BIOL 102 Environmental Science

This course is designed for non-science majors. We will consider scientific principles and their influence on environmental problems in today’s society. The role of humans and our impact on these issues will be emphasized. Past, present, and future trends will be evaluated along with the possible impacts of these trends on the local and global populace. 

Credits

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

General Education Competency

Scientific Way of Knowing

BIOL 102Environmental Science

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

II. Course Specification

Course Type

General Education|{5B2306C7-58E4-43D4-B8A5-26C59F89A734}

General Education Competency

Scientific Way of Knowing

Credit Hours Narrative

3 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

This course is designed for non-science majors. We will consider scientific principles and their influence on environmental problems in today’s society. The role of humans and our impact on these issues will be emphasized. Past, present, and future trends will be evaluated along with the possible impacts of these trends on the local and global populace. 

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of evolution: the diversity of life evolved over time by processes of mutation, selection, and genetic change.
• Demonstrate an understanding of structure and function: basic units of structure define the function of living things.
• Demonstrate an understanding of pathways and transformations of energy and matter: biological systems grow and change by processes based upon chemical transformation pathways and are governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
• Demonstrate an understanding of systems: living systems are interconnected and interacting.
• Demonstrate competence in applying the process of science: biology is evidence-based and grounded in the formal practices of observation, experimentation, and hypothesis testing.
• Demonstrate competence in the use of quantitative reasoning: biology relies on an application of quantitative analysis and mathematical reasoning.
• Demonstrate competence in the use of modeling and simulation: biology focuses on the study of complex systems.
• Demonstrate competence in communication and collaboration of scientific information: biology is a collaborative scientific discipline.
• Demonstrate competence in understanding the relationship between science and society: biology is conducted in a societal context.

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

Required topics

                Global Climate change

                Ecological principles

                Biodiversity and evolution

                Human population

                Scientific inquiry

Suggested topics

                Energy

                Air, water, soil pollution

                Solid and hazardous waste

                Urban sprawl

                Environmental ethics

                Environmental economics

                Resource consumption

                Sustainability

                Food

 

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

Experimental Design activity

Ecological Footprint activity        

Research project

2-3 tests

1 final exam or cumulative final project