Institute of Environmental Sciences

Web Site of the Institute  

Director: Turgut Tüzün Onay

Assistant Directors: Aysen Erdincler, Turgut T. Onay

Professors: Isil Balcioglu, Miray Bekbolet, İbrahim Raşit Bilgin, Nilgun Kiran Ciliz, Burak Demirel, Ferhan Cecen, Nadim Copty, Aysen Erdincler, Andrzej Furman,  Bahar Kasapgil Ince, Nilsun Ince† , Gunay Kocasoy, Turgut T. Onay, Melek Turker  Sacan, Ali Kerem Saysel, Orhan Yenigun

Assistant Professors: Basak Guven, Ulas Tezel

Instructor: Ceyda Senem Uyguner, Ayse Tomruk
 

† Professor Emeritus

The Institute offers graduate studies in M.S. and Ph.D. levels in the fields of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Technology. The goal of the graduate programs is to prepare professional environmental scientists, engineers and researchers who can deal with the complexities of environmental problems, propose scientifically and economically meaningful solutions, develop recommendations for sound policies, and devise means to implement the policies adopted. Furthermore, the Institute aims to emphasize the importance of appropriate environmental technologies, intending to act as a leader institution for developing countries.

The Institute also offers one course on the environment at the undergraduate level.

ESC 301 The Environmental Dimension (Cevre Boyutu) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 5
Introduction to ecology; material and energy cycles; populations and communities; evolution. Major environmental issues facing humanity. Relations between environmental and energy resources, population policies and technological choices. Local waste management problems. Transboundary pollution of water and air resources. Global environmental change and its relation to international security. Students will be encouraged to follow environmental coverage on national and international media and to discuss it in class. Also, through guest lecturers, students will be exposed to a wide spectrum of ideas on environmental issues.

ESC 305 Global Climate Change (Kuresel Iklim Degisikligi) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
The earth and the greenhouse effect. Climate change in the past; predicting future climate change. Modelling of climate change. Effects of global climate change on freshwater and terrestrial systems; effects on the marine environment, agriculture and human infrastructure. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Measures to prevent climate change.

ESC 306 Evolution (Evrim) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
Evidence for evolution: fossils, vestigial structures, atavisms, recapitulation and embryology. Geographical evidences. History of life on Earth. The driving forces and mechanisms of evolution: natural selection, genetic drift, sex. The origin of species and human evolution. Case studies on evolution.

ESC 307 Social Ecology (Toplumsal Ekoloji ) (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
Trends and developments in earth's post-industrial revolution environmental history. Introduction to the concepts of ecosystems and their functions. Fundamental vision on economics, human-ecosystem interactions and limits to growth. Contemporary stresses on natural and socio-economic systems: Global climate change, loss of biodiversity, food security and food soveregnity, problems of transition in energy production and consumption, water stresses, toxic chemicals and human health. Moral and political perspectives on ecological problems. Movements and practices for environmental and social change.

ESC 311 Environmental Science and Technology (3+0+0) 3 ECTS 6
(Cevre Bilimleri Teknolojisi)
Environmental pollution and its causes; water, air and soil contaminants and their sources. Transformation and transport mechanisms of environmental pollutants. Pollution of surface and groundwaters. Water pollution and control; air pollution, air pollutant emissions and control; soil pollution and solid wastes; hazardous wastes and disposal.