12/27/2024 9:03:43 AM	ENVS 12 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ENVS 12	Title:  INTRO ENVIRON SCIENCE
Full Title:  Introduction to Environmental Science
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Introduction to environmental issues from a scientific perspective, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the Earth system, the interaction between humans and these processes, and the role of science in finding sustainable solutions.  Topics include ecological principles, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, renewable and non-renewable energy, water resources, air and water pollution, and solid waste management.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introduction to environmental issues from a scientific perspective, focusing on physical, chemical, and biological processes within the Earth system, the interaction between humans and these processes, and the role of science in finding sustainable solutions.  Topics include ecological principles, biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, renewable and non-renewable energy, water resources, air and water pollution, and solid waste management.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1985	Inactive:
Area:	C H	Natural Sciences Global Perspective and Environmental Literacy
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B1	Physical Science		Fall 1985
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	5A	Physical Sciences		Fall 2008
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1985	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1985	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: ENVS 100	Introduction to Environmental Science	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ENVS12

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify global, regional, and local environmental issues, analyze their scientific basis, and identify potential solutions.

2. Examine the relationships between humans and the environment.

3. Use scientific methodologies, including the construction and utilization of scientific models.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Relate conservation of mass and the laws of thermodynamics to Earth's environment.

2. Diagram the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems.

3. Use population and community dynamics to examine environmental issues and potential

    solutions.

4. Interpret data and use models to evaluate the relationship between populations and the

    environment.

5. Evaluate scientific, social, economic, cultural and legislative factors associated with

    addressing environmental problems.

6. Analyze personal environmental impacts.

7. Research, evaluate, and cite information from a variety of sources.  

8. Construct and interpret scientific tables, graphs and figures.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction to Environmental Science

     A. Scientific methodologies

     B. Role of science in solving environmental problems

    C. Interpreting tables, graphs and figures

    D. Finding and evaluating scientific information

    E. Environmental history

     F. Underlying causes of major environmental issues

    G. Sustainability

         1. economic

         2. social

         3. environmental

 

II. Ecological Principles

    A. Energy flow through ecosystems

     B. Flow of matter/biogeochemical cycles

         1. carbon

         2. nitrogen

         3. other

    C. Population dynamics

         1. distribution

         2. demographic indicators

         3. evolution

         4. natural selection

    D. Biological communities

         1. species interactions

         2. ecological niche

         3. succession

 

III. Biodiversity

    A. Species, genetic and ecosystem diversity

    B. Ecosystem services

     C. Threats

         1. habitat loss/land degradation

         2. invasive species

         3. pollution

         4. overexploitation

    D. Conservation and restoration

     E. Legislation and policy - Endangered Species Act

 

IV. Water

     A. Resource issues

         1. water availability

         2. flooding

         3. drought

         4. groundwater depletion

     B. Water conservation and management

    C. California and Sonoma County water resources

     D. Personal water use

    E. Water pollution

         1. types

         2. sources

         3. effects

    F. Legislation and policy

         1. Safe Drinking Water Act

         2. Clean Water Act

 

V. Air

    A. Air pollution

         1. types

         2. sources

         3. effects

         4. solutions

    B. Legislation and policy: Clean Air Act and other current legislation

 

VI. Global Climate Change

    A. Natural vs. anthropogenic

    B. Causes and time scales

    C. Impacts

     D. Solutions

 

VII. Energy

    A. Energy conservation and efficiency

    B. Non-renewable energy resources (fossil fuels and nuclear)

         1. types

         2. pros and cons

         3. new technologies

         4. supply

         5. storage

    C. Renewable energy resources

         1. types

         2. pros and cons

         3. new technologies

         4. supply

         5. storage

     D. Energy strategies

         1. centralized

         2. decentralized

    E. Legislation and policy

 

VIII. Solid and Hazardous Waste

     A. Sources, disposal methods, environmental impacts

      B. Waste prevention and recycling

      C. Legislation and policy

         1. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

         2. Superfund Act

 

Optional topics include:  

 

IX. Environmental Health and Toxicology

     A. Toxins and toxicity levels

     B. Risk assessment and the precautionary principle

 

X. Agriculture and Soil

     A. Types and methods of production  

     B. Artificial selection and genetic engineering  

     C. Soil formation, degradation and conservation practices

    D. Environmental impacts and solutions

 

XI. Marine Ecosystems

      A. Ocean life zones

     B. Impacts related to resource extraction, pollution and climate change

     C. Environmental legislation and policy

 

XII. Urbanization and Sustainable Communities

     A. Issues associated with urbanization

     B. Urban planning and green building

     C. Environmental justice

Assignments:

1. Textbook and/or assigned reading (20-30 pages per week)

2. Written, short answer, problem solving, and/or online assignments (e.g. model development,

    calculations and data analysis) (5 -20)

3. Research/analysis papers or project(s) (1-2)

4. Presentation(s) (0-3)

5. Examination(s) (1-5) and quiz(zes) (0-20)

6. Field trip(s) and reports: in-person and/or virtual field trip options (not necessarily scheduled

    during class hours) (0-4)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 25 - 45%
Research/analysis papers or project(s), field-trip reports, written homework assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 45%
Homework, online assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 30 - 70%
Exams and quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 15%
Individual and/or group presentations, participation in class activities and field trips

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Environment. 10th ed. Hassenzahl, David and Hager, Mary and Gift, Nancy. Wiley. 2018

Environmental Science. 13th ed. Wright, Richard and Boorse, Dorothy. Prentice Hall. 2017

Environment and You. 3rd ed. Christensen, Norm and Leege, Lissa and St. Juliana, Justin. Prentice Hall. 2019

Living in the Environment. 20th ed. Miller, Tyler and Spoolman, Scott. Cengage Learning. 2021

Principles of Environmental Science. 9th ed. Cunningham, William and Cunningham, Mary. McGraw Hill. 2020

Essential Environment:  The Science behind the Stories. 6th ed. Withgott, Jay and Laposata, Matthew. Prentice Hall. 2018

 

Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF