GESCI 651 - Water: Environmental Science (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
Central to all ecosystems, water is essential to life as we know it. It shapes our planet on every level, from the chemical properties of the H20 molecule to its central role in global climate. Poised to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th, water is also a critical environmental issue. Where do we find it? Is it safe to consume? Who has access to it? How can we manage this precious resource to provide an adequate supply to all the species that depend upon it? This course will focus on why water is such a critical resource, the effect of human consumption on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the social, economic, and environmental implications of water management.