Global Environmental Issues

Catalog description

Three lecture. Students will examine the scientific basis of and reasons for concern about human population growth, loss of biodiversity and atmospheric alterations (global climate change). Students will be able to: diagram basic patterns of energy flow and matter cycling within nature; document from readings and discuss in class the biological effect of different synthetic compounds on different species including potential effects on humans; review basic concepts of water properties, quality and treatment technologies; draw schematic diagrams of current technologies used to clean wastewater and/or other polluted waters; outline, in broad terms, the carbon cycle and the relative timeframe for a Carbon atom’s travel through the cycle; diagram oceanic thermohaline circulation; compare the amount of energy trapped by different atmospheric gasses; graph or otherwise portray the rates at which different continental populations use fossil fuels and the change in CO2e in the atmosphere; evaluate how energy use affects economic growth; and present in class one global environment issue including problems statement, problems drivers and viable solutions. Prerequisite(s): any science course numbered 100-level or above