The following are course themes or Big Ideas: (what to know)

 1. Energy Transfer: Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere. As energy flows through systems, at each step, more of it becomes unusable. 

2. Interactions Between Earth Systems: The Earth is one interconnected system. Natural systems change over time and space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.

3. Interactions Between Different Species and the Environment: Humans alter natural systems and have had an impact on the environment for millions of years. Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate and scale of their impact on the environment. 

4. Sustainability: Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. The management of resources is essential. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions. 

Seven Environmental Science practices (what to do)

1. Explain environmental concepts, process, and models presented in written format. 

2. Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes. 

3. Analyze sources of information about environmental issues.

4. Analyze research studies that test environmental principles. 

5. Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs. 

6. Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts. 

7. Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.