Classes in ecol

ECOL 1 Conservation of Natural Resources 4.0 units
Description: This course examines the fundamentals of ecology (the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment) with special emphasis on human effects on the environment. Topics of discussion will include ecosystem dynamics, resources, pollution, population growth, and the clash between economic and political policy and the environment. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 280 or English 1A.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain how energy and nutrients cycle within and through ecosystems, and describe how these cycles can be disrupted by human activities.
2. Describe the various factors affecting the distribution and abundance of living organisms on Earth.
3. Evaluate how humans influence air and water quality, climate, and biodiversity, and propose strategies for lessening human impacts on the environment.
4. Compare and contrast the physical characteristics and adaptations of flora and fauna of a variety of local ecosystems.
5. Analyze the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a particular environmental issue, and evaluate the efficacy of the democratic process in dealing with these complex issues.