Everglades Ecology SyllabusLast Edited: 10 September 2007
Special Topics in Ecology: Everglades WebCT6
Professor: Cindy Connery Boone
Starts September 24 ends November 19 (57 Days)
Students are able to access this WebCT class 5 days before it starts.
To start log into Atlas and the go to webct or enter web address: webct6.valenciacc.edu/
Valencia Community College Course Number: PCB 2930 CRN 15009 3 Credit Hours
Location:Course originates from the Winter Park Campus,
850 West Morse Boulevard, (407) 299-5000 ext. 6845 or 6849
Textbook Required:
The Everglades Handbook: Understanding the Ecosystem Second Edition
Author: Thomas E. Lodge ISBN: 1-56670-614-9 Copyright Date: 2005
This textbook is available at the Winter Park Campus Bookstore
Optional Books for the Exploration Assignment: The Everglades River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. ISBN 1-56164-135-9 Revised edition, 1988 or the 1997 50th Anniversary Addition. Rachel Carson: Silent Spring. You do not need to purchase these books.
Check libraries, but you may find a good price on Amazon.com or something similar.
Optional Meeting Places: This is a Webct course, no required campus classes.
- September 27, Thursday, 6-8 pm meet at Winter Park Campus Room (Check with Security desk)
to review the course and meet the professor (Good, if you are struggling with webct)
- October 6, Saturday Optional, Meet Me In the Swamp, in the Orlando/Shingle Creek Area : (Exact location to be announced later.)
Prerequisites/corequisites: none
Computer Requirements: High speed internet is a must!
You will be watching videos/pictures. You will be loading a lock down browser before taking the first test. I have heard that the lock down browser and Macs may not mix. Therefore you may need to plan on taking the test on campus if you cannot take it with the Mac.
Webct6 Internet address: http:webct6.valenciacc.edu/
Webct6 Help Desk:407-582-5600 or email http:webcthelp.valenciacc.edu/
!!!!!!!! YOU MUST HAVE A COMPUTER BACKUP PLAN !!!!!!
What do I do if my Internet or Computer Fails?
- GO to the nearest Valencia Campus Library or Student Computer lab
- GO to the nearest public Library
- Go to your neighbor’s or family member’s house
- Borrow the laptop from the guy sitting next to you at Starbucks
Do not procrastinate because the assessments and tests have time deadlines.
There is a 5 point deduction for every 24 hours your assignments or tests are late.
Please, cut and paste your work into the submission boxes. If you use an attachment then this triplicates how long it takes to grade yours and your fellow classmates answers.
Florida Everglades Course Timeline:
I decided to break this course down to even days to help you organize your time.
Complete all tests and exam before midnight of the assigned day.
Sept 24 Introduction and Overview of the Everglades National Park
Quiz on learning your textbook and Florida Everglades WebCT site.
Successful completion of quiz by 100% allows you to enter the Chapter 1 module.
Sept 26Chapter 1 The Everglades in Space and Time p. 3 -11 (9 pages)
Sept 28Chapter 2 An Ecosystem Overview p. 13 - 21 (9 pages)
Sept 30Chapter 3 Freshwater Marshes: Water, Weather, and Fire p. 25- 41 (17 pages)
Oct 2Chapter 4 Tree Islands p.43 – 53 (11 pages)
Oct 4 Chapter 5 Tropical Hardwood Hammocks p.55 - 62 (8 pages)
Participate in Online threaded discussion
Oct 6 ------Saturday, Optional Field Exploration Experience 9am to noon(50 points)
- Submit Lab writeup
Oct 8Chapter 6 Pinelands p.63 – 66 (4 pages)
- Submit all Chapter Review Questions before taking Test 1
Oct 10TakeTest 1 before midnight. Give yourself time to download lockdown.
Oct 12 Chapter 7 The Big Cypress Swamp p.67 – 77 (11 pages)
Oct 14 Chapter 8 Mangrove Swamps p.79 – 85 (7 pages)
Oct 16 Chapter 9 Coastal Lowland Vegetation… Hurricanes p.87 – 94 (13 pages)
Oct 18Chapter 10 Coastal Estuarine and Marine Waters p. 95 – 104 (10 pages)
Oct 20 Chapter 11 Lake Okeechobee and Everglades Headwaters p.105-123 (pages 19)
- Submit all Chapter Review Questions before Taking Test 2
Oct 22 Take Test 2 before midnight
Mid term point (Are you doing as well as you wanted?)
Oct 24Chapter 12 Origins of the Flora and Fauna p.127-133 (7 pages)
Oct 26 Chapter 13 Invertebrates p.135-143 (9 pages)
Oct 28 Chapter 14 Freshwater fishes p.145-151 (7 pages)
Oct 30 Chapter 15 Marine and Estuarine Fishes p.153 (4 pages)
Nov 2 Chapter 16 Amphibians p.157 (4 pages)
- Participate in Online threaded discussion (20 points)
Nov 4 Chapter 17 Reptiles p.161 (13 pages)
Nov 6Chapter 18 Mammals p.175-181 (7 pages)
Nov 8Chapter 19 Birds p.183-202 (18 pages)
- Submit all Chapter Review Questions before taking Test 3
Nov 10Take Test 3 before midnight
Nov 12Chapter 20 Synthesis – Ecological Relationships and
Processes in the Everglades Region p203-213 (11 pages)
Nov 14 Chapter 21Environmental Impacts p217-254 (38 pages) (15 review questions)
Nov 16Submit 5 page Collegiate Exploration Paper Environmental vs. Man’s Impact Paper Or River of Grass Book Report OR Rachel Carson’s, Silent Spring,
if you did not choose the optional the meeting in at Shingle Creek on
Saturday, October 6
Final Exam should be available on November 14.
