Introduction to Environmental Science (Flex)

This four week flex course is designed to give students a broad overview of environmental science and its many sub fields. Students will build a context within which to understand subjects such as ecosystem function, biodiversity, conservation, and human impact. 

While this class touches on some potentially emotionally charged subjects, such as climate change and habitat destruction, it maintains a positive and hopeful tone. We will first explore the foundations of ecology, then move into human interactions with our natural systems, examining both the positive and negative sides, and conclude by looking at many current and future possible solutions. 

Classes are designed to encourage student engagement and follow their curiosity.


This is an asynchronous flex course. There are no live meetings. It is perfect for students who do not like to be on camera or live across different time zones. Students will learn by watching lectures, participating in written weekly discussions with others students and instructor, answering homework questions, taking weekly quizzes, and reading or watching additional weekly videos and articles. There will also be a weekly check in between the instructor and each student through Outschool’s messaging system.

Students will interact with each other through weekly structured discussions in the classroom. They are also encouraged to post questions and responses to the weekly lecture videos and additional materials. 


Weekly Schedule:

SUNDAY- 
The week’s lesson will be posted on Sunday. It will include: 
Weekly checklist
Recorded video lectures by the instructor
Individual feedback and followup questions for the previous week’s assignments
Additional watching and reading material 
Discussion topics
Homework questions
Weekly quiz

WEDNESDAY-
Learners should post their initial responses to the weekly discussion topics in the classroom by no later than Wednesday in order to give other students time to respond to them.

FRIDAY-
Weekly quiz due
Homework due
Weekly student/instructor check-in
Learners should post their responses to classmates’ discussion posts in the classroom by no later than Friday.


Class Discussion:
Participation in class discussions is key to a deeper and lasting understanding of the material! Students will be asked to think critically about up to three discussion topics related to the week’s material and post their responses in the classroom. They will also need to respond to a minimum of three other posts by their classmates. The instructor will encourage respectful conversation and exchange of ideas. 

Instructor student interaction:
In addition to interacting with the instructor through questions, discussion, and feedback on homework, the instructor and student will have a weekly check-in to evaluate the learner’s needs and progress together. 
The instructor is available for “Office Hours” to meet with the learner over video or voice upon request!


There is no textbook for this class. All necessary learning materials will be provided in the classroom.


Week One: 
- What is the environment
- Understanding systems
- Connections
- Cycles
- Flows
- Feedback

Week Two: 
- Biomes
- Biodiversity
- Evolution
- Species interactions
- Biological communities
- Human ecology

Week Three: 
- Environmental toxicology
- Pollution
- Ecosystem destruction
- Climate change

Week Four:
- Conservation
- Restoration
- Regenerative agriculture
- Policy and sustainability 

There are no prerequisites for this class.