Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
Undergraduate Sustainability Focused
College of Engineering
CHE 5715: Alternative Energy
Technical, economic, and social evaluations of alternative and sustainable energy
sources focusing on liquid fuels as well as other energy sources.
College of Arts and Sciences
GEV 3000: Carbon Cycle in a Sustainable World
Analyze the carbon cycle and its impacts.
GEV 3000: Growing Sustainability through Agriculture
Do you care about environmental sustainability and/or human health and
nutrition? Are you concerned about social and environmental justice? Consider
this fall course for exciting opportunities to learn how what we eat, and how we
grow it, has tremendous importance.
Undergraduate Sustainability Related
College of Arts and Sciences
BIO 3255: Ecology
Factors affecting the distribution, abundance, and interactions of organisms.
Climate patterns, biomes, physiological adaptation, population dynamics,
behavioral ecology, species interactions, community structure, ecosystem
function, and environmental problems. Hypothesis testing using statistical
analysis of data.
BIO 3485: Marine Biology
An introduction to chemical, physical and geological oceanography; the biology
and ecology of marine organisms (Plankton, seaweeds, invertebrates, fishes, sea
birds, marine mammals); and the comparative ecology of marine communities
and ecosystems (estuaries, rocky intertidal, kelp forests, coral reefs, the deep sea
and hydrothermal vents).
BIO 3661: Environment and Human Health
Presentation and discussion of scientific aspects of topics relating to the
environment and human health. Specific topics covered vary, but could include
biodiversity and health, ecosystem services, infectious diseases, climate change,
endocrine disruption, food production (including GMOs), and urban ecology.
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
BIO 4451/2L: Field Ecology Evolution
Advanced study of organisms and ecosystems of a particular region (location
varies; has included Florida, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia). General principles
explored using examples from focal area: historical and ecological biogeography,
habitat patterns, biotic and abiotic interaction, evolutionary processes, and
conservation problems.
BIO 4385: TOP: Global Change Ecology (previously 4950/52)
Explores roles of ecology in documenting, responding, feeding back to, and
mitigating human-caused changes to Earth's chemistry, geography and climate.
Accompanying lab includes ecological techniques, such as carbon flux
measurements, and develop independent research projects in the laboratory.
CHM8331: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Metal ions play a significant role in biological systems, from aiding in catalysis to
providing structural support for proteins. While metal ions provide many
beneficial aspects, they can have adverse effects as well, necessitating careful
regulation within biological organisms. The bioinorganic chemistry course will
explore many of the catalysis roles that metals play in biological systems, such as
photosynthesis and respiration. In addition, a focus will be placed on current
attempts to mimic biology through artificial systems to address many of our
current most pressing challenges, such as solar energy conversion.
ETH 2050: The Good Life - Ethics and contemporary moral problems
This course examines a perennial and deeply relevant question: what is the good
life for human beings? This question has occupied the world’s greatest thinkers
and continues to be a question of utmost concern not only for philosophers and
theologians but for all humans. Given our social character, inquiry regarding the
good life is not only a concern for one’s self, it is likewise a concern for the good
of others, including others with whom we differ. Of course not everyone agrees
concerning in what the good life consists. Even in a community where there is
consensus about the basic principles of a morally good life, sharp
disagreements persist over whether particular lives are acceptable
variations that rightfully and justly embody these principles. Many factors such
as culture, upbringing, social narratives, legal structures, educational
opportunities, social class, ethnicity, and so forth can and do influence our selfformation, social identity, and how we think about moral issues. In this course
we shall read and critically analyze primary texts from ancient, medieval,
modern, postmodern, and present-day thinkers (including critical race and
feminist theorists) in order to discern which view or views best uphold true
human flourishing and universal justice.
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
GEV 1050: Environmental Science
Multidisciplinary foundation in Environmental Science; first of two semester
course. Science course linking environmental biology, chemistry, earth sciences,
and climate change. Collection of data from lab experiments and field-based
observations.
GEV 3515: Geography of Africa
Major geographic problems facing contemporary Africa, with a special emphasis
on spatial planning within a number of national contexts.
