Establishment and exploration of the curriculum of Introduction to Resource Science for an interdisciplinary integration

Since the dawn of the 21st century, global sustainable development has faced a multitude of significant challenges, including resource scarcity and environmental degradation. In response to the demands of global sustainable development and the construction of ecological civilization in China, Tsinghua University established Xiuzhong College in 2023, aimed at nurturing future leaders in global green development among undergraduate students. The Introduction to Resource Science course has been designated as a core foundational course within Xiuzhong College, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning. This course is designed to foster systematic thinking and interdisciplinary approaches among students, encouraging them to seek knowledge and engage in exploration. It aims to develop their habits and abilities for independent inquiry, problem identification, analysis, and resolution, while instilling a sense of belonging and cultivating values and methodologies centered on sustainable development. The program aspires to create a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, as well as a shared destiny for all people, promoting a broad and inclusive mindset. To achieve these objectives, the curriculum is structured to encapsulate the core values and methodologies of sustainable development, gradually fostering a community that bridges human existence with the natural world. Drawing from the cultivation goals and experiences of similar courses at other institutions, it is proposed that the content of resource science be organized into a comprehensive, three-dimensional, interconnected knowledge framework encompassing resource dimensions, process dimensions, and evaluation dimensions. This approach encourages a multifaceted examination of resource issues through the lenses of economic, social, and ecological contexts, utilizing this methodology to maximize the comprehensive value of resources.