COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

Biological Science Department

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
GEED 20103

EnP. Ibylou Bandala – Golla, PhD

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 Module 1
Basic Concepts in Ecology
and Environmental Science

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 TOPIC GUIDE

1. Introduction to Environmental
Science
2. What makes Environmental
Science different from other
Sciences?
3. The Scientific Method and Critical
Thinking

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 Module Objectives

• Recognize that human population growth contributes to

environmental problems.
• Recognize that people rely on the services provided by
ecosystems.
• Understand that food security is an issue for many people
in the less- developed world.
• Recognize that there are governance issues that make it
difficult to solve environmental problems.
• Recognize that the quality of the environment has an
important impact on human health.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
Mentimeter code: 9662 7459
• https://www.menti.com/kuwds6zx9m
1. Ecology – the scientific study of
the interrelations of organisms
and their environments. Ecology
as a science plays an important
role in our understanding of
various ecosystems. It is an
interdisciplinary field that includes
both biology and earth science,
but is a separate area of study
from environmentalism, natural
history, and environmental
science.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science – Department of Biology
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science – Department of Biology
 Ecologists study populations and
communities of living organisms,
physiological and behavioral
adaptations of species to their
environment, interactions among
species and functions of ecosystems
such as energy flow and nutrient
cycling.

Ecologists may study plants or

animals in terrestrial, fresh water, or
marine environments, and in tropical,
temperate, or polar regions

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 Vito Volterra Independently
pioneered mathematical populations
models

Ellen Swallow Richards: Pioneer and Eugenius Warming: Early

educator who linked urban ecology to founder of Ecological Plant
human health. Geography.

https://teachingscienceweb.wordpress.com/2016/10/07/famous-ecologist-and-their-contribution/
 Environmentalism
a. way of thinking
b. a movement of political activism based on a common
conviction that our natural environment should be protected.
- local homeowners organizing grassroots activities
- fishermen banding together to stop pollution
- extends to national and international activities.

The motivations :
• health-related (preventing contaminant poisoning),
• economic (maintaining valuable natural resources such as
fisheries)
• aesthetic (maintaining a more attractive place to live).

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
DAVID ATTENBOROUGH ISATOU CEESAY
INSTILLED A LOVE FOR NATURE IN FOUNDED A REVOLUTIONARY
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY RECYCLING PROJECT IN
WORLD. GAMBIA.

A broadcaster, writer and naturalist, he has her efforts demonstrate the power of grassroots
spent decades charting the raw beauty and campaigning in effecting impactful change.
power of nature.
JANE GOODALL
CHANGED BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE
THROUGH HER MULTI-DECADE STUDY ON
THE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS OF WILD
CHIMPANZEES.
she found that chimpanzees are capable of building
and using tools and that they are governed by complex
and highly developed social behaviours.
REINHOLD MESSNER
BROKE A RAFT OF WORLD RECORDS AND USED HIS
PLATFORM TO HELP PRESERVE MOUNTAIN ECOSYSTEMS.
Though some of his climbs have drawn controversy,
Messner has played a vital role in raising awareness of
the extraordinary diversity of mountain cultures and the
importance of developing fragile ecosystems
sustainably.

https://www.atlasandboots.com/travel-blog/famous-environmentalists/
Environmental Science
focuses on the interactions between the physical,
chemical, and biological components of
the environment, including their effects on all types
of organisms.
Environmental Scientists study, develop,
implement and advise on policies and plans for
managing and protecting the environment, flora,
fauna and other natural resources.
Environmental Scientists also ensure to
incorporate sustainable practices (social,
economic, and environmental) into all levels of
operations of various industry such as oil and gas,
and the mining industry.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science – Department of Biology
Rachel Carson, (1907 to 1964),
- often seen as the founder of the
modern environmental movement.
- graduated from Johns Hopkins
University,
- she became aware of the
devastating effects of pesticides
such as DDT on plants, animals and
humans
- wrote the book "Silent Springs" to
raise public awareness of the issue.
 Environmental studies
broadens the field as it
includes more emphasis on
the political, economic, and
social aspects related to
the environment, topics
which include sustainability.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 The scientific method
• The scientific method is a technique for and critical thinking
testing ideas with observations. It
includes several assumptions and a series
of interrelated steps.

• The assumptions are:

a. The universe functions in accordance
with fixed natural laws.
b. All events arise from some cause and, in
turn, cause other events.
b. We can use our senses and reasoning
abilities to detect and describe natural
laws.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science – Department of Biology
 The steps of the scientific method are:

Ask questions - Determining which

questions to ask is one of the most
important steps in the investigation
process.

Make predictions.
Test the predictions.

Analyze and interpret results.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 It is important to distinguish between
observations and inferences.

Observations, the basis of science, may be made through any of the

five senses or by instruments that measure beyond what we can sense.

The substance is a white, crystalline material with a

sweet taste.

Inferences are generalizations that arise from a set of observations.

