CEMY5110 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (5 cr)

Exploring current state of different ecosystems and available resources. Discussing about sustainable development, demographic perspectives and interactions between the humans and the nature. Introducing prominent environmental problems and related causal relationships. Understanding connection between resource use and environmental impacts as well their assessment. Presenting major environmental conflicts and risks to the human health and the nature. Introducing basis for environmental management practices and waste management. Discussing about environmental protection and socio-ethical issues related to environmental challenges. Encouraging critical thinking skills in context of environmental issues.

Connection of Course Contents to UN Sustainable Development Goals:

This course discusses on all UN Sustainable Development Goals to some extent by providing a wide overview on the sustainable development and interactions between the humans and the nature. More specifically, this course supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, 12 Responsible Production and Consumption, 13 Climate Action, 14 Life Below Water and 15 Life on Land.

On successful completion of the course, students will:

• understand basic principles ecology and structure of natural systems
• have knowledge about renewable and non-renewable natural resources, their exploitation and sustainable development
• be able to identify environmental and socio-economic effects of natural resources exploitation
• have knowledge about global environmental challenges and crisis
• learn major principles of toxicology and pollution
• be familiar with perspectives of environmental protection
• have knowledge about environmental management practices
• have overview on environmental ethics, laws and policies