Prerequisite: None. A survey of the biological portion of our environment. Students will explore how life works and gain an understanding of the forces that generate and maintain the diversity of life on our planet. Topics include: evolution, cell structure and function, ecology, and genetics. The laboratory portion of the course is inquiry-based and includes field trips and outside field study. Designed with the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors in mind, but open to all students. Lecture and laboratory. Scientific Literacy Capability course. (Cross-listed as BIO121).