HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (SOUTHWEST)
COURSE OUTLINE FOR ENVR 1301 – Environmental Science
Spring Mini Session, 2011
Class Number 68342
Time and location: West Loop Campus (Southwest)
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Room C. 245
Instructor
Ambrose Okpokpo, Ph.D.
Office Hours: by appointment only
E-mail: ambrose.okpokpo@hccs.edu
Web sites: http://learning.edu/faculty/ambrose.okpokpo
Materials Needed
Textbook: Environmental Science: A
Study of Relationships, by Eldon D. Enger
and Bradley F. Smith,12th Ed, McGraw Hill,
ISBN 978-007-3383200
Enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and
participation are absolute necessities!
Course Description
This course is a study of the interrelationships between human and natural world, which involves an
understanding of scientific principles, economic influences, and political action. Topics discussed include
environmental interrelationships, ethics, risk assessment and management, interrelated scientific principles,
interactions between environments and ecosystems, ecosystems and communities, human populations, energy and
civilization, energy sources of fossil-fuel, nuclear energy, and various renewable energy, biodiversity, land-use
planning, soil and its issue, agricultural methods and pest management, water management and disposal,
environmental regulations of hazardous substances and waste, environmental policy and decision making.
Course Intent
This course is intended for students requiring a three credits science course that neither requires a laboratory section
nor prior science course background. It can fulfill science credits requirements for most colleges and universities.
This is a one-semester course.
Course Goals
The goal of this course is to acquaint students with the basic concepts of environmental science. Specially, the goals
of the course are
To introduce students to the complexity of environmental interrelationships.
To ensure students have an understanding of how human ethics influence behavior towards the environment.
To acquaint students with how risk-versus assessments influence decisions making.
To enable students to understand scientific principles as applied to environmental issues.
To give students insights of how organisms are influenced by their environment.
To enable students to have an understandings of the changes that occur in ecosystems.
To acquaint students with the patterns and factors that influence organism populations.
To acquaint students with an understanding of the relationship between technology and energy consumption.
To enable students have an understanding of energy resources for different levels of industrial development.
To enable students to know the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.
To familiarize students with biodiversity, its benefit and human impact on it.
To acquaint students with knowledge of environmental considerations in land-use planning.
To introduce students to the knowledge of soil, its formation, varieties, uses and erosion.
To familiarize students with management of water, its uses, pollution and recycling.
To ensure students with the origin of air pollution and its effects.
To provide students with an understanding of sources of solid wastes and its management.
To give students insight of the effects and management of hazardous materials.
To enable students to have an understanding of policy and politics as it relates to environmental issues.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
1. Level 1: Knowledge 1. Recognize that environmental problems involve social, ethical, political, and economic
issues, not just scientific issues. 2. Identify environmental problems with geographical regions. Level 2:
Comprehension 1. Explain the main sources of energy in terms of nonrenewable energy and renewable energy. 2.
Summarize the use of electrical energy to consumption of fossil fuel and renewable. 3. Demonstrate the personal
per capita energy consumption of US households. Level 3: Application 1. Calculate US population growth
through the use of WEB resources. 2. Classify the four categories of limiting factors. 3. Illustrate the typical
Population Growth Curve. Level 5: Synthesis 1. Hypothesize the use of the Scientific method in solving
environmental issues. 2. Compare the different forms of energy. 3. Discuss the concept of energy conversion and
efficiency.
Learning Objectives
Level 1: Knowledge
1. Recognize that environmental problems involve social, ethical, political, and economic issues, not just
scientific issues.
2. Identify environmental problems with geographical regions.
Level 2:Comprehension
1. Explain the main sources of energy in terms of nonrenewable energy and renewable energy.
2. Summarize the use of electrical energy to consumption of fossil fuel and renewable.
3. Demonstrate the personal per capita energy consumption of US households.
Level 3: Application
1. Calculate US population growth through the use of WEB resources.
2. Classify the four categories of limiting factors.
3. Illustrate the typical Population Growth Curve.
Level 5: Synthesis
1. Hypothesize the use of the Scientific method in solving environmental issues.
2. Compare the different forms of energy.
3. Discuss the concept of energy conversion and efficiency.
Level 1: Knowledge
1. Current events from WEB research covering political and economic discussions concerning the environment.
2. Outline major geographical environmental problems through DVDs and class discussions.
Level 2: Comprehension
1. Compare the use of fossil fuel consumption to renewable energy (wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric.
2. Summarize data from the PUC (Public Utility Commission of Texas) at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ in terms
of energy production.
3. Personal electrical consumption via household electric meter readings.
Level 3: Application
1. Utilizing data from the US consensus Bureau at http://www.census.gov/ apply US birthrate, death rate to total
population growth.
2. List the four categories of limiting factors (raw materials, energy, waste products and interactions among
organisms).
3. Interpretation of the population growth curve (lag, exponential growth, deceleration, stable equilibrium and
death).
Level 5: Synthesis
1. Discuss the reliability of science through the Scientific Method in resolving environmental problems.
2. Discuss the forms of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) in relation to kinetic and potential energy.
3. Support the notion that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but when energy is converted from one form
to another, some energy is converted into a less useful form.
Attendance Policy
The HCCS attendance policy is stated in the students Schedule of Classes: “Students are expected to attend classes
regularly. Students are responsible for materials covered during their absences, and it is the student's responsibility
to consult with instructors for make-up assignments. Class attendance is checked daily by instructors. Although it is
the responsibility of the student to drop a course for non-attendance, the instructor has full authority to drop a
student for excessive absences. A student may be dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has
accumulated absences in excess of 12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).”
Note that 12.5% is approximately 6 classes or labs for a 3 semester hour course, which meets once per week
in a 16 week semester. If circumstances significantly prevent you from attending classes, please inform me. I
realize that sometimes outside circumstances can interfere with school, and I will try to be as accommodating as
possible, but please be aware of the attendance policy.
