Course Number: SC117

Course Title: Tropical Pacific Island Environments

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

General 

1.  Become familiar with the scientific concepts of  "environment" and "ecology."
2.  Describe four major Pacific island types and explain their origins.
3.  Develop understanding of the past and present impact of humankind on the tropical Pacific island ecosystems.
4.  Develop a vocabulary that allows students to discuss environmental realities linked to environmental challenges.
5.  Identify "global issues" concerning the world environment and their impact on Tropical Pacific Islands.
6.  Understand environmental ethics in relation to traditional or cultural knowledge of the environment.
7.  Recognize sustainable patterns in tropical island environments.

Specific 

Students should be able to:

1.  Explain the concept of "environment"
    a)    Justify the urgency to develop awareness of island environments and the problems facing them.
    b)    Recognize definitions of the scientific vocabulary associated with tropical Pacific islands and island ecology.
    c)    Keep a mandatory journal (weekly entries) of vocabulary and comment on environmental issues.

2.    Describe four Tropical Pacific Island types, including
    a)    Their origins
    b)    Their respective physical and biological environments and
    c)    Their dynamics and environmental fragility.

3.    Define and explain the basic concept of "ecology"
    a)    Define "species" and "populations."
    b)    Explain the concepts of habitat, communities and ecosystems.
    c)    Recognize, analyze and, in some cases, investigate the various biomes throughout the globe and within, or closely linked to, the Tropical Pacific Islands
           Environment
    d)    Describe the source of energy, its flow, and its interaction with matter within a closed ecological system.

4.    Evaluate the impact of humanity on Tropical Pacific Islands ecosystems including
    a)    land resources and their exploitation (deforestation; agriculture, mining)
    b)    freshwater resources and their importance and protection measures.
    c)    saltwater environment, its potential and its overuse.
    d)    human population growth on land and water management and on waste management

5.    Develop (and use in journal entries, discussions, exercises and exams) comprehensive vocabulary for discussion of topics linked to various environmental challenges.
    a)    Recognize definitions of the specific vocabulary linked to the respective course topics.
    b)    Use this vocabulary in class discussions.
    c)    Integrate this vocabulary to assignments and journals.

6.    Identify the main global issues concerning the world environment and their impact on the Tropical Pacific Islands.
    a)    Define and describe global warming and link it to rising sea levels.
    b)    Define and describe the ozone layer, its depletion in the upper atmosphere and the consequences for the Tropical Pacific Island communities.
    c)    Cite examples of various environmental catastrophes that have occurred throughout the world and relate them to direct or indirect effects on the well being of
           the Tropical Pacific Island communities.

7.    Recognize sustainable patterns in tropical island environments
    a)    Listen to speakers from various conservation agencies,