When everyone or almost everyone agrees with what is observed about
a particular thing, the inference is often called a fact.

The substance is sugar.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
Observation: They are
smiling

Inference: They are

happy with the service

Observation: They are

smiling

Inference: They are

trying to be cordial.
 When scientists wish to test an inference,
they convert it into a hypothesis, which is
a statement that can be disproved.
The hypothesis continues to be accepted
until it is disproved.
In testing a hypothesis, a scientist tries to
keep all relevant variables constant except
for the independent and dependent
variables.
An experiment is an activity designed to
test the validity of a hypothesis; it involves
manipulating variables, or conditions that
can change.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
Observation: They are smiling

Inference: They are happy with

the service

Hypothesis: ….

Observation: They are smiling

Inference: They are trying to be

cordial.

Hypothesis: ….
 In a controlled experiment, the
experiment is compared to a standard,
or control—an exact duplicate of the
experiment except for the one variable
being tested (the independent
variable).

Any difference in outcome (dependent

variable) between the experiment and
the control can be attributed to the effect
of the independent variable.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
• When variables cannot be manipulated -
climate change is an example of this - a
natural experiment is performed. In such
experiments, researchers test their
hypothesis by searching for correlation, a
statistical relationship between variables.
• Natural experiments provide evidence that
is weaker than manipulative experiments
but can still make for strong science.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
• Science is based on inductive reasoning, also called
induction:
• It begins with specific observations and then
extends to generalizations, which may be
disproved by testing them. If such a test cannot
be devised, then we cannot treat the
generalization as a scientific statement. Although
new evidence can disprove existing scientific
theories, science can never provide absolute
proof of the truth of its theories.

• A scientific theory is a grand scheme that relates and

explains many observations and is supported by a
great deal of evidence.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 • Scientists record data from their
studies and analyze the data
using statistical tests to see if the
hypothesis is supported.
• If the results disprove a
hypothesis, the hypothesis is
rejected and a new one may be
proposed.
• If the repeated tests fail to reject
a particular hypothesis, it will
ultimately be accepted as true.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
• Scientists use accumulated knowledge to develop explanations that are
consistent with currently accepted hypotheses. Sometimes an explanation
is presented as a model.
• A model is “a deliberately simplified construct of nature.” It may be a
physical working model, a pictorial model, a set of mathematical equations,
or a computer simulation.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
AT first WE make you see what YOU
want to see.

Then WE make you see what WE

want you to see.

- The Greatest Hack

Measurements are approximations that may
be more or less exact, depending on the
measuring instruments and the people who
use them. A measurement is meaningful
when accompanied by an estimate of the
degree of uncertainty, or error.
Accuracy in measurement is the extent to
which the measurement agrees with an
accepted value.
Precision is the degree of exactness with
which a measurement is made. A precise
measurement may not be accurate. The
estimate of uncertainty provides information
on the precision of a measurement.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
The scientific process does not stop
with the scientific method.

a. Peer review. Research results are

submitted to a journal for publication.
Other scientists who specialize in the
subject area are asked to provide
comments and critiques and judge
whether the work merits publication.
This process is known as peer review.
b. Conference presentations.
Scientists frequently present their work
at professional conferences and
receive informal comments on their
work prior to publication.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 c. Grants and funding. Most scientists spend
considerable time writing grant applications to
private foundations or government agencies for
support of their research. These applications are
also usually subjected to peer review. Conflicts of
interest sometimes arise when results are in conflict
with the interests of the funding agency. This has
occurred in the case of private industry funding.

d. Repeatability. The careful scientist may test a

hypothesis repeatedly in various ways before
submitting it for publication. After publication, other
scientists will attempt to reproduce the results in
their own analyses.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
 e. Theories. If a hypothesis survives repeated
testing by numerous research teams, it may be
incorporated into a theory. A theory is a widely
accepted, well-tested explanation of one or more
cause and effect relationships that has been
extensively validated by a large amount of
research. In science, a theory is not speculation
or hypothesis.

f. Applications. Knowledge gained from

scientific research may be applied to help fulfill
society’s needs and address society’s problems.
A correct social response may still be difficult
even when the scientific information is clear,
however.
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
College of Science – Department of Biology
 SURNAME_MODULE1_ACT2
• IN NOT LESS THAN 5 SENTENCES EACH, ANSWER THE FF:

1. In your own understanding, define the term environment and

describe at least 3 fields under environmental science.
2. Explain the importance of natural resources and ecosystem services
in our lives.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Science – Department of Biology
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• 1. Proof of registration (as a voter)
• 2. Proof of planted tree (in your name)

• Dead line: End of Semester

Asynchronous Activity: (Surname_Module1_Activity3)

Read the article provided

(See attachment: Analysis of the Writ of Continuing Mandamus in the
light of Laudato Si)

Write a paragraph on how the different disciplines discussed in Module 1

were merged in the issue provided in the article. Does religion play an
important role in preserving the environment? How? (Answer in not less
than 5 sentences)