Introduction to Environmental Science

Transcription

1 Introduction to Environmental Science Course Text Enger, Eldon D. and Bradley F. Smith. Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 12th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN: [find and buy the text: Straighterline.com/textbooks] Course Description Welcome to the NROC Environmental Science course. This course is designed to acquaint you with the physical, ecological, social, and political principles of environmental science. The scientific method is used to analyze and understand the inter-relationships between humans and the natural The course shows how ecological realities and the material desires of humans often clash, leading to environmental degradation and pollution. The course covers the following topics: Earth's Systems, Human Population Dynamics, Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Global Changes, and Environment and Society. Course Objectives After completing this course, you will be able to: know and understand the levels of the ecological hierarchy appreciate the integration of natural processes that govern the natural world appreciate the importance of maintaining a sustaining biosphere for the continued presence of a human population on the earth understand the pragmatic and realistic difficulties of integrating human societal needs without further compromising ecological processes become familiar with the ecological background to global environmental problems realize the consequences of our individual and joint actions upon the biosphere Course Prerequisites There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Environmental Science. Important Terms In this course, different terms are used to designate tasks: Review Activities: A non-graded assignment to assist you in practicing the skills discussed in a topic. Homework: non-graded quizzes that help highlight the content which will be assessed on graded exams. Graded Exam: A graded online assessment. Course Evaluation Criteria StraighterLine does not apply letter grades. Students earn a score as a percentage of 100%. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

2 If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit. There are a total of 1000 points in the course: Topic Assessment Points Available 4 Graded Exam # Graded Exam #2 150 Cumulative Graded Midterm Exam Graded Exam # Graded Exam #4 150 Cumulative Graded Final Exam 200 Total 1000 Course Topics and Objectives Topic Topic Subtopics Objectives 1 Environmental Interrelationships and Ethics 2 Environmental Risk: Economics, Assessment, and Management Scope of the Subject Natural Sciences Social Sciences Ethics and Justice Characterizing Risk Economic Tools Sustainable Development Define environmental science as a subject that draws on learnings from natural and social sciences to investigate human impact on the natural Realize that environmental problems involve interrelated social, ethical, political, and economic issues, not just scientific issues. Demonstrate how principles of ethics and justice can be applied by individuals, corporations, and societies to decisions related to protecting the Correlate economic goals of demand, supply, development, cost-benefit, and so on to human use of natural resources. Illustrate the use of economic concepts to protect the

3 3 Interrelated Scientific Principles: Matter, Energy, and Environment 4 Interactions: Environments and Organisms 5 Kinds of Ecosystems and Communities The Scientific Method Matter Energy Principles and Flow Life Forms and Evolution Organism Interactions Community and Ecosystem Interactions Terrestrial Biomes Aquatic Biomes Explain how the scientific method is used to investigate natural phenomena, particularly the interrelationships between organisms and between organisms and their environments. Describe the characteristics of matter, elements and chemical actions and reactions and illustrate the principle of conservation of matter. Describe energy as a force, the forms of energy, and explain the laws of thermodynamics. Illustrate the characteristics of broad categories of life forms, the food chain, and life processes. Illustrate how life forms interact with other life forms and their environment, and the process of natural selection and evolution. Define a biological community as a group of species that interact with one another, and give examples of such interactions and of the roles of individual species in the ecosystem. Illustrate characteristics of biological communities such as structure, diversity of life forms, complexity and connectedness, resilience, and stability. Describe terrestrial biomes in terms of climate, life forms, their interactions, food chains, and process of change. Describe aquatic biomes in terms of climate, type of water body, life forms, their interactions, food chains, and process of change.

4 6 Populations: Characteristics and Issues Population Measures and Characteristics Population Growth Determinants Quality of Life and Environment 7 Energy and Civilization Consumption Resources and Reserves Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nuclear Energy Energy Conservation 8 Biodiversity Issues Benefits of Biodiversity Threats to Biodiversity Preserving Biodiversity Demonstrate the use of population characteristics such as natality and mortality, sex ratio and age distribution, density and spatial distribution. Analyze the factors that determine the population of a species, such as the rate and strategy of reproduction and carrying capacity of the Illustrate the effect of economic, social, and cultural factors on human population growth. Analyze the impact of human population growth on quality of life and the natural Summarize data on uses, consumption, and reserves of energy. Classify types of fossil fuels, explain their properties and availability, and discuss their use. Analyze economic, social, and political factors that determine the use of energy. Classify the renewable sources of energy and explain their physical properties. Analyze the environmental effects of generation and use of nuclear power and radioactive waste. Evaluate energy conservation methods and estimate energy use in the future based on assumptions. Illustrate the concept and types of biodiversity and explain its benefits to humans. Examine human impact on the process of extinction of species and on biodiversity. Analyze the rationale and effectiveness of various interventions to preserve biodiversity.

5 9 Land-Use Planning Urbanization Urban Planning and Smart Growth Conservation Efforts: Parks and Refuges 10 Soil and Its Uses Soil Formation Soil Characteristics Conservation Practices 11 Agricultural Methods and Pest Management Food and Agriculture Fertilizers, Chemicals and Pesticides Sustainable Agriculture Explain why most major cities are located on rivers, lakes, or the ocean. Analyze the push and pull factors of migration to urban areas and urban sprawl. Analyze the problems of urbanization in developed and developing countries and evaluate solutions. Evaluate the principles and effectiveness of urban planning and other ways to reduce the problems of urbanization. Examine the reasons for creating parks and wild life refuges, their success in preserving life forms and ecosystems, and the problems they face. List the physical, chemical, and biological factors involved in soil formation. Correlate soil properties to life forms and agriculture. Understand that the misuse of soil reduces soil fertility, pollutes streams, and requires expensive remedial measures. Explain how land not suited for cultivation may still be productively used for other purposes. Correlate human nutritional needs to sources of food and explain the historical development of agriculture. Analyze the need of pesticides and herbicides for agriculture and their harmful effects. Evaluate techniques of sustainable agriculture that aim to maintain yield while minimizing damage to the natural

6 12 Water and Waste Management 13 Environmental Regulations and Policies Water Pollution and Use Atmosphere and Air Pollution Climate Change Solid Waste Hazardous Substances and Waste Policies and Regulation Environmental Protection Evaluate the rationale and effectiveness of strategies to increase the availability of water, conserve water, and purification of water. Classify sources of water pollution, and analyze the harm they cause. Explain the components of the atmosphere and the processes that form weather and climate. Classify sources and types of air pollution by effects on the climate and on human health. Classify types of solid waste and disposal methods by sources and effects on the environment and human health. Classify types of hazardous substances and disposal methods by sources and effects on the environment and human health. Survey important national and international policies, laws, and programs that aim to protect the Evaluate and propose actions by individuals, organizations, and communities to protect the 14 Review Review Complete a review of key content covered in this course.