SYLLABUS
BIO143 (3 credit hours) Fall 2006
Environmental Science Instructor: Jenny Gunn
Department Chair: Dr. Rhonda Gamble
A general introductory course in human ecology. This course emphasizes resource depletion, energy alternatives, overpopulation, pollution and subsequent worldwide effects.
I. Reference Materials:
Text: Environment, Raven, Berg, Johnson
Supplemental Text: State of the World 2006 - World Watch Institute
II. Course Objectives:
A. The student should be able to explain the varies components of an ecosystem, describe a food chain, and describe the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients through a typical food chain.
B. The student should achieve an understanding of carrying capacity and environmental resistance and be able to explain how various species' interactions maintain population levels. In addition the student should be aware of factors leading to extinction of species as well as the process involved in the formation of new species.
C. The student will be aware of the present rate of human population growth and the worldwide consequences of this growth.
D. The student should understand the present energy crisis and possible alternatives to our present fossil fuel dilemma.
E. The student should be aware of our pressing agricultural problems including chemical pest management versus natural methods of pest control.
F. Finally, the student should have a general understanding of the various types of pollution with emphasis on air and water pollution.
III. Learning Experiences:
Environmental Science topics lend themselves well to a discussion format. The instructor covers some material in detail but the student is expected to read ahead in the texts and be prepared for direct questions and discussions. The student is also given an outline of each chapter to direct his preparation for exams. The text is supplemented with various overheads, slide series, and videos when applicable.
IV. Course Content:
A. Ecosystems (weeks 1-2)
B. Energy flow and nutrient cycles (weeks 3-4)
C. Species and community interactions (week 5)
D. Human population growth and consequences (weeks 6-7)
E. The energy crisis, fossil fuel alternatives, energy consumption
and conservation (weeks 8-10)
F. The nuclear controversy: nonbreeder and breeder reactions (weeks 11-12)
G. Environmental hazards of chemical pollution and radiation
(week 13)
H. Factors leading to species extinction and speciation (week 14)
I. Agricultural systems and Practices (weeks 15-16)
V. Student Evaluation and Conduct:
The student will take three one hundred point lecture exams, each with 50% multiple choice and 50% short answer questions. Additionally each student will turn in three reports, totaling one hundred points, on assigned articles from the supplemental State of the World text to determine the final grade for this course. If a student misses a scheduled lecture test that student has one week to contact the instructor with an appropriate excuse and make up the missed exam or that student must wait until finals week to make up the test. The top grade for each lecture test will set the grade scale with 90% of that top grade representing an A, 80% a B, 70% a C, 60% a D, and below 60% an F.
VI. Attendance:
It is the belief of this instructor that attendance should not be required in any college level course. On the other hand attendance alone contributes to the success in any college level course. The instructor, therefore, takes responsibility for dropping students with four or more unexcused absences for the first half of the semester. After eight weeks it becomes the sole responsibility of each student to drop themselves. Students enrolled in this class must read and sign an attendance policy contract at the beginning of each semester stating that they understand the attendance policy for this course.
VII. Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating on tests will result in the student receiving an F on that test. Plagiarism is the intentional use of someone else’s work. plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an F in the course and may be subject to college disciplinary proceedings.
VIII. Honors Options:
This class may be taken with an honors option with instructor approval and student eligibility. Any interested student should speak with the instructor no later than the end of the second week of class. Topic of option contract will be determined by the student and the instructor.
IX. If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need any test or course materials provided in an alternative format, notify your instructor immediately. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your special needs.