After completing this course, you will be able to
- Describe Environmental Science and the basic concepts involved in the study of the subject.
- Identify various ecosystems.
- Describe various ecosystem components and functions and their impact on the environment.
- Discuss human population by calculating human population growth and identifying the impact of such growth on the environment.
- Describe various sources of energy from several perspectives: their origins, costs, and environmental impact.
- Identify various pollutants to our air, water, and land and discuss their environmental impact.
- Interpret environmental issues affecting the earth and its populations, including water use, food production, and urban development.
- Define biodiversity and identify its value.
- Identify the need for environmental regulations.
- Explain the balance between the implementation costs of environmental regulations and their impact on humankind.
- Lesson 1 – Introduction to Environmental Science
- Lesson 2A – Ecosystems: Components and Functions
- Lesson 2B – Ecosystems: Interactions
- Lesson 3A – Human Population Growth: Basic Concepts
- Lesson 3B – Human Population Growth: Population Growth Issues
- Lesson 4 – Energy
- Lesson 5A – Pollution: Air, Ozone, and Climate Change
- Lesson 5B – Pollution: Water Pollution
- Lesson 5C – Pollution: Solid and Hazardous Waste
- Lesson 6 – Water Use
- Lesson 7 – Food Production
- Lesson 8 – Biodiversity
- Lesson 9 – Urban Sprawl
- Lesson 10 – Environmental Regulations
Your final grade will be based on the following breakdown. Please note that each instructor may choose to make modifications.
- Participation/Discussions – 25%
- Quizzes – 25%
- Semester Project – 20%
- Midterm Exam – 15%
- Final Exam – 15%
