認識環境科學的基本知識，首先說明永續社會的定義與要素，以及生態系統與生態平衡、自然資源與物質循環，討論人口與糧食問題、氣候變遷、自然環境與人類社會活動間如何互相影響。亦探討台灣的環境問題、環境政策、全球化效應等。本課程期望建立同學對環境科學的基本認識，不只是想到如何理智的利用環境，還能思及對環境的尊重與義務，並在生活中身體力行。
The goals of the course are to introduce the basics of environmental science; to help the students understanding the environmental problems; and to inspire the students creating the possible solutions. The major theme of this course is the integrating subject of sustainability, including the function of ecosystem, natural resources, and the material cycles of the world. The impacts of human population and urbanization, the mitigation strategies of climate changes and environment degradation, and the ecological, economical as well as the policy solutions will be discussing through the class.