Earth and Environmental Sciences - Sophomore

Course # HUSS 2041

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course focuses on practical aspects of individual and collective life that sociological research helps us understand better. It introduces basic sociological categories such as social action, role, expectation, identity, group, community, institution, network, etc. We discuss major approaches in sociological analysis and try to use their perspectives in dealing with everyday concerns such as bringing up children, managing an enterprise, committing to a political cause, engaging in economic activities, adapting to a world of globalization and digitalization. We explore how sociology helps us address pressing issues of inequality, intolerance, various forms of violence, and climate change. The course is designed to involve students actively in producing sociologically informed projects that will be relevant for their future careers.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students are expected to:

• Deploy sociological imagination and recognize patterns in individual and collective activities with the use of such concepts as social order and social change;
• Analyze how individuals are shaped through basic social interaction on a microlevel in families, peer groups, and organizations;
• Explain what is meant by social institutions and how institutions affect everyday interactions;
• Discuss the pressing issues in the development of large complex societies from the perspectives of macrosociological analysis;
• Organize collective work in project teams with members of different cultural and educational backgrounds, give and receive critical feedback among peers ethically and respectfully.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 2072

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

World Politics is in transition, and it is vividly observed that the modern state and the international system of modern states loom over all our lives. This is true in advanced industrial democracies, developing countries, and in the varied Central Asian context. But what is the state, and how is it organized? In this course, students learn what states do, and why they sometimes perform their functions effectively, while at other times they perform their functions less effectively. The course focuses on how some states successfully provide security, stability, infrastructure, education, and modernization, whereas others fail to do so. The course also explores the way in which the conditions of globalization resulting in growing complex interdependence and transnational relations may be impacting states in new ways. This includes addressing the daunting questions, like to what extent do states react to challenges and opportunities of global interdependence? What role do states see in response to the rise of transnational actors that affect the behavior, autonomy and power of states?

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students are expected to:

• Describe the form(s) and function(s) of the state that distinguish it from other entities
• Describe how states behave in the international system of states
• Explore the variety of states in relation to local context and diverse legacies in the context
• Explain the role legitimacy and norms play in statehood
• Explore the ways in which states interact with and impact societies
• Analyze the varied impact of globalization on states
• Examine case studies of states navigating global challenges.
• Develop critical thinking skills in evaluating state responses to global issues.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # HUSS 2061

Credits 3

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This Law course is specifically designed for students majoring in Global Economics and Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Central Asia's Khorog Campus in Tajikistan. Students will explore foundational concepts of international law, trade and contract law, and environmental law. 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe and compare major legal systems in Central Asia;
• Use legal reasoning and analysis techniques to evaluate issues, formulate sound arguments and reach well-reasoned conclusions;
• Read, negotiate and draft a contract; and
• Analyze the international community’s legal response of treaties against climate change and protecting freshwater resources.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # EAES 2044

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry 

Course Description

This interdisciplinary course prepares students to apply the principles of chemistry to explain distribution of different types of elements in the major Earth units such as lithosphere, mantle, hydrosphere and biosphere and the rules controlling elements distribution and exchange in these major units. Students learn how elements are formed in the universe and how they constitute the Earth. Also, they learn thermodynamics of elements in different geochemical systems. Students learn to apply geochemical tools to solve problems of hydrogeology, petrology, sedimentology and environmental science. At the end of the course, students understand the practical applications of geochemistry to the formation of minerals and rocks, water quality and prospecting for ores.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• Discuss common geochemical processes in Earth science.
• Explain elements formation in the universe.
• Explain the geochemistry of lithosphere, mantle and hydrosphere.
• Use geochemical approach to identify minerals and rocks, locate resources such as metal ores, to identify pollutants from aquatic systems.
• Apply isotope geochemistry to solve geological problems.
• Discuss the characteristics of elements and compounds in sediments, soils and water.
• Interpret geochemical data using the appropriate instrumentation and techniques such as pH meter and turbidity meter in the field work and laboratory work.
• Use appropriate laboratory and field equipment and techniques to safely collect samples, measure and analyze data for rocks and minerals (using portable XRF machine) and water samples.
• Recognize appropriate methods to analyze data and evaluate the significance of experimental results.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # EAES 2013

Credits 6

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

This course provides an introduction into the study of general biology, starting from basic scientific concepts and processing to chemistry, physics and the natural laws that govern life. The course continues with studies of living creatures, from the tiny and simple through to the complexities of plants and animals, ending with a basic understanding of ecology and the study of biotechnology. Students will investigate biological concepts including the chemical basis of life, cell structure and function, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, evolution, biological diversity and classification, plant structure and function, animal structure and function and ecology.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Arrange the levels of biological organization from least complex to most complex.
• Explain how DNA accounts for both the diversity and unity of life on Earth.
• Relate the structure and function of living organisms to their chemical basis.
• Relate the role of enzymes in biochemical pathways and cellular metabolism.
• Explain how photosynthesis and cellular respiration contribute to the cycling of carbon atoms on Earth.
• Summarize how evolutionary adaptations have led to the anatomical and physiological differences between the major taxonomic groups of organisms.
• Relate the role of plant tissues and organs to plant development, growth, nutrition and reproduction.
• Relate the processes of energy flow and chemical cycling to ecosystem ecology.

Course Assignments and Grading

Course # HUSS 2102E

Credits 1.5

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course description

This course focuses on Civil defense as a system of measures aimed at the preparation and protection of the population and its material and cultural values from dangers arising during military operations as well as in natural and man-caused emergency situations. It discusses why Civil defense is one of the most important functions of the state and an integral part of defense construction and ensuring population security. Emergencies that pose a threat to people's lives and health, associated with natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms and drifts, forest and peat fires are examined. It explains why all developed countries, including the Republic of Tajikistan, to effectively reduce the negative consequences of an emergency, and to protect the population and the national heritage of the country from the dangers of emergencies arising in peacetime and wartime, are constantly preparing for such situations.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

• Discuss ways to protect themselves and others during the occurrence of dangerous and harmful environmental events.
• Assess the damage caused by accidents and catastrophes at industrial facilities and ways to prevent the amount of damage caused.
• Identify the main hazards of the human environment, assess the risk of their implementation, and choose methods of protection from hazards to ensure comfortable living conditions.
• Classify industrial objects according to their degree of danger to workers, employees and the population.
• Explain legislative and legal acts in the field of safety and environmental protection, and the safety requirements of technical regulations.
• Explain ways to predict and evaluate possible emergencies, and the measures that can be taken to ensure the stability of economic facilities in the country if they are affected by natural and man-made disasters, epidemics, and other threats to security.
• Explain ways to develop and implement timely measures to protect the population in emergencies, to provide first aid to victims, and to use personal protective equipment in emergencies.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # EAES 2215E

Credits 1.5

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: None

Course Description

The course delves into the fundamental methodologies of the natural sciences, exploring the principles governing natural laws. Encompassing physics, astrophysics, cosmology, biology, chemistry, ecology, and geology, this course aims to cultivate students' understanding of essential research methods and enhance their skills in comprehending natural processes. Specific topics covered include insights into natural events, celestial bodies such as stars and planets, and brief discussions on chemical and environmental occurrences. The course provides a comprehensive overview, fostering knowledge and proficiency in the diverse realms of the natural sciences.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

• Explain modern scientific methods and apply them in their studies.
• Describe and interpret fundamental scientific concepts and natural laws.
• Analyze and discuss the role of modern natural sciences in technological advancements.

Course Assessments and Grading

Course # COOP 2001

Credits 2