ECOSPHERE IN CRISIS
Biology 104, Spring 2008
9:10-10:10 MWF Clow 103
Dr. Bob Stelzer
Contact information
Office Hours
Mon. 10:30-11:30
Wed. 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 and Mary Ann
Cunningham (10th edition).
Lab—see D2L for your lab section
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. Do not miss class! 2. Take careful notes 3. Read all of the assigned chapters from lecture and 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. I
will post outlines of each lecture on D2L.
Lecture exams will cover material from Lecture and your textbook, with emphasis on Lecture. Material from
Lab will not be covered on Lecture exams. Prior to each lecture exam a study guide will be posted on D2L
containing key concepts and terms to know for the exam.
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 AB: 88-89 B: 80-87
BC: 78-79
C: 70-77 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). To be eligible to take a
make-up exam a student must notify the lecture instructor within two days of the date of the missed exam.
All make-up exams will be administered during the week of May 5-9. It is the responsibility of the
student to contact the lecture instructor about scheduling a make-up exam. 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)
4-8 Feb
pp 1-13
Introduction; Scientific Discovery;
1, 2
Ethics
11-15 Feb
3, 4
History of Environmental Science;
Matter, Energy & Life; Species and Communities
18-22 Feb
5
Ecosystems; Exam Review
Fri, 22 Feb
25-29 Feb
13, 6, 7
Restoration Ecology; Population Dynamics;
Human Populations
3-7 March
9, 10
Food & Agriculture; Pesticides;
Film—Harvest of Fear
10-14 March
11
Biodiversity I; Biodiversity II; Exam Review
17-21 March
Exotic Species;
Mon, 17 March
Film—Cane toads: an unnatural history
24-28 March
Spring Break!
31 March- 4 Apr 12, 17
Land Use and Conservation; Water Quantity and Use;
18
Water Quality
7-11 April
15
Great Lakes water issues; Ecology of Streams and
Rivers; Climate
14-18 April
Effects of global warming on ecosystems;
Exam Review
Fri, 18 April
21-25 April
16, 19
Air Pollution; Conventional Energy;
20
Alternative Energy I
28 April- 2 May 22, 21 (part) Alternative Energy II; Urbanization & Sprawl;
Waste
5-9 May
21 (part), 23 Waste Reduction; Ecological Economics;
24
Environmental Policy
12-16 May
Current Events; Exam Review
Fri, 16 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!