Richard Harwood's Courses

Environmental Science 101

Environmental Science 101
Reading Material

Bookseller stands in the park outside of the federal court building, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The following is a list of links to reading material from a variety of sources. Use of some of this material is password protected and restricted to use by students currently enrolled in Environmental Science 101. This material may only be used for the purpose of completing the required reading assignments. All copyright laws apply. Electronic copying and distribution of this material is prohibited.

Some of the articles below may be password protected on Canvas. To access this material, login to myBlackHawk. Once into myBlackHawk click on the Canvas link.


Section I: Science Principles and Concepts; Solar Interactions

Philosophy of Science
An Introduction to Science - Steven D. Schafersman
The Process of Science - Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Basic Physics
Newton’s First Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Newton’s Second Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Newton’s Third Law of Motion - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Force - Internet Encyclopedia of Science
Gravity - Internet Encyclopedia of Science
Fairly Fundamental Facts about Forces - Teaching Engineering
Energy - The Physics Hypertextbook
Temperature - The Physics Hypertextbook
Thermodynamics - Physics for Idiots
Special Relativity: Einstein’s Postulates - College Physics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
College Physics - Online Textbook, sOpen Stax Publication, Rice University

Basic Chemistry
Intro to Chemistry - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Atomic Structure and Symbolism - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
The Periodic Table - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Phases and Classification of Matter - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Ionic Bonding - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Covalent Bonding - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
The Solid State of Matter - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Energy Basics - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Enthalpy - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Acids and Bases - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Classifying Chemical Reactions - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Chemical Equilibria - Chemistry, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Chemistry - Online Textbook, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Basic Biology
Themes and Concepts of Biology - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Water - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Biological Molecules - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
How Cells Are Studied - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
The Genome - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
The Plant Kingdom - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
The Animal Kingdom - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Concepts of Biology - Online Textbook, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Solar Environment & Interactions
Chapter 6h. Earth-Sun Geometry - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Earth's Rotation - A Polaris Project web page.
Earth-Sun geometry - by Michael Pidwirny - The Encyclopedia of Earth web page.
Precession of the Equinox - Skywise Unlimited web page.
Chapter 6i. Earth-Sun Relationships and Insolation - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Chapter 7j. Global Heat Balance: Introduction to Heat Fluxese - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Chapter 7h. The Greenhouse Effect - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Chapter 7i. Net Radiation and the Planetary Energy Balance - PhysicalGeography.net web page.

Section II: Biology and Earth Systems

Ecology & Ecosystems
The Closing Circle: Chapter 2 The Ecosystem - Barry Commoner (Article in Canvas)

Earth Systems
Introduction and Origin of the Earth - Dr. Stephen A. Nelson EENS1110 web page
Introduction to Geography - PhysicalGeography.net web page
Minerals - Dr. Stephen A. Nelson EENS1110 web page
What is the Rock Cycle? - Idaho Museum of Natural History web page
The Interior of the Earth - United States Geological Survey web page
This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics - United States Geological Survey web page
Meteorology - by Milton Beychok - The Encyclopedia of Earth web page.
Weather & Climate - National Weather Service brochure (Article in Canvas)
What /is Hydrology? - USGS web site
What Is Oceanography? - Earth Eclipse web site
Themes and Concepts of Biology - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Evolution
Introduction - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Discovering How Populations Change - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Mechanisms of Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Evidence of Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Speciation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Common Misconceptions about Evolution - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Biodiversity
Importance of Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Section III: Biodiversity & Water

Threats to Biodiversity
Threats to Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
International Union for Conservation of Nature: Threats Classification v 2.0 Overview - Conservation Measures Partnership web site
International Union for Conservation of Nature: Threats Classification v 2.0 Spreadsheet - Conservation Measures Partnership document

Sustaining Biodiversity
Preserving Biodiversity - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Hydrology
1. Water - A Maverick Compound - Chapter 1 from Water, by Luna B. Leopold and Kenneth S. Davis, Time-Life Books Life Science Library, 1966.
Chapter 8a. Physical Properties of Water - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Chapter 8b. The Hydrologic Cycle - PhysicalGeography.net web page.
Chapter 8d. Condensation, Freezing, and Deposition - PhysicalGeography.net web page.