Nov 18 Submit Chapter Review Questions before taking Comprehensive Final Exam
Nov 19Take Comprehensive Final Exam before midnight
Assessments:
- Introduction quiz 10 points
- 3 – 50 point tests (150 points total)
- 20–5 questions,1-15 questions Chapter Review Questions(115 total pts)
- Exploration Assignment Choose between:
- Research and write: 5 pages presenting both points of view environmental concerns vs. man’s impact on the Everglades.
Details of the paper will be in the class webct modules.
- Meeting me at Shingle Creek for a walk at the swamp. And writing a lab write-up
- Read and write,The Everglades River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. ISBN 1-56164-135-9 Revised edition, 1988 or Rachel Carson’s, Silent Spring
Details of the paper will be in the class webct modules.
Each option is worth 50 points, you may choose only one option.
- Comprehensive Final Exam 100 points
Total Points Possible: 425
Final Grade Determination:
A = 425 - 388B= 387- 340
C = 339 - 298D= 297- 276F= 275 - 0
Course Description:
General education non-lab science course designed to introduce students to the ecosystem of the Everglades. Students will learn the geology, climatology and hydrology of what makes the Everglades a unique, “River of Grass.” The course will include an ecological understanding of the interactions between the biotic and abiotic factors that influence the biodiversity of the Everglades. The course will also include the impact of man on the Everglades.
Appropriate for the renewal of all Science and Elementary Education instructors. Check with the recertification office in Tallahassee for your specific needs (1-800-445-6739, 8am-5pm) .
Drop Date for refund is October 1, 2007
Withdrawal Date to receive a “W” is November 1 , 2007
Valencia Community College Student Core Competencies
•Thinking critically and making reasoned choices by acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating knowledge.
•Reading, writing effectively.
CLAST Competencies
•Reading skills (literal comprehension, critical comprehension).
•Mathematics skills (map reading).
•Writing skills (proper grammar, spelling and punctuation).
Web room Polices:
I request respect of other’s opinions in the website discussions. No profanity or insulting others. Please make a solid effort to use correct grammar and punctuation. Submit all assignments into the webct6 submission block of the assignment. If you are having difficulties then contact the webct6 help desk: 407-582-5600 or email http:webcthelp.valenciacc.edu
When writing in the threaded discussions or to me show respect by writing complete sentences. Frankly, I think it is OK to write in capitals because I believe it is not shouting but provide us creativity to let the information or our point standout.
Academic Honesty: Refer to the student handbook on line
Academic Honesty Policy Number: 6Hx28:10-16
All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia Community College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.
All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students’ individual thoughts, research, and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged.
Students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the responsibility of the students’ individual professor. When the professor has reason to believe that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, and before sanctions are imposed, the student shall be given informal notice and an opportunity to be heard by the professor. Any student determined by the professor to have been guilty of engaging in an act of academic dishonesty shall be liable to a range of academic penalties as determined by the professor which may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of “F” in the course. At the option of the professor, the campus provost may be furnished with written notification of the occurrence and the action taken. If such written notice is given, a copy shall be provided to the student.
Students guilty of engaging in a gross or flagrant act of academic dishonesty or repeated instances of academic dishonesty shall also be subject to administrative and / or disciplinary penalties which may include warning, probation, suspension and / or expulsion from the College.
The student may appeal action taken by the professor under the provisions of either Policy 6Hx28:10-13 or 6Hx28:10-15 as determined by the nature of the action taken.
Plagiarism
I realize that the idea of cutting and pasting information from the internet may seem harmless but it is plagiarism! Copying directly from any book or webct or individual is plagiarism! Be sure to include the date and web address of any information or ideas that are taken from the internet because internet sites change.
If you choose to plagiarize, I will not give you a second chance. I do not tolerate plagiarism! I will fail you from this class. I have had the most uncomfortable and stressful situation of having to fail 2 students from my class in the past. What was really sad was that my class was all they needed to graduate. Therefore have respect for yourself and do not choose this route.
I also expect you not to share information or questions that are on the internet exams. I do require a lock down browser to be loaded onto your computer before you take your exam. If this is a problem then you will need to take your exams on VCC computers.
Student Code of Conduct:
EXPECTED STUDENT CONDUCT: Valencia Community College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia Community College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty member to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in thecurrent Valencia Student Handbook.
I follow the Student Code of Classroom Conduct Policy Number 6Hx28:10-15
Students with disabilities: Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities (Winter Park Campus, Room 203, 407/ 582-6887).
Students concerned about the pressure of a timed computer test:Please, contact me, via the webct6 mail, if you feel that you will need a longer amount of time to take a test/exam. I need you to notify me at least 6 days before the exam so that I can make the changes in the program.
Disclaimer:
Changes in the syllabus and course schedule or any computer submission may be made at any time during the course by professor announcement. A revised syllabus may be issued at the discretion of the professor.
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