SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 1:29:07 PMENVS 12 Course Outline as of Fall 2019

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  ENVS 12Title:  INTRO ENVIRON SCIENCE  
Full Title:  Introduction to Environmental Science
Last Reviewed:1/27/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total 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:
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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:
Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 100 or ESL 100. Eligibility for ENGL 1A.

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
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:Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 100 or ESL 100. Eligibility for ENGL 1A.
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:
 B1Physical ScienceFall 1985
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 5APhysical SciencesFall 2008
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1985Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1985Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: ENVS 100 Introduction to Environmental Science SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ENVS12

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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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.
4.  Correctly use and cite information sources.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
1.  Relate laws of thermodynamics and conservation of mass 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.  Interpret and construct scientific tables, graphs, and figures.

Topics and Scope
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1. 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:  economic, social, and environmental
 
2.  Ecological Principles
     A.  Energy flow through ecosystems
     B.  Biogeochemical cycles
     C.  Population dynamics:  distribution, demographic indicators, evolution, and natural selection.   
     D.  Biological communities:  species interactions, ecological niche, succession
 
3.  Biodiversity
     A.  Species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity
     B.  Ecosystem services
     C.  Threats:  habitat loss and land degradation, invasive species, pollution, and overexploitation
     D.  Conservation and restoration
     E.  Legislation and policy:  Endangered Species Act
 
4.  Water
     A.  Resource issues:  water availability, flooding, drought, and  groundwater depletion
     B.  Water conservation and management
     C.  California and Sonoma County water resources
     D.  Personal water use
     E.  Water pollution: types, sources, and effects, wastewater and drinking water treatment
     F.  Legislation and policy:  Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act
 
5.  Air
     A.  Air pollution: types, sources, effects, and solutions
     B.  Regional and global atmospheric changes: causes, effects, and solutions  
     C.  Legislation and policy: Clean Air Act and other current legislation
 
6.  Energy
     A. Energy conservation and efficiency
     B. Fossil fuels:  types, pros and cons, new technologies, supply and storage
     C.  Alternative energy:  types, pros and cons, new technologies, supply and storage
     D.  Energy strategies:  centralized/decentralized energy, energy independence
     E.  Legislation and policy
 
7.  Solid and Hazardous Waste
     A.  Sources, disposal methods, environmental impacts
     B.  Waste prevention and recycling
     C.  Legislation and policy:  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Superfund Act
 
Optional topics:  One or more of the following topics will be included
 
8.  Environmental health and toxicology
     A.  Toxins and toxicity levels
     B.  Dose-response
     C.  Risk assessment
 
9.  Agriculture
     A.  Types and methods of production  
     B.  Artificial selection and genetic engineering  
     C.  Environmental impacts and solutions
 
10. Soil
     A.  Characteristics and formation
     B.  Degradation and erosion
     C.  Conservation practices
 
11.  Marine ecosystems
     A.  Ocean life zones
     B.  Impacts related to resource extraction, pollution, and climate change
     C.  Environmental legislation and policy
 
12. Urbanization and sustainable communities
     A.  Issues associated with urbanization
     B.  Urban planning and green building
     C.  Environmental justice

Assignments:
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1.  Textbook reading and/or assigned reading from journals, newspapers, websites, and peer-reviewed or popular journals (20-30 pages per week).
 
2.   Written, short answer, problem solving and/or multiple-choice assignments (5 - 18).
 
3.  Research/analysis papers or projects (2-8 pages) on a local/regional environmental issue (1 or 2).  A presentation may be required.  
 
4.  Examinations based on reading and lecture material (2 - 5).
 
5.  Field trips (1 or 2).  Field trips may be scheduled during or outside of class hours.

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 - 50%
Research paper/project, 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 - 20%
Homework assignments (e.g. model development, calculations, and data analysis).
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
40 - 70%
Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 15%
Individual and group presentations, participation in class activities and field trips


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Environment.  Raven, Berg, and Hassenzahl (8th).  Wiley:  2012.
Environmental Science.  Wright and Boorse  (12th).  Prentice Hall:  2014
Environment and You.  Christensen (1st).  Prentice Hall:  2013
Environmental Science:  Principles, Connections, and Solutions (14th).  Miller and Spoolman.  Cenage Learning. 2013.
Environmental Science:  A Global Concern (12th). Cunningham and Cunningham. McGraw Hill. 2012.
Essential Environment:  The Science behind the Stories (4th).  Withgott and Laposata.  Prentice Hall:  2012
 
Students will also read journal and newspaper articles and the websites of local, national, and international government agencies and environmental interest groups.

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