Three hours lecture/two hours lab per week. Introduction to basic characteristics of ecosystems and an exploration of how they are affected by the technological and social environments inwhich humans live. Objectives will be: 1) to understand the nature, extent and causes of environmental problems and the implications these have for life on earth; 2) to appreciate the complexity of environmental issues and the variety of perspectives from which they are addressed (e.g., scientific, social, economic, spiritual, aesthetic); and 3) introduction to major principles in biology, chemistry, and physics to further understand the dynamic ecosystem. NS