STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO--DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Environmental Science CHE300-820, Spring 2010
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-8:55 pm, Snygg Hall 101
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INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Webe Kadima, Snygg 320A, webe.kadima@oswego.edu
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday, 9:15- 10:15 a.m. and by appointment
My web site: www.oswego.edu/~kadima
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TEXT: Environmental Science-Toward a Sustainable Future, Tenth Edition, Richard T. Wright, 2008, Pearson Prentice Hall
+ Dire Predictions and Themes of the Times Vol. 2.
Companion web site: www.prenhall.com/wright
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INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS:
a. To identify and describe components of the Earth natural system and explain how the Earth system functions.
b. To demonstrate how human activities influence the Earth natural system and the consequences of human-induced
change for ecosystems, human health, and natural resources/infrastructures.
c. To describe chemical/ biological/ physical processes underlying environmental problems such as smog, acid rain, etc.
d. To demonstrate the connections between environmental problems and economical, political, social and cultural
systems.
e. To motivate students to participate in actions that lead to the protection and conservation of the environment and the
sustainability of the earth’s life-support systems.
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STUDENT PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
a. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of how natural ecosystems function and change.
b. Students are expected to demonstrate an awareness of major environmental issues that confront our society.
c. Students are expected to use chemical, biological and physical principles to explain causes and consequences of
environmental problems such acid rain, smog, depletion of the ozone layer, etc.
d. Students are expected to identify connections between environmental problems and human operational systems
(cultural, social, political, economical, globalization, etc.)
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DESIRED LASTING OUTCOME:
e. This course provides a sound scientific foundation for understanding the root causes of environmental problems
generated by human activities, and how human systems can contribute to sustain or destroy the Environment.
Therefore, this course equips students to evaluate environmental issues using good science and to make informed
decisions and take appropriate action at the individual and collective levels.
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TENTATIVE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE:
Lecture
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Topic
Syllabus
Chapter 1 – Introduction: Toward a Sustainable Future
Chapter 2 – Ecosystems: What They Are
Chapter 3 – Ecosystems: How They Work
Chapter 4 – Ecosystems: How They Change
QUIZ 1
Chapter 5 – The Human Population: Dimensions
Chapter 6 – Population and Development
Exam 1 – Chapters 1–7
Chapter 7 – Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use
Chapter 8 – Soil Foundation for Land Ecosystems
Chapter 9 – The Production and Distribution of Food
QUIZ 2
SPRING BREAK
Chapter 10 – Wild Species and Biodiversity: Use and Protection
Chapter 11 – Ecosystem Capital: Use and Restoration
Date
01/25
01/27,29
02/01, 02/3
02/5,8
02/10,12
02/15
02/17,19
02/22,24
02/26
03/1,3
03/5, 8
03/10
03/12
03/15-19
03/22
03/24
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STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO--DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Environmental Science CHE300-820, Spring 2010
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-8:55 pm, Snygg Hall 101
17
Exam 2 – Chapters 8–11
03/26
18
Chapter 12 – Energy from Fossil Fuels
03/29,31
19
Chapter 13 – Energy from Nuclear Power
04/2, 5
20
Chapter 14 – Renewable Energy
04/5, 7
21
QUIZ 3
04/12
22
Chapter 15 – Environmental Hazards and Human Health
23
Chapter 16 – Pests and Pest Control
24
Chapter 17 – Water Pollution and Its Prevention
04/14,16
25
Chapter 18 – Municipal Solid Waste: Disposal and Recovery
26
Chapter 19 – Hazardous Chemicals: Pollution and Prevention
27
Exam3 – Chapters 12–19
04/19
28
Chapter 20 – The Atmosphere: Climate, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion
04/21, 23
29
Chapter 21 – Atmospheric Pollution
04/26, 28
30
Chapter 22 – Economics, Public Policy, and the Environment
04/30, 05/3
31
Chapter 23 – Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles
05/5
32
Review
05/7
33
FINAL EXAM – Chapters 20-23
8:00 – 10:00 AM , FRIDAY MAY 14, SNYGG 101
GRADING:
3Open Text book Quizzes
50 points each
4 Exams
100 points each
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Total
550 points
The letter grade will be assigned according to the following scale:
A
100-90
A90-88
B+
88-86
B
86-80
B80-78
C+
78-76
C
76-70
C70-65
D
65-60
F
60-0
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PREPARATION FOR CLASSES:
You are advised to read assigned chapters and write a summary for each chapter before the material is covered by the
instructor. Core themes in each chapter are summarized online which should help guide your reading. Include in your
summaries key principles and terms and identify newly introduced concepts. Record questions that arise as you read and after
reading. This is a learning process and must be approached thoughtfully; do not just “copy” the textbook. Add to your
summaries essentials that you think are missing after the instructor has covered the materials. You can use these summaries
during the “Open Text book Quizzes’’, and they are an excellent study tool for exams.
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PREPARATION FOR TESTS:
Make sure to review your summaries, lecture notes and the questions at the end of each chapter. Practice online quizzes and
make use of online “Key Terms Flash Cards”. Instructions for registration to the Companion Website are given on page i of
the text book. On the test day, bring your ID, a pencil, and a calculator. There will be 50 multiple choice questions on each test.
If you are unable to take a test on the scheduled dates, you must provide an official document that justifies your absence as
soon as possible.
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ATTENDANCE
Students are bound by the College policies on attendance as articulated on pp. 55-57 of the 2002-2003 Student Handbook.
THE ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY
"Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to individual growth and development through college course work.
When academic dishonestly occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously undermined and student growth and development
are impeded. For these reasons, any form of intellectual dishonestly is a serious concern and is therefore prohibited." For more
information see: http://www.oswego.edu/administration/registrar/policy_text.html#cpii
DISABILITY
The Office of Disability Services is available to assist students who have a legally documented disability or students who
suspect that they may have a disability. If you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to successfully
complete this course, please contact the Office of Disability Services (315-3358).
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STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT OSWEGO--DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Environmental Science CHE300-820, Spring 2010
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-8:55 pm, Snygg Hall 101
CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT
Expressing yourself in the classroom in an orderly manner is greatly encouraged; just ask to be given permission to do so.
However, chatting, early exits, late entrances and traffic during lectures will not be tolerated. Disruptive students will be asked
to leave the classroom, and will have to meet the instructor to be allowed to return.
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