ENV22725

This introductory, field-oriented course grounded in Southwest ecosystems focuses on how the world works, how things in nature are interconnected, and how we can apply our understanding in order to live more sustainably. Students learn ecological concepts by observing and inquiring into interactions among biotic and abiotic components at various scales (individual organism, population and species, community and ecosystem, greater landscape). Field activities involve descriptive and quantitative methods of analysis and interpretation. Students gain critical thinking skills, learn basic field methods, develop an ecological mode of reasoning, and form stronger personal connections with nature. This course is designed to help students from all curricular areas build a solid foundation of ecological literacy within a good liberal arts education.SPECIAL NOTES: N/A