Environmental Science

This course focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the functioning of the global environment. The course addresses problems related to human society and explores possibilities for alleviating these problems. The course will provide the student with knowledge of how the environment functions and understanding of the issues of scale, complexity and conflict resolution. This course covers key environmental considerations in planning, design and management of projects and health issues in a work environment.

COURSE JUSTIFICATION/RATIONALE

This Science Exploration course is an examination of the science of environmental problems, processes, and solutions. Students will explore the interrelationships of the natural world, the environment, and impacts from humans.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

Apply basic concepts of structural and functional features of environmental systems

Interpret the regulatory requirements applicable for handling and management of municipal solid wastes and special category wastes

Demonstrate the knowledge of procedures, practices and technologies of management and handling (collection, reception, storage, treatment/processing, transportation and disposal) of solid wastes

Design, analyze, operate and control the routinely used physico-chemical water treatment units

Identify, classify and characterize different hazardous materials and wastes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A doctoral student completing the course is expected to:

Conceptualize core concepts and methods from ecological and physical sciences and their application in environmental problem-solving.

Appreciate key concepts from economic, political, and social analysis as they pertain to the design and evaluation of environmental policies and institutions.

Appreciate that one can apply systems concepts and methodologies to analyze and understand interactions between social and environmental processes.

Reflect critically about their roles and identities as citizens, consumers and environmental actors in a complex, interconnected world.

Develop standards of professional behavior that include rules of ethics and etiquetteof environmental issues and the links between human and natural systems.