Last Day for Administrative and Student Withdrawals
For Mini Session Spring '11 classes, this date is May 16th (4:30 pm). I urge any student who is contemplating
withdrawing from the class to see me first! You may be doing better than you think. Either way, I want to be
accessible and supportive. I do not believe in "weed out" classes, and I consider you to be much more than just a
name or number!
If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact me (my phone number and e-mail address are listed above). I'm
here to help.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and
other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not
earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits,
reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for
tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
HCCS is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(section 504)
"Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs
to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at
the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by
the Disability Support Services Office”
If you have any special needs or disabilities which may affect your ability to succeed in college classes or
participate in college programs/activities, please contact the office of disability support services at the college.
Upon consultation and documentation, you will be provided with reasonable accommodations and/or
modifications. Please contact the DSS office as soon as you begin the term. For questions, contact Donna Price at
(713) 718- 5165 or the Disability Counselor at HCC-Southwest: Dr. Becky A. Hauri at (713) 718- 7909; also see
the Schedule of Classes for additional DSS numbers.
Also visit the ADA web site at: http://www.hccs.edu/hccs/future-students/disability-services.
HCCS Sexual Harassment Policy
HCC shall provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is not tolerated at HCC. Any student who feels that
he or she is the victim of sexual harassment has the right to seek redress of the grievance. HCC provides
procedures for reviewing and resolving such complaints through its Grievance Policy. Substantiated
accusations may result in disciplinary action against the offender, up to and including termination of the
employee or suspension of the student. In addition, complainants who make accusations of sexual
harassment in bad faith may be subject to equivalent disciplinary action.
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.
Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by the college system against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Penalties can include a grade of "0" or "F" on the particular assignment, failure in the course, academic probation, or
even dismissal from the college. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism,
and collusion.
Exams and Make-up Policy
Examinations will consist of three non-cumulative regular exams plus a comprehensive final. Make-up exams will
not normally be given, so make every effort to take the exams on their scheduled dates. In the event that you must
miss one and only one regular exam, the final exam grade may be substituted for the missed exam. Remember that
the final exam will be comprehensive and is usually more difficult than the regular exam (meaning that it will cover
all of the material from the whole semester, not just the last part). If you do not miss any of the regular exams, I will
replace your lowest exam score with your final exam score if the final exam grade is higher.
Please note:
1) All students are required to take the final (no student can be exempted),
2) A student who completes the course by taking the final exam cannot receive
a "W" in the course. A “W” can only be received on or before the last date
of withdrawal.
Assignments
Outside of laboratory reports, special assignments are normally not required but you will be given opportunity to
research an article on environmental issues for class discussions and presentation.
Grading
The overall score is based on the following:
Three regular exams Three Quizes
Two Presentations
45%
18%
12%
Final exam
25%
Overall Score = 0.45(Average of three regular exams) + 0.18(Quiz Grade) + 0.12(Laboratory grade) +
0.25(Final Exam)
The course grade is then obtained from the overall score:
Final Average
Letter Grade
90 - 100
A
80 - 89
B
70 – 79
C
60 – 69
D
< 60
F
Important Dates:
May 16:
May 16:
Classes Begin
Last Day for Administrative/ Student Withdrawals with a grade of “W”
(4:30 pm). After the withdrawal date no W can be given, you must receive a regular
grade (A-F) in the course.”
May 30:
June 2:
June 3:
June 6:
Offices Closed
Instruction ends
Final Exam (Thursday at 9:00 a.m.; 2 hours)
Grades Available to Students.
Spring Mini Session, 2011: Environmental Science (ENVR 1301) CRN 0097 – 3 weeks
Dates Weeks Reading Assignments/Chapter notes by instructor
Activities
5/16
1 Syllabus. Chapters.
Chap 1: Environmental Interrelationships
5/17
1 Presentation (5-10 minutes)
5/17
1 Chap 2: Environmental Ethics
5/17
1 Chap 3: Environmental Risk
Special Topic (s) from chap 1
Assigned to students: Research
the topic and prepare it for
class presentation: Non power
point is acceptable for 1St
Presentation.
Current Issues such as recent contaminant
in foods and products, etc. will be chosen
for class presentation.
Study guide for Exam I
5/ *18
1 Chap 4: Interrelated Scientific Principles
5/19
1 Chap 5: Interactions
5/20
1
Exam I (Chap 1 – 4): start @ 9:00 a.m.
5/23
2
Chap 6: Kinds of Ecosystems and Communities
5/23
2
Chap 7: Populations: Characteristics and Issues
Discussion: Energy,
water, air pollution, etc.
Coal mining (52% of US
electricity)
Discussion: Population
control, Cradle of
mankind, etc.
Study guide for Exam II
5/24
2
Chap 8: Energy and Civilization: Patterns and Consumption Global Warming
(Discuss Researched Articles)
5/25
2 Chap 9: Energy Sources
5/25
2 Chap 10: Nuclear Energy
5/26 *
2 Exam II (Chap 5-8); start @ 9:00 a.m.
5/27
2 Chap 11: Biodiversity Issues
Traditional vs. green energy
Study guide for Exam III and IV.
5/30
2 Chap 12: land-use planning
Discussion: In-door vs. outdoor air
5/31*
2 Exam III (Chap 9-12): start @ 9:00 a.m.
6/1
2 Chap 16: Air Quality Issues
6/2
2 Chap 17: Solid Waste Management and Disposal
Recycling vs. land-fill vs Incineration
Study guide for Exam IV.
6/3*
Exam IV: Chap 1- 17. Start according to HCCS Exam Schedules for Finals.
(*) Dates may change