How to Design an Earth System Science Course

Begin by selecting topics that your student population need to know.

Is it a prerequisite for further coursework?

• If so, then the course will be introductory, providing an explanatory framework for future intensive study of a subject. The course may also introduce students to a suite of analytical tools to work with global datasets. Learn more about how to teach with datasets

Is it a course that serves preservice teachers?

• If so, then the course needs to be national and state science standards-based, and cover the content teachers will be expected to teach in their own K-12 classrooms.
Learn more about K-12 science standards here.

Is it a course that will serve students from other disciplines needing a science elective?

• If so, the topics may focus on current issues and high interest scientific controversies, great ideas in science or human interactions with the Earth system

Is it an all-purpose workhorse that serves a wide variety of departmental curriculum needs?

• If so, especially careful course design is necessary so that the needs of a broad potential audience are met.