ENVSCI 101/101G Environment, Science and Management
Schedule D: Life Sciences
Semester: S2
Campus: City
Note: You cannot take this course for General Education if you have a concurrent or prior enrolment in a course in any of the following subjects: BIOSCI, ENVSCI, MEDSCI, MARINE, PHARMACY, PSYCH or SPORTSCI.
Environmental problems are complex and their resolution involves integrating science, knowledge and values. This course uses key environmental debates to explore the challenges associated with the effective management of the environment.
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to a wide range of environmental problems and possible solutions, and to facilitate critical thinking and evaluation of environmental issues.
This course is relevant to all students who are interested in the environment and the future well being of our planet. Students will gain an appreciation of the concept of sustainability and an increased awareness of a variety of environmental issues including global warming, sea level rise, human population growth, and habitat destruction
To gain an appreciation of the wide range of environmental concerns facing our planet and to begin thinking about possible solutions to a sustainable future.
The course is taught around the following themes:
- Human population issues - population explosion, world’s food supply and effects of agricultural production
- Resources - use of energy, mineral and water resources
- Climate change - global warming, air pollution and ozone depletion
- Marine environment - ocean pollution and sea level rise
- Biological issues - ecosystems, energy cycles, soils, biodiversity, invasive species and habitat destruction
Integrating theme:
- Sustainability
Three to four hours per week made up of three one-hour lectures plus one one-hour tutorial (some tutorials are optional). Tutorials provide the opportunity to watch topical DVDs, discuss environmental issues and work through assignments.
Lectures are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10-11 am.
Students will attend tutorials at one of the following times:
Tuesday 9-10, 12-1, 1-2
Wednesday 12-1, 1-2
Thursday 9-10
Course work is worth 40% and the examination is worth 60% of the final grade.
Course work consists of:
- One test (20%)
- One assignment (20%)
The examination is 2 hours long.
The recommended text book for the course is:
Botkin, D.B. and Keller, E.A. 2005. Environmental Science: Earth as a living planet. 5th Edition. Wiley, New York.
Additional readings and resources will be made available during the course of the semester.
From 2006 S2:
"Lectures were very helpful and interesting. As General Education it was a great paper to take because it gave me something different. It was not very hard for someone who does not do science. Overall I think it is a great paper. Tutors were great and very helpful."
"A very good course. I enjoyed it and learnt many new interesting and concerning things about the world and NZ environment."
"Tutorials really helped, there was a lot of assistance from the tutors, they were friendly and approachable."
"I really enjoyed this course. It has really broadened my knowledge of the environment and the problems concerning it."
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