NTRES 1101

Introduction to Environmental Science and Sustainability

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

This course examines two fundamental questions about the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence the biosphere. First, how do humans obtain knowledge about these environmental processes? Second, how can we assess human influences upon these environmental processes? We focus on topics from the physical, chemical and biological sciences that establish a foundation for sustainably using environmental resources.  Course material examines how we assess trends, use evidence, develop models, and evaluate the credibility of available information about environmental processes. We also examine human impacts on specific environmental resources.  Case studies, readings, discussions, writing assignments, field and laboratory exercises provide a foundation for understanding how natural systems influence and are influenced by human activities.

When Offered Fall.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: first-year students accepted to the Environmental & Sustainability Sciences major in CALS.

Distribution Category (OPHLS-AG)
Course Attribute (CU-SBY)

• Students will understand how humans collect and interpret data about biological, chemical and physical processes that influence the biosphere.
• Students will understand the influence of social and cultural context upon sustainable resource management.
• Students will understand the role of uncertainty in environmental science and management.
• Students will be able to assess how interactions between biological, chemical, physical, and social processes influence the biosphere.
• Students will develop communication skills to describe the interaction of human and natural systems.

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