ISC 1143
Introduction to Environmental Science (3) (A.A.)
Catalog Description: Three hours per week with no lab component. The course meets Area V
requirements for the A.A./A.A.S./A.S. general education requirements. There are no
prerequisites but a basic science background is helpful. This course introduces the student to the
Earth’s living spaces or environments using principles from biology, ecology, economics,
sociology, and physical sciences. Examples from the United States are routinely used.
Performance Standards:
At the successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define matter, energy, the law of conservation of matter and energy, and the 4 primary
environments – atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and the biosphere.
2. Understand the concepts of environmental impact, throughout, sustainability, and the
precautionary principle. Also, know t he differences in opinions between cornucopians and
environmentalists.
3. Apply the basic principles of how energy and matter is transferred in the natural environment
through the common forms of the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus,
and water.
4. Explain how natural populations of organisms are organized with respect to populations,
communities, species, ecosystems, and biomes. Apply the biomass pyramid concept to the
food web or trophic levels.
5. Discuss human populations in terms of size, growth pattern, history, doubling time, the
carrying capacity, and common controlling factors such as birth rate, death rate,
emigration, and immigration.
6. Describe the common types of human food, the green revolution, carryover grain stocks,
basic types of agricultural practices, hunger, malnutrition, and famine..
7. Identify soil as a resource. Define and explain soil structure, fertile soil, soil erosion and soil
formation issues.
8. Know the common methods of sustainable and non-sustainable resource management.
Understand the differences between nonrenewable and renewable resources, particularly
mineral resources. Identify common environmental problems associated with metallic
mineral mining.
9. Identify the major sources of energy used in human societies: fossil fuel, traditional, and
alternate energy sources. Discuss problems posed by each group of energy sources.
10. Discuss the unique properties of water and water as a resource within the scope of the
hydrological cycle. Develop an understanding of common problems associated with water
use in terms of water quality and quantity.
11. Define pollution and discuss common air, water, sediment and hazardous waste pollution
problems and solutions. Identify the common United States pollution laws that have
evolved over the past 50 years including CWA, SDWA, CAA, RCRA, FIFRA, and
CERCLA.
Date of last revision: 10/11/04
