An introduction to the fundamental principles of environmental science, topics of study include some of the following topics: environmental, science, and information literacy, human population growth, environmental health, ecological economics and consumption, solid waste, ecosystems and nutrient cycling, population and community ecology, evolution and extinction, biodiversity and preserving biodiversity, freshwater resources and water pollution, food resources and sustainable agriculture, coal and petroleum, air pollution and climate change, nuclear power, alternative energy sources, environmental policy, and urbanization and sustainable communities.
Quarters Offered
Fall,
Winter,
Spring,
Summer
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- Explain the nature of environmental science and discuss its interdisciplinary scope.
- Explain and discuss the scientific basis of current environmental problems.
- Describe the connections between current environmental problems.
- Discuss the effects of human activities on the environment.
- Analyze the impact of environmental problems and their solutions on human populations.
- Explore and evaluate possible solutions to current environmental problems.
- Define and explain the concept of sustainability and list possible sustainable choices of individuals, communities, and nations.
Course Content Outline
7-10 of these topics should be included; additional topics may be covered as time permits.
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
- Climate Change
- Ecological Economics and Consumption
- Ecology
- Energy
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Policy
- Freshwater Resources
- Human Populations
- Pollution
- Science Literacy and the Process of Science
- Sixth Extinction
- Sustainability
- Waste