Environmental Sciences: Intro Environmental Sci

Explores the complex interactions between humans and environmental systems and the ecological foundations and scientific principles to better understand how the coupled human-natural system works, and how science can be used to help solve environmental problems.

ENSC majors only; Open to Degree and PACE students

Introduction to Environmental Sciences (ENSC 1010) is designed for students interested in exploring the complex interactions between humans and environmental systems. We will explore ecological foundations and scientific principles to better understand how the coupled human-natural system works, and how science can be used to help solve environmental problems. We will also examine steps we can take as individuals to live more sustainably on our planet. This is an in-person course with both lecture content and group work during class time. To succeed in the course, you will need to be present in the classroom for lectures most days. There will be in-class group activities that will challenge you to apply concepts from readings and videos to key environmental issues. As such, the online reading and video components must be completed prior to your meeting time to ensure that you are prepared for the day’s activities and assignment. The course will begin with an introduction to the fundamental concepts that underpin environmental science (scientific inquiry, systems thinking, sustainability science, critical thinking and problem solving frameworks). Then we’ll define key ecological principles and Earth systems (ecosystems, climate, biodiversity, hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere), so that at the end of the course we can apply those principles to specifically address human impacts on the environment.

This course that contains a mixture of online reading and video materials, in-person lectures, and in-person group activities. It is broken down into weekly modules, with two exams and a final project. Each module includes a variety of online readings, videos and explorations, with an individual assignment and module quiz to assess competency. We will also have group activities in-person during each week, to further explore module content and build towards your final group project submission.

Your final grade in ENSC 1010 will be based on the following: • Weekly Module Content Quizzes and Assignments • Group Environmental Issue Fact Sheet Project • 2 Mid-term Exams