ENSC 1003H - Environmental Science, Honors

Description
A course focusing on the interrelationships between man and his environment. The first half of the course is an abbreviated study of basic ecological and conservation principles. The second half focuses on environmental topics of special interest. These topics may include air and water pollution, environmental ethics, policy and decision-making, waste management, attracting and preserving wildlife, or other requested topics. This is an honors course. Please refer to the NWACC Honors Program section in the current catalog for more information.

Pre-Requisite
NONE

Co-Requisite
ENSC 1001L Note: This is an honors course. Please refer to the NWACC Honors Program section in the current catalog for more information.

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
45 lecture hours

3 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
On Demand

ACTS Equivalent
N/A

Grade Mode
A-F

Learning Outcomes
Students completing this course will:

Explain the need for “scientific literacy” in coping with the world of the present and better understand the world in their future.
Explain the scientific method and how it is used to acquire information about the worldaround them.
Relate scientific approach to understanding challenges and issues affecting their environment.
Describe GIS (Global Information Systems) and how it applies to the scientific community in today’s workplace.

Honors Outcomes

Honors classes (and the Honors Program) promote the following core values:

Community - Students will demonstrate civic engagement through Service Learning and exploration of local, national, and global communities
Curiosity - Students will cultivate personal and intellectual curiosity through investigation, discussion and scholarship
Diversity - Students will explore multiple perspectives through interdisciplinary learning.

General Education Outcomes Supported

Students develop higher order thinking skills.
Students can write clear, coherent, well-organized documents, which are substantially free of errors.
Students can read selections at the appropriate level of education and describe the main idea and supporting details. Students can evaluate written material objectively.
Students can achieve mathematical literacy.
Students demonstrate information literacy.

Standard Practices
Topics list

Critical Thinking about the Environment
Earth as a System of Change
The Human Population and Environment
Biogeochemical Cycles
Ecosystems and Ecosystem Management
Biological Diversity
Biogeography
Biological Productivity and Energy Flow
Ecological Restoration
Sustaining Living Resources
Effects of Agriculture on Environment
Environmental Health, Pollution, and Toxicology
Fossil Fuels and Environment

Learning activities

Courses must, at a minimum, cover the core learning outcomes for each topic.
Course assignments include homework, quizzes, exams, and discussions.

Assessments

None.

Grading guidelines

At least 50% of the grade should come from proctored work.