Syllabus, Spring 2004
Environmental Studies
1. Critical thinking
a. Understanding aspects of critical thinking
b. Analysis of an article using critical thinking.
2. What is Environmental Science?
3. Importance of Environmental Science.
a. United States compared to other nations.
b. Rapa Nui, the story of Easter Island.
c. Tragedy of the commons.
4. Ecosystems
a. Earth systems
i. Geosphere
ii. Atmosphere
iii. Hydrosphere
iv. Biosphere
b. Diversity
c. Cycling of materials
d. How ecosystems change
5. Populations
a. Size and growth
b. Limiting factors
6. Human population
a. History
b. Causes
c. J-curve
d. Colorado as a model
7. Biodiversity
a. Biomes
b. Extinctions
c. Current trends
8. Water issues
a. Quantity
b. Quality
c. Our water
d. Aquifers
9. Air issues
a. Pollution and wind patterns
b. Acid precipitation
c. Global warming
d. Ozone depletion
10. Land issues
a. Agriculture
b. Urbanization
c. Mineral extraction
11. Energy issues
a. Renewable
i. Wind, solar, geothermal, hydrogen
b. Non-renewable
i. Fossil fuels
ii. Nuclear
12. Waste issues
a. Landfills
b. Toxic and hazardous waste
c. Nuclear waste