BIOLOGY 1130.syllabus.doc

BIOLOGY 1130.004: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (TENTATIVE) COURSE OUTLINE Spring Semester, 2005 Lecture: EESAT Bldg.; Room 110; Tues-Thurs 8:00 - 9:20 AM Theron Palmer, EESAT 337. Ph. 940-565-3088; email: tlp0013@unt.edu. OFFICE HOURS: It is always best to make an appointment (call or email). However, I am usually available W 10:00 – noon, and 2:00-5:00. Please feel free to contact me if you have any difficulties or need further explanations. TEXT: Environment: The Science Behind the Stories (2005; Benjamin Cummings Press, NY), by Brennan & Withgott. MAKE SURE TO READ THE CHAPTERS BEFORE THE LECTURES! I WILL USE THE CHAPTERS AS EXAMPLES IN LECTURES. ONE HIGHLY IMPORTANT WEB SITE: WWW.ENVSCIENCEPLACE.COM. Date: LECTURE TOPIC, Chapter Jan 18 Class Intro and Course Details, Environmental Science: What is it? 1 20 Film: Silent Spring and the birth of American environmentalism 25 Ethics and Economics: Sustainability & Values 2 27 Environmental Policies: Who Needs Them? 3 Feb 1 Interrelationships: Matter and Energy and Environment 4 3 Film: Cadillac Desert 8 Water and Chemistry: Some Fascinating Properties! 4 10 Organism Interrelationships: Life, Death and Biodiversity 5 FEB 15 EXAMINATION NUMBER 1 17 Kinds of Ecosystems 5 22 Watersheds and Biomes: What are they? 6 24 Population principles I: Birth, death, and limits 7 Mar 1 Population principles II: Ecological Footprints 7 3 Agriculture and Soil: Use and Conservation 8 8 Future of Food: Pests, GM crops and CAFOs 9 10 Toxicology and Environmental Health 10 MAR 15 and 17 SPRING BREAK 22 Air Pollution: Sources and Effects 11 Mar 24 EXAMINATION NUMBER 2 29 Human Impact on Climate 12 31 The Oceans: Critical Resource! 13 APR 5 Freshwater Resources 14 7 Biodiversity: Why is it important? 15 12 Film: Affluenza 12 14 Film: Earth on the Edge APR 19 EXAMINATION NUMBER 3 21 Land Use and Forest Management 16 26 Nonrenewable Energy Sources 17 28 Energy Alternatives 18 May 3 Waste Management: One species’ waste is another’s resource 19 5 Sustainable Solutions: Why We Need an Educated Electorate! 20 If time permits: The Educated Citizen: Review and Discussion of Environ. Policies 20 FOURTH HOUR EXAM (FINAL): Please consult Spring 2005 Catalog 1. Policy on Incompletes: An incomplete (I), is a non-punitive grade, given only during the last one-fourth of a semester and only if a student is (1) passing the course; (2) has a justifiable reason why the class cannot be completed on schedule; and (3) arranges with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements that the instructor must list on the grade sheet turned in at the end of the semester. All work must be completed within the time specified by the instructor (not to exceed one year after taking the course). 2. Disability Accommodation: The University of North Texas complies with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a verified disability, please see me at your earliest convenience so that we can discuss your needs. I will assure that accommodations are made so that you are provided equality in your educational experience in my class. 3. Policy on Withdrawals: This course will follow University guidelines and dates as listed in the Spring 2005 course catalog. 4. Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who are found to be cheating (all forms, including but not limited to copying from another student's exam or homework, or plagiarism) will fail this course. The term `plagiarism' includes, but is not limited to: (1) the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and (2) the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. Examples: copying, word for word, even a phrase, from a publication, including web pages, without placing quotes around the phrase and citing the source. Students found to have committed scholastic dishonesty will fail this course. Students suspected of cheating will automatically be assigned a grade of "I" (incomplete) until the matter is resolved through proper procedures. Students found to have committed scholastic dishonesty will fail this course. Students are expected to know their rights and responsibilities as put forth in the University of North Texas Catalog and the Student Guidebook. Environmental Science, BIOL 1130.004; Fall, 2004. Course Syllabus. 5. Grading: Four exams, including the final, are given during the semester. All are weighted equally and will consist of 50 to 100 multiple choice questions to be completed on scantron provided by the instructor. (Bring your own #2 pencil(s) to the exams.) The following will be strictly observed: You may miss any one of exams 1, 2, or 3 with a valid medical excuse, or due to a scheduled University extracurricular event (team sports, etc.). Those with a schedule conflict must inform me during lecture prior to the exam. A makeup grade must be completed by one of the following options. A) Substitute your lowest test score from one of the other three exams. B) Complete a comprehensive makeup during finals week. C) Schedule the exam for completion outside of class prior to your absence. Frequently, commuting students encounter traffic problems for 8:00 classes. If you have traffic or mechanical problems, come to class late and begin your exam. You may complete your exam in my office immediately after class. The final exam (exam 4) must be taken to complete the course. If you have a schedule conflict and require a date change, arrangements must be completed by the last day of regular classes. Note that there are no extra credit opportunities. The comprehensive makeup is only for those students with the stated excused absences and may not be taken as a substitute for a low test score. How to study for exams: Read the Text. All materials in the text are fair game for test questions. Learn vocabulary provided during the semester. Vocabulary will be incorporated into test questions. You will not be able to read the exams if you do not know it. Take notes during films. There will be a minimum of four questions per film on exams. Attend lectures. Lectures will be used to illustrate and emphasize key points in the text. To gain access to the lecture notes, chapter concepts (Chapter Concepts are the important things to remember about each chapter!), and the slides, please follow these instructions: Go to: _http://www.ias.unt.edu/~palmer_ (Note: This site will be ready by second week of class) When you get there, it will ask for a username and password. The username is “ecology.” The password will be given to you in class. Then touch on “_Course_syllabi,_outlines,_notes_and_lab_guides_.” This will put you into the BIOL 1130 lecture notes, chapter concepts, and PowerPoint presentations. Please feel free to download any notes, etc and bring them with you to class. It makes taking notes much easier and you can spend your time listening and thinking - and not have to furiously write so much!