Oceanography
Marine Ecosystem: Mangrove - NOAA National Ocean Service web site
Marine Ecosystem: Salt Marsh - NOAA National Ocean Service web site
Marine Ecosystem: Intertidal Zone - Biomes of the World web site
Marine Ecosystem: Estuary - Biomes of the World web site
Marine Ecosystem: Lagoon - National Geographic web site
Marine Ecosystem: Coral Reef - Biomes of the World web site
Marine Ecosystem: Deep Sea - Biomes of the World web site
Ocean Circulation (5 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
Section 7.1 Dominant Forces for Ocean Dynamics, pgs. 103-104 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
Section 7.3 Types of Flow in the ocean, pg. 105 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
Section 9.2 Ekman Layer at the Sea Surface, pg. 135-138 through Figure 9.3 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart
Waves Introduction, and the 4 Side Bar Links - Texas A & M Department of Oceanography
Waves Introduction, and the 5 Side Bar Links - Texas A & M Department of Oceanography
Waves (5 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
Tides (10 pages) - Introduction to Oceanography, by Jennifer Nelson
Section 3.3 Sea-Floor Features, pgs. 25-29 - Introduction To Physical Oceanography, text book by Robert H. Stewart

Section IV: Population

Population and Exponential Growth
Population Demographics and Dynamics - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Population Growth and Regulation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
An Introduction to Population Growth - The Nature Education Project Knowledge
How Populations Grow: The Exponential and Logistic Equations - The Nature Education Project Knowledge
Population Growth - Larry MacPhee: e-Learning - Northern Arizona University

Carrying Capacity & Limiting Factors
Population Growth and Regulation - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Population Limiting Factors - Concepts of Biology, Open Stax Publication, Rice University

Demographics
Population: A Lively Introduction - by Joseph A. McFalls, Jr., a Population Reference Bureau Population Bulletin publication.
Human population explosion - by Theodore L. Steck, The Encyclopedia of Earth
Age-Sex Pyramids - by Matt Rosenberg

Limiting Human Population Growth
Problems of Overpopulation - Earth Eclipse web site
Effects of Human Overpopulation - Everything Connects Web Site
Nine Population Strategies to Stop Short of 9 Billion - Worldwatch Institute
Family planning (click on Read More button) - United Nations Population Fund
Population - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
Family Planning - China Internet Information Center: The authorized government portal site to China.
China's One-Child Rule - by Matt Rosenberg
Emergency in India - Historyplex
Unwanted Sterilization and Eugenics Programs in the United States - PBS Independent Lens articl

Section V: Environmental Policy, Politics and Economics

History of Environmentalism
Environmental History of the United States - Suppliment from Miller and Spoolman, Living in the Environment
A Fierce Green Fire: Timeline of Environmental Movement and History - PBS American Masters program
EPA History (1970-1985) - EPA web site

Environmental Policy and Politics
A Citizen’s Guide to the NEPA, pages 1-3 - National Environmental Policy Act
A Running List of How President Trump Is Changing Environmental Policy - National Geographic web site

International Initiatives
Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
CFCs and Their Substitutes in Stratospheric Ozone Depletion. - NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory
Evidence for a Continuous Decline in Lower Stratospheric Ozone Offsetting Ozone Layer Recovery - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Journal
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
Kyoto Protocol Introductory Note - UN Audiovisual Library of International Law
Summary of the Paris Agreement - UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests - UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty - UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
The Antarctic Treaty - Sercretariat of the Antarctic Treaty
The World Heritage Convention - UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
What is CITES? - Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna
International Whaling Convention, History and Purpose - International Whaling Convention
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter - International Marine Organization
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships - International Marine Organization

Environmental Economics
What Is Economics, and Why Is It Important? - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
How To Organize Economies - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
Say’s Law and the Macroeconomics of Supply - Principles of Economics, Open Stax Publication, Rice University
What is ecological economics? - Yale Insights: Yale School of Management
Large companies see payoffs in sustainability - PBS News Hour: Peril & Promise
How effective are business efforts to go green? - PBS News Hour: Peril & Promise
Microfinance: What It Is and Why It Matters - Business News Daily
What is microfinance? - Kiva.org