Earth System Science Course Design Matrix for Non-Majors Emphasizing Environmental Issues
The non-major Earth system science course generates interest and excitement by using student
prior knowledge as a starting point for instruction. A good starting point for the creation of
a curriculum module is to identify a forcing factor or a change in boundary conditions
identified in a specific sphere of the Earth system, and trace the effects of that change to
other components of the system.
Sample course outlines:
For the course development purposes, we can order and describe classes of system interactions possible using a design matrix that identifies case examples that illustrate the relationships and interactions between two spheres:
How to Use this Table
The following table shows a matrix for designing an Earth System Course for non-majors. Matrices are a good way to think about designing an Earth System course in that it illuminates the relationships between typical topics in Earth science and the parts of the Earth system. This matrix is particularly helpful in looking at interactions between two subsystems. For more information on using course matrices, see Course Design Matrix
Primary causal mechanism located in |
Acting on lithosphere | Acting on atmosphere | Acting on hydrosphere | Acting on biosphere | Acting on anthroposphere | Acting on exoshpere |
| Rock cycle stratigraphy | Greenhouse effect
trace gas exercise using Stella |
Fossil fuels | Geological hazards | |||
| Global warming | ||||||
| Desertification erosion | El-Nino teleconnections | |||||
| Famine | ||||||
| Non-renewable resources teaching with data: landuse activity[end td] | Ozone destruction
| Water crisis teachng with data: water quality | Biodiversity, extinctions | Overpopulation population exercise | Space junk | |
