Environmental Sciences

This course is designed to provide background in the fundamentals of nomenclature, bonding, structures, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry and synthesis of simple organic compounds. Practical work forms an integral part of this course.

The course introduces students to the principles and concepts of soil sciences. Students will focus on soil formation process, soil physics, soil chemistry, soil uses and pollution

This course intends to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills in health, safety and environment (HSE). It delivers different approaches in understanding and managing health and safety in the workplace. It also provides students with opportunities to carry out individually or as a team in developing and analyzing safe systems of work, and emergency planning for workplace environments. Students will be taught on a wide range of topics in health, safety and environment which can be used to pursue certifications in health and safety, or a career in occupational health and safety.

This course is designed to serve as a solid foundation for the students to understand Earth’s building materials and geological processes associated with them.

This course is introducing the student to basic terms and principles in Ecology. The course is designed to highlight the role of ecosystem in human wellbeing and the ecological role and interactions of species within populations, communities, ecosystems and biomes and the effect of ecological disturbances on this role. Different sampling techniques are designed for the course to apply the ecological knowledge acquired by the students throughout the course.

The course deals with the introduction to entrepreneurship; business knowledge; accounting and finance; management and marketing; operation management; understanding the ecosystem; some applications and project presentations.

This course provides the scientific principles, concepts and skills to understand and perform some of the processes involved in Analytical Chemistry. The principles governing standard analytical techniques like chromatography, polarimetry, atomic (Flame photometry & AAS) and molecular spectroscopy (UV-Vis, IR) are discussed. The opportunity to obtain hands-on experience with some of these techniques is also provided with selected experiments. A statistical approach to quantitative analytical techniques regarding aspects like accuracy and reliability of results forms an important aspect of this course.

The course deals with conceptual research approaches and skills required for a successful conduction of the research through critical exploration of research tools and information sourcing, data and its analysis, technical-scientific writing and presentation skills, ethical principles and challenges. The course introduces the language of research by applying research methodology in projects/researches inconsonance with information sourcing, data and its analysis, technical-scientific writing, presentation skill, research ethics and trends. It includes discussions on the elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, sampling techniques, research designs and techniques of analysis. Moreover, this course will require the students to prepare a small research proposal which contains an introduction, a review of related literatures existing in the library and on the websites, a study framework, one or more methodologies appropriate for the study; and a plan of action outlining how the investigation will take place.

This course introduces the students to the study of microorganisms and offers basic laboratory skills required to perform microbiological investigations. Basic staining techniques in microbiology as well as basic techniques of Food, Industrial, Medical and Pharmaceutical, Environmental, Soil and Agricultural, Water and Wastewater Microbiology are also covered.

This course is designed to provide the students with hands-on skills in a wide range of field and laboratory techniques in the environmental sciences. These include biological, chemical and physical parameters and the study of waters, soils, air, the biota, etc. The graphical presentation, analysis and interpretation of the primary and secondary data using the most appropriate software are also discussed. In addition, the students will be able to construct and apply detailed environmental projects and interpret the acquired knowledge in the higher-level courses.

This course introduces the basics of biodiversity and focus on its loss and importance. It also emphasizes in the importance of biodiversity conservation. In this course, students will study what biodiversity is and how to measure it. It also explores the evolution of biodiversity over time. The levels of biodiversity within various biomes and the importance of biodiversity, both in terms of the direct use values and other values, such as aesthetic or inspirational values. Students will learn the most pressing threats leading to declines in biodiversity. They will be introduced to the theory and principals involved in conservation and learn about governmental and non-governmental efforts to protect natural environments.

This course focuses on the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment. It includes application of the principles of biology and chemistry on the study of the toxic behavior of man-made and natural chemicals. The course focuses also on developing improved ways to identify and ameliorate the harmful effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents at all levels of biological organization, from molecules to complex ecosystems.

This course is intended to equip students with the necessary knowledge of technical issues and the management of solid wastes. The course focuses on: Nature and effects of solid wastes; management principles, practices, and techniques for management of solid wastes; and solid waste generation, storage, collection and transport, processing, resource recovery, and disposal.

This course aims to introduce to the students the concepts of quality assurance systems and explain their applications to familiar situations while considering related statistical methods. It also introduces to the students the application of quality processes and procedures in different industries and their implementation. Topics include Introduction to Quality, Quality Tools, Process capability, Quality Continual improvement/Some Quality approaches, Main Activities and Responsibilities of Quality Control and Quality Assurance in analytical laboratories.

The course goal is to deliver an understanding of the elementary concepts in probability theory and statistical analysis. Students will learn the essential theory of distribution of random variables, the basic theory and techniques of parameter estimation and tests of hypotheses. After taking this course, students will be able to use calculators and tables to perform simple statistical analyses for small samples; and to use a statistical package in performing analyses for small and large samples.

This course is designed to provide the students with fundamental knowledge of the physical, chemical, and mathematical principles and their application to atmospheric phenomena, including weather, air quality, and climate. In addition, it introduces the students to the scientific methods used to describe and predict atmospheric phenomena.

This course provides guidance on the design and implementation of national/ sectoral environmental policy. It focuses on how national government, private sector, corporations, non-governmental organizations, and local populations shape the formulation and implementation of an environmental policy and how agreements, standards and incentives promote sustainability transition. Through a case study approach, the course intends to provide students with required knowledge and skills in designing, analyzing, and communicating policy outcomes.

This course deals with the different tools used to organize, analyze, manage, and visualize geospatial data that links models to derive outputs from environmental analysis and modelling.

The course orients students to ecotourism as a tool for the non-destructive use of environmental resources and achieving sustainable development within the tourism industry. The course also assists the students to develop skills in preparing ecotourism management plans and expose them to ecotourism aspects and destinations in Oman.

This is a non-major graduate credit course, which is designed to improve student performance in public speaking and oral communication. The course aims to improve the learner's presentation skills, entrepreneurial skills and critical thinking for a level that meets the learner's needs in various academic situations and the labour market. The course covers speech research, preparation, outlining, delivery and evaluation.