Required Texts and Materials

Required Texts and Materials

Classroom Syllabus

SCI 215

Environmental Science

5 Credit Hours

Required Texts and Materials

Miller, G. T, Jr. (2007). Living in the environment: Principles, connections, and solutions (15th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning.

Whitaker, A. (2010).Research and APA style guide. (2ndedition) Bratislava, Slovakia: City University of Seattle, available online at or for purchaseatthe CU Slovakia library).

Access to a personal computer and the Internet is required. All written assignments must be word-processed.

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All rights reserved

SCI 215

Environmental Science

This document provides an overview of the course foundation elements, assignments, schedules, and activities. For information about general City University of Seattle policies, please see the City University of Seattle catalog. If you have additional questions about the course, please contact your instructor.

Notification to Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability and you require an accommodation, please contact the Vice-Dean as soon as possible.

Academic Policies

Attendance

Your attendance is required for all classes. You should make every effort to attend class regularly and arrive on time. If you know you are going to be absent for any reason, inform the instructor ahead of time. Students are notallowed to miss more than12classes (each 1:05hr) otherwise there will be no permission to attend final exams!

Assignments

Complete and submit assignments ON TIME! Late assignments are not graded!

Scholastic Honesty

CityUniversity of Seattle expects each student to do his/her own work. The University has "zero tolerance" for cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on assignments and papers, using "notes" during exams, submitting someone else's work as one's own, submitting work previously submitted for another course, or facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others. The penalties are severe! A first offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for one quarter; a second offense can result in a zero grade for the course and suspension for two or more quarters; a third offense can result in expulsion from the University. The Policy and Procedures may be found at a hard copy at the library.

In addition to providing your work to the instructor for grading, you must also submit an electronic copy for the City University of Seattle archives (unless the work is specifically exempted by the instructor). You will not receive a grade for particular work until and unless you submit this electronic copy. The procedure for submitting work to the archives is to upload it via the website . Files should include the cover page of the work with the student name, instructor name, course name and number, and date. File names should indicate the type of assignment, such as “researchpaper.doc”, “casestudy.doc” or “thesis.doc” (student name should not be a part of the file name because the system adds it). All files received into the archives are submitted to plagiarism checking.

Course Description

This course explores environmental change on a global scale, emphasizing the fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and ecology as applied to contemporary concerns. Environmental issues impacting more than two dozen countries are illustrated in order to develop an international perspective on the environmental challenges facing our planet.

Learning Goals

Upon the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explain how human impact on the earth has changed through history and why environmental concerns have recently become so prominent;
  1. Describe the major environmental challenges facing modern societies and the trade-offs these challenges pose;
  1. Describe the scientific principles underlying basic phenomena of environmental changes;
  1. Assess the technologies associated with major environmental problems and the technologies that may aid in solving these problems;
  1. Distinguish between the environmental impacts of industrial and developing societies;
  1. Explain why different types of societies perceive environmental problems differently and pursue different solutions;
  1. Describe the ethical considerations involved in planning future environmental legislation and policies from multiple perspectives.

Core Concepts

To achieve the goals of this course, you will need to master the following core concepts:

  1. Environmental problems;
  2. Scientific principles and concepts;
  3. Human population, resources, and sustainability;
  4. Environmental quality and pollution;
  5. Sustaining biodiversity and cities;
  6. Environment and society.
Overview of Course Activities and Grading

The grade you receive for the course will be derived using City University of Seattle’s decimal grading system, based on the following:

Assignments
Attendance and Participation / 10%
Reflection Essay
Research Paper Presentation / 10%
5%
Research Paper
Group Presentation / 25%
10%
Midterm examination / 20%
Final examination / 20%
TOTAL / 100%

Please see the current City University of Seattle catalog or consult your instructor for guidance in determining your decimal grade.

Explanation of Assignments and Grading

Attendance and Participation

Class attendance and participation are integral components of this course.Class participation expands the participant’s knowledge and ability to implement strategies learned in the course.Thus, it is essential that students attend class, read the materials assigned, and participate actively in class activities or discussions.Class attendance and participation comprises 10% of the course grade.Students cannot earn participation points or receive credit for in-class activities when they are absent.Class participation points cannot be made up.Students can skip only 3 classes of the course. All assignments must be submitted on time for full credit. Students in this course are expected to demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, in part through regular attendance and participation.

Grading Criteria for Attendance and Participation

Attendance at every class session, show respect to classmates and teacher by paying attention / 40%
Appropriate and meaningful participation in discussions and other activities / 60%
TOTAL / 100%

Reflection Essay

This course might include a guest lecture or a field trip to help you understand how environmental science works in practice. In response to either the lecture or the visit, you will write a reflection paper which integrates what you have learned with the concepts you are studying in the course. The paper should also reflect your views of environmental issues and its relevance to you. Your essay must be word-processed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages in length. Please Upload your essay by the end of week 9.

