ENVR 101 - Environmental Science (Lecture and Lab)

4 Credit: (3 lecture, 2 lab, 0 clinical) 5 Contact Hours:

1. Describe the basic process of doing science (e.g. the scientific method).
2. Summarize environmental science approaches to doing science, including end goals (i.e. sustainability).
3. Summarize core chemical concepts related to matter and energy.
4. Describe how energy and nutrients move through the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.

Goal 2:  Describe ecological concepts related to species diversity and survival.

1. Summarize how climate is changed naturally and by human activities.
2. Describe the importance of biodiversity to a healthy ecosystem and planet.
3. Explain how evolutionary processes and species roles affect biodiversity.
4. Summarize core concepts of population growth, with an emphasis on human population growth trends.
5. Describe common community interactions, including their impact on species survival.
6. Distinguish between common terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
7. Explain the importance of ecosystem services and their relationship with biodiversity.
8. Describe the role of climate in shaping aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

Goal 3:  Describe how humans use the abiotic resources of our planet such as soil, water, minerals, and energy.

1. Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resource use.
2. Give examples of nonrenewable mineral resources and their uses by humans.
3. Compare methods for extracting minerals.
4. Describe soil as a resource, addressing both its composition and its ecology.
5. Compare different conventional farming techniques and sustainable agricultural practices, including their effects on the environment.
6. Summarize the water cycle, including how humans are affecting it.
7. Discuss water shortages, including supply problems and solutions.
8. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using different fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal, etc.).
9. Compare different renewable energy sources such as solar cells, hydropower, wind power, geothermal, etc.

Goal 4:  Summarize common environmental problems caused by use of natural resources and possible actions for reducing the human impact.

1. Describe different types of water pollution.
2. Discuss factors contributing to the global water crisis, including water availability, cleanliness, and sanitation options.
3. Summarize effects of climate change to the planet.
4. Describe different sources and types of air pollution.
5. Describe common problems created by solid and hazardous wastes.
6. Explain different options for reducing and/or safely disposing of waste products.
7. Identify current biological and chemical health hazards facing the human population.
8. Describe actions to reduce negative human impacts on the environment.

Goal 5:  Evaluate different approaches and solutions to current environmental problems.

1. Describe possible solutions to today’s major environmental problems.
2. Summarize how human society (social, cultural, political, religious, demographics, etc.) influences approaches to environmental problems and solutions.
3. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a given solution in terms of its impact on both the human population and the natural world.
4. Evaluate the impact of one’s own resource use on the local and/or global environment.

Goal 6:  Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method.  

1. Distinguish between hypothesis, theory, and law.
2. Describe the steps of the scientific process (method). 
3. List characteristics of good scientific methodology and experimentation. 
4. Identify hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, or control variables in a data set or experiment. 
5. Interpret data presented in different formats (text, table, graph, etc.). 
6. Draw valid conclusions from data. 
7. Clearly summarize experiments or research topics in a common scientific way such as lab reports, presentations, debate, etc.

Goal 7:  Demonstrate proper use of laboratory tools and procedures. 

1. Perform measurements using the metric system. 
2. Identify common lab equipment.
3. Demonstrate correct use of common lab equipment.
4. Select the correct lab tools or procedures for the desired outcome.