Environmental Science: Energy Resources and Pollution

DESCRIPTION:
Principles of environmental science including a discussion of nonrenewable and renewable energy resources, water and air pollution, global atmospheric changes, hazardous and solid waste management. Environmental policy and management issues are also discussed, with emphasis on sustainable solutions.

RATIONALE: 
Environmental Science: Energy Resources and Pollution is a science course designed for students with little or no background in natural or environmental sciences and aims at giving them a more thorough understanding of major environmental issues of our days that reflect the human impact on the environment. The course provides a scientific background on issues such as energy resources, global climate change, ozone depletion, air and water pollution, hazardous chemicals and the solid waste problem. Current management practices and policies as well as options that lead toward a more sustainable future are discussed. The knowledge gained in this course may help students make more informed decisions concerning the environment in their future lives and careers. It is a required course for environmental studies majors.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts and principles on the following topics: non-renewable and renewable energy resources, environmental hazards and human health, air pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, water pollution, solid waste management.
2. Apply the concept of sustainability to the analysis of major environmental issues of contemporary societies, explaining their interdisciplinary nature.
3. Explain the scientific method and how it applies to the study of environmental issues and discuss the interdisciplinary approach needed in environmental problem solving, analyzing specific case studies.
4. Analyze the relationship between environment and society, and evaluate the role of economics and politics in addressing issues of environmental sustainability.
5. Develop skills for using basic methods in environmental science including the ability to use appropriate laboratory and field equipment and to acquire, process and evaluate data.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the learning and teaching strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
• Class lectures, interactive learning (class discussions, group work), video presentations, and practical problems solved in class.
• Exercises and primary source documents are assigned as homework and are discussed and reviewed in class
• Laboratory and field activities (including practical work and laboratory reports).
• Use of textbook companion site, CD-ROMs, Blackboard online interactive tools and online resources. 
• Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can ask questions, see their exam paper, and/or go over lecture/lab material.
• Use of a blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.