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Dec 21, 2024
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ENVS 155 Applied Environmental Methods (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Course Description
Environmental science course involving field work in regional parks and natural areas as well as field trips to area restoration sites. Topics will cover Pacific Northwest ecosystems, restoration ecology, native and invasive species of plants and animals - including adaptations to their environment, water quality, ecology, and biogeography. Appropriate for non-science and science majors. Field trips required. Lab included.
Student Outcomes
1.Define environmental sustainability and explain why it is an important concern.
2.Apply the Scientific Method to solve environmental problems.
3.Define ecology, explain symbiosis, and distinguish the various trophic levels.
4.Describe a biome and describe the major terrestrial biomes in relation to natural vegetation and climate.
5.Summarize the roles of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere within the Earth system and relate each to the biosphere.
6.Explain the bio-geo-chemical cycles and summarize the flow of energy in an ecosystem and a food web.
7.Discuss the role of solar energy from the global to micro scale.
8.Define restoration ecology and recognize the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems.
9.Identify environmentally damaged sites and develop an action plan in terms of present and future impacts on the biosphere.
10.Access environmental data and information from various sources including library and internet research.
11.Describe the physical and chemical properties of water.
12.Diagram the hydrologic cycle and the movement of water and energy within it.
13.Recognize and define the differences between native and invasive species, and be skilled at methods for scientific identification of both.
14.Explain the harmful, and sometimes beneficial, aspects of invasive species.
15.Identify appropriate methods for removal/control of invasive species in specific situations.
16.Compare the environmental impacts and risks of economic development.
17.Utilize geographic tools such as Geographic Information Systems, topographic maps, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery to analyze restoration sites.
18.Use GPS technology to map invasive species distribution on a site.
19.Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues and problem solving.
20.Analyze philosophical traditions and relationships between humans, animals, and the natural environment.
21.Discuss the value of wilderness and biodiversity.
22.Effective Communication: Demonstrate the ability to do field observation and make field notes of local animal and plant communities and formulate the data gathered into concise reports and presentations.
23.Responsibility: Interconnectedness. See self as part of more extended humankind and global community. Describes self and others in relation to environment (biotic and abiotic), animal kingdom, society, etc.
24.Information Competency: Demonstrate the ability to use the library and the Internet as resources for locating and analyzing environmental data and information.
25.Critical, Creative, and Reflective thinking: Integrate and analyze quantitative data and qualitative information and ideas in several contexts. Examine assumptions integrate experience, reason, and information to draw scientific conclusions.
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