Introduction to Environmental Science

Gain a comprehensive overview of the basic principles and unifying concepts of environmental science. Importance of maintaining biodiversity, human population growth and demography, and other related topics are discussed.

What you’ll learn

  • Students can complete in as little as 29 days.
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Introduction to Environmental Science

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

Introduction to Environmental Science

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

About This Course

|
ACE Approved 2024

This course is designed to provide college-level students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of environmental science.

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What You'll Learn

Demonstrate an understanding of the interactions between living organisms and their environment

Examine and evaluate different perspectives on environmental issues.

Define and describe the characteristics of various ecosystems, including communities, organism type, and organism distribution.

Analyze and assess population characteristics, growth and decline factors, human impact on population dynamics, and sustainable management strategies.

Analyze and assess ancient and modern energy sources and their impacts, and evaluate the sustainability of modern energy consumption patterns.

Explain the characteristics and environmental impacts of nonrenewable and renewable energy sources, and be able to differentiate between the two.

Demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity issues and their impact on ecosystems, and use that to evaluate land-use planning strategies for sustainable development.

Analyze water management strategies, as well as evaluate the sources and impacts of air pollution, and the effectiveness of air quality management strategies.

Interpret the main factors contributing to climate change, their impacts, and evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

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Course Details

ENV101

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Introduction to Environmental Science

Students will explore the interrelationships between humans and the environment, as well as the impact of human activities on ecosystems and natural resources.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Topic Subtopics
Introduction to Environmental Science
  • The Nature of Environmental Science
  • Sustainability
  • Human Welfare Issues
  • Maintaining Functional Ecosystems
  • Resource Management Issues
  • Urbanization and Globalization
  • Environmental Governance Issues
Environmental Ethics
  • The Call for a New Ethic
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Environmental Attitudes
  • Environmental Justice
  • Environmental Disasters and Poverty
  • Societal Environmental Ethics
  • Corporate Environmental Ethics
  • Individual Environmental Ethics
  • The Ethics of Consumption
  • Personal Choices
  • Global Environmental Ethics
Matter, Energy, & the Environment
  • The Nature of Science
  • Limitations of Science
  • Pseudoscience
  • The Structure of Matter
  • Energy Principles
  • Environmental Implications
Interactions
  • Ecological Concepts
  • The Role of Natural Selection and Evolution
  • Kinds of Organism Interactions
  • Community and Ecosystem Interactions
Ecosystems & Communities
  • Succession
  • Biomes Are Determined by Climate
  • Major Biomes of the World
  • Major Aquatic Ecosystems
Populations, Energy & Civilization
  • A Population Growth Curve
  • Limiting Factors
  • Carrying Capacity
  • Population Changes, Influences
  • Hunger, Food Production, and Environmental Degradation
  • The Demographic Transition Concept
  • The U.S. Population Picture
  • History of Energy Consumption
  • How Energy Is Used
  • Electrical Energy
  • The Economics and Politics of Energy Use
  • Energy Consumption Trends
Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources
  • Major Energy Sources
  • Resources and Reserves
  • Fossil-Fuel Formation
  • Issues Related to the Use of Fossil Fuels
  • Coal, Oil, Natural Gas Use
  • Nuclear Power
  • The Status of Renewable Energy
  • Major Kinds of Renewable Energy
  • Energy Conservation
Water Management
  • The Global Water Challenge
  • The Water Issue
  • The Hydrologic Cycle
  • Human Influences on the Hydrologic Cycle
  • Kinds of Water Use
  • Kinds and Sources of Water Pollution
  • Water-Use Planning Issues
Air Quality Issues
  • The Atmosphere
  • Pollution of the Atmosphere
  • Categories of Air Pollutants
  • Photochemical Smog
  • Acid Deposition
  • Ozone Depletion
  • Control of Air Pollution
  • Air Pollution in the Developing World
  • Indoor Air Pollution
  • Noise Pollution
Climate Change
  • Earth Is a Greenhouse Planet
  • Geologic Evidence for Global Warming and Climate Change
  • Growth in Knowledge of Climate Change
  • Sources and Impacts of Principal Greenhouse Gases
  • The Current State of Knowledge about Climate Change
  • Consequences of Climate Change
  • Addressing Climate Change
Environmental Waste
  • Kinds of Solid Waste
  • Municipal Solid Waste
  • Methods of Waste Disposal
  • Hazardous and Toxic Materials in Our Environment
  • Characterizing Hazardous and Toxic Materials
  • Controlling Hazardous Materials and Waste
  • Managing Health Risks Associated with Toxic Substances
  • How Hazardous Wastes Enter the Environment
  • Regulations
  • Hazardous-Waste Management Choices
  • Toxic Chemical Releases
  • International Trade in Hazardous Wastes
  • Nuclear Waste Disposal

Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

Assignments for this course include:

  • 4 Graded Exams
  • 7 Reflective Responses
  • 1 Graded Final Exam

The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.


Enger, Eldon D., and Bradley F. Smith. Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. 16th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2022.


Introduction to Environmental Science students also take:

Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Nutrition

Cultural Anthropology


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