ENSC 320 - The Science of Global Change

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-5; Sustainability
The science of global environmental change over time; impacts on the physical environment and living organisms (including humans). Topics include orbital variations, greenhouse gases, ozone, extreme weather, ocean acidification, sea level rise, climate variability, climate modeling.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-5 - Upper Division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning, Overlay - Sustainability
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better and 5A (GE Areas A1, A2, A3,B1 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division GE Area 5 (Areas B1-B3 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Credit Restrictions: Not for Environmental Science major credit; majors should enroll in ENSC 420.

Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of anthropogenic and natural contributions to global change, and the consequences for humans, ecosystems, and Earth systems.
Analyze and interpret global change data (air and/or ocean temperatures, ocean acidity, etc.) to understand past and current trends in Earth systems.
Explain important experimental and theoretical methodologies used to help quantify and predict future global change (climate modeling, measurement of gas fluxes and ocean acidity, isotopic measurements, satellite-based measurements, etc.)
Apply knowledge of the science of global change in order to critically evaluate public discourse surrounding the issues (popular press articles, blog posts, think tank white papers, etc.)

GE-UD-5. Upper-division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and
Apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue.
Apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.

Sustainability Overlay Learning Outcomes

Discuss multiple dimensions of sustainability, including the scientific, social, cultural, and/or economic.
Analyze interactions between human activities and natural systems.
Describe strategies taken by individuals, communities, organizations, or governments for mitigating and/or adapting to key threats to environmental sustainability.