Environmental Science 2000 – Fall 2004
Introduction to Environmental Science - Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Office hours:
Class Schedule:
Room:
Textbook:
Readings:
Course Web-site:
Prerequisite:
Dr. Matthew G. Letts
University Hall, C850
317-2842 (office)
matthew.letts@uleth.ca
Mondays and Wednesdays (09:00-12:00)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (16:30:17:45)
University Hall, C850
Draper, D. Our Environment, A Canadian Perspective. Second
edition. Nelson Thomson Learning, Scarborough, ON, 540 pp.
Supplementary readings will occasionally be assigned.
http://classes.uleth.ca/200403/envs2000a/
A 1000-level course in Biology, Chemistry, Geography or Physics.
Course Description:
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Environmental Science. The
history and unique nature of this diverse discipline will be discussed, followed by an
evaluation of how human beings, as part of nature, affect, interact with and depend on
natural systems. A variety of important environmental problems and concerns will be
addressed, including human population growth, air and water pollution, acid rain, overconsumption of natural resources, species extinction, deforestation, soil erosion, invasive
species, bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants, ozone depletion, as well as
atmospheric and climate change. Issues will be addressed from a global perspective, but
with an emphasis on Canadian environmental issues.
Course schedule:
Week
Sept 6-9
Sept 13-17
Sept 20-24
Sept 27-Oct 1
Oct 4-8
Oct 11-15
Oct 18-22
Oct 25-29
Nov 1-5
Nov 8-12
Nov 15-19
Nov 22-26
Nov 29-Dec 3
Dec 6-9
Lecture Topic
The Nature of Environmental Science
Earth's Life-Support Systems
Human Population and Environment
Our Changing Atmosphere
Agroecosystems and Land Resources
Fresh Water
Oceans and Fisheries
Forests
Mining
Energy
Wild and Natural Species
Lifestyle Choices / Sustainability
Meeting Environmental Challenges
Poster Presentations
Readings
Chapters 1,2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Graded Items
Test #1: October 5
Poster Proposals: Oct 14
Test #2: November 4
Test #3: December 2
Poster Presentations: Dec 7,9
Grading Scheme:
Your grade will be determined by three tests (70%) and a poster presentation (30%), which will be
completed in a group of four. Each group will hand in one poster proposal, on an environmental topic of
choice. Tests, held in class, will consist mainly of multiple choice questions, but will likely include short
essay questions as well. A description of the format of each test will be given with sufficient advance
notice. There will be no final exam in this course. The following table outlines how your grade will be
determined. Your grades will be made available on the Web-CT site, and will be updated regularly.
Item
Test #1
Proposal
Test #2
Test #3
Poster
Date
October 5
October 14
November 4
December 2
December 7,9
% of grade
30
5
20
20
25
I will give percentage or fractional marks for the tests and poster, but these marks will be converted to a
letter grade for your final transcript grade, which corresponds to a specific grade point value. The
following outlines the grade conversion scheme for this course:
Percentage
90.0-100
85.0-89.9
80.0-84.9
76.7-79.9
73.3-76.6
70.0-73.2
66.7-69.9
63.3-66.6
60.0-63.2
55.0-59.9
50.0-54.9
0.0-49.9
Letter
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
GPV
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is an extremely serious academic offence and carries penalties varying from a written reprimand
and failure in an assignment, to debarment from the University. Any student found to have plagiarized or
cheated in this course would receive a mark of zero on the work in question, in addition to a written
reprimand copied to the Registrar’s Office, if it were a first offence. No warning would be given. Further
action would be taken for repeat offenders. I take plagiarism seriously and have enforced these penalties in
the past. Definitions and policies regarding plagiarism can be found in the University of Lethbridge 20032004 Calendar.
Grammar and Style:
It is expected that written submissions will conform to high standards of grammar and style. Bad grammar
and style may be penalized in any submitted work. Appropriate allowances will be made for students
whose first language is not English.
Attendance:
Regular attendance in the lectures is important and has a significant bearing on student performance.
Testing may include material covered in the textbook, lectures and readings. Please, however, do not
attend class, write tests or personally deliver assignments when ill. Appropriate arrangements will be made
for those who provide acceptable documentation demonstrating a valid medical or personal reason for
missing tests or due dates.
Missed Tests and Late Assignments (Poster/Proposal):
A mark of zero will be assigned to all late assignments or missed tests, except in the case of documented
health or personal reasons.