ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science • 5 Cr.


Surveys components of ecosystems, including energy flow and the structure and dynamics of populations and communities. Students review the processes that affect natural environments, examine the impact of human activities on ecosystems, and discuss current environmental issues.


After completing this class, students should be able to:

  • Outline and describe the major components of an ecosystem.
  • Describe the ways that human activities have unbalanced biogeochemical cycles, leading to current environmental dilemmas.
  • List the major types of air and water pollution, and describe their effects on global health.
  • Compare and contrast the population dynamics controlling the growth of other species with that of the growing global human population.
  • Define biodiversity and outline the major threats to biodiversity existing today.
  • Compare and contrast current conventional energy uses with those of sustainable energy.
  • Explain how the dumping of solid, toxic, and hazardous wastes relate to environmental health.
  • Describe, and give examples of, how each human has an impact on environmental sustainability.