Environmental, Soil, and Water Science (ESWS)

CSES 10101. Introduction to Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science. 1 Hour.

An introduction to the CSES department and majors in Environmental Soil and Water Sciences and Crop Management. Emphasis will be placed on issues and opportunities within these disciplines and orienting students to the department and University of Arkansas. Required of all department majors with less than 24 semester credit hours. Offered second eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite: Freshman and sophomore standing only. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 12003. Introduction to Plant Sciences. 3 Hours.

An introduction to basics of agricultural crop plant structure, growth, and production. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CSES 20103. Pest Management. 3 Hours.

Introduction to basic principles of pest management as they relate to vertebrate animals, insects, plant disease and weeds. Selected pests are studied with emphasis on current management approaches and alternative pest control. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 21001. Crop Science Laboratory. 1 Hour.

A series of laboratory experiments designed to reinforce principles of plant growth and development, reproduction, classification, and the utilization of plant products. Emphasis is placed on major crop plant species. Experiments are conducted by individuals or by teams. Laboratory consists of a single, 2-hour period each week. Required for Crop Management majors. Corequisite: CSES 21033. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 21033. Crop Science. 3 Hours.

Principles of crop growth, development, and utilization and how these principles relate to production. Emphasis on major agronomic crop species. Lecture 3 hours per week. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 22001. Soil Science Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Field and laboratory exercises related to the study of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Laboratory mandatory for all crop management and environmental, soil, and water science majors and optional for others. Laboratory 2 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CSES 22003. Soil Science. 3 Hours.

Origin, classification, and physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Lecture 3 hours, discussion 1 hour per week. Corequisite: Drill component. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 or higher (to include MATH 12003, MATH 13004, MATH 15104, MATH 22103, MATH 22003, MATH 20503, MATH 24005, MATH 25104, MATH 24004, MATH 25004, or MATH 26004) and CHEM 14103 or CHEM 12103. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

CSES 23002. Professional Development in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences. 2 Hours.

This course is designed to prepare students majoring in Crop Science or Environmental, Soil, and Water Sciences to enter a career in a related field or begin graduate school after completing their undergraduate degree. Topics covered include creating a job application, professional behavior, interview skills, writing a scientific literature review, and delivering a professional presentation related to crop, soil, or environmental science. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 30203. Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Colloquium. 3 Hours.

A communication-intensive course covering topics in agronomy and environmental, soil, and water science with particular emphasis on spoken communication but also including written communication, group activities, professionalism, ethics, problem solving, and information retrieval. A student-oriented class with collaborative participation. Colloquium workshop: 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: SPCH 10003 and Junior or Senior standing only. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 32104. Soil Resources and Nutrient Cycles. 4 Hours.

Integration of the fundamental concepts of the biological, chemical, and physical properties of soil systems and their roles in managing soil resources. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: BIOL 20003 and BIOL 20001. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

CSES 33102. Cotton Production. 2 Hours.

Principles and techniques associated with production of cotton. Recitation 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or CSES 21033. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

CSES 33202. Soybean Production. 2 Hours.

An overview of the history and utilization of soybean as well as the physiological and environmental basis for the development of economical soybean production practices. Recitation 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or CSES 21033. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

CSES 33302. Rice Production. 2 Hours.

A study of the principles and practices involved in rice culture worldwide with major emphasis on the United States. Recitation 2 hours per week. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or CSES 21033. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

CSES 33402. Cereal Grain Production. 2 Hours.

An overview of the botany, production, cultural practices, soil & climatic adaptation and utilization of the major cereal grain crops. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or CSES 21033. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

CSES 35501. Soil Profile Description. 1 Hour.

Training for soil profile description writing and membership of judging teams. (Typically offered: Fall) May be repeated for up to 8 hours of degree credit.

CSES 37003. Precision Agriculture for Crops. 3 Hours.

This course will provide students with a practical understanding of precision agriculture and crop/ecosystem monitoring with remote and proximal sensing technology. Prerequisite: MATH 11003 and CSES 12003. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 4000V. Special Problems. 1-6 Hour.

Work on special problems in crop, soil and environmental sciences or related field. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

CSES 40133. Advanced Crop Science. 3 Hours.

