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ENERES102

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Quantitative Aspects of Global Environmental Problems

Energy and Resources GroupUndergraduateCNR - Rausser Clg Natural Resources

Subject

ENERES

Course Number

102

Course Level

Undergraduate

Course Title

Quantitative Aspects of Global Environmental Problems

Course Description

Human disruption of biogeochemical and hydrological cycles; causes and consequences of climate change and acid deposition; transport and health impacts of pollutants; loss of species; radioactivity in the environment; and quantitative models to understand these environmental problems.

Minimum

4

Maximum

4

Grading Basis

Default Letter Grade; P/NP Option

Method of Assessment

Written Exam

Instructors

Kueppers

American Cultures Requirement

No

Reading and Composition Requirement

None of the Reading and Composition Requirement
Prerequisite
Upper division standing; calculus (Mathematics 1A-1B or 16A-16B); Physics (7A-7B or 8A-8B), Chemistry (1A or 4A), Biology (1B), or consent of instructor.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Credit Restriction Courses. Students will receive no credit for this course if the following the course(s) have already been completed.

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Course Objectives

Application of basic principles of natural science to the analysis of human influence on environmental conditions and processes at continental to global scale. Topics covered include dimensions of the physical world and of human modifications of it; techniques of estimation and back of the envelope calculation; box models of environmental stocks and flows: equilibrium and feedback; chemical equilibria in the environment; nutrient cycles and their disruptions; acid deposition and its consequences; climate change and its consequences; stratospheric ozone depletion; sources, fate and effects of toxic substances in the global environment; radioactivity and radiation; macroecology; carrying capacity and human population growth; biodiversity and its diminution; epidemics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be familiar with and able to apply a diverse set of quantitative tools for understanding and analyzing environmental problems. Students will also have gained insight into the multi-disciplinary nature of environmental science, having used physical, chemical, and biological principles to create and solve analytical models.

Formats

Lecture, Laboratory

Term

Fall and Spring

Duration (in weeks)

15

Minimum Hours

3

Maximum Hours

3

Minimum Hours

2

Maximum Hours

2

Outside Work Hours Min

7

Maximum Hours

7

Term

Summer

Duration (in weeks)

8

Minimum Hours

6

Maximum Hours

6

Minimum Hours

4

Maximum Hours

4

Outside Work Hours Min

12.5

Maximum Hours

12.5