Introduction to Environmental Science

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Introduction to Environmental Science

Undergraduate

Goals

In this course we will investigate the basic functions of environmental systems and the impacts of human activities on them.

The basic goals of this course are to familiarize the students with

· environmental systems and problems that will be developed in the following academic semesters

· the terminology used in environmental science

· the use of computers and internet services

Lectures

The course will be offered via the software WebCT Vista^© and will be completed after eleven weeks that are organized in seven sections.

Students must study the content of each week and then answer the quiz or quizzes.

The topics of the sections and weeks are presented below.

Introduction

Week 1

1. Introduction

    1.1. Introduction

    1.2. Environmental impacts in History

2. The basics of Environmental Sciences

    2.1. The Genesis of Environmental Science

    2.2. Environment - System

    2.3. Evolution - Timespace

Week 2

1. The Basics of Environmental Science II

    1.1. Biosphere: Ecosystems & Social Systems

    1.2. Social Systems

    1.3. Basic model for Resource & Waste Management Analysis

    1.4. Environmental Degradation

2. Environmental Protection Strategies

    2.1. Some basic principles

    2.2. Contemporary Trends in Environmental Science

    2.3. World Environmental Summits

The Atmosphere and the Climate

Week 3

1. Atmosphere and weather

    1.1. Atmosphere and weather

    1.2. Climate - The Earth as a Greenhouse

    1.3. The Greenhouse Gases

    1.4. Response to Climate Change

2. Greenhouse gas emissions trends in and projections in Europe

Week 4

1. Depletion of the ozone layer - Atmospheric pollution

    1.1. Depletion of the ozone layer

        1.1.1. Depletion of the ozone layer

            1.1.1.1. Halogens in the Atmosphere

            1.1.1.2. The Depletion of the Stratospheric Ozone

    1.2. Atmospheric pollution

        1.2.1. Smog

        1.2.2. Acid Deposition

Water

Week 5

1. Hydrologic cycle and Human water use

    1.1. Water: A vital Resource

    1.2. The hydrologic cycle

    1.3. Sources and Uses of Fresh Water

    1.4. Human impacts on the Hydrologic cycle

Week 6

1. Water pollution and its prevention

1.1. Water pollution: Sources and Types

1.2. Eutrophication

1.3. Sewage Management and Treatment

Soil and Agriculture

Week 7

1. Soil and Agriculture

    1.1. Soil characteristics

    1.2. Soil and plant growth

    1.3. Soil degradation

    1.4. The evolution of agricultural practices

Energy

Week 8

1. Fossil fuels - Renewable Energy Resources

    1.1. Energy Sources and Uses

    1.2. Sustainable Energy Sources

Municipal Solid Waste - Industrial & Toxic Waste

Week 9

1. Municipal Solid Waste - Industrial & Toxic Waste

    1.1. Municipal Solid Waste Production and Disposal

    1.2. Industrial & Toxic Waste Production and Disposal

Biodiversity & Ecosystems

Week 10

1. Ecosystems and how they work

    1.1. Investigating a biotic community

    1.2. The structure of ecosystems

    1.3. Trophic relationships

    1.4. The Major Biomes

Week 11

1. Biodiversity

    1.1. What is Biodiversity?

    1.2. The Value of Wild Species

    1.3. Biodiversity Loss

    1.4. Biodiversity Conservation

The e-lectures are estimated to last about three hours, including the time needed for the completion and submission of the quiz or quizes.

Assessment

Every week, students must study the content files and answer the quiz or the quizes of the specific week. The final grade will be calculated from the grades of each test submitted from the student.

Students must submit the quiz/zes, every week. If a quiz is not submitted, the grade of the student will be zero for this quiz.

Textbook

Wright R.T. (2005) Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future 9/e, pp. 712, Pearson - Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-127763-4

Resources

Internet Links

Usefull Websites

1. Environmental Science 9/e Companion Website

http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_wright_envisci_9

2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

www.epa.gov

3. European Environment Agency

http://www.eea.eu.int