Course Descriptions
Glossary
Search Course Descriptions
UW Seattle Course Descriptions
UW Tacoma Course Descriptions
Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for
To see the detailed Instructor Class Description, click on the underlined instructor name following the course description.
BES 180 Introductory Biology (5) NW
For students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences or enroll in pre-professional programs. Mendelian genetics, evolution, biodiversity of life forms, ecology, conservation biology. First course in a three-quarter series (BES 180, BES 200, BES 220). Prerequisite: B CUSP 152.
Instructor Course Description:
Fernanda X. Oyarzun
Martha Groom
BES 200 Introductory Biology (5) NW
For students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences or enroll in pre-professional programs. Metabolism and energetics, structure and function of biomolecules, cell structure and function, animal development. Second course in a three-quarter series (BES 180, BES 200, BES 220). Prerequisite: BES 180.
Instructor Course Description:
Rebecca M Price
Marc David Servetnick
BES 220 Introductory Biology (5) NW
For students intending to take advanced courses in the biological sciences or enroll in pre-professional programs. Animal physiology, plant development and physiology. Final course in a three-quarter series (BES 180, BES 200, BES 220). Prerequisite: BES 200.
Instructor Course Description:
Jeffrey M Shaver
BES 301 Science Methods and Practice (5) NW/QSR
Overview of the scientific method, emphasizing the development of testable hypotheses, scientific writing and analysis.
Instructor Course Description:
Rebecca M Price
Daniel A Jaffe
Charles F Jackels
Warren G. Gold
BES 302 Environmental Problem Solving (5)
Introduces different aspects of environmental problem solving. Uses real-world situations for thinking quantitatively and creatively about such environmental concerns as energy and water resources, food production, indoor air pollution, acid rain, and human influences on climate.
BES 303 Environmental Monitoring Practicum (3) NW,QSR Turner
Provides an introduction to the principles and methods of environmental monitoring and analysis. Field and laboratory studies provides experience with monitoring equipment and rigorous sampling techniques; enhance understanding of the range and variability of environmental parameters; and develop abilities in the quantitative analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data.
Instructor Course Description:
Robert Joseph Turner
BES 311 Environmental Chemistry (5) NW/QSR
Uses fundamental chemical principles to examine fate, reactivity and transport of environmental pollutants. Emphasis given to atmospheric pollution, chemistry of natural and polluted waters, soil chemistry, chemistry of organic and inorganic toxins. Required background: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, or equivalent.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
Charles F Jackels
BES 312 Ecology (5) NW
Introduces major concepts of ecology and relates these concepts to current environmental issues. Topics include the relationship between organisms and the physical environment, evolutionary processes, the structure and function of ecosystems, population biology, forest management, pesticide use, and global warming. Required background: two quarters of college biology.
Instructor Course Description:
Martha Groom
Warren G. Gold
BES 315 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (5)
Covers the basic techniques for chemical analysis of environmental samples including air, water and soil. Students learn to utilize electronic data acquisition systems and further develop their scientific writing skills. Required background: statistics (BIS 315 or equivalent); prerequisite: BES 301; BES 311.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 316 Ecological Methods (7)
Introduces students to methods used in the analysis of ecological systems and their processes. Employs data analysis tools, graphic presentation, and scientific writing in the presentation of results from laboratory and field studies. Includes lectures, laboratory work, and field investigations. Prerequisite: BES 312.
Instructor Course Description:
Warren G. Gold
BES 317 Soils Laboratory (5)
Introduces the types of soils analyses necessary to understand the physical and chemical state of soils. Includes an introduction to soils in general, and local soils in particular. Required background: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, or equivalent.
BES 362 Introduction to Restoration Ecology (6) I&S/NW
An introduction to ecological restoration of damaged ecosystems. Students learn about the philosophical base of restoration as well as the social, biological and political forces that impact the success of any restoration project. Includes lectures, readings, case studies and field trips.
Instructor Course Description:
Martha Groom
Amy M Lambert
BES 397 Special Topics in Environmental Science (3-5, max. 15)
Unique course offerings designed to respond to faculty and student interests. Possible topics may include economic and environmental issues, air pollution, water quality, ecological restoration, global warming, or conservation biology.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
Amy M Lambert
BES 398 Directed Study in Environmental Science (1-5, max. 15)
Opportunity for directed group or individual research on a topic mutually agreed upon by instructor and student.
