COURSE SYLLABUS & CLASS SCHEDULE
ENVR 1301 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Class #87328
SUMMER 2007 10 – WEEK SESSION
Tips on how to succeed…
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First, read the syllabus! Pay attention to the schedule especially those dates for planned activities.
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Log in to WebCT at least every other day. Check the top of the homepage for announcements and the
Newsletter (newspaper icon) each and every time.
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Review the chapter overviews and lecture notes (back pack icons). Notes are presented in three
different formats (see details below) … Check them all out. Figure out what works best for you.
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Read the textbook, concentrating on those sections highlighted in the chapter summaries.
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Make sure you complete all assignments on time and take all the quizzes and exams.
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Prepare for quizzes and exams. Review guides will be posted for exams.
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Contact me (by WebCT email) if you have questions or experience problems. But, first double check
the syllabus and Newsletter to see if either can answer your question.
NOTE: I normally check WebCT several times a day, but I will try to regularly check about 8:00AM and
8:00PM on weekdays and at noon on weekends and holidays.
Course Description: Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary area of study that focuses on the relationship
between humans and their natural environment. Environmental Science ENVR1301 is a 3 credit-hour corecurriculum course.
Textbook Information: The following text is required: Environmental Science by E.D. Enger and B.F. Smith,
10th ed., McGraw-Hill, 2006 ISBN 0-07-252829-X. Note: We are using the 10th edition for this summer session.
The text is generally available at all HCC Bookstores or through the popular on-line book providers.
Instructor Information: Professor Al O’Neill Office Hours are arranged by special appointment.
Email: Preferred email is through the email utility in WebCT (see note immediately below) or at: al.oneill@hccs.edu
Voice Mail: 713-718-2223 Voice Mail Box Number is: 35131# (numeric input must be followed by #)
Other Contact Information: Natural & Physical Sciences Department Secretary at 713-718-7771 and Chairman of
Physical Sciences, Dr. G. Pahlavan at 713-718-7773
Distance Education website: http://distance.hccs.edu
Distance Education Phone: 713-718-5275 (Information line)
Technical Assistance: desupport@hccs.edu
Shirley Smith, Instructional Support Specialist (for administrative matters); email: shirley.smith@hccs.edu ,
telephone 713-718-5318
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WebCT Course Site
WebCT is an internet-based course management system which will be used for the “lecture” component of the
course, for communications and discussions, as well as for quizzes/assignments, and for grade reporting.
Lecture notes are provided for all text-book chapters covered in this course. These notes are presented in three
distinct formats. The homepage icon labeled “Chapter Notes (View)” permits students to view a slide show very
similar to a Power Point presentation. The icon identified as “Chapter Notes (Text Only)” contains only text – there
are no graphics. Finally, the homepage icon labeled “Chapter Notes (Power Point)” is the complete Power Point
presentation. Students can download this presentation and take advantage of all Power Point views and print
options. Note: The text component is identical in all three formats. Simply select the format or formats best suited to
your individual needs.
Additional information and course content provided through our WebCT site includes: the course syllabus and
schedule, a “newsletter” that serves as a repository of all information provided by the instructor in the homepage
Announcements area, exam reviews, and information related to quizzes and assignments.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who needs to
arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor
at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office.
Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate DSS Counselor for
assistance. Please contact the Distance Education Counselors at 713.718.5275, option #4 or at
de.counseling@hccs.edu in order to be referred to the appropriate HCC DSS Counselor.
Students who require testing accommodations need to schedule an appointment for testing to ensure that staff will
be available for proctoring and to arrange for any adaptive equipment that may be required. Students should contact
the distance education instructor's "Instructional Support Specialist" (ISS) the week prior to each exam throughout
the semester to confirm that the requested testing accommodations will be met. If you need assistance in
determining your instructor's ISS, contact your instructor or the Distance Education Counselors for assistance."
For questions, contact the Disability Counselor at each college. You may also visit the ADA web site at:
http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/index.htm
International Students: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa. Once a W is given for
the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Since January 1, 2003, International
Students are restricted in the number of distance education courses that they may take during each semester. ONLY
ONE online/distance education class may be counted towards the enrollment requirement for International Students
per semester. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your
visa status and other transfer issues.
Withdrawal and Attendance Policies: The withdrawal deadline is July 19. It is the student’s responsibility to
officially withdraw from class; however, the instructor reserves the right to administratively withdraw a student if it is
deemed necessary. Students who withdraw by the July 19 deadline will receive a “W” for the course. Failure of a
student to officially withdraw from class may result in the student receiving a grade of “F” for the course. There are
no on-campus attendance requirements except for the two scheduled exams which are administered at the HCC
testing centers.
Virtual Classroom Conduct: As with on-campus classes, students in HCC Distance Education courses are required
to follow all HCC Policies & Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and relevant sections
of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating in a virtual classroom with faculty and fellow
students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will be subject to disciplinary action that could include
denial of access to course-related email, discussion groups, and chat rooms or being removed from the class.
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Notice for Students Who Live Outside of Houston: Students who live outside the Houston area and cannot take
paper exams at one of our HCC testing locations MUST make arrangements for a proctor. Please see the Distance
Education (DE) Student Services webpage for information at the following URL:
http://distance.hccs.edu/de-counseling/student_out_houston.htm
Early Alert Notification: The Distance Education (DE) Department utilizes an Early Alert system managed by the
DE counselors to provide outreach and intervention to students who may be at risk of withdrawal or failure. Referrals
to this system are typically made by a DE faculty member. If a DE professor is concerned about a student's
performance in class, that student may be referred to Early Alert for counseling intervention.
Course Repeat Policy: Students who repeat a course for a third or more times face significant tuition/fee increases
at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Ask your instructor and/or counselor about opportunities for
tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
Evaluations and Grading:
Exams: There will be two exams: a mid-semester exam and a final exam. Both exams will be administered at the
HCC Testing Centers. Specific information regarding the locations of the testing centers and the hours of testing
center operation will be provided prior to the exam dates (see schedule below for dates). Lecture exams will consist
of multiple choice and true/false questions (~40%), identification of features on text-book/lecture figures and
illustrations (~30%), and short answer responses selected from the assigned readings in the text and from lecture
notes (~30%).
Quizzes: There will be four quizzes. All quizzes will be administered on-line through WebCT. Quizzes will consist of
multiple choice and true/false questions. Quizzes will be available to students over a two or three-day period. More
details to follow prior to quiz dates (see schedule below).
Assignments: There will be three assignments. In the first assignment you’ll simply share with the class some
information about yourself. The other two assignments will take the form of either short (two to three page) research
papers or on-line discussions. Specifics as to assignment topics and formats will be provided at least one week prior
to the assignment due date (see schedule below).
Missed Quiz/ Exams/Assignments: As a rule, no make-ups will be given for missed tests/assignments and a
grade of zero will be earned. Should an exam, quiz, or assignment be missed due to an exceptional situation beyond
the student’s control, the situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Ideally, students should contact the
instructor by email prior to missing a scheduled test or assignment. Special consideration will be given to students
ONLY if an acceptable and documented reason for missing the particular evaluation is presented to the instructor.
Grading: Course grade will be determined as follows: There is no curve, no extra credit. Some consideration is
given, when assessing borderline grades, to those students who have demonstrated steady progress and who have
actively contributed to class discussions during the semester. ( Note: Students are responsible for keeping up-to-date on their
cumulative grade total.)
Quizzes
Assignments
Exam 1
Exam 2 (Final)
Total
=
=
=
=
20% of final grade
15% of final grade
30% of final grade
35% of final grade
100%
Final letter grade will be assigned according to the following scale: A = 90 – 100%, B = 80 – 89%, C = 70 – 79%,
D = 60 – 69%, F = < 59%
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Week # and Date
Activities
Week 1 June 04
Course Introduction and Chapter 1 – Assignment 1 (due June 8)
Week 2 June 11
Chapters 2 and 3 – Quiz # 1 (Chap 1-3)
Week 3 June 18
Chapters 4 and 5 – Quiz # 2 (Chap 4-5)
Week 4 June 25
Chapter 6 – Assignment 2 (due June 30)
Week 5 July 02
Chapters 7 & 8 Mid-semester Exam at Testing Center: July 6, 7, 8 (Chaps 1 - 7)
Week 6 July 09
Chapters 9 & 10 – Quiz # 3 (Chap 8- 9)
Week 7 July 16
Chapters 10 (cont) & 11 – Quiz #4 (Chap 10 -11)
July 19 – last day for administrative/student withdrawal
Week 8 July 23
Chapters 16 & 17 – Assignment 3 (due July 28)
Wks 9/10 July 30
Chapter 18 Final Exam at Testing Center: August 3, 4, 5 (Chaps 8 – 11, 16 – 18)
NOTE: Course Syllabus & Class Schedule subject to modification. Updates to syllabus and schedule will be posted on WebCT.
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