Teaching

ENVI 5200 / ENVI 6200: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Environmental Science

Introduces environmental science students to the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning and their applications in environmental science. Students learn to use AI/ML tools to analyze large and complex environmental data sets, make predictions, and identify patterns that aren’t visible to the naked eye, while becoming familiar with the potential, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI/ML in the field. No coding or statistics background required. See the course page for more details.

CSES 4200: Soil Judging

Field-based description, evaluation, and interpretation of soil-profile characteristics.

CSES 4210: Advanced Soil Judging

Builds on CSES 4200 with advanced description, evaluation, and interpretation of soil-profile characteristics, preparing students for competitive collegiate soil judging.

CSES 5080 / CSES 6080: Soil Erosion and Conservation

Soils as a natural resource for land-use planning. Covers their use and management for sustainable crop production, urban and industrial development, and ecosystem protection.

CSES 5590 / CSES 6590: Environmental Soil Physics and Vadose Zone Hydrology

A completely problem-based course that promotes active student learning around water and heat transport in soils, water retention, the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum, infiltration, and soil mechanics. Redesigned to focus on student learning outcomes such as writing and problem solving.

CSES 8580: Fate and Transport of Chemicals in Soils

Focuses on the fate and transport of chemicals in soils, including nutrients (nitrate, phosphorus), heavy metals, pesticides, organic compounds, viruses, and bacteria. Students learn the fundamental transport mechanisms and how to simulate chemical transport in soils.

ENVI 4980: Undergraduate Research

Directed, independent research within Dr. Knappenberger’s areas of specialty for undergraduate students interested in hands-on research experience.

ENVI 3000: Introduction to Stream Restoration

Newly developed and taught in collaboration with instructors from geosciences, fisheries, and biosystems engineering. Gives junior-level students insight into the physical, chemical, and biological functions of a healthy stream, and how to identify impaired streams, their stressors, and ways to mitigate or restore stream functions.

CSES 7080: Experimental Methods

A statistics-based course redesigned to use R instead of SAS. Covers experimental design, linear and non-linear models, mixed-effects models, analysis of count and binary data, and generalized linear models. Students were encouraged to bring their own research data for hands-on statistical analysis help.