Environmental Issues

Curriculum guideline

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Course
SCIE 1100
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
SCIE 1100
Descriptive
Environmental Issues
Department
Environmental Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201910
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Contact hours
4 hours per week
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The primary method of instruction will be weekly lectures given by selected disciplines. Introductory and summary lectures, as well as course logistics, will be the responsibility of a course coordinator. Course topics will be scheduled to provide continuity of topics. Audio-visual presentations will be used where appropriate.

Course description
The survival of this planet will, in large part, depend upon people acquiring an understanding of the intricate interrelationship of the physical, chemical and biological systems found in nature and the impact upon them of human activity. In this context, this course will review the critical environmental issues of our time.
Course content

The specific course content will vary depending upon the mix of disciplines involved in the course and the particular topics chosen for presentation by these disciplines. However, issues discussed will include topics from the following list:

  1. Ecosystems and Species Diversity
  2. Groundwater Contamination – Toxic/Hazardous Waste Disposal
  3. Natural Hazards
  4. Global Warming
  5. Sustainable Development
  6. Atmospheric Chemistry – Air Pollution
  7. Modeling
  8. Population Dynamics
  9. Environmental Ethics
  10. Public Policy – Environmental Law
  11. Energy
  12. Resource Depletion
  13. Economics and the Environment
  14. Genetic Engineering
  15. Public Health and the Environment
Learning outcomes

Specific course objectives will depend upon the mix of disciplines involved in the course content. A general outline of the objectives will be provided to students at the beginning of the course by the course coordinator, while detailed objectives for each component of the course will be provided by each participating instructor.

The overall objective of this course is to emphasize the interrelationships of the physical, chemical and biological systems found in nature and the impact upon them of human activity. As such, upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Show an understanding of the essential attributes of the important environmental issues presented in class.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of these issues.
  3. Discuss the long and short term implications of human kind not dealing with these issues.
  4. Define the concept of “sustainable development” and discuss its importance and relevance to the future of human activity.
  5. Show how an individual, through their own lifestyle, makes an impact upon the environment and how they might be able to contribute to finding solutions to environmental problems.
Means of assessment
Attendance 10%
Topic essays (2) 40%
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 25%

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Miller Jr. T. G., (1998), Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections and Solutions, 10th Ed., Wadsworth Publishing.