Fundamental concepts of crop physiology, crop improvement, seed science, and crop production systems. Recitation 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: CSES 21033 and CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 4020V. Special Topics. 1-3 Hour.

Studies of selected topics in crop, soil and environmental sciences not available in other courses. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.

CSES 41003. Plant Breeding. 3 Hours.

This course aims to provide students with an extensive background in plant breeding applied to cultivar development, including but not limited to understanding the foundations of plant breeding, modes of reproduction in plants, various breeding methods, and introduction to quantitative genetics. Prerequisite: ANSC 31203 or BIOL 23373. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 41303. Ecology and Morphology of Weedy and Invasive Plants. 3 Hours.

Study of weeds as economic pests occurring in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations and including poisonous plants and other specific weed problems. Gross morphological plant family characteristics which aid identification, habitat of growth and distribution, ecology, competition, and allelopathy are discussed. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours a week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CSES 21033 or HORT 20003. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 41403. Principles of Weed Control. 3 Hours.

Advanced concepts and technology used in modern weed control practices and study of the chemistry and specific activity of herbicides in current usage. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CHEM 12103 and CHEM 12101. (Typically offered: Spring)

CSES 42204. Soil Fertility. 4 Hours.

Study of the soil's chemical, biological and physical properties, and human modification of these properties, as they influence the uptake and utilization of the essential nutrients by plants. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 14203 and CHEM 14201 or (CHEM 12103 and CHEM 12101 and CHEM 26103 and CHEM 26101). Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CSES 22001 and CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Fall)

CSES 42503. Soil Classification and Genesis. 3 Hours.

Lecture and field evaluation of soil properties and their relation to soil genesis and soil classification with emphasis on soils of Arkansas. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 2 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: CSES 22003 and CSES 22001. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

CSES 45503. Wetland Soils. 3 Hours.

This course explains the chemical, physical, and morphological characteristics of wetland soils and describes the techniques for identifying wetland soils using field indicatiors and monitoring equipment. This course also explains principles of wetland creation, restoration, and mitigation - all key components in assuring the sustainability of valuable wetland resources. Prerequisite: (CSES 22003 and CSES 22001) or CSES 35501. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

CSES 4620V. Internship. 1-6 Hour.

Supervised practical work experience in agronomy and environmental science to develop and demonstrate professional competence. Faculty approval of project proposal prior to enrollment and written and oral reports after the project is complete are required. Prerequisite: Instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ENSC 10001. Environmental Science Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Laboratory, field trip, and discussion sessions covering the concepts and information allowing students to critically evaluate environmental issues. Topics will include: laboratory safety, recycling, composting, geographic information systems, soil testing, water quality, hazardous wastes, waste disposal, wetlands, wastewater treatment, and sustainable food systems. Laboratory 2 hours/week. Corequisite: ENSC 10003. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ENSC 10003. Environmental Science. 3 Hours.

Series of lectures and discussions introducing the topic of environmental science including factors related to water, soil, and air quality. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ENSC 100H1. Honors Environmental Science Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Laboratory, field trip, and discussion sessions covering the concepts and information allowing students to critically evaluate environmental issues. Topics will include: laboratory safety, recycling, composting, geographic information systems, soil testing, water quality, hazardous wastes, waste disposal, wetlands, wastewater treatment, and sustainable food systems. Laboratory 2 hours/week. Corequisite: ENSC 10003. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ENSC 100H3. Honors Environmental Science. 3 Hours.

Series of lectures and discussions introducing the topic of environmental science including factors related to water, soil, and air quality. If taking course for University core Natural Science credit, ENSC 10001 is a co-requisite. Corequisite: Drill Component. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ENSC 30003. Introduction to Water Science. 3 Hours.

Properties, occurrence, and description of the types, functions, quality and quantity, potential contaminants, uses, and guiding policies and regulations of the various water resources in the environment. Prerequisite: (ENSC 10003 OR CHEM 10003 (or higher) OR GEOL 11103 (or higher) OR BIOL 10103). (Typically offered: Spring)

ENSC 31003. Plants and Environmental Restoration. 3 Hours.

