Students study aquatic organisms in relation to the environmental conditions of lakes …
Students study aquatic organisms in relation to the environmental conditions of lakes and streams. The course develops substantial quantities of data concerning the local watershed. This data is used by community partners in many contexts.
Human-caused climate change represents one of the great environmental challenges of our …
Human-caused climate change represents one of the great environmental challenges of our time. As it is inextricably linked with issues of energy policy, a familiarity with the fundamentals of climate change is critical for those looking to careers in the energy field. To appreciate the societal, environmental, and economic implications of policies governing greenhouse gas emissions, one must understand the basic underlying science. METEO 469 serves to lay down the fundamental scientific principles behind climate change and global warming. A firm grounding in the science is then used as a launching point for exploring issues involving climate change impacts and mitigation.
The studio will focus on the district of Gaoming, located in the …
The studio will focus on the district of Gaoming, located in the northwest of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) - the fastest growing and most productive region of China. The District has recently completed a planning effort in which several design institutes and a Hong Kong planning firm prepared ideas for a new central area near the river. The class will complement these efforts by focusing on planning and design options on the waterfront of the proposed new district and ways of integrating water/hydrological factors into all aspects and land uses of a modern city (residential, commercial, industrial) - including watershed and natural ecosystem protection, economic and recreational activities, transportation, and tourism.
What factors lead to a natural disaster? What causes a famine? Why …
What factors lead to a natural disaster? What causes a famine? Why do cities flood? According to a recent article in The Atlantic, Houston's flooding during the 2017 Hurricane Harvey was primarily caused by impervious pavement which prevents the absorption of water into the land. This example illustrates how nature and society are interlinked, which is the main focus of Geography 30, Penn State's introductory course to nature-society geography. In addition to examining the linkages between human development and natural hazards, this course will also explore human society's connection to food systems, climate change, urbanization and biodiversity. The course will also cover topics of ethics and decision making in order to help students evaluate the tradeoffs of these interconnections. \The Atlantic\" needs to be made into a link pointing to this: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/why-cities-flood/538251/"
Geography 431 is designed to further understanding of the natural processes of …
Geography 431 is designed to further understanding of the natural processes of aquatic ecosystems, management of water resources, and threats to sustaining water quantity. Develop awareness and appreciation of the perspectives about water as a precious resource, commodity, and sometimes hazard. Learn how and why water is distributed unevenly around the Earth. Examine how resource management decisions are strongly related to water availability, quantity, and quality. The course examines water resources management; dams and dam removal; provision of safe potable water; threats to water quantity and quality; land use changes; the water economy; water laws and policy; institutions for water management at the global, national, regional, and local scale; and issues of water security and climate change.
Geysers and grizzlies and glaciers, oh my. The national parks may be …
Geysers and grizzlies and glaciers, oh my. The national parks may be America's best idea, saving the finest parts of the nation for everyone to enjoy forever. What better way to learn about the natural world than to tour the parks with us? We'll explore how the mountains and valleys formed and why they often come with volcanoes and earthquakes. You'll see what really killed the dinosaurs and how we can help save their modern relatives in the parks. With film clips, slide shows, and our geological interpretations of classic rock songs, isn't it time for a road trip?
This course explores the values (aesthetic, moral, cultural, religious, prudential, political) expressed …
This course explores the values (aesthetic, moral, cultural, religious, prudential, political) expressed in the choices of food people eat. It analyzes the decisions individuals make about what to eat, how society should manage food production and consumption collectively, and how reflection on food choices might help resolve conflicts between different values.
Meeting the energy needs of human beings depends on a thorough understanding …
Meeting the energy needs of human beings depends on a thorough understanding of the science of energy. Acting to meeting those needs in an environmentally and socially responsible way depends on ethical analysis and spiritual reflection. As with every topic in Healing Earth, today's energy challenges must be approached from the standpoint of an integral ecology--a standpoint that integrates science, ethics, spirituality, and action.
All life depends on Earth's natural resources. In a tragic paradox, human …
All life depends on Earth's natural resources. In a tragic paradox, human beings are extracting needed, non-renewable resources at a rate that will exhaust the supply for future generations. It is imprudent to place all hope in a technological solution to this paradox. A change in human behavior will have to accompany any realistic attempt to preserve and protect Earth's precious natural resources.
Meeting this challenge must begin with a thorough understanding of the science behind natural resources. Similarly, any proposed actions will require careful ethical analysis and spiritual reflection. As with every topic in Healing Earth, natural resources must be approached from the standpoint of an integral ecology--a standpoint that integrates science, ethics, spirituality, and action.
