Chabot College
Fall 2003
Course Outline for Ecology 10
HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Catalog Description:
10 - Humans and the Environment
3 units
Identification of problems created by humans' modification of their environment by focusing on ecological
interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as they relate to
specific environments. Ecology 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. 3 hours.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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list and apply the steps of the scientific method and explain how it is used in solving environmental
problems;
describe the laws of energy and energy transformations by autotrophy and heterotrophy in food
chains;
describe the levels of organization of matter and recycling of matter;
compare ways that organisms interact within and between populations;
define evolution and explain how it occurs through the process of natural selection;
explain how communities change through ecological succession;
describe major types of ecosystems and explain how they are affected by abiotic factors;
describe genetic engineering and explain how it can affect natural environments;
describe the classification system for organisms and describe the characteristics of kingdoms;
explain how humans have increased the natural rate of extinction and compare methods used to
maintain biodiversity;
describe cultural changes, human population growth, and the impact humans have had on the
environment through history;
describe water, soil, mineral, food, land and air resources; list types and sources of pollution and
their impact on these resources;
list types of solid and hazardous wastes and pesticides; describe their impact on the environment;
identify the causes and impact of global warming, acid deposition, and loss of the ozone layer;
compare the supply, cost, and environmental impact of fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable
sources of energy;
Course Content:
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Scientific Method
Ecosystems and Energy
a.
laws of matter and energy
b.
properties and changes of matter
Trophic Levels
a.
photosynthesis
b.
cellular respiration
c.
energy flow
d.
recycling matter
e.
food chains and webs
Interactions between organisms
a.
types of interactions
b.
Gause's competitive exclusion principal
Succession
Evolution
Chabot College
Course Outline for Ecology 10, page 2
February 1994
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Natural Selection and Speciation
Systematics
a.
naming and classification
b.
kingdoms
Biodiversity
a.
endangered species
b.
wildlife management
Physical Environment
a.
abiotic factors
b.
biogeochemical cycles
Major Ecosystems
Human Population
a.
population ecology
b.
human population growth
c.
population control
Water Resources
a.
California water problems
b.
pollution
c.
sewage treatment
Soil Resources
a.
characteristics of soil
b.
soil organisms
c.
loss of soil and pollution
Mineral Resources
a.
types and uses of mineral resources
b.
1872 Mining Act
c.
conservation of minerals
Land Resources
a.
land use
b.
timber issues
c.
public lands management
Food Resources
a.
origins and growth of agriculture
b.
world agriculture systems
c.
first and second Green Revolutions
d.
sustainable agriculture and organic farming
Pesticides
a.
types and uses of pesticides
b.
problems caused by pesticides
c.
Integrated Pest Management
Solid and Hazardous Wastes
a.
sources of waste
b.
waste disposal
c.
types of hazardous waste
d.
Love Canal and Superfund
Global change of the atmosphere
a.
global warming-Kyoto Protocol
b.
acid deposition
c.
loss of ozone layer
Fossil Fuels
Nuclear Energy
Renewable Energy
Chabot College
Course Outline for Ecology 10, page 3
February 1994
Methods of Presentation:
1.
Lecture and discussion.
2.
Multimedia presentations.
3.
Field trips
4.
Research paper/term project
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
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Typical Assignments
a.
Biogeochemical cycles review
b.
“Timber or Trees” paper or old growth forests
c.
Genetic Engineering review
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Quizzes
b.
Midterm examinations
c.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Environment, Raven and Berg, Saunders Publishers, 3rd edition, 2001
Special Student Materials:
None
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Revised: 10/15/02