Chemistry 100: Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Science

The goal of this course is to prepare students to be environmentally responsible citizens and empower them with scientific knowledge to make the right decisions concerning the environment. Chemistry 100 is a one-semester introduction to important topics in the environmental sciences. Emphasis will be placed on historic environmental success and what major problems remain to be solved. Topics will include the availability of clean water, effective wastewater treatment, restoration of the stratospheric ozone layer, the removal of anthropogenic produced lead, past and current endocrine disruptors, the proper use of risk assessment, appropriate actions to combat human-caused global warming, and an effective environmental legal national and international framework. Emphasis will be placed on the chemistry of each topic. No chemistry background is presumed. Highly recommended for environmental studies students not majoring in a natural science. Students may not receive credit for Chemistry 100 if they have taken Chemistry 125 or a more advanced college chemistry course. Working knowledge of college-level algebra is required. Three lectures per week; no lab.