Environmental Science

BIO 130 - Introduction to Environmental Science

BIO 130 - Introduction to Environmental Science

Introduces the interconnected nature of Earth's hydrosphere, lithosphere (soils and rocks), atmosphere, and biosphere.

Overview

This course introduces the interconnected nature of Earth's hydrosphere, lithosphere (soils and rocks), atmosphere, and biosphere. It covers a variety of topics related to environmental science. The first part of the course focuses on how soils, the hydrosphere and atmosphere act to support life. The next section introduces the biosphere and how ecosystems work. The third section focuses on energy use and global climate change. Other topics include pollution, solid waste & recycling, and the design of sustainable communities. Throughout the course, students will reflect upon their role in the environment.

Requirements

To be successful in this course, we recommend English language fluency and computer literacy. We also encourage you to make sure your laptop or desktop computer meets the technical requirements.

What you’ll learn

Identify the role that organisms (including humans) play in the cycling of energy and resources on Earth
Describe and distinguish the four Earth spheres (biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere) and how energy and matter is cycled through these spheres
Explain the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity on human survival
Construct informed arguments about public policy, especially regarding energy production and renewable versus nonrenewable resources, that can improve our environmental outlook
Use scientific reasoning and data to make predictions about energy use/consumption, land use, and human population
Explain the complexity of global climate change models and the data behind them
Describe anthropogenic effects on the environment
Develop waste reduction and recycling strategies using an understanding of issues with solid waste disposal

Transcript

This course appears on your transcript identically to how it appears on the transcript of an enrolled ASU student who has taken the course on one of ASU’s campuses. Course attendance dates will be listed on your transcript. An on-demand course will appear on your transcript in the session you complete the course.

This course includes a lab and satisfies 4 credit hours toward the SCIT: Scientific Thinking in Natural Sciences General Studies requirement at Arizona State University. It is strongly encouraged that you consult with your institution of choice to determine how these credits will be applied to their degree requirements prior to transferring your credit.

Faculty and course staff

Cassidy Fredette-Roman

Instructor,

School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Arizona State University

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Emma Stein

Online Course Manager,

Learning Enterprise

Arizona State University

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Why take ASU Universal Learner Courses

Credit you receive is from a regionally accredited university
Your credit is highly transferable
You only pay the $400 course cost if you pass