Environmental Analysis

Well-designed and accurate chemical and biogeochemical measurements are key to assessing the processes in natural ecosystems. This is a field- and laboratory-intensive science program designed for students with solid preparation in general chemistry and precalculus who want to pursue more advanced investigations of biogeochemical systems. Students will study biogeochemistry, analytical chemistry, technical writing, and statistics. Instrumental techniques of chemical analysis will be developed in an advanced laboratory. Students will have the opportunity to be trained on one or more major instruments. Program work will emphasize quantitative analysis, quality control procedures, research design, and technical writing.

During fall and winter quarters, we will address topics in carbon and nutrient cycling in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, in addition to analytical chemistry, statistics, and instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Students will participate in group projects studying water quality, organic matter, and nutrient cycling processes of local watersheds. Analytical procedures based on EPA, USGS, and other guidelines will be utilized to measure major and trace anion and cation concentrations and weathering rates in natural systems, in support of studies of biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and metals through the environment. Connections between microbial communities and nutrient cycling will be explored through applications of environmental microbiology. Statistics, geochemistry, and bioinformatics software will be used for data analysis and simulation. Fall and winter credit equivalencies include analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, applied microbiology, biogeochemistry, and technical writing. During fall and winter, we will take a series of day trips to collect samples from diverse geochemical regions. These samples will form the basis for (i) testing and evaluating chemical analysis methods, (ii) developing a quantitative assessment of local geochemistry, and (iii) quantifying nutrient storage and cycling on the landscape.

Anticipated credit equivalencies: 

FALL

6 - Analytical Chemistry and Lab

6 - Biogeochemistry and Lab

4 - Research Project and Instrumentation

WINTER

6 - Analytical Chemistry and Lab

6 - Geochemistry and Applied Microbiology

4 - Research Project and Instrumentation