Grading Criteria for Essay

Graded Element / Percentage
Appropriate format / 10
Clear objectives and thesis / 5
Logical development of body and thesis / 45
Proper grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation / 15
Sufficient depth of research / 10
Appropriate reference methods / 15

Group Presentation

There will be one group presentation during the trimester. You will form groups of 3-4 students and deliver a presentation (during Week 3) on the assigned topic. Presentations will be approximately 15 minutes in length. Presentations will be followed by aclass discussion lead by the presenters of each issue. Additionally, each group will prepare a questionnaire which will be completed by all the students during the presentations.

Grading Criteria for Presentation

Appropriate format / 10 %
Content and the depth of research
Correct and sufficient use of relevant examples, data and
information / 30 %
30%
Language skills (grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure) / 10 %
Logical development of the topic and relevancy / 10 %
Feedback / 10 %
TOTAL / 100 %

Research Paper

Begin doing some preliminary reading for your paper early in the quarter. During the fourth week of the course, you will submit a one- to two-page proposal with annotated bibliography for your research paperto your instructor. The proposal should suggest your topic, propose an arguable thesis, and give your instructor some idea of how you intend to research and develop your thesis. This proposal is ungraded, but you should approach it seriously; it can greatly enhance your chances for writing a successful essay.

For guidance in how to prepare a research paper, consult Research Paper Guide. As you prepare your research paper you also will want to be mindful of the following guidelines:

  • Your topic must be related to the course of study and must be approved by your instructor before submitting a final project;
  • You must cite the sources of all ideas, facts and information used that are not your own, even if you have put the information into your own words. Failure to do so is plagiarism, even if the oversight is unintentional. See Research Paper Guide for a detailed explanation of proper documentation format;
  • Supporting your thesis is central to the task of writing a research paper. In scholarly writing, you are not merely copying information from another author, but using evidence to support the contentions drawn from your findings and critical analysis of related literature;
  • All research papers must be word-processed, double-spaced, with 11- or 12-point font and one-inch margins. The length of the paper should be 6 pages minimum, 20 pages maximum, you must use at least 10 literature sources, and you can not base your research only on internet sources.;
  • You must retain at least one copy of your final research project in case the first copy is lost or misplaced. We recommend that you also retain your research notes and rough notes so that if a question arises as to an actual source and its location, you will be able to address that question in a timely manner.
  • You must submit the paper and upload it by the date set up by your teacher. Failing to meet the deadline of submission without prior and satisfactory consultation with your teacher means that your work is not evaluated.

Grading Criteria forResearch Paper

Appropriate format and application of Research Paper Guide / 10%
Clear objectives and their fulfillment, thesis relevant to the course, / 15%
Logical development of body and thesis / 20%
Correct and sufficient use of relevant examples, data and information / 30%
Sufficient depth of research / 25%
TOTAL / 100%

Examinations

You should be prepared to answer a variety of types of questions pertinent to the concepts covered in or suggested by the course materials and assignments. Your instructor will provide you with additional information regarding the content and style of exams in this course.

Recommended Course Schedule

The schedule for course activities and assignments is below. If you find you are unable to complete the assignments as scheduled, contact your instructor. Your instructor may elect to adjust the outline to meet the unique needs of the class.

Session
/ Topics and Assignments / Readings
1 / Introduction and Overview
Environmental Issues and Their CausesMiller Ch 1
Resource Use and Conservation / Chapters 1-3
2 / Ecosystems and biodiversity / Chapters 4-7
3 / Water
DUE: RP Topic
Group Presentation No. 1 / Chapters 12, 14, 21
4 / Population Dynamics
Population Distribution
DUE: RP Proposal
Group Presentation No. 2 / Chapters 8, 9
5 / Midterm Examination
Matter and Energy Resources, Non-renewable Energy / Chapter 16
6 / Sustainable Cities
Economics and Environment

Group Presentation No. 3

/ Chapters 23, 24
7 / Environment and Human Health
Air Pollution
DUE: Research Paper
Group Presentation No. 4 / Chapters 18, 19
Session
/
Topics and Assignments
/
Readings
8 / Minerals and Soil
Solid and Hazardous Waste
DUE: RP Presentation
Group Presentation No. 5 / Chapters 15, 22
9 / Food Resources
Protecting Food Resources
DUE: Reflection Essay / Chapter13
10 / Review and Evaluation
Final Examination

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