BES 415 Advanced Environmental Measurements Laboratory (5)
Analysis of air, water, and soil samples using advanced methods. Instrumental methods include: atomic absorption spectroscopy and liquid chromatography. Prerequisite: BES 311, BES 315.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 430 Air Pollution and Health (5) NW
Examines the relationship between atmospheric emissions, meteorology, chemical processes, air quality, and human health with an emphasis on both primary and secondary pollutants, photochemical oxidants and chemical modeling of air pollution. Also addresses some of the legal and policy implications of these issues. Required background: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, or equivalent.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 439 Computer Modeling and Visualization in Environmental Science (5) NW/QSR
Addresses the ways scientists use computer simulations and modeling. Uses case studies from problem areas such as global climate change, regional air and water pollution, and the interaction between biological species and their environment. Recommended: BES 311; BES 312.
BES 459 Compost and Organic Soil Amendments (5) NW/QSR
Addresses the management of organic wastes both as a feedstock for composting and as a soil amendment. Provides students with an understanding of the science of composting, the management of nutrients and contaminants, and the benefits of organic soil amendments. Recommended: BES 301, BES 302.
BES 460 Water Quality (5) NW/QSR
Examines the chemical and physical processes that influence the fate of nutrients and contaminants in natural surface, ground, and soil waters. Addresses basic environmental chemistry in natural waters and soils, potentially important inputs, transformations and movement, and the environmental impacts of nutrients and contaminants.
BES 462 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Introduction (2) NW
The first of a three-course capstone sequence in restoration ecology. Students review and assess project plans and installations. Class meets with members of previous capstone classes to review their projects. Prerequisite: BES 301; BES 362. Offered: jointly with ENVIR/ESRM/TESC 462.
Instructor Course Description:
Kern Ewing
Warren G. Gold
BES 463 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Proposal and Plan (3) NW
Student teams prepare proposals in response to requests-for-proposals (RFPs) from actual clients. Clients may be governments, non-profit organizations, and others. Upon acceptance of the proposal, teams prepare restoration plans. Prerequisite: BES 462. Offered: jointly with ENVIR/ESRM/TESC 463.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
Warren G. Gold
BES 464 Restoration Ecology Capstone: Field Site Restoration (5) NW
Teams take a restoration plan developed in BES 463 and complete the installation. Team participation may include supervision of volunteers. Teams prepare management guidelines for the client and conduct a training class for their use. Prerequisite: BES 463. Offered: jointly with ENVIR/ESRM/TESC 464.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
Kern Ewing
Warren G. Gold
BES 485 Conservation Biology (5) NW
Exploration of the science underlying methods of species and ecosystem conservation. Emphasis is placed on understanding the limits and promise of scientific approaches to conservation, within the social, political and economic context of conservation problems.
Instructor Course Description:
David L. Stokes
Martha Groom
BES 486 Watershed Ecology and Management (5) NW
Overview of the ecology and management of watersheds. Explores physical, biological, and ecological components of watersheds and their interrelationships. Examines human and natural impacts on watersheds, and planning and management through theory and case studies. Prerequisite: either BIS 390 or BES 312.
BES 487 Field Lab in Wildland Soils and Plants (3) NW
Provides direct field study of alpine soils and plants. Identify soils and landscape/vegetation changes in remote areas where little information is available about these ecosystems. Experience climate, relief, and parent materials that form soils and their associated plant communities.
BES 488 Wetland Ecology (5) NW
Examines wetland types and their distribution as well as wetland functions for habitat and human resources. Emphasizes the ecology and adaptations of wetland plants and their interaction with soils and biogeochemical processes. Discusses human impacts, wetland regulation, and management approaches. Required field trips. Prerequisite: BES 312.
BES 489 Pacific Northwest Ecosystems (5) NW
Examines major ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest to understand the structure, function, and location of these characteristic ecosystems in our region. Investigates the intersection of ecological knowledge, environmental policy and management strategies in selected ecosystems. Required background: one quarter college biology.
Instructor Course Description:
Warren G. Gold
BES 491 Undergraduate Research in Environmental Science (5, max. 10)
Capstone course. Independent research projects in an area of environmental science, based on mutual agreement with the instructor. Prerequisite: BES 311; BES 312.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 492 Capstone Research in Environmental Science I (3)
The first course of a two-quarter capstone sequence. Students plan and develop a detailed proposal for their capstone environmental science project. Prerequisite: BES 301; BES 311; BES 315.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 493 Capstone Research in Environmental Science II (7)
Second course of a two-quarter capstone sequence. Completion of projects planned in the previous quarter. Prerequisite: BES 492.
Instructor Course Description:
Daniel A Jaffe
BES 497 Special Topics in Environmental Science (3-5, max. 15)
Topics may include economic and environmental issues, air pollution, water quality, ecological restoration, global warming, conservation biology or other topics.
BES 498 Independent Research in Environmental Science (1-5, max. 15)
Individual advanced research conducted under the direction of one or more instructors.
