NS 103 - Environmental Science (3 credits)
Fall 2004
Lake Superior State University
This course provides a comprehensive overview and introduction to environmental science.
The major emphasis in this course is to develop the student's understanding of the
interrelationships between the natural sciences, sociology, political science and economics in
framing the major environmental issues facing our society.
Course Objectives: With the successful completion of the course you will be able to:









Describe fundamental environmental concepts and issues and their underlying scientific
principles.
Describe the elements of a sustainable society.
Describe the scientific method and how science frames the major environmental issues facing
humans today.
Comprehend the role of interrelationships in ecosystem functioning.
Describe the interrelationships of social, economic, and political systems with the environmental
systems of our planet.
Reflect on how the values you hold affect how you think about the environment.
Describe the major environmental statutes, describe their interconnections, and know which
apply to a given environmental issue.
Apply the knowledge you have gained to better understand that as inhabitants of this planet we
must accept responsibility for both the creation and the solution of environmental problems.
Critically evaluate environmental issues and make informed decisions.
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Lecture Hours:
David Szlag, Ph.D., PE
Crawford Hall Room 317, Ext. 2160, e-mail: dszlag@lssu.edu
M: 2-3; T: 2-3; W: 9-11; R: 9-10 or by appt.
M, W, and F 1:00-1:50PM CRW 204
Course Website:
Text:
http://www.prenhall.com/wright
Environmental Science, Towards a Sustainable Future, Eighth edition. By
Wright. Prentice-Hall Inc.
Homework:
Textbook reading assignments are listed on page two of this syllabus.
Supplemental reading assignments will be assigned as needed from the web
site: http://www.prenhall.com/wright or the companion CD.
Tests:
Three 50-minute tests (100 pts. each; See page 3)
Short Quizzes:
Six out of seven quizzes. Five are scheduled and two are pop. Your lowest
quiz score will be dropped. (25 pts. Each; See page 3)
Final Examination: (150 pts.) CRW 204 The final exam will be cumulative.
Dszlag
Page 1 of 3
7/11/2016
Attendance:
Lecture attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be monitored through
administration of quizzes, through the return of materials in class, and by
class participation (30 points possible; to be distributed at the instructor’s
discretion).
Grading:
(600 points possible)
A: 630-700 B: 560-629 C: 475-559, D: 400-474 F: < 400 points
Early or Make-up Quizzes and Exams: There are no make-up quizzes. Rescheduling exams will
require prior arrangement and/or convincing me of the validity of your excuse for missing the test.
All make-up exams will consist of 5-7 essay questions. If you fail to convince me, you will receive
a zero on that test. If you reschedule more than one exam during the semester you forfeit the
attendance points.
If you are a student athlete or involved in some other University sanctioned activity (e.g. Model
UN), you may arrange at least one week in advance to have your coaching staff or advisor
administer the same exam or quiz as that given to the rest of the class while on the road.
Academic Misconduct: Scholastic misconduct is cause for a failing grade, and I reserve the right to
place a letter about the incident in the student’s permanent file. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but
is not limited to, cheating on assignments or examinations, plagiarizing, misrepresenting as your
own work any part of work done by another, or interfering with another student’s work.
Student Accommodations and Support Services: In compliance with Lake Superior State
University policy and equal access laws, disability-related accommodations or services are
available. Students who desire such services are to meet with the professor in a timely manner,
preferably the first week of class, to discuss their disability-related needs. Students will not receive
services until they register with the Resource Center for Students with Disabilities (RCSD). Proper
registration will enable the RCSD to verify the disability and determine reasonable academic
accommodations. RCSD is located in the Library, extension 2355.
Finally, this syllabus is my best estimate of the schedule given the topics we will cover. I reserve
the right to make minor changes to this syllabus as I see fit during the course of the semester.
Dszlag
Page 2 of 3
7/11/2016
date
Day
Meeting
Reading
(chapter)
8/30/04
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
1
2
3
Overview
CH1
CH2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
na
na
38
39
40
41
42
CH2
CH3
CH3
CH4
CH4
CH5
CH5-6
Exam 1
CH7
CH7-8
CH8-9
CH9
CH10
CH10-11
CH11
CH12
CH12-13
CH13-14
CH14
Exam 2
CH15
CH15
CH16
CH16
CH17
CH17
CH18
CH19
CH20
CH20
CH21
CH21
Exam 3
F
43
Review
9/07/04
9/14/04
9/21/04
9/28/04
10/05/04
10/12/04
10/19/04
10/26/04
11/01/04
11/08/04
11/15/04
11/22/04
11/29/04
12/06/04
Dszlag
CH22
CH22
CH23
CH23
Review
Assignment
Quiz 1
Labor day
Quiz 2
Topics
Global Environmental Issues
Sustainability; Scientific Method
What are ecosystems
What are ecosystems
Chemistry and Energy
How ecosystems work
Ecosystem Change
Succession
Human populations
Consequences of human Pop
Exam 1 CH1-6
Quiz 3
Hydrology
Hydrology/soils
Food production
Food Production
Biodiversity
Ecosystem Capital
Ecosystems as Resources
Energy from fossil fuels
Nuclear power
Nuclear power
Alternative (renewable) energy
Exam 2CH 7-14
Quiz 4
Risk and risk analysis
Risk and risk analysis
Pest control
Genetically modified crops
Water pollution
Water pollution
Solid waste and landfills
Hazardous waste and toxic stuff
Atmosphere and climate change
Atmosphere and climate change
Air pollution
Air pollution
Exam 3 CH15-21
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
Environmental economics
Quiz 5
Environmental economics
Sustainable communities
Sustainable communities
Sustainability; putting it all together
Sustainability; putting it all together
Page 3 of 3
7/11/2016
Dszlag
Page 4 of 3
7/11/2016