ESCI 20 Introduction to Environmental Science

Provides introductory material for potential ESCI majors to help them decide if the major is right for them. Course is also a general-interest class for non-majors to learn about environmental science. This class introduces the Earth as a system, one that has component parts that can be examined in isolation as well as emergent behavior when those parts are connected. The stability of the Earth system is examined, as well as the influence that humans have on that stability, by discussing "hot topics" in the field and highlighting faculty research on campus. The lecture class can also be accompanied with an optional 1-credit lab class, ESCI 20L, Introduction to Environmental Science: Santa Cruz Water from Well to Wastewater Treatment.