What is Science?

A process for thinking and learning

Question
explanation (s)

hypothesis

observations – collect data, either direct from nature or through experimenation
testing of hypothesis, interpretation
publish conclusions

write manuscript
obtain comments from colleagues
submit to reviewed journal
peer review
publication

Credit always given to sources for ideas and information

The four basic sciences:

Biology – living organisms Physics – motion and moving objects Astronomy Meteorology Chemistry – interactions among substances, result of atoms and energy Geology – earth processes and materials

also, Mathematics – the numbers to quanify all interactions and relationships

Composite sciences

Oceanography

Physical Biological Chemical

HUMANITY vs. NATURE

All resources have limits
Tragedy of the Commons

The roll of the ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST is to

develop an understanding of human – nature relationships
and to do so independent of political points of view.
acts as an intermediary between very disparate occupations

the farmer or agriculturalist
the civil engineer
the businessperson or landowner
the lawyer
the environmentalist
the politician

Languages of Science

Spoken/written – English
Measurement – Metric

Useful links:

Earth Science Picture of the Day

Return to Intro to Environmental Science syllabus