FOUNDATIONS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Instructor:
Dr. Rebecca L. Dodge
Room 102A, Bolin Hall
940-397-4475
rebecca.dodge@mwsu.edu
Geosciences Main Office
Room 102
Bolin Hall
940-397-4250
ENSC 1114
FALL 2012
Course: ENSC 1114
Section Number 1
Lecture: 8:00 9:00 MWF in Bolin room 127. You are expected to attend class regularly. In-class activities and
quizzes cannot be made up without proof of excused absence. The attached schedule is subject to change – all
changes will be announced in class.
Required Text: The Environment and You by Norm Christensen. Pearson, edition 1.
Office Hours: Office Hours: T-Th 9:00 – 1:00 in Room 131, Bolin Hall. Instructor can also be reached by email
(rebecca.dodge@mwsu.edu). Please use this email, not the WebCT email!
Course Objective: To learn about the natural and human components of environmental science; to understand that
scientific observations make possible protection and management of Earth’s environment. Students will be able to





Explain environmental change in terms of continuous natural processes as well as growing human impacts
Observe and report on the environment scientifically, using established methods and protocols to ensure accuracy
Relate changes in environmental variables in one part of the Earth System to impacts on other systems
Recognize real, discrete environmental issues and identify sustainable solutions
Reflect on how your analysis of, assumptions about, and perspectives on environmental issues have changed over
the period of this course, and how the activities in this course have facilitated this change
Course Format: Textbook readings, content lectures, documentaries, in-class projects and presentations, laboratory
activities, and individual projects will be the foundation of the class. Summary course notes will be delivered during
lectures and can be downloaded from the web. Your notes, together with the text, will be the basis for in-class tests.
Laboratory exercises are in the lab notebook you will purchase in lab. Laboratory tests/quizzes will be based on pre-lab
readings and laboratory activities.
Assessment:
 Two tests will be given; each test will cover only the new material presented since the previous test. Tests comprise
multiple choice and matching questions, including interpretation of diagrams and graphs. Bring a scantron, a #2
pencil to the exams, and know your student ID#. Class grades will be given during office hours – or by appointment.
You will be responsible for keeping track of your lab grades. Make-up exams will only be given when a written
excuse is provided. In order to take a make-up, a written excuse must be provided before or within one class
period of the scheduled exam. (10% each of class grade; 20% total)
 Periodic quizzes will assess class readiness (read the assigned chapters!) and class understanding of DVDs
concerning environmental issues. (5% of class grade)
 In-class assignments will include two group activities that will be completed and presented in class (PowerPoint
presentation). (15% each of class grade; 30% total) If you miss the day that your group does one of these,
you will do one on your own and present it during my office hours.
 Two individual projects will comprise (10% each of class grade; 20% total)
o a Journal of newspaper articles about the environment, with comments and self assessment of your new
perspectives (weekly journal with 12 entries required).
o a presentation concerning an environmental “event” and its impact on the environment, such as impacts on
human, animal, agricultural, economic, and other systems (PowerPoint presentation).
 The laboratory grade will be based on quizzes, a lab midterm test, and a lab final test. (25% of class grade)
CLASSROOM AND ATTENDANCE POLICIES:
Attendance is required; be on time and do not leave early. Students with 3 or more unexcused absences may
be dropped from the course. All students should refer to the MSU Student Handbook for university policies
related to student responsibilities, rights, and activities.
ENSC 1114
Lecture Schedule
Dodge
Fall 2012
Week
Dates
Topics Covered (general)
Chapters
1
8/27, 29, 31
Introduction; Syllabus; Envir., Sustainability,
Science; Envir. Ethics, Economic, Policy
1; 2
2
9/3, 5, 7
Labor Day; Physical Science of the Envir.
Chemistry and Energy; Earth in Context
Earth’s Structure
3
3
3
9/10; 12, 14
Physical Science of the Environment
Planet Earth: Earth’s Structure; Atmosphere;
Energy budget; weather, climate
3
4
9/17, 19, 21
ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS PROJECT
5
9/24, 26, 28
The Fire Below Us; Rainforest;
Earth’s weather, climate
DVD; DVD
3
6
10/1, 3, 5
Organism and Population Ecology
Human Populations
4; 4
5
7
10/8, 10, 12
Ecological Communities;
Ecosystem Ecology (cycles)
6; 6
7
8
10/15, 17, 19
Geography of Terrestrial Life; Biodiversity
PICK TOPIC for final presentation
10; 10; 11
9
10/ 22, 24, 26
Biodiversity; Test; The Appalachians
11; T; DVD
10
10/ 29, 31, 11/1
Forests; Agriculture
14; 13; 13
11
11/ 5, 7, 9
Water; Air Quality
12; 12; 9;
12
11/ 12, 14, 16
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PROJECT
13
11/ 19, 21, 23
Nonrenewable Energy; Renewable Energy
15; 15; 16
14
11/26, 28, 30
Waste Mngmnt.; Climate Change; Test
18; 8; T
15
12/3, 5, 7
Class Presentations
Final
12/12;
8:00 – 10:00 Class presentation
YOUR LABORATORY SYLLABUS IS IN THE COURSE PACK YOU WILL PURCHASE IN
LAB.