EARTH 110 - Earth Systems

Credits: 4
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Lab Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course examines environmental science from an Earth systems perspective that analyzes environmental problems caused by humans and natural hazards in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere. In addition, physical geography and Earth systems concepts are utilized to investigate the physical nature of Earth and the anthropogenic influences on its environment. Topics include a survey of atmospheric processes, water resources, climate patterns and global climate change, surficial processes and landforms, soils, vegetation, ecosystems, pollution, waste management, energy resources, natural disasters and mitigation. Field trips may be taken as part of this course.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended: None

Course Category: Liberal Arts | Science with Lab
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.

This Course is Typically Offered: Winter, Fall
Check Course Availability

Course Competencies

Examine how the nature of science and scientific processes are used to understand complex environmental issues.
Evaluate the physical nature of the Earth’s surface and its environmental problems through the analysis of maps using geographical skills and tools.
Describe the compositional and physical parameters of Earth’s atmosphere.
Distinguish between the various greenhouse gases found in Earth’s atmosphere.
Explain the factors that result in global temperature patterns and global climate change.
Distinguish between the natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change.
Determine the processes at play in the water cycle.
Examine the distribution of water resources on Earth.
Explore the availability, extraction and usability of freshwater.
Explain the physical and compositional characteristics of Earth’s geosphere and processes, such as plate tectonics, weathering, erosion and mass wasting.
Examine Earth’s biomes and its biodiversity.
Evaluate the principal factors of soil formation.
Examine the types of energy and mineral resources on Earth.
Examine the ways in which anthropogenic waste is produced, disposed of and recycled.
Identify the ways in which pollution exists in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
Determine the types of natural hazards that exist on Earth.
Explore mitigation efforts and techniques to minimize the negative effects of natural and anthropogenic hazards on human health and well-being.
Analyze how anthropogenic activities influence and alter each of Earth’s systems.
Apply ecological and biogeographical concepts to interrelated systems to examine their effect on global change.