COURSE OUTLINE
ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE SCIENCE ABIO 106
FALL 2009
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
e-mail:
Dr. Michele Harmon
SBDG 221
By appointment
(803) 641-3607
micheleh@usca.edu
10:00 am - 12:05 pm, TTh in SBDG 327
Lecture:
4
Credits:
Lab: Sect 001: T 1:40PM- 4:20PM, SBDG 107 (Dr. Harmon)
Sect 002: TH 1:40PM- 4:20PM, SBDG 107 (Mr. Reinhart)
Required textbooks:
1. Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications, 5th Edition, by William P. Cunningham and
Mary Ann Cunningham. ISBN-13 9780077270643 Note: This book is available in the bookstore; however,
there is a more economical and environmentally-friendly online version that you can purchase through the
following website:
http://www.coursesmart.com/givecoursesmartatry?xmlid=0077280644&__instructor=1284733
2. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, 13th Edition, Expanded, by Thomas A. Easton,
ISBN-13 9780073514451
Course Objectives: The course will provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the complex interactions
between man and the environment. The course will specifically address the importance of natural resources, human
population growth, depletion/degradation of the earth’s resources, types of pollution, pollution reduction and prevention,
and strategies for sustainability.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures along with appropriate visual
aids. Traditional exams will be used to evaluate student progress in the class. These exams will include multiple choice,
terms/definitions, and short answer. Students should bring a pencil and a long-form Scantron to each exam.
There will be several unannounced quizzes and in-class assignments during the semester. Students are expected to have
reviewed the material from the previous lecture in preparation. These will be administered during the first 10 minutes of
class, and there will be no make-up opportunities for absence or late arrival. However, the lowest quiz grade will be
dropped at the end of the semester.
The student will be required to complete one written research assignment and participate in an oral debate/presentation on
a current environmental topic. Full details will be handed out in class.
The final course grade will be based on the following:
3 Lecture exams @ 100 pts. each
1 Final exam @ 200 pts.
On-line and in-class quizzes / assignments
Research assignment
Taking Sides assignment
Laboratory quizzes, reports, and participation
GRADING SCALE:
300
200
50
50
100
250
950 total pts. available
A (90-100%), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The instructor may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled
class meetings (lectures and labs) by assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the
student from meeting class assignments. Lecture exam dates are clearly stated in the syllabus, and all students are
expected to take the exam at the regularly scheduled time. Make-up lecture exams will be considered only for a
documented, excusable reason. If there is an illness or emergency, you are expected to contact the instructor
immediately. Be prepared to show documentation (doctor’s excuse, etc.). Failure to contact the instructor within 24 hours
will forfeit any chance of making up the test, and the student will be assigned a zero.
Attending lecture and taking notes is the sole responsibility of the student. Under no circumstance will the instructor
provide copies of lecture notes or slides for students.
LABORATORY ATTENDANCE: Because of their nature, laboratory investigations cannot be made up. You are
expected to attend every laboratory session and participate for the entire period to get full credit. If you miss a laboratory
investigation, you will not be allowed to take any associated quizzes or turn in a lab report. This also applies if you come
in late, leave early, or do not participate fully. You cannot write a report on a laboratory investigation that you did not do.
Schedule for ABIO 106, Fall 2009
Date
Topic
Aug. 20
Introduction
Aug. 25
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Aug. 27
Energy and Ecosystems
Sep. 1
Energy and Ecosystems
Sep. 3
Evolution and Terrestrial Ecosystems
Sep. 8
Aquatic Ecosystems
Sep. 10
Aquatic Ecosystems
Sep. 15
Exam 1
Sep. 17
Pesticides Assignment
Sep. 22
Species Interaction and Succession
Sep. 24
Population Dynamics
Sep. 29
Human Populations: Size and Distribution
Oct. 1
Urbanization
Oct. 6
Energy
Oct. 8
Fall Break - no class
Oct. 13
Nuclear Energy
Oct. 15
The Legacy of Nuclear Weapons in SC
Oct. 20
Exam 2
Oct. 22
Food Production, Soil, GM Crops, and Pesticides
Oct. 27
Food Production, Soil, GM Crops, and Pesticides
Oct. 29
Toxicology and Risk
Nov. 3
Biohazards and Infectious Disease
Nov. 5
Air Pollution - Pesticide Research Assignment due by 5:00 pm
Nov. 10
Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
Nov. 12
Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
Nov. 17
Exam 3
Nov. 19
Water Resources
Nov. 24
Foodborne Illness
Nov. 26
Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 1
Water Pollution
Dec. 3
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Comprehensive Final Exam: Dec. 8 at 11:00 am
Chapter
1
2
2
3, 5
5
5
3, 5
3
4
14
12
12
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
10
10
13
CHANGES: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture or laboratory schedule, the number of
quizzes and exams given, and the content of each exam as deemed necessary.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Plan to be out of touch and to have your cell phone stored out of sight during lecture and
lab time. This includes leaving the room to answer silent rings or using the phone for text messages.
COMPUTER USE AND EMAIL: All laboratory sessions will require the use of a computer. You must be able to log on
to the USCA computer system in order to accomplish these laboratory exercises. If you do not know how to sign on to the
USCA computer system, you should contact the CSD HELP desk as soon as possible.
All official email communications, including class announcements, are made to USCA email accounts. Students should
check their USCA email account on a regular basis and use this account for communication with the instructor. In order
to protect the privacy of the student, the instructor will not reply to emails sent from non-USCA accounts (e.g., Hotmail,
Yahoo, etc.).
DISABILITY STATEMENT: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your
performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609, as soon as
possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Laboratory Schedule for BIO 106, Fall 2009
Date
Aug. 25-27
Sept. 1-3
Sept. 8-10
Sept. 15-17
Sept. 22-24
Sept 29- Oct. 1
Oct. 6-8
Oct. 13-15
Oct. 20-22
Oct. 27-29
Nov. 3-5
Nov. 10-12
Nov. 17-19
Nov. 24-26
Dec. 1-3
Topic
Your Ecological Footprint and Discuss Taking Sides
assignment
EcoBeaker Computerized Lab Exercise and Taking Sides
Issue Selection
EcoBeaker Computerized Lab Exercise
EcoBeaker Computerized Lab Exercise
EcoBeaker Computerized Lab Exercise
Pesticide Toxicity Research - Class Experiment
Fall break
Pesticide Toxicity Research Report Preparation
Individual Pesticide Toxicity Research
Pesticide Toxicity Research Report Preparation
Taking Sides Powerpoint preparation with partner
Oral reports from Taking Sides*
Oral reports from Taking Sides*
Thanksgiving
Laboratory Final Exam
Taking Sides
Issues*
1, 2, 3
4, 5, 6
7, 8, 9
10, 11, 12
*Taking Sides reports will be in two parts. First, each pair of students will present the two sides of one of the issues in
the first part of lab each week. This will take no more than 5 minutes and then we will have a few minutes for discussion.
Student teams will be assigned a date (Nov. 10/12 or Nov. 17/19) for a PowerPoint presentation on each side of the issue.
This will be followed by a discussion session with the class. All students are expected to attend and participate during
BOTH days of presentation. The final portion of this assignment is a one-page summary of the topic from each student.
The summary is due on November 19. A full description of this assignment will be handed out and discussed during the
first lab meeting.