BIOL/GEOG 426 Fall 2011, Sections Q90 & 300

Conservation and Management of Natural Resources

BIOL/GEOG 426 Fall 2011, Sections Q90 & 300

Tentative Syllabus

Professor: Dr. Susan Romano

Contact Information

E-mail:

Phone: Cell (309)333-1568; Macomb 309-298-3387; Quad Cities 309-762-9481

Office Hours:Monday, 10-11 am, Macomb, Waggoner Room 283

Tuesday, 11am – noon and 3pm – 5pm, Quad Cities, Room 286

Wednesday, 4-5 pm, Macomb, Waggoner Room 283

Class Time and Location

Tuesdays, 6 to 8:30 pm, Quad Cities Room 106 and tele-broadcast to Macomb, Waggoner Room 170.

Last day to drop this course with a “W”: 10/30/2011

Course Description:Problems in the conservation and management of natural resources including soil, water, rangeland, forest, wildlife, air, and energy resources. Special attention is given to resource problems of the United States(WIU Graduate Catalog).Pre-Requisite:GEOG 120 and 121, or consent of instructor

Course Purpose/Objectives:

• Learning through experiential environmental opportunities
• Learning through environmental readings and discussion
• Provide materials so students will be well-versed in a broad range of conservation topics

Required Texts

• Book Title: Natural Resource Conservation: Management for a Sustainable Future (10th Edition) (Hardcover)
  Author: Daniel D. Chiras and John P. Reganold
  Publisher: Addison Wesley; 10 edition (March 1, 2009)

ISBN: 9780132251388

• Book Title: SAND COUNTY ALMANAC
  Edition: REV 87
  Publisher: OXF
  Author: LEOPOLD
  ISBN: 9780195059281

Academic Misconduct

• If you cheat on an assignment or exam, you will receive a grade of zero (0) for that assignment or exam and could receive an F in the course. You are to do your own work on course assignments. The rights and responsibilities of all students are detailed online at The Official University Policy Manual webpage covers University policies related to student academic integrity, the course syllabus, grade appeals, oral English proficiency, student absences, and students participating in university-sanctioned activities.
• Web address for student rights and responsibilities

 Definitions of Academic Dishonesty (Copied directly from
“The following definitions and examples are not meant to be exhaustive. The University reserves the right to determine, in a given instance, what action constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

1. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting the work of another as one's own. Plagiarism occurs whenever:

1. One quotes another person's actual words or replicates all or part of another's product without acknowledgment. This includes all information gleaned from any source, including the Internet.
2. One uses another person's ideas, opinions, work, data, or theories, even if they are completely paraphrased in one's own words without acknowledgment.
3. One uses facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials without acknowledgment.
4. One fails to acknowledge with a citation any close and/or extended paraphrasing of another.
5. One fails to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it is a few words, a sentence, or a paragraph.

Typical examples: Submitting, as one's own, the work of another writer or commercial writing service; knowingly buying or otherwise acquiring and submitting, as one's own work, any research paper or other writing assignment; submitting, as one's own, work in which portions were produced by someone acting as tutor or editor; collaborating with others on papers or projects without authorization of the instructor.

In addition to oral or written work, plagiarism may also involve using, without permission and/or acknowledgment, computer programs or files, research designs, ideas and images, charts and graphs, photographs, creative works, and other types of information that belong to another.

Because expectations about academic assignments vary among disciplines and instructors, students should consult with their instructors about any special requirements related to citation.

1. Fabrication and Falsification

Fabrication or falsification is intentionally and knowingly making unauthorized alterations to information, or inventing any information or citation in an academic exercise. Fabrication (inventing or counterfeiting information) and/or falsification (altering information) occur whenever:

1. One alters or falsifies a graded work after it has been evaluated by the instructor and resubmits it for re-grading.
2. One invents data in a piece of work or provides a false account of the method by which data were generated or collected.
3. One misrepresents by fabricating an otherwise justifiable excuse such as illness, injury, accident, etc., in order to avoid timely submission of academic work or to avoid or delay the taking of a test or examination.

Typical Examples: Fabrication--inventing or counterfeiting data, research results, information, or procedures; inventing data or fabricating research procedures to make it appear that the results of one process are actually the results of several processes; counterfeiting a record of internship or practicum experiences.

Falsification--altering the record of data or experimental procedures or results; false citation of the source of information (e.g., reproducing a quotation from a book review while indicating that the quotation was obtained from the book itself); altering the record of or reporting false information about practicum or clinical experiences; altering grade reports or other academic records; submitting a false excuse for absence or tardiness in a scheduled academic exercise; altering a returned examination paper and seeking regrading.

1. Cheating

Cheating is intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids, solution manuals, or other devices in any academic exercise, test, or quiz. This includes unauthorized communication of information during an exercise. Cheating includes:

1. Possessing unauthorized notes, crib sheets, additional sources of information, or other materials during an examination.
2. Preparing a written answer to an exam question outside of class and submitting that answer as part of an in-class exam.
3. Possessing term papers, examinations, lab reports, or other assignments which were supposed to be returned to the instructor.
4. Altering test answers and then claiming the instructor improperly graded the test or examination.
5. Giving or receiving answers by use of any signals or technology during a test.

Typical Examples: Copying from another student's paper or receiving unauthorized assistance during a quiz, test or examination; using books, notes, or other devices (e.g., calculators) when these are not authorized; procuring without authorization tests or examinations before the scheduled exercise (including discussion of the substance of examinations and tests when it is expected these will not be discussed); copying reports, laboratory work, computer programs or files and the like from other students; collaborating on laboratory or computer programs or files and the like with other students; collaborating on laboratory or computer work without authorization and without indication of the nature and extent of the collaboration; sending a substitute to take an examination.

1. Complicity in Academic Dishonesty

Complicity in academic dishonesty is intentionally or knowingly helping, or attempting to help, another commit an act of academic dishonesty. Complicity includes:

1. Permitting another student to copy one's work during an examination or allowing another student to copy one's paper, lab report, computer program, or other assignments.
2. Taking an examination or any portion of a course for another student; writing a paper, lab report, computer program, or other assignments for another student.

Typical Examples: Knowingly allowing another to copy from one's paper during an examination or test; knowingly and without authorization distributing test questions or substantive information about the material to be tested before the scheduled exercise; collaborating on academic work knowing that the collaboration will not be reported; taking an examination or test for another student, or signing a false name on an academic exercise. (Note: Collaboration and sharing information are characteristics of academic communities. These become a violation when they involve dishonesty. Instructors should make expectations about collaborations clear to students. Students should seek clarification when in doubt).

1. Abuse of Academic Materials

Abuse of academic materials is intentionally or knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible library or other resource material.

Typical Examples: Stealing or destroying library or reference materials needed for common academic exercises; hiding resource materials so others may not use them; destroying computer programs or files needed in academic work; stealing or intentionally destroying another student's notes or laboratory experiments; receiving assistance in locating or using sources of information in an assignment where such assistance has been forbidden by the instructor. (Note: The offense of abuse of academic materials shall be dealt with under this policy only when the abuse violates standards of integrity in academic matters, usually in a course or experience for which academic credit is awarded).

1. Multiple Submissions

Multiple submissions occurs when one intentionally or knowingly submits substantial portions of the same academic work (including oral reports) for credit more than once without the explicit authorization of both instructors. Typical Examples: Submitting the same or substantially the same work for credit in more than one course without prior permission of both instructors. Building upon or reworking prior work is acceptable with permission of both instructors.”