GEV 3580: Natural Res and Conservation
Assessment of natural resource and conservation issues in the U.S. and around
the world. Distribution and use patterns of air, water, mineral, energy, and
biologic resources. Examination of exploitation, conservation, and preservation
management strategies.
HIS 1065: Nature and Human Society
Selected core courses exploring relationship between environmental and
technological change in different eras and societies.
PHI 2121-001, 002: Environmental Ethics
The relation of the physical and biological environment to ethical values.
Priorities among environmental, economic and political values as a basis for
ethical decisions.
College of Engineering
CEE 3921: Environmental Engineering Lab
Physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater;
quantitative analysis of several unit operations and processes for water and
wastewater treatment plant design and control; field trips to water and
wastewater processing facilities.
CEE 4224: Trans Facilities Design
Engineering applications of transportation design process including design
philosophies, environmental impact evaluations, materials design, pavement
design, and design of highway, airport, rail facilities. Use of national and state
codes and computer-based design software.
CEE 4521: Water Resources Engineering Design
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
Design fundamentals of hydrology and open channel hydraulics using
production-level programs. Topics include design storms, storm water design
and open-channel river modeling.
ME 3600: Fluid Mechanics
Fluid properties, fluid statics; kinematics of flow; conservation of mass, energy,
momentum; dynamic similarity; fluid resistance, boundary layer theory; flow in
conduits; lift and drag; potential flow; compressible flow.
ME 3950: Heat Transfer
Steady state, unsteady state conduction in one & two dimensions; numerical
methods of solution; forced & free convection in internal & external flow; heat
exchangers; multi-mode heat transfer.
ME 4003: Thermal Fluids Lab
Laboratory experiments in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer,
aerodynamics, engine performance, and energy conversion.
Villanova School of Business
MGT 2352: Business in Emerging Markets
Focuses on management and strategy in "big emerging markets," like Argentina,
Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Examines social, political, economic, cultural, and financial conditions challenging
businesses exporting to or investing in these countries.
RES 4150: Real Estate Development
Senior capstone class that focuses on the development process from land
acquisition to final product incorporating real time real estate development
projects. Specific topics include land acquisition, tax issues, optimal land use
decisions, architectural and sight design, contracting and construction, leasing
and marketing of properties and optimal exit strategies.
VSB 2007: Corporate Responsibility & Regulation
Examines law, ethics, corporate responsibility, and business regulation. Studies
the sources, substantive principals, and evolving nature of law, and its role in
ethical business decision making.
VSB 4002: Strategic Thinking and Implementation
Emphasizes strategy concepts to achieve integrative cross-functional solutions
for competitive advantage. Application of strategy tools as well as concepts from
prior course work. Application of knowledge to global and ethical challenges
emphasized through the practice opportunities used in this course.
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
College of Nursing
NUR 3122: Imperatives for Global & Public Health
Factors that influence the health of communities and populations locally,
nationally and globally. Public health principles and sciences, epidemiological
data, environmental health, social determinants of health, genetics/genomics,
influence of culture and health behaviors and health vulnerabilities are
addressed.
Graduate Sustainability Focused
College of Engineering
EGR 7110/ CHE 7110: Climate Change/Sustainability
Introduction to the current state of science & public policy directions;
development of a comprehensive framework for evaluating the challenges and
opportunities resulting from Global Climate Change and Sustainability;
application of technical/economic tools for solving high-potential opportunities.
EGR 7112: Economy/Social Equity Integrators
Developing a careful balance among the environmental, economic and social
equity issues of a proposed product, service or infrastructure project; focus on
specific tools and case studies; creating a holistic solution.
EGR 7113: Sustainable Materials and Design
Comprehensive, systems-focused basis for selecting materials in new uses or as
more sustainable alternatives; more eco-efficient alternatives, including
technologies to reduce material intensity, renewably sourced materials,
recyclable materials and material solutions inspired by nature (biomimetic). Nonengineering majors will require permission by the instructor.
EGR 7800: Solar Thermal Energy Conversion
Fundamentals of solar radiation, heat and fluid transport in active and passive
solar collectors, solar ponds, solar cooling, and photovoltaic energy conversion.
