Introduction to Environmental Sciences

At the end of this course, students should: 1. Understand the complex nature of the environment; 2. Have full knowledge of environmental media; 3. Understand recent global debates on the environment; and 4. Fully appreciate the interrelationship between the environment and population.

The concepts of the environment: ecology, human, physical, social and technological environment. Components of the physical environment: biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere; The cultural and technological environment; Impact of urbanization on the natural environment; significance of urbanization. Factors of environmental degradation and their impacts on natural and man-made environment: deforestation. The role of vegetation cover on the environment; consequences of deforestation on climate change. Soil degradation and desertification; consequences of desertification. Socio-ecological problems versus industrial development: problems of industrialization and deterioration of human environment. Population explosion; fossil fuel exploration. Introduction to air, land and water pollution. Introduction to municipal solid waste management.