ENVS 102 - Local Environmental Issues and Impact

5 Credits

An in-depth look at local environmental issues and the individual’s role in these issues. Includes topics such as waste-water treatment, solid and hazardous waste disposal, energy use and consumption, water and land use and contamination, transportation, diet, and other topics of local importance. Each student will undertake a detailed and wide-ranging examination of their own personal impact on the local environment.

Pre-requisite(s) MATH 81 or higher with min 2.0
Placement Eligibility Math 091 or higher
FeesSC SL

Quarters Typically Offered
Fall Day
Designed to Serve General students as an elective to satisfy distribution requirements
Active Date 20210403T10:08:12

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 24
Contact Hours: Lecture 44 Lab 22
Total Contact Hours 66
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science
Science Lab

Course Outline
The following topics must be covered:

Local fresh water sources, quality, and supply
Local wastewater generation and treatment
Local solid waste disposal and recycling programs
Local and personal energy use and sources
Local land use including preservation and sensitive areas
Local environmental restoration and clean-up programs and sites, their cost and role in the community
Other resources such as mineral or forestry resources, their use, supply and impact
Transportation choices and impact
Personal diet choices and impact
Local environmental policy and laws
The relationship between local environmental issues and regional and global processes and issues
Research Writing

The following topics may be covered:

Local population trends
Local air quality and pollution issues
Local soil use, loss, and contamination
Local biodiversity issues including threatened and endangered species, and exotic species
Food resources and sources
Local impact of global climate change
Other resources such as mineral or forestry resources, their use, supply and impact.
Other local environmental issues

Student Learning Outcomes
Describe and evaluate local sources of fresh water and the issues surrounding its quality and quantity using appropriate detail and terminology in a clear and accurate manner.

Describe local wastewater treatment generation, facilities, and capacity using appropriate detail and terminology in a clear and accurate manner.

Evaluate their personal role in the local solid waste stream using quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Describe local case studies of water contamination as a result of improper disposal of waste and analyze the impact of those examples.

Describe local sources of energy and the consequences of that energy generation, transmission and use and complete an accurate and sophisticated personal energy budget.

Describe local land use issues and analyze the impact of those issues on the community.

Construct a research project which accurately summarizes one or more impacts of their personal choices on the environment, using clear organization, correct citations, and other research writing and presentation skills.

Communicate a summary of the history, consequences, and remediation efforts of at least one local highly-impacted site using appropriate detail and terminology in a clear and accurate manner.