Course Details

Course Description
Global environment, water cycle, soils, atmosphere and biosphere, ecological balance, biodiversity, issues of population, population growth, society and culture, energy problems in local and international levels, technological change.

Course Objective(s)
The goal of the course is to provide an overview and synthesis of the major issues of environmental science, so that students have a broad perspective in considering environmental issues at local, regional and global scales. Students will get a working knowledge of the significant components of environmental issues and their management, specifically they will:
i)understand the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science and management;
ii) be able to critically evaluate scientific publications;
iii) understand the basic science behind global environmental issues such as ozone depletion and climate change;
iv) be familiar with the causes of habitat loss around the world, including desertification and other types of land transformation;
v) be able to evaluate major physical and biogeochemical cycles, including the cycling of water, carbon, nutrients, and pollutants;
vi) be aware of the importance of biodiversity and the benefits that biodiversity provides for humans;
vii) recognize the part that population growth, consumption, development and technological change plays in environmental issues; and
viii) understand the concept of sustainable development and its application to environmental issues.