This course is an examination and analysis of the biological sciences within the context of the interrelationship between human populations and their natural surroundings. The characteristics of natural systems are described and the effects and impacts of human activities on these systems are considered. The course introduces the principles of scientific inquiry and experimental methodology in the study of ecological concepts and environmental issues. Alternatives and approaches to deal with environmental problems are considered and evaluated.

This course is an introduction to the physical science and geoscience concepts related to the natural environment. It is an in-depth look at the science underlying critical environmental issues, including various types of pollution, resource utilization and depletion, atmospheric changes, energy sources, water resources and quality, waste management, and urban environments. The role of the physical sciences in supporting sustainability will be investigated.

This course examines American environmental policy and how natural resources are managed. The historical, global, and ethical dimensions of how our society relates to the environment are analyzed from an interdisciplinary perspective.

This course examines key processes regulating terrestrial ecosystem productivity and function. Specific focus is placed on plant-soil interactions above and below ground. This course includes study of the functional relationships between soil, plant, and atmospheric influences on the development and sustainability of terrestial biomes.

This course explores Earth's natural resources and issues pertaining to their management, conservation, and preservation. Renewable and non-renewable resources will be investigated, and conceptual methods and models for analyzing Earth's hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and pedosphere (soils) will be developed. Discussion will include topics related to ecological relationships of water, energy sources, air, soil, grasslands, wetlands, forests, wildlife, and agricultural factors.