SYDE 152Introduction to Ecological Systems

Climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species are transforming our planet at an unprecedented pace. To foster a sustainable future, engineers must understand how ecosystems work - how living things interact with each other and with their environment, and how these interactions shape the world around us. This course introduces the fundamentals of chemistry and biology for ecology through the lens of engineering systems thinking. The course explores ecology topics such as species adaptations, population dynamics, community interactions, and the structure and function of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The course makes connections between macroecological and micro-biochemical views. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the ecological and microbiological foundations needed to tackle some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.