ENVS 100: Survey of Environmental Science
TTh 2:15 – 4:25 pm
Classroom LSC-L141
Winter 2011
Instructor
Email
Marina Brandon
mbrandon@pierce.ctc.edu
Office
C 190J
Office Hours TTh 1:30 – 2:10 pm, after class, or by appointment
Textbook
Cunningham & Cunningham 2010. Environmental Science: A Global Concern.
11th edition.
Course Info This course is a 5 credit, non-lab introductory science course designed to develop the
ability to critically analyze environmental problems. Topics include: human populations,
farming, preserving biodiversity, restoration ecology, Earth’s resources, climate, water use
& pollution, and energy.
Core Ability 1. Information Competency: Demonstrate the ability to use the library and the Internet as
Outcomes
a resource tool for locating and analyzing environmental data and information.
2. Effective Communication: Ability to do field observation and make field notes of local
animal and plant communities and formulate the data gathered into concise reports
and presentations.
3. Multiculturalism: Understand, appreciate, and discuss the different environmental
viewpoints of various world cultures.
Course
Outcomes
1. Define environmental science & explain why env sustainability is an important concern.
2. Summarize the history of environmentalism and the progress made in env awareness
and cleanup.
3. Using the scientific method, describe the major components of solving env problems.
4. Explain how risk assessment helps determine pollution and natural hazard events and
long-term effects.
5. Distinguish between the major federal env laws (e.g. Clean Air & Water Acts)
6. Assess the role of economics in relation to pollution, enjoyment, and value of env
components.
7. Differentiate the biogeochemical cycles and summarize the flow of energy in an
ecosystem and a food web.
8. Discuss the role of solar energy in the Earth system.
9. Summarize the roles of the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere within the Earth
system and relate each to the biosphere.
10. Relate the role of humans to natural hazards in the environment.
11. Define ecology, explain symbiosis, and distinguish the various ecological levels
12. Sketch and explain the pyramids of numbers, biomass, and energy.
13. Define a biome and describe the major terrestrial biomes in relation to natural
vegetation and climate.
14. Give examples of how water conservation can be practiced by industry, agriculture,
and homes. Contrast the advantages and disadvantages in utilizing surface water
and groundwater resources.
15. List and describe at least five categories of water pollutants and air pollutants.
16. Describe the distribution, growth, and dynamics of the world human population and
analyze the impact of the human population on the environment.
Grading
Exams
Quizzes
Homework
In-class work
Participation
Total
Extra Credit
3 x 100 pts
8 x 5 pts (-5 pts)
300 pts
35 pts
~ 100 pts
~ 40 pts
20 pts
495 pts
up to 5 pts
Your final grade will be determined by the percent of total points you earn according to
this scale:
Percent
94-100
90-93
88-89
84-87
80-83
78-79
Grade
3.9-4.0
3.5-3.8
3.2-3.4
2.9-3.1
2.5-2.8
2.2-2.4
A
AB+
B
BC+
Percent
74-77
70-73
68-69
63-67
55-62
< 54
Grade
1.9-2.1
1.5-1.8
1.2-1.4
0.9 - 1.1
0.7-0.8
0
C
CD+
D
DE
Exams
There will be three exams during the quarter. Exams are composed of multiple choice,
short answer, and essay questions. Study guides, consisting of a list of potential essay
questions, will be available at least one week prior to each exam. