W.M. PRICE BIOLOGY 9-Environmental Biology FALL 2013

W.M. PRICE BIOLOGY 9-Environmental Biology FALL 2013

Tu & Th 3:45-5:05p Section 1218 Room: Sci 159 Email: Office Hours: 3:00pm, Tu, Th, Sci 288

Week Date Lecture Topic and Reading Assignments Text Chap

1 Aug 27 Introduction; Environmental Science and Critical Thinking; 1

29 Environmental Protection & Sustainable Development 2

2 Sep 03 Root Causes of Environmental Problems 3

05 Principles of Ecology: How Ecosystems Work 4

3 10 Principles of Ecology: How Ecosystems Work (cont.) 4

12 **** 1st Midterm Exam **** (Chaps 1-4)

4 17 Biomes and Aquatic Life Zones 5

19 Biomes and Aquatic Life Zones (cont.) 5

5 24 Self-sustaining Mechanisms in Ecosystems 6

26 “ “ “ (cont.)

6 Oct 01 Human Ecology 7

03 “ “ (cont.)

7 08 Populations: Growth and Impact 8

10 “ “ “ (cont.)

8 15 Populations: Strategies for Sustainability 9

17 Sustainable Agriculture 10

9 22 **** 2nd Midterm Exam **** (Chaps 5-9)

24 Sustainable Agriculture (cont.) 10

10 29 Biological Diversity 11

31 Grasslands 12

11 Nov 05 Forests and Wilderness 12

07 Water Resources 13

12 12 **** 3rd Midterm Exam **** (chaps 10-12)

14 Water Resources cont./ Non-Renewable Energy 13/14

13 19 Non-Renewable Energy (cont.) 14

21 Conservation and Renewable Energy 15

14 26 Principles of Toxicology (selected portions of chap) 18

28 *** No Class!! Thanksgiving Holiday ***

15 Dec 03 Air Pollution (selected portions of chap) 19

05 Global Air Pollution 20

16 11 ** NO CLASS ** (Start of Finals)

13 **** Final Exam **** (Chaps 13-15,18-20)

This schedule is subject to change as conditions may warrant. Always bring your textbook to class.

TEXTBOOK: Environment Science, 8th or 9th Ed., by D. Chiras; Jones and Bartlett, Pub.

Course Goals and Objectives:

To provide basic info on Ecosystems. To provide a historical perspective on human activity which has led to disruption of many Ecosystems and present day environmental problems. This will be done by presenting information on what the environment was like in the early days of human existence, what changes have occurred as societies developed and advanced, and to what extent are humans responsible for these changes. Finally, what do these problems portent for the future of the Biosphere and what might and needs to be done to mitigate these changes. The problems are serious and are a sign that we are on a course of “Unsustainability”.

CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF AND STORED UPON ENTERING THE CLASSROOM!

NO SENDING OR RECEIVING OF TEXT MESSAGES!!!

Student Learning outcomes:

1. Be able to: diagram and distinguish between “S” and “J” shaped growth curves, describe the factors that shape these curves, and appraise the outlook for human population growth.
2. Given any of the current environmental controversies: be able to paraphrase opposing views and evaluate them on the basis of scientific criteria.

Course Rules and other information:

1. No electronic devices may be used during exams or quizzes. Cell phones must always be turned off upon entering the classroom and can not be used at anytime for any reason.
2. Before coming to class each day you are expected to have read the chapter relating to the day’s topic, to have answered all of the study guide questions for that chapter, to arrive on time on time when the class starts at 2:15, to participate in any discussions, and to remain until the class ends at 3:35p.
3. Starting each day you may ask questions regarding the assigned material, this should lead to discussion of the

material. In order to stimulate discussion, the instructor may ask questions based upon the study guide.

1. Examinations: there will be 2 midterm exams worth about 140 points each. Part of these will be multiple choice and part will be short answer and/or fill in the blank. For these exams you will need to bring a scantron sheet (882E).

The final exam will be about 150 multiple choice questions. (2 scantrons )

1. Dropping: If you decide to stop attending, it is your responsibility to go to the registrar’s office or online and fill out the proper forms.

Failure to do so may result in a final grade of “F”. If you have 2 consecutive absences without contacting me I

may drop you from the class.

1. The instructor reserves the right to give in-class quizzes without prior notice, (pop quiz).
2. Your grade in the class will be determined by the total number of points you accumulate as a percentage of the total possible points. Where:

A = 90 % or more of the total possible points.

B = 80-89 % “ “ “ “ “

C = 65-79 % “ “ “ “ “

D = 50-64 % “ “ “ “ “

F = less than 50 % “ “ “ “ “

9. Here is an example of the possible points available:

The following is only an example and the actual number of points and the ways to earn them may vary somewhat.

3 Midterm Exams @ 140 pts each = 420

5 Point/Counter Point summaries @ 15 pts each = 75

2 papers on “10 reasons for” 20pts each = 40

Miscellaneous papers = 45

1 final exam = 150

Total possible points 730

1. Academic conduct:

Cheating may take many forms, none will be tolerated. Copying from or talking to another person or using “cheat sheets” on any quiz, exam or written reports or allowing someone to copy your work are some of the forms of

cheating. Cheating will result in zero points for all involved. The college has regulations entitled “Code of

Academic Conduct and Reporting Policy”. Copies are available in all academic offices, in most classrooms, in

hallways and on the college’s webpage. It is your responsibility to read and understand this document.

1. The examination booklets are the property of the instructor and may not leave the classroom in anyone’s possession

except the instructor’s. They must be turned in along with the scantron upon completion of the questions. Failure to turn in the exam booklet will result in a final grade of “F” and a report will be filed with appropriate administrator.