Redesign of Introductory Environmental Science

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Re-design of Introductory Environmental Science
Development of a Lab Course
A Proposal to Participate in the NASA/USRA Earth
System Science Education for the 21st Century
Program Beginning Fall 2004
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ESSE 21 Proposal ParticipantsApril L. Ulery,
Soil Chem Env SciH. Curtis Monger, Pedology
GeologyAntonio Lara, ChemistryFernando Cadena,
Civil EngineeringJudy McShannon, Educational
MgmtSusan W. Brown, Education
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New Mexico State University

• Land Grant Institution since 1890
• 16,174 students
• Carnegie Doctoral/Research University-Extensive
• Hispanic Serving Institution
• Member of USRA
• Space Grant lead institution for NM

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NMSU as a Minority Serving Institution
51 White
7 other Minorities
42 Hispanic
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Environmental Science B.S. at NMSU

• Multidisciplinary
• Agronomy Horticulture Dept., College of
  Agriculture is home department
• Rigorous science math based
• 15 core classes (37 credit hours)
• Taught in Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Geology,
  Biology, Statistics, Agronomy
• 48 more hours of basic science math
• ES students may not know each other until Junior
  year

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ES 110 recently added to major

• Introductory Environmental Science
• Required course for ES major
• No prerequisites (freshman level)
• Goal was to introduce ES students to each other
  and to ES faculty earlier
• Provide some common background
• Aid in recruiting ES students

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Introductory Environmental Science Current
course description

• Protection, remediation, and sustainability of
  land, air, water, and food resources
• Emphasis on scientific method and critical
  thinking skills
• Understanding environmental issues

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We propose to

• Re-design the lecture course to emphasize
  Environmental Science as Earth System Science
• Global systems approach process oriented
• Provide a context for further studies in ES
• Develop and implement a complimentary laboratory
  course
• Hands-on, active learning, use NASA data
• Get ES110 designated as a general education,
  basic science course

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Improved ES 110 will show
Natural cycles Biogeochemical transfers
Link between Earth, Solar, Biological Systems
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ES 110 Laboratory
Introduction to inter- connected systems
processes
Specific concepts applied to local
environments
Look at the big picture and put it all together
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Laboratory Schedule

• Global Recycling
• Intro to Hydro/Litho/Bio/Atmo-spheres
• Hydrology the Rio Grande Basin
• Sampling Analysis of the Rio Grande
• Soil as a filter to improve water quality
• Microbes Rule Food Water Safety
• Soil Erosion by Wind Water
• Dust Collection Analysis
• Remote Sensing of Dust Movement using LandSat and
  NASA data
• Energy Fuel Cells, Efficiency Environmental
  Impact
• Energy at a Global Scale
• What is Environmental Science?
• What is the real impact of humans on the
  environment?

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Water, Energy, and Life
Environmental Science at New Mexico State
University Las Cruces, NM