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How does the natural environment function? We read in the newspapers about changes in the composition of the atmosphere, pollution of the hydrosphere, and extinction of the biosphere. Have such events ever occurred before, or are they induced by the ill effects of our industrialized society? In this course, we investigate the biological, chemical and physical processes and changes in the global environment over the past hundreds to thousands of years. The impact of anthropogenic actions on earth system processes is emphasized by focus on environmental pollution and resource sustainability versus exploitation. This course provides a rigorous introduction to the science of environmental processes with lesser emphasis on the policy and economics of global-change issues.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM E&ES Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: NONE
Last Updated on MAR-19-2002
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459