BIOL 346: An Ecological Perspective
DC 10: People and the Environment (LASC 10)
3pm-4:15pm MW Spring 2012
Hagen 404
Dr. Donna Bruns Stockrahm
- Biosciences Department
- Office Phone (218) 477-2576
- Home Phone 1-(218) 937-5280
- Cell Phone (701) 367-3045
- Office: Hagen Hall, Room 407-S
- stockram@mnstate.edu
- Office Hours: see my office door
- www.mnstate.edu/stockram/index.htm
Course Description: Biol 346 “An Ecological Perspective” -- A study of sustainability from ecological and human societal
perspectives. (3 credits)
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: This course seeks to help students understand basic ecological
principles, and to use these principles to understand our current environmental problems. An integration of scientific,
economic, political and ethical considerations will help students to appreciate the policies and practices necessary to
achieving a sustainable future.
DC 10: People and the Environment (LASC 10)
Goal: To develop students’ understanding of the concept of sustainability and the challenges we face in responding to
environmental variables and resolving environmental problems. Students will examine how societies and the natural
environment are intimately related. A thorough understanding of ecosystems and the ways in which different groups
interact with their environments is the foundation of an environmentally literate individual.
Student Competencies: MSUM students will be able to:
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Explain the concept of sustainability.
Identify and evaluate possible pathways to a sustainable future and demonstrate an awareness of the tradeoffs
necessary to achieve a sustainable future.
Identify the structure, function, and processes of ecosystems (the physical environment and biological
community of which human society is a part and on which it depends).
Assess and analyze the environmental problems of a technological society using the framework of well-founded
physical and biological principles.
Describe the relationships between environments and socio-cultural groups, and identify how natural resource
challenges are being addressed by the social, legal, economic, political, cultural, and religious systems within
societies.
Course Requirements:
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Miller, G.T. and Spoolman, S.E. 2012. Environmental Science, 14th ed. Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, Publisher,
Canada. ISBN: 13: 978-1-98893-7.
Supplemental reading material will be handed out as the course progresses.
Computer with access to the internet and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Special Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg
Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as
possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Attendance Policy: Your attendance in this course is expected, but you will not be penalized for nonattendance with
points.
Exams and quizzes must be taken on the date they are given unless you have an excusable absence. If you know you
have a conflict for one of the exams or quizzes you are expected to talk to the instructor in person before the exam or
quiz is given. If you miss an exam or quiz due to an unexpected excusable absence please contact the instructor as soon
as possible to make arrangements for a make-up exam or quiz. Make-up exams or quizzes are at the discretion of the
instructor and may differ in content and difficulty than the original exam or quiz. See MSUM Student Absence Policy,
Student Handbook: http://www.mnstate.edu/sthandbook/policiesprocedures/studentabsence.cfm
Academic Honesty: The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. When an
instructor has convincing evidence of cheating, the following actions may be taken: assign a failing grade to the
assignment in question, or assign a failing grade for the course in which the student cheated. The Student Conduct
Committee may also take disciplinary action if the student is found responsible. Please see the MSUM policy on
academic honesty at:
http://www.mnstate.edu/sthandbook/policiesprocedures/academichonesty.cfm
Course Grading:
3 Exams @100 pts ea
Final Exam @ 100 pts
5 Quizzes @ 10 pts ea
5 Case Studies (group) @ 10 pts ea
5 Case Studies (indiv) @ 10 pts ea
Discussion Participation &
Miscellaneous Assignments
Total
Grading Scale:
300 pts
100 pts
50 pts
50 pts
50 pts
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
59% and below = F
30 pts
580 pts
Exams: There will be 3 exams plus 1 final based on lecture material scheduled. Exams will be scheduled roughly 3-4
weeks apart.
Quizzes: There will be 5 quizzes; notice will be given the lecture before.
Case Studies: Case studies are imbedded within the text. We will break into groups to discuss five of these, and you will
have homework assignments to complete the other five. Worksheets or other guided homework will be given.
Assignments and Projects: We will have some lab-like activities in this course as well as discussions and presentations.
There will be opportunities for extra credit.
Exams and quizzes: Exams will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Exams are
expected to be completed during the 75-minute regular class period. Exams will not be comprehensive; the last exam
will be a regular unit exam. Exam dates will be announced ahead of time in class. If an exam date needs to be changed,
it will never be made earlier, only later.
Quizzes will be either completed in class or via d2l. The quizzes will be given or made available on d2l on the dates listed
in the course schedule. If dates for the quizzes need to be changed, they will be given later, not earlier. Quizzes on d2l
will be open for one week; quizzes given in class are expected to be taken on the date listed.
Lecture Schedule:
Week 1: Humans and Sustainability
Chapter 1--Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability
Week 2: Ecology and Sustainability I
Chapter 2--Science, Matter and Energy
Chapter 3—Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Week 3: Ecology and Sustainability II
Chapter 4—Biodiversity and Evolution
Chapter 5—Biodiversity, Species Interactions, and Population Control
Week 4: Ecology and Sustainability III
Chapter 6—Human Population and Urbanization
Week 5: Ecology and Sustainability IV
Chapter 7—Climate and Biodiversity
Week 6: Sustaining Biodiversity
Chapter 8-Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach
Chapter 9--Sustaining Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach
Week 7: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality I
Chapter 10--Food, Soil and Pest Management
Week 8: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality II
Chapter 11 – Water Resources and Water Pollution
Week 9: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality III
Chapter 12--Geology and Nonrenewable Minerals
Week 10: SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Week 11: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality IV
Chapter 13--Energy
Week 12: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality V
Chapter 14—Environmental Hazards and Human Health
Week 13: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality VI
Chapter 15--Air Pollution, Climate Disruption, and Ozone Depletion
Week 14: Sustaining Resources and Environmental Quality VII
Chapter 16—Solid and Hazardous Waste
Week 15: Sustaining Human Societies
Chapter 18: Environmental Economics, Politics, and Worldviews
Week 16: Sustaining Human Societies II
Catch-Up and Wrapping It Up
May 2 (Wed) - Study Day – No class
May 7 (Mon) – Final – 3pm