Course

Introduction to Environmental Science

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Course code
EAES 1207
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course explores the natural environment and the biological, physical and chemical interactions that characterize it. The role of humans in altering the natural biogeochemical cycles is explored through focused discussions of topics such as natural resource exploitation, climate change, pollution, and land use changes. Emphasis is placed on the local and regional environment. A field trip is required. This field trip may take place outside of scheduled class hours.
Course content
  • Introduction to the environment, Earth’s spheres (biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere) and the scientific method
  • Introduction to ecology, environmental systems and biogeochemical cycles, population dynamics, biodiversity, and community structure, interactions and disturbances
  • Natural resources (e.g., forestry, agriculture, energy and mineral resources) including environmental impacts and management/remediation measures
  • Humans in the environment (e.g., urban environments, waste, pollution, sustainability)
  • Laboratory skills: mineral, rock and soil characterization, plant identification, ecosystem mapping and technical report writing
  • Field skills: recording field data, appropriate use of field gear, field methods and field safety protocols
Learning activities

Lectures and labs. An all-day field trip is required.

 
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Assignments and Quizzes        

0-15%

Participation and/or Attendance

 0-10%

Lab Assignments

9-20%

Lab Tests

15-25%

Term Project(s)

15-25%

Term Tests

20-30%

Final Exam

20-30%

Total

100%

Students must receive at least a grade of D in both the lecture and lab component of this course to receive a minimum of a D grade in the course.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • identify and describe the spheres that make up our planet (biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere);
  • provide examples of natural systems;
  • describe the cycling of energy and matter within natural systems;
  • characterize various biotic and abiotic components of the environment such as minerals and rocks, soils, plants and plant communities;
  • provide examples of community interactions and disturbances;
  • apply the scientific method to the study of environmental systems, both in the lab and in the field;
  • communicate scientific observations, data, analyses and interpretations via a technical report;
  • describe the relationship between human activity (e.g., natural resource exploitation, waste production, etc.) and the natural environment (biotic and abiotic);
  • discuss mitigation and remediation strategies to counteract the environmental impacts of human activity.  
Textbook materials

Consult the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and course materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Withgott, J., Brennan, S. and Murck, B. (Current Edition). Environment: The Science Behind the Stories. Pearson.

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see

Institution Transfer details for EAES 1207
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX SOSC 1XX (3)
Athabasca University (AU) AU GEOL 2XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU GEOG 101 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR GEOG 1XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU ENVI 1121 (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG BIOL 1XXX (3)
LaSalle College Vancouver (LCV) LCV GE 174 (4)
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) NVIT ENRT 110 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC EESC 101 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU EVSC 100 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU GENV 1XX (3)
University Canada West (UCW) UCW ECOL 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO EESC_O 101 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV EOSC_V 1st (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC ES 2XX (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU GEOL 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Summer 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3805
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

EAES 1207 001 - Must ALSO register in LAB section, EAES 1207 L01.