Analysis and design of active and passive solar systems.
CEE 7514: Sustainable Man Industrial Pollution Prevention
Preventive environmental management approaches versus end of pipe
treatment; cleaner production development and implementation; cleaner
production tools such as environmental impact assessment, life cycle analysis,
environmental technology assessment, chemical assessment, environmental
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
compliance audit, waste audit, energy audit, risk audit, and good house keeping.
Sustainable development and environmental ethics as integral components of
pollution prevention approach.
CEE 8501: Surface Water Hydrology
Basic factors for hydraulic design and storage requirements; frequency and
duration studies; runoff hydrographs; design storms and flood determinations;
hydrologic and hydraulic routing; peak flow formulas; reservoir regulation;
effects of land use and treatment; mathematical models including HEC-HMS.
School of Business
MBA 8829: Sustainability: Greening the Environment
MBA 8910: Non-Profit Consulting Practicum
This practicum consists of a live consulting experience with a non-profit
institution and allows students to apply their functional core acquired skills to a
real-world, philanthropic scenario.
MBA 8920: Global Practicum
The global consulting project requires students to incorporate all knowledge
gained in the MBA program to address a current global issue. Students can
choose to participate in a global immersion or complete this course domestically
Graduate Sustainability Related
College of Arts and Sciences
BIO 7385: Global Change Ecology
Explores roles of ecology in documenting, responding, feeding back to, and
mitigating human-caused changes to Earth's chemistry, geography and climate.
Accompanying lab includes ecological techniques, such as carbon flux
measurements, and develop independent research projects in the laboratory.
MPA 8550: Urban Politics and Government
The study of city and suburban governments in metropolitan areas; special
emphasis devoted to such topics as governmental form, city-suburb relations,
race and ethnic relations, and economic change.
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
College of Engineering
EGR 8301: Control Systems Engineering
Review of dynamic process modeling, linearization, transfer function and statespace models. Stability and dynamics of open-loop and closed-loop systems.
Feedback control system design and analysis in the frequency and time domain.
Topics include: Bode, Nyquist, and Root locus design; multivariable control; feedforward control.
CEE 7701: Aquatic Chemical Environmental Engineering
Chemical kinetics; equilibrium analyses of water solutions incorporating
solubility, ionization, acid-base, redox, and complexion considerations; use of
graphical procedures to analyze complex mixtures; and, applications including
pC-pH diagrams of the carbonate system, chemistry of iron and aluminum
coagulants, alkalinity and acidity of natural waters, and metal complexion by
organic ligands.
CEE 8439: CE Materials
Fundamentals of material science with applications to structural and
transportation materials. Durability, fracture, fatigue, corrosion, non-destructive
tests and properties of masonry, concrete, asphalt, and wood will be taught with
discussion of laboratory testing, specifications, and quality assurance (QA) data
analysis.
CEE 8503: Open Channel Hydraulics
Free surface flow in canals, chutes, bends, gradual and abrupt transitions, stilling
basins and energy dissipaters, constrictions, bridge waterways, spillways;
channel delivery; water-surface profiles in artificial and natural channels;
unsteady flow, wave propagation and surges; design criteria and case histories;
mathematical models including HEC-RAS.
ME 7103: Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
An advanced treatment of engineering thermodynamics involving reversible and
irreversible macroscopic processes with emphasis on fundamentals and
applications of the first and second laws, and the thermodynamics of equilibrium
states of substances. Seniors must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
ME 9010: Computational Intelligence
Advanced and current topics in Mechanical Engineering.
Sustainability Courses
Fall 2015
College of Nursing
NUR 7081: International Health
Examination of international and intercultural environments for nursing and
health
Law School
Law 6016: Environmental Law Journal
Students write scholarly articles on topics relating to environmental law, edit and
prepare for publication articles written by outside authors, and organize a
symposium on a current environmental law topic.
Law 7021: Environmental Law
Examines how the federal government regulates human activities that affect the
natural environment, focusing on major federal environmental statutes.