The Global Environment
| Special Course | |
|---|---|
| Course Code | GLOB |
| Year Opened | 2019 |
| Sites Offered | PRN |
Course Description
From the CTY Course Catalog (2019):
Record high temperatures, rising sea levels, massive wild fires, superstorms, and other highly impactful environmental disasters have increasingly alarmed citizens across the globe. The scientific community believes that drastic measures are necessary in order to slow down a potential ecological catastrophe. Environmental scientists use expertise in multiple scientific disciplines to explore practical solutions to these complex issues. Students in this course investigate these and other ecological concerns in order to develop a foundation of knowledge that supports an understanding of human impact on environmental systems.
In this course, students conduct research on the ecological impacts of global industrialization. As environmental scientists, they analyze data to develop informed sustainable strategies that improve the inhabitability of our planet. Furthermore, students draw upon interdisciplinary knowledge to investigate the interplay of human impact and natural phenomena that shape the environment. For example, students may investigate the ongoing effects of sea level rise on the island of Vanuatu, and then develop their own mitigation strategies based on other proven models. Students may also explore the impact of rampant population growth in urban areas and the toll this has taken on natural resources. Using case studies like these, students design experiments, engage in simulations, and use statistical analysis to propose solutions to these complex open-ended problems.
