This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of thebasic principles and unifying concepts of environmental science.Various ecosystems are described, and conservation efforts areevaluated. Other topics include the importance of maintainingbiodiversity, human population growth and demography, and theproblems of urbanization in developed and developing countries.Techniques of sustainable agriculture are evaluated, as aretechniques for water conservation. The impact of air pollution on theclimate and on human beings is analyzed and the factors thatdetermine energy consumption and the use of fossil fuels areassessed. Local, national, and international policies, laws, andprograms that aim to protect the environment are also discussed. Labportion of the course reinforces basic concepts.