BIOL 1440 Sustaining the Biosphere
Environmental problems and their solutions occur at the intersection of natural systems and the human systems that manipulate the natural world. The course will provide students with an integrated understanding of human systems that affect nature. Topics will include climate, air and water pollution, economics and urbanization, food and agriculture, population growth, biodiversity, waste management and health and toxicology. Sustainability, personal responsibility and a proactive approach to involvement in solutions to current environmental crises will be emphasized. This course is designed for students who are not majoring in biology or biochemistry.
Course overview
- Department
- Biology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically
Catalog details
- Satisfies core
- Natural Science
Requirements fulfilled
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Biodiversity Conservation: Two Ecology Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Natural Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.07 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.18 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 5
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Laura Hake | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.9 | — | 40 of 44 |
| Spring 2025 | Laura Hake | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4–6 hrs/week | 114 of 142 |
| Spring 2024 | Laura Hake | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 122 of 146 |
| Spring 2023 | Laura Hake | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 46 of 48 |
| Spring 2022 | Laura Hake | 3.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 45 of 72 |