Protecting Life on Earth

Catalog description

This course is an interdisciplinary science course designed to develop informed perspectives on a global issue-biodiversity loss and conservation-using scientific reasoning skills. The planet Earth is the only place known to harbor life in the entire universe, and its array of life forms is extremely diverse and complex. However, human activities are posing severe threats to the existence of species, their habitats, and their interactions with the environment. In this class, students will explore the major patterns and levels of biodiversity, how biological evolution promotes biodiversity, the importance of biodiversity for our own existence, and threats to biodiversity. Using scientific methodology, students will examine the biodiversity crisis and explore strategies used to conserve species and habitats. Interdisciplinary approaches will be applied to case studies, with special emphasis on the application of environmental law and policy at local, national, and international scales. PSRC Prerequisite(s): Completion of FSRC Pillar Corequisite(s): None *Fulfills Civitae Core PSRC WI