Courses
ESE 535/635 — Environmental Organic Chemistry
This course provides an overview of the processes that determine the fate of organic substances in the environment. It covers pathways, mechanisms, and kinetics of volatilization, sorption, hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, elimination, and conjugation; and the application of all these topics to understanding the environmental fate and remediation of organic chemicals. Media represented include reactor fluids, groundwater, surface water, rain, and fog. Both chemical (abiotic) and microbially-mediated (biotic) processes are included.
Winter Quarter Core Course for the Environmental Science and Engineering Degree
Previously titled "Distribution and Fate of Organic Pollutants"
Recommended preparation: EBS 510/610.
ESE 537/637 — Chemical Degradation and Remediation
A thorough introduction to the transformation reactions that contribute to the fate of organic substances in the environment. The course covers pathways, mechanisms and kinetics of hydrolysis, oxidation, reduction, elimination, conjugation, etc. Treatment is balanced to reflect the importance of these processes in all types of environmental waters ranging from engineered systems to groundwater, surface water, rain, and fog. (4 credits).
Advanced elective course, taught infrequently.
Recommended preparation: EBS 535/635.
ESE 593/693 — Biodegradation and Bioremediation
A process-oriented survey of microbially mediated transformations of organic pollutants. Transformations occurring in the natural environment as well as in remediation technologies are considered. Emphasis is on the pollutant properties, micro-biological factors, and medium properties that determine the pathways and kinetics of bio-degradation. (4 credits).
Advanced elective course, taught infrequently.
Recommended preparation: EBS 535/635 and microbiology.
ESE 506/606 — Special Topics
Special topics courses are offered on particular themes in response to student and faculty needs and opportunities. Some particular themes are offered periodically, but many are ad hoc. Examples of Special Topics courses (co)taught by Dr. Tratnyek include:
Special Topics in Environmental Data Analysis
This course will be an interactive forum for discussing and analyzing data contributed by the students in the class. In the first two weeks, students will present the critical data analysis challenges they face in their research. Several of these challenges will be selected to be pursued as case studies; with the class developing the background and applying statistical data analysis software to solving each problem. Short lectures will be given to provide the theoretical background for different data analysis methods, computer lab assignments will be used to provide students with hands-on experience in analyzing data, and class discussions will be used to interpret and discuss results. Data analysis software that may be used includes MatLab, R, or SAS. Students are welcome to use their favorite software to work on class assignments. (Spring 2009 with Karen Watanabe).
Special Topics Modeling Subsurface Chemical Reactions
Find description for this. (Spring 2002 with Rick Johnson).
ESE 505D/605D — Reading Group in Environmental Science and Engineering
Presentation and discussion of journal articles from the recent literature in environmental science and engineering. Recent ESE Reading Groups led by Dr. Tratnyek include:
- » Classic Papers in Environmental Science and Engineering (Fall 2007)
- » Nanoparticles in the Environment (Winter 2007)
- » Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechology (Fall 2008)
ESE 502/602 — Independent Study
Typically involves a scholarly and critical review of an advanced scientific topic by one or several students together with one or more faculty members. Examples of Independent Studies supervised by Dr. Tratnyek include:
- » Instrumental Methods for Studying Surface and Interfacial Reactions
- » Biogenic Manganese Oxides
- » Disinfection Residual Control with Zero-Valent Metals
- » Probes and Traps for Radical Reactions
- » Aquatic Photochemistry and Nitric Oxide
- » Stream and Wetland Sampling & Analysis