Module Overview: Water

Overview

In this module you will learn the basics of the water cycle, how the water cycle works within an ecosystem and global issues related to water quality and conservation.  You will explore your own water usage and habits as well as look at economic, social and cultural elements that impact how water is used.

Learner Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life.
  • Explain the importance of observation and hypothesis testing in the scientific process, and distinguish between science and non-science practices.
  • Perform scientific investigations in lab setting, gather, analyze and critically evaluate scientific data, and communicate scientific results according to appropriate academic standards.
  • Identify and evaluate instances where population growth and humans' use of resources impacts the natural environment.
  • Use the concept of sustainability to critique global and local environmental issues, and identify the steps that can be taken to improve environmental conditions and actively participate in solutions to environmental problems.
  • Interpret and explain basic scientific data represented in graphs and charts.
  • Employ strategies to build and retain vocabulary.
  • Identify how authors organize text both written and oral and use vocabulary for specific purposes and audiences, and apply these strategies to their own academic writing and speaking.     
  • Utilize the writing process to write academic essays.
  • Improve sentence clarity and structure by addressing errors in the context of their own writing.

Why This is Important

The water cycle is a fundamental process necessary for life on Earth and the survival of humans. Water quality and quantity are two of the most pressing issues in today's world. Most of the global population does not have access to clean water, droughts and floods are becoming more common, and contaminated rivers, lakes, oceans, streams, ground water, etc. are issues that will affect humans on every continent.