Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Contaminants

EnvS 541

University of Idaho
 
 Syllabus
 
Home
Syllabus
Modules
Problem Sets
BbLearn
Contact
Help
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENVS 541 - Syllabus

Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Contaminants

Dr. Maxine Dakins
TAB 311, 1776 Science Center Drive, Idaho Falls, ID
(208) 757-5424
maxined@uidaho.edu 

Course Description:
This course will cover the sampling and analysis of environmental contaminants from a statistical perspective. It is intended to give graduate students in environmental science, who have some basic preparation in statistics, a deeper and richer understanding of how statistical methods are related to environmental science and how facility with statistics can help to answer environmental questions.

The first third of the course will focus on designing sampling plans for environmental studies. The second third will begin to cover topics related to analyzing environmental data including discrete and continuous probability distributions, tests of significance, confidence intervals, environmental monitoring, impact assessment, and assessing site reclamation. The last third of the course will deal with techniques to handle data correlated in space and time including time series analysis and spatial data analysis and will touch on censored data and risk assessment.

Prerequisite: 
The prerequisite for the course is Stat 251 or its equivalent. I will not waive the prerequisite under any circumstances. I will review (quickly) the fundamental concepts as we go along and I strongly suggest that you acquire a basic statistics book to refer to if it has been some time since you had a statistics class.

Books:
Required: Manly, Bryan. 2009. Statistics for Environmental Science and Management, Second Edition. Chapman & Hall/CRC Press.

Not Required: Supplemental Text (good for those needing review of basic concepts): Wheater, C.P. and P.A. Cook. 2000. Using Statistics to Understand the Environment. Routledge Press. or any other introductory statistics text that might help you review the basics.

Expectations:
Working problems is very important in mastering statistical concepts. Everyone is expected to do their own work on the problem sets; however you may form study groups if you wish. Since we will go over the solutions when the problem sets are due, they must be handed in on time. If you will be out of town, submit yours in early or email it to me. All quizzes and exams should be taken on time; if you will be out of town make arrangements with me to take the test early.

Evaluation:
Evaluation will be based on the problem sets, online threaded discussion, two midterm exams and a final exam. 

Problem sets - 40%
Participation in Online Discussion - 10%
Midterm exams - 25%
Final exam - 25%

Disability Support Services:
Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have documented temporary or permanent disabilities. All accommodations must be approved through Disability Support Services. Notify your instructor(s) as soon as possible regarding accommodations(s) needed for the course. (208) 885-6307, email at
dss@uidaho.edu, website at www.uidaho.edu/dss.

 

©
University of Idaho
All rights reserved.
Environmental Science