Science And Technology For The Environment
Interdisciplinary
Susmita Ghosh
Fall 04 and Fall 05

This Course, Designed To Provide Environmental Literacy, Is Based On A Systems Approach, Integrating Disciplinary Knowledge And Exploration Of Issues As Relevant, And Using Pedagogy That Involves Active, Participatory Learning.  The Course Is Based On The Premise That It Is Essential To Understand A Few Scientific Principles And The Basic Premise And Practice Of Technology For Two ImportantReasons:

(1) To Understand Hw The Environment Works, And How Science And Technology Affect It;

(2) To Ensure That Science And Technology Work For (And Not Against) The Natural Environment)

The Aim Of This Course Is Therefore To Explore Science And Technology And Their Uses In The Context Of Earth's Natural Environment.  Specifically, Students Will Learn The Basic Principles Of Science And Technology That Can Enable Them To Understand Environmental Phenomena And The Effects Of Human Activity On These.  These Principles Are Learned Through Their Application In The Context Of Environmental Issues.  Students Also Examine The Values, Assumptions And Actions That Have Guided The Interaction Between Humans And The Environment, And The Resulting Impacts.  The Course Demands Active Participation By Students In The Form Of Discussions, Group Projects And Some Field Observations.

http://telstar.ote.cmu.edu/environ/