ES 200: Environmental Systems

Graduate Course | 3 Units

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Course Description

A comprehensive overview of environmental systems, exploring the complex interactions between physical, biological, and social components. This course examines fundamental principles of systems thinking applied to environmental challenges, with emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability science.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply systems thinking frameworks to analyze complex environmental problems
• Evaluate interactions between natural and human systems across multiple scales
• Design and implement interdisciplinary research approaches for sustainability challenges
• Critically assess environmental policy instruments using systems analysis
• Develop quantitative models of coupled human-natural systems

Course Topics

1. Systems Theory Foundations
   • Introduction to complex systems and emergence
   • Feedback loops and non-linear dynamics
   • Resilience and adaptive capacity
2. Earth System Science
   • Biogeochemical cycles and planetary boundaries
   • Climate system dynamics and feedbacks
   • Ecosystem services and natural capital
3. Socio-Ecological Systems
   • Coupled human-natural systems modeling
   • Resource management and common pool resources
   • Environmental justice and equity considerations
4. Sustainability Transitions
   • Transformation pathways and leverage points
   • Innovation systems and technological change
   • Governance for sustainability
5. Quantitative Methods
   • System dynamics modeling
   • Agent-based modeling approaches
   • Integrated assessment frameworks

Course Requirements

• Participation and Discussion: 15%
• Problem Sets (4): 20%
• Midterm Exam: 20%
• Group Project: 20%
• Final Research Paper: 25%

Required Texts

• Meadows, D. (2008). Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Chelsea Green Publishing.
• Liu, J. et al. (2015). Systems integration for global sustainability. Science, 347(6225).
• Additional readings will be provided via course management system

Prerequisites

Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Background in environmental science, ecology, or related field recommended. Basic knowledge of statistics and mathematical modeling beneficial.

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Weekly Schedule

Week	Topic	Readings	Assignments
Week 1	Introduction to Systems Thinking	Meadows Ch. 1-2	-
Week 2	Complex Systems and Emergence	Meadows Ch. 3-4	Problem Set 1 Assigned
Week 3	Earth System Dynamics	Steffen et al. (2015)	-
Week 4	Biogeochemical Cycles	Schlesinger Ch. 4	Problem Set 1 Due
Week 5	Climate System Feedbacks	IPCC SR15 Ch. 2	Problem Set 2 Assigned
Week 6	Ecosystem Services	Costanza et al. (2014)	Group Project Proposals Due
Week 7	Socio-Ecological Systems	Ostrom (2009)	Problem Set 2 Due
Week 8	Midterm Review	-	Midterm Exam
Week 9	Resource Management	Hardin (1968), Ostrom (1990)	Problem Set 3 Assigned
Week 10	Environmental Justice	Bullard (2008)	-
Week 11	System Dynamics Modeling	Sterman Ch. 5-6	Problem Set 3 Due
Week 12	Agent-Based Models	Railsback & Grimm Ch. 1-3	Problem Set 4 Assigned
Week 13	Sustainability Transitions	Loorbach (2010)	-
Week 14	Governance and Policy	Folke et al. (2005)	Problem Set 4 Due
Week 15	Project Presentations	-	Group Presentations
Finals Week	-	-	Final Paper Due

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This syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified of any modifications via Canvas.