distribution of wealth treated. Prerequisite ENV 101. Credits 3

ENV 420
Environmental Impact Analysis
Detailed language and intent of the National Environmental Policy Act. Case studies used as the vehicle for presenting detailed aspects of Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. Prerequisite: ENV 101. 3 credits.