Course Overview
This course presents the underpinning scientific concepts of contemporary environmental issues. It starts off with systems theory and ecosystem characteristics, including drivers for their change. More specifically, the course discusses deep ecology concepts and principles as they relate to human activities and their impacts on system functioning. The course further explores dimensions of integrated responses, including linkages of ecosystem services and human well-being. The course presents the most recent scientific evidence of the changing climate and evaluates industrial sectors - especially the energy sector - as the single largest anthropogenic source of climate‐changing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The course explains and outlines principles of clean(er) technologies, industrial ecology and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Finally, the course provides the foundational concepts of environmental system analysis to learners who have no or limited specialized knowledge.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Interpret systems theory with respect to ecosystem characteristics, scale, services, non-linear changes, and options for managing ecosystems’ sustainability.
- Discuss linkages between natural and social systems in terms of ecosystem characteristics which could be applied to social systems.
- Explain ecological concepts (such as natural cycles, carrying capacity, limiting factors, threshold effect) and principles (range of tolerance, re-cycling of natural systems, resiliency, limits to population growth) and their applications.
- Care for environmental quality through awareness of waste generation, minimization, and prevention.
- Explain the basic science of climate change and human activities which led to this global environmental issue.
- Recognize the importance and methods of evaluating GHG emissions over the entire product/process life cycle.
- Carry out calculations for energy consumed versus delivered using an Excel spreadsheet-based proprietary model.
- Interpret urban world issues as they relate to environmental problems (emissions, liquid discharges, and solid waste) and solutions toward sustainable communities.
- Recognize clean(er) energy thinking, principles of LCA, and industrial ecology.
- Demonstrate understanding of systems thinking to solve contemporary environmental issues from local to global scales.
Effective as of Fall 2019
Related Programs
Introduction to Climate Change, Ecology, and Systems Thinking (EENG 7000) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration Full-time/Part-time
School of Construction and the Environment
- Construction Management
Bachelor of Technology Full-time/Part-time
School of Transportation
- Technology Management
Bachelor of Technology Part-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.