This chapter of the Healing Earth e-textbook outlines the water's physical structure …
This chapter of the Healing Earth e-textbook outlines the water's physical structure and characteristics, describes the hydrologic cycle and shows the sources and uses of water. The chapter utilizes the Ignatian pedagogy to further a reader's understanding of water in terms of ethics, spirituality, and action. It includes a case study of the River Ganges.
In Module 4 you are revising the important concepts from Module 1 …
In Module 4 you are revising the important concepts from Module 1 such as food security,food insecurity, nutrition security and livelihood security. We add nutrition for the vulnerable,food behaviour, food choices, dietary patterns and diet diversity, as well as the role played by different stakeholders involved in food security. Together with the households you will gain knowledge on these issues and help the households themselves to gather information about their nutrition related problems, vulnerability, risks and malnutrition. You will together with them analyse the causes of these problems on different levels, from the macro to the micro level. The most important set of skills you will learn is how to work with households as a facilitator.
This ITS ePrimer provides transportation professionals with fundamental concepts and practices related …
This ITS ePrimer provides transportation professionals with fundamental concepts and practices related to ITS technologies. This resource can help practicing professionals and students better understand how ITS is integrated into the planning, design, deployment, and operations of surface transportation systems. The ePrimer is both a stand-alone reference document for the practitioner as well as a text for education and training programs.
Introduction to Ecology is an open course remix of the OpenStax Biology …
Introduction to Ecology is an open course remix of the OpenStax Biology open textbook. The remix includes a modular revision of parts of the text with supplemental questions added.
Focusing primarily on the period since 1500, explores the influence of climate, …
Focusing primarily on the period since 1500, explores the influence of climate, topography, plants, animals, and microorganisms on human history and the reciprocal influence of people on the environment. Topics include the European encounter with the Americas, the impact of modern technology, and the historical roots of the current environmental crisis.
The Sarita Wetland restoration on the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus …
The Sarita Wetland restoration on the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus is used as teaching tools by numerous classes. Students, staff and faculty have collaborated on the planning and implementation of the project. This example highlights the restoration process, and specifically references one of the classes, the Water Quality class.
Suzanne Savanick, Science Education Resource Center, Carleton College, ssavanic@carleton.edu. Based on a Water Quality class taught by Jim Perry, University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Sustainable Campus Initiative, coordinated by Suzanne Savanick.
" The science essay uses science to think about the human condition; …
" The science essay uses science to think about the human condition; it uses humanistic thinking to reflect on the possibilities and limits of science and technology. In this class we read and practice writing science essays of varied lengths and purposes. We will read a wide variety of science essays, ranging across disciplines, both to learn more about this genre and to inspire your own writing. This semester's reading centers on "The Dark Side," with essays ranging from Alan Lightman's "Prisoner of the Wired World" through Robin Marantz Henig's cautionary account of nano-technology ("Our Silver-Coated Future") to David Quammen's investigation of diseases that jump from animals to humans ("Deadly Contact")."
Detailed study of soil properties with emphasis on interpretation of field and …
Detailed study of soil properties with emphasis on interpretation of field and laboratory test data and their use in soft-ground construction engineering. Includes: consolidation and secondary compression; basic strength principles; stress-strain strength behavior of clays, emphasizing effects of sample disturbance, anisotropy, and strain rate; strength and compression of granular soils; and engineering properties of compacted soils. Some knowledge of field and laboratory testing assumed.
This workshop investigates the current state of sustainability in regards to architecture, …
This workshop investigates the current state of sustainability in regards to architecture, from the level of the tectonic detail to the urban environment. Current research and case studies will be investigated, and students will propose their own solutions as part of the final project.
Quantitative techniques for life cycle analysis of the impacts of materials extraction, …
Quantitative techniques for life cycle analysis of the impacts of materials extraction, processing use, and recycling; and economic analysis of materials processing, products, and markets. Student teams undertake a major case study of automobile manufacturing using the latest methods of analysis and computer-based models of materials process.
EME 807 overviews a wide range of contemporary technologies in the context …
EME 807 overviews a wide range of contemporary technologies in the context of sustainability and examines metrics for their assessment. The course explores the main principles that guide modern science and technology towards sustainable solutions. It covers such topics as resource management technologies, waste and wastewater treatment, renewable energy technologies, high performance buildings and transportation systems, application of informatics and feedback to sustainable systems, and more. Learning in EME 807 heavily relies on real-life examples and taps into current practices of technology analysis. This course goes beyond understanding the background, fostering critical thinking and challenging the students to draw connections between social, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainable technologies.
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