W.M. PRICE BIOLOGY 9-Environmental Biology Spring 2011

Tu & Th 2:15-5:20p Section 1222 Room: Sci 159

My voice mail: 310-434-4514 Email: Office Hours: 1-2p Tu, Th, Sci 273

Week Date Lecture Topic and Reading Assignments Text Chap

1 Feb 15 Introduction; Environmental Science and Critical Thinking; 1

Environmental Protection & Sustainable Development 2

17 Root Causes of Problems 3

2 22 Principles of Ecology: How Ecosystems work 4

24 *** 1st Midterm Exam *** (Chapters 1-4) (2 hours)

Biomes and Aquatic Life Zones (Last hour) 5

3 Mar 01 Self-sustaining Mechanisms In Ecosystems 6

03 Our Changing Relationship with the Environment 7

4 08 Populations 8

10 Stabilizing the Human Population 9

5 15 *** 2nd Midterm Exam *** (Chaps 5-9) (2 hours)

Sustainable Agriculture (Last hour after exam) 10

17 No Class! Campus Closed.

6 22 Sus. Ag. (cont.); Preserving Biological Diversity 10,11

24 Water Resources 13

7 29 Nonrenewable Energy Sources 14

31 Conservation of Energy & Renewable Energy Sources 15

8 Apr 05 Global Warming (DVD & Discussion) Written Chapter Summaries are due.

07 *** Final Exam *** (Chapters 10-15)

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

TEXTBOOK: Environment Science, 7th or 8thEd., by D. Chiras

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!

Student Learning outcomes:

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.
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:

No electronic devices may be used during exams or quizzes.
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 5:20p.
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.

Examinations: there will be 2 midterm exams of about 2 hours in length 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 )

Dropping: If you decide to stop attending, it is your responsibility to go to the registrar’s office 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.

Written Chapter Summaries: There is not sufficient time to cover all of the desired chapters in class lecture. So, you

will turn in typed summaries of 2-3 pages for chapters 24, 25, 26. These are worth up to 15 points each.

The instructor reserves the right to give in class quizzes without prior notice, (pop quiz).
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. 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.

2 Midterm Exams @ 140 pts each = 280

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

3 chapter summaries 2 15 pts each = 45

Miscellaneous papers = 30

1 final exam = 150

Total possible points 580

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.

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.