Environmental Science

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Environmental Science

Name: Environmental Science
Rating: 4.703389830508475 (354 reviews)

This course is part of Introduction to Environmental Science Specialization

Instructor: Andy Friedland

26,075 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

354 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

354 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

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Shareable certificate

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Introduction to Environmental Science Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 4 modules in this course

The Introduction to Environmental Science course explores the field of environmental science and encourages participants to understand how environmental scientists think. It addresses some important questions such as:

1. What is the difference between environmental science and environmental studies? 2. How do both differ from environmentalism? 3. Why is energy so important in environmental science? 4. What do you mean by biodiversity? You will also explore what global cycles are and how they impact our lives. You must be aware that the human impact on biodiversity and global change are two of the most important discussion points in environmental science. Have you ever wondered how we are affecting global change and biodiversity? How can we reconcile human population growth, resource demands and sustainability? The effects of global change on humans and natural ecosystems and additional factors in evaluating personal environmental impact will also be discussed in this course.

This module explores the importance of environmental science, the water pollution problems, and how cycling of matter takes place.

What's included

3 videos10 readings1 assignment7 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 14 minutes

Environmental Science Definitions and Terms3 minutes
Video: Rock Snot5 minutes
Video: Matter and Energy5 minutes

10 readingsTotal 1,056 minutes

Introductory Reading30 minutes
Coursera Code of Conduct10 minutes
Coursera Honor Code30 minutes
Discussion Tips and Guide30 minutes
Introduction: Environmental Science Definitions and Terms2 minutes
What is environmental science?10 minutes
Introduction: Rock Snot2 minutes
The Unusual Story of Rock Snot930 minutes
Introduction: Matter and Energy2 minutes
The Cycling of Matter10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Basics of Environmental Science30 minutes

7 discussion promptsTotal 150 minutes

Discussion: Introduce Yourself30 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Environmental Science Definitions and Terms Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: What is Environmental Science? Reading20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Rock Snot Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Rock Snot Reading20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Matter and Energy Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: The Cycling of Matter Reading20 minutes

This module gives an overview of the three different levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, ecosystem) and explores concepts such as system, system analysis, MRT, and positive and negative feedback loop.

What's included

3 videos4 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 10 minutes

Video: Biodiversity3 minutes
Video: Systems and Feebacks5 minutes
Video: Hydrologic Cycle2 minutes

4 readingsTotal 26 minutes

Introduction: Biodiversity2 minutes
Introduction: Systems and Feebacks2 minutes
Introduction: Hydrologic Cycle2 minutes
Hydrologic Cycle20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Biodiversity, Systems, and Feedback30 minutes

4 discussion promptsTotal 80 minutes

Unprompted Discussion: Biodiversity Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Systems and Feedbacks Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Hydrologic Cycle Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Hydrologic Cycle Reading20 minutes

This module explores the carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen cycles and analyzes a local environmental problem.

What's included

3 videos5 readings1 assignment6 discussion prompts

3 videosTotal 9 minutes

Video: Carbon Cycle5 minutes
Video: Nitrogen Cycle3 minutes
Review Video2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 66 minutes

Introduction: Carbon Cycle2 minutes
Carbon Cycle30 minutes
Introduction: Nitrogen Cycle2 minutes
Nitrogen Cycle30 minutes
Introduction: Review Video2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Global Cycles30 minutes

6 discussion promptsTotal 160 minutes

Unprompted Discussion: Carbon Cycle Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Carbon Cycle Reading20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Nitrogen Cycle Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Nitrogen Cycle Reading20 minutes
Prompted Discussion: A Local Environmental Problem60 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Review Video20 minutes

This module explores global climate change and global warming. It also examines how solar radiation and greenhouse gasses warm our planet.

What's included

2 videos4 readings1 assignment3 discussion prompts

2 videosTotal 10 minutes

Global Change Basics Video5 minutes
Video: Greenhouse Gases5 minutes

4 readingsTotal 26 minutes

Welcome Reading2 minutes
Introduction: Global Change Basics2 minutes
The Greenhouse Effect20 minutes
Introduction: Greenhouse Gases2 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Basics of Global Change20 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

Unprompted Discussion: Global Change Basics Video20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: The Greenhouse Effect Reading20 minutes
Unprompted Discussion: Greenhouse Gases Video20 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(95 ratings)

Andy Friedland

Dartmouth College

3 Courses31,443 learners

Offered by

Dartmouth College

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Showing 3 of 354

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2023

Very interesting and informative class. Very nicely presented and easy to understand.

Reviewed on Dec 25, 2024

The materials are very thorough and suit well for a beginner student.

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2026

Excellent foundation of environmental science, which integrates basic science, systems science etc.

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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