Students With Disabilities

“In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.” WIU Policy

Course Requirements and Grading

Your grade will be based on the following assignments, exams, and grading scales:

Assignments

• Wilderness Solo Essay 20 pts
• Organic Garden 20 pts
• Green Home Design 20 pts
• Conservation Experience 20 pts
• Carbon Footprint 20 pts
• Aldo Leopold Participation 50 pts

Exams

• Midterm Exam100 pts
• Final Exam100 pts

Total Points for Course 350 pts

Grading Scale (Graduate)Grading Scale (Undergraduate)

92% - 100%A99.0% - 100%+A

91% - 98.99% A

84% - 91.99%B90% - 90.99%A-

89% - 89.99%B+

81% - 88.99% B

80% - 80.99%B-

79% - 79.99%C+

76% - 83.99%C71% - 78.99%C

70% - 70.99%C-

69% - 69.99%D+

68% - 75.99%D61% - 68.99%D

60% - 60.99%D-

67.99% and belowFBelow 60%F

Tentative Course Schedule

Date / Topic / Homework Assignments
August 23 / Chapter 1: Natural Resource Conservation and Management: Past, Present, and Future
Movie: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring / Wilderness Solo Essay
Due 9/6/11
August 30 / Leopold Readings: January Thaw, Good Oak
Chapter 2: Economics, Ethics, and Critical Thinking: Tools for Creating a Sustainable Future
Movie: The 11th Hour
September 6 / Leopold Readings: The Geese Return, Come High Water
Chapter 4: The Human Population Change
Movie: NOVA: World in Balance / Organic Garden Design
Due 9/20/11
September 13 / Leopold Readings: Draba,Bur Oak
Chapter 5: World Hunger: Solving the Problem Sustainably
Movie: Food, Inc.
September 20 / Leopold Readings: Sky Dance, Back from the Argentine
Chapter 7: Soil Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture
Movie: The History Channel : Renewable Energy / Green Home Design
Due 10/11/11
September 27 / Leopold Readings: The Alder Fork, Great Possessions
Chapter 8: Integrated Pest Management
Movie: A&E: Natural Environment Homes
October 4 / Midterm Exam
October 11 / Leopold Readings: Prairie Birthday, The Green Pasture
Chapter 10: Managing Water Resources Sustainably
Chapter 11: Water Pollution
Movie: Tapped
October 18 / Leopold Readings: The Choral Copse, Smoky Gold
Chapter 14: Forest Management / Conservation Experience
Due 11/15/11
October 25 / Leopold Readings: Too Early, Red Lanterns
Chapter 15: Plant and Animal Extinction
NOVA: Extinction!
November 1 / Leopold Readings: If I Were the Wind, Axe-in-Hand
Chapter 17: Sustainable Waste Management
Movie: Trashed
November 8 / Leopold Readings: A Mighty Fortress, Home Range
Chapter 18: Air Pollution
Movie: An Inconvenient Truth
November 15 / Leopold Readings: Pines above the Snow, 65290
Chapter 19: Air Pollution: Global Problems / Carbon Footprint
Due 12/6/11
November 22 / NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING VACATION
November 29 / Leopold Readings: Marshland Elegy, The Land Ethic
Chapter 21: Nonrenewable Energy Resources: Issues and Options
Movie: Energy Crossroads
December 6 / Chapter 22: Creating a Sustainable System of Energy: Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Movie: NOVA: The Big Energy Gamble
December 13 / Final Exam – Take home essay exam. Exam will be available on Monday, December 12.
Must be turned in electronically on WesternOnline beforemidnight, December 13.

Homework Format

Text format: Typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Romano font, 1 inch margins

Submission: submitted electronically by WesternOnline as an email attachment. All homework assignments are due electronically by WesternOnline email by 5 pm, on the due date indicated on the syllabus. All late assignments will result in an automatic 10% grade reduction for the assignment.

Include:

Title page with

• Assignment title
• Your name
• Date

Report (2 page minimum)

• Introduction, including purpose of the report
• Description of your project/experience
• Conclusion
• Note: pictures are encouraged but should not exceed space limit of 25% of one page. Additional photos and illustrations may be included if required for the project or if your text exceeds 2 pages. Basically, don’t use photos or illustrations as “fill”.