Selection, establishment, and use of plants to promote soil stabilization, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Principles and practices of managing plants for soil remediation, nutrient and sediment trapping, and restoration of plant communities. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or HORT 20003 or BIOL 10303. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

ENSC 310H3. Honors Plants and Environmental Restoration. 3 Hours.

Selection, establishment, and use of plants to promote soil stabilization, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Principles and practices of managing plants for soil remediation, nutrient and sediment trapping, and restoration of plant communities. Prerequisite: CSES 12003 or HORT 20003 or BIOL 10303 and honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall)

ENSC 32201. Ecosystems Assessment Laboratory. 1 Hour.

The purpose of this laboratory is to complement concepts learned in lecture by carrying out experiments that familiarize students with methods used in soil and aquatic ecology. Students will collect samples, analyze and interpret data obtained from soil and water samples. Lab will meet once per week for 3 hours. Corequisite: ENSC 32203. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

ENSC 32203. Ecosystems Assessment. 3 Hours.

Application of basic ecological principles to gain an appreciation for ecosystem assessment and management. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 10103. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)

ENSC 32603. Soil and Water Conservation. 3 Hours.

Effect of land use on water quality. Major sources of agricultural nonpoint pollutants. Best management practices used to minimize water quality impacts. Prerequisite: CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Fall)

ENSC 34103. Principles of Environmental Economics. 3 Hours.

An introductory, issues-oriented course in the economics of the environment. What is involved in society making decisions about environmental quality will be studied. Environmental issues important to the State of Arkansas and the United States will be emphasized. Prerequisite: AGEC 11003 or ECON 22003. (Typically offered: Spring)

ENSC 36003. GIS for Environmental Science. 3 Hours.

Provide instruction on the uses of GIS techniques in solving practical environmental and agricultural land use problems. Areas include: 1) an introduction to spatial variability in soils with an emphasis on the application of GIS techniques to map and understand spatial parameters important to different land uses, and 2) development of individual experience in the use of GIS in solving environmental and agricultural problems using an oral and written term project. Prerequisite: CSES 22003. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

ENSC 39303. Environmental Ethics. 3 Hours.

The course addresses ethical questions about nature and the natural environment. Topics of discussion include anthropocentric and biocentric ethics, population control, obligations to future generations, animal rights, moral considerability, Leopold's land ethic, deep ecology, and ecofeminism. Lecture/discussions 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: ENSC 10003 or PHIL 20003 or PHIL 21003. (Typically offered: Spring)

ENSC 4000V. Special Problems. 1-3 Hour.

Work on special problems in environmental science or related fields. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 8 hours of degree credit.

ENSC 400HV. Honors Special Problems. 1-3 Hour.

Work on special problems in environmental science or related fields. Prerequisite: Honors Standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 8 hours of degree credit.
This course is equivalent to ENSC 4000V.

ENSC 40203. Water Quality. 3 Hours.

Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of natural waters (rain, river, lake, soil, ground, etc.). Discussion of water quality parameters such as pH, alkalinity and acidity, redox, hardness, BOD, TSS, etc. Aquatic processes of pollutants and principles of modeling. Prerequisite: CHEM 14203 and CHEM 14201 and BIOL 10103 and BIOL 10101. (Typically offered: Fall)

ENSC 40303. Analysis of Environmental Contaminants. 3 Hours.

Methods of analysis for inorganic and organic contaminants, and microorganisms in soil and water. Quality assurance and quality control, sampling protocols, sample handling, instrumentation and data analysis. Lecture 3 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 26103 and CHEM 26101 or CHEM 36053 and CHEM 36051. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ENSC 42603. Environmental Soil Science. 3 Hours.

Study of the behavior of pesticides, toxic organic compounds, metals, nutrients, and pathogenic microorganisms in the soil/plant/water continuum. Lecture 3 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: PHYS 20103 and PHYS 20101. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ENSC 44001. Professional Certification Preparation. 1 Hour.

This class is meant to reinforce concepts and skills already learned in other soil and environmental science and related courses and to provide the opportunity to prepare to take a national certification examination. If so chosen, students may pursue certification as soil or environmental science professionals. Prerequisite: Senior standing. (Typically offered: Spring)