ENVS& 101 - Introduction to Env Science

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 44
Lab Hours: 22
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Investigates connections between environmental problems (e.g. global climate change, air and water pollution, biodiversity and habitat loss) and human activities (e.g. population dynamics, fossil fuel use, deforestation, industrial agriculture). Utilizes sustainability and socio-economic perspectives to understand environmental degradation (e.g. eco-footprint, externalized costs, ecosystem services, natural capital).

Prerequisite: ENGL 097 or EAP 098 with a grade of C or higher (or placement into ENGL 098); and either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of C or higher.
Distribution Requirements:

Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Describe how natural systems (i.e. ecosystems, hydrosphere, the carbon cycle) operate.
Explain how natural systems are affected by human activities (e.g. population growth, fossil fuel use, deforestation, industrial agriculture).
Articulate the magnitude of environmental problems caused by and effecting humans.
Describe viable scientific, political, economic & social solutions to environmental problems.
Describe the impact of individual and collective choices on the viability of natural systems.

Course Contents

Natural Systems (energy flow, atmosphere, global climate, hydrosphere, hydrologic cycle, soil formation & fertility, biogeochemical cycles)
Natural resources (wildlife, soils/ agriculture/ food, forests/grasslands, minerals, energy.)
Pollution (air pollution, water pollution, pesticides, waste.)
Human population
Biotic factors (ecosystem structure, energy flow, species interaction, population, community, succession, biomes).

Instructional Units: 5.5