INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Discuss how Planet Earth is an interconnected system dominated by the ever-present exchange of materials and energy that control the fitness and fate of all living organisms. Designed to introduce the interdisciplinary field of Environmental Science by providing a broad overview of the basic concepts used to make sense of the environment. Explore how natural systems work, the services they provide, important environmental challenges facing these systems, and how people are working to address them. Includes professionals in the field as guest speakers to discuss a future in Environmental Sciences.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. define and apply terminology commonly used in environmental science Audience: Undergraduate 2. apply the scientific process to environmental issues and articulate its pros and cons Audience: Undergraduate 3. demonstrate an understanding of the flow and accumulation of energy and materials within a systems context Audience: Undergraduate 4. identify abiotic and biotic components of the environment and describe their interactions Audience: Undergraduate 5. examine environmental challenges and approaches to their remediation Audience: Undergraduate 6. compare and contrast careers in environmental science Audience: Undergraduate 7. apply systems thinking to understand environmental challenges Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. define and apply terminology commonly used in environmental science Audience: Undergraduate 2. apply the scientific process to environmental issues and articulate its pros and cons Audience: Undergraduate 3. demonstrate an understanding of the flow and accumulation of energy and materials within a systems context Audience: Undergraduate 4. identify abiotic and biotic components of the environment and describe their interactions Audience: Undergraduate 5. examine environmental challenges and approaches to their remediation Audience: Undergraduate 6. compare and contrast careers in environmental science Audience: Undergraduate 7. apply systems thinking to understand environmental challenges Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027