Environmental Science

This one semester course (two hours lecture, two hours lab) introduces the fundamental principles of ecology and environmental science. It emphasizes an ecosystem approach to studying the environment. The interactions between abiotic and biotic are examined to gain an understanding of how a dynamic balance is achieved in natural ecosystems. This course also examines the effect of human intervention on ecosystems and biomes through an investigation of the various categories of pollution as well as the major trends in resource consumption and use. This is done to gain a better understanding of how the environment is altered by human action and why these actions may have significant effects on an ecosystem and its sustainability. The laboratory exercises are an integral part of this course. They are designed to both reinforce concepts developed during lectures as well as introduce new concepts. An emphasis is placed on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems both through field and in class lab work.