Introduction to Environmental Science

Catalog description

This team-taught course is designed to be the entrance/introduction to major course in Environmental Science. The course consists of seven modules. The first module is an introduction to research methods, and is designed to teach students the fundamentals of searching the primary literature, reading scientific research papers, and accessing and using available environmental databases. Modules 2.6 address various large issues in environmental science. Each of these issues manifests across spatial and temporal scales from local/short-term to global/long-term. Information in each module will be conveyed via assigned readings from a textbook, student presentations of case studies, computer laboratory exercises in which students will access existing databases with the goal of downloading and analyzing some small data set, reviews of 1.2 papers from the primary literature, and discussions of the readings. These modules cover the breadth of environmental science including population growth/control, climate science and climate change, water resources, energy issues, and pollution. The last module specifically addresses communication skills, science-based policy and resource management, and the critical importance of communication between scientists and non-scientists. This module will include writing exercises and presentation skills. At the end of the course, local environmental professionals (lawyers, regulatory personnel, health department officials, urban planners will be invited to participate in a panel discussion of careers options.