ECOSPHERE IN CRISIS
Biology 104, Spring 2006
9:00-10:00 MWF Clow 101
Dr. Bob Stelzer
Contact information
Office Hours
Mon. 11:30-12:30
Thurs. 11:30-12:30
and by appointment
Location
Halsey 150
Phone
424-0845
e-mail
stelzer@uwosh.edu
Required materials
Lecture
•Environmental Science: A Global Concern by William P. Cunningham, Mary Ann
Cunningham, and Barbara W. Saigo (9th edition).
• Bio 104 Course Pack
Lab
• Ecosphere in Crisis 2005 Laboratory/Discussion Manual
Course objectives
1. To understand the ways in which humans affect the environment and the ways in
which the environment affects humans
2. To be able to apply knowledge of interactions between humans and the environment to
new events and scenarios
3. To gain an introductory knowledge of scientific and ecological principles
4. To broaden your horizons. Some of you may go on to become environmental scientists. Many of you
will pursue different careers. If you take this class seriously, it will contribute to a broad-based liberal
arts education that UW- Oshkosh offers. The breadth of a liberal arts education allows you to make
informed decisions based on knowledge of a wide range of different disciplines. And, it will allow you to
have more interesting conversations at parties 
How to do well
If you want to do well in this class I recommend that you:
1. Attend class 2. Take careful notes 3. Read all of the assigned chapters 4. Use your notes to study
and synthesize the material for the exams
Lectures will not cover all the material in the text but will emphasize important aspects of your reading
assignments. In Lecture you will also be introduced to examples and other material not found in your
text.
Lecture exams will cover material from Lecture and your textbook. Material from Lab will not be
covered on Lecture exams. Prior to each exam you will receive a study guide containing key concepts
and terms to know for the exam.
There will be 6 unannounced quizzes during lecture. Your top 5 quiz scores will be used to determine
your total quiz points. I realize you may have to occasionally miss class (e.g. due to illness) and that is
why I will only use your top 5 quiz scores in determining your grade. Make-up quizzes will not be given.
The point distribution for lecture is as follows:
Exams (4)............ 90%
Quizzes (6)............ 10%
Your overall lecture percentage will contribute 2/3 towards your overall percentage in Bio 104.
Lab will contribute 1/3 towards your overall percentage.
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 90-100
BC = 78-79
AB = 88-89
C = 70-77
B = 80-87
CD = 68-69
D = 60-67
F < 60
Exams must be taken at their scheduled times. Make-up exams will only be given if there is a
valid, documented excuse (e.g., debilitating illness accompanied by a physician’s note). All makeup exams will be administered during the final week of the semester. Make-up exams will not be
identical to regular exams. Your Lab instructor will provide information about the policy for
missed lab exercises.
Lecture Schedule
________________________________________________________________________
Week
Reading Assignment
Topics
Lecture Exams
(Chapter)
30 Jan- 3 Feb
pp 2-15
Introduction; Scientific Discovery;
1, 2
Ethics
6-10 Feb
3
History of Environmental Science;
Matter, Energy & Life; no class on Fri., Feb 10
13-17 Feb
4, 5
Species & Communities, Ecosystems; Exam Review
20-24 Feb
(p.277), 6
Restoration Ecology; Population Dynamics; Mon, 20 Feb
27 Feb- 3 March 7, 9, 10
Human Populations; Food & Agriculture; Pesticides;
6-10 March
11
Film—Food Fight: Wisconsin’s Biotech Crops;
Biodiversity I; Biodiversity II
13-17 March
Spring Break!
20-24 March
p. 239-241
Exam Review; Exotic Species
Wed, 22 March
27-31 March
12, 13, 17
Film—Cane toads: an unnatural history;
Land Use and Conservation; Water Quantity and Use
3-7 April
18, 15
Water Quality; Ecology of Streams and Rivers;
Climate
10-14 April
16
Effects of global warming on ecosystems
Air Pollution; Exam Review
17-21 April
19, 20
Conventional Energy;
Mon, 17 April
Alternative Energy I
24-28 April
22, 21 (part) Alternative Energy II, Urbanization & Sprawl;
Waste
1-5 May
21 (part), 23 Waste Reduction; Ecological Economics;
24
Environmental Policy;
8-12 May
Exam Review; wrap-up 12 May
Wed, 10 May
___________________________________________________________________________
Statement on Disabilities: Students who have physical or learning disabilities who wish to
request academic adjustments should notify the Disabilities office so that appropriate
accommodations can be made. For more information call or visit Disabilities Services (424-3100)
or see me.
Academic Integrity: If you decide to cheat on an exam or to engage in other forms of academic
dishonesty you will be subject to the Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures as outlined in the
Student Disciplinary Code- http://www.uwosh.edu/dean
A note about vacations: I like vacations. However, a vacation is NOT considered an excused
absence and you will not be allowed to take a make-up exam if you miss an exam due to being on a
vacation!