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University of Hawaii Maui College
Course Outline
1. Alpha SSM Number 101
Course Title Introduction to the Science of Sustainability
Credits
Department Author Joie Taylor
Date of Outline 3/9/2011 Effective Date 2012 5-year Review Date 2018
2. Course Description: Introduces the science of sustainability including vocabulary and basic concepts in green building, water and wastewater, waste management, sustainable land use and planning, unique dimensions to island sustainability, transportation, sustainable materials choices and supply chains, energy efficiency, and policy strategies.
Cross-list
Contact Hours/Type 3 hours lecture
3. Pre-requisites ENG 19 with grade C or better or placement at least ENG 22, and MATH 18 or consent.
Pre-requisite may be waived by consent yes no
Co-requisites
Recommended Preparation Placement at ENG 100.
4. Function/Designation AA
AS List Additional Programs and Category:
AAS List Additional Programs and Category: Business Careers Option IV; Sustainability
BAS List Additional Programs and Category: Sustainable Science Management
Developmental/Remedial Other/Additional: Explain:
See Curriculum Action Request (CAR) form for the college-wide general education student learning
outcomes (SLOs) and/or the program learning outcomes (PLOs) this course supports.
This course outline is standardized and/or the result of a community college or system-wide agreement.
Responsible committee:
5. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): List one to four inclusive SLOs.
For assessment, link these to #7 Recommended Course Content, and #9 Recommended Course Requirements & Evaluation. Use roman numerals (I., II., III.) to designate SLOs
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
I. Identify and describe factors that are specific to maintaining a sustainable human society
II. Describe natural and man-made factors that influence global and local climate, and have a general sense of our level of scientific understanding of each
III. Identify what information resources are available to learn about the potential negative human health and environmental impacts related to the manufacture, use, and disposal of products and materials
IV. Identify, outline and illustrate the fundamentals of existing and emerging technologies in energy production, distribution and management; water supply, wastewater treatment, and waste management, their applications, processes and requirements.
6. Competencies/Concepts/Issues/Skills
For assessment, link these to #7 Recommended Course Content, and #9 Recommended Course Requirements & Evaluation. Use lower case letters (a., b.…zz. )to designate competencies/skills/issues
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. Delineate the scale and applicability of significant global, national and local environmental policies
b. Assess the validity of green business practices, examine the ethics of sustainable business management, and determine the meaning and implications of “greenwashing”
c. Describe the hydrologic cycle and identify how it impacts the ways we manage our water resources
d. Describe and evaluate available technologies for treating wastewater
e. Identify and describe factors that are specific to maintaining a sustainable human society in an island setting
f. Identify and describe existing renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency
g. Find out about current local and global options and methods for the disposition of waste materials
h. Describe the major components that make up green building and sustainable construction practices
7. Suggested Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #5. Student Learning Outcomes and # 6 Competencies/Skills/Issues
1 week: Course Intro, Dimensions of Sustainability (III)
1-2 weeks: Environmental Policy - International, National, State, Local Policies of Significance (I, a)
1-2 weeks: Island Sustainability (I,II, e)
1 week: The Environment and Human Health (I-III)
2-3 weeks: Renewable Energy - An Overview of Existing Technologies: Solar, Wind, Biomass, Hydro (I,II,IV, e,f)
1-2 weeks: Waste and Waste Management (I-III, g)
1-2weeks: Energy Production and Management; Efficiency and Conservation (I,II, e,f)
1-2 weeks: Water, Water Everywhere: The Hydrologic Cycle and Water Resource Management (Distribution, Supply, Conservation) (I-IV, c)
1 week: Wastewater Treatment (I,II, c,d)
1-2 weeks: Transportation (I,II,IV, e,f)
1-2 weeks: Sustainable Communities (I-III, e)
1-2 weeks: Green Building and Materials (I-IV,h)
1-2 weeks: Sustainble Business and Ethics (I-IV,b)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, and Auxiliary Materials
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently available in the field. Examples include: Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We make Things by William McDounough and Michael Braungart
Appropriate reference materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently available in the field. Examples include: Sustainability, The Journal of Record; Sustainability; Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy
Appropriate auxiliary materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently available in the field. Examples include: Hawaii MOU-Energy Agreement between State of Hawaii, Department of Energy and Public Utilities Commission; Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Such as: Energizing Island Communities and Challenges to Sustainability
9. Suggested Course Requirements and Evaluation
Linked to #5. Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and #6 Competencies/Skills/Issues
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
20 – 30% Final Examination (I-IV, a-h)
0 -- 10% In-class assignments (I-IV, a-h)
0 --10% Assignments (I-IV, a-h)
0 – 30% Quizzes (I-IV, a-h)
10-- 20% Projects/Research/Presentations (I,II,IV, f)
0 -- 10% Attendance and/or class participation (I-IV, a-h)
10. Methods of Instruction
Instructional methods will vary considerably by instructor. Specific methods are at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
a. Quizzes and tests with feedback and discussion;
b. Lectures and class discussion
c. Problem solving;
d. PowerPoint presentations;
e. Videos, DVDs, CD-ROMS;
f. Guest speakers;
g. Group activities;
h. Oral reports and other student presentations;
j. Homework assignments such as
- Reading, or watching, and writing summaries and reactions to current environmental issues in the media including newspapers, video, magazines, journals;
- Lectures, web-based materials, and other sources;
- Reading text and reference materials and answering discussion questions;
- Research environmental, social, and political sustainability problems and issues
k. Web-based assignments and activities;
l. Group and/or individual research projects with reports or poster presentations;
11. Assessment of Intended Student Learning Outcomes Standards Grid attached
12. Additional Information: Diversification Physical Science
Revised 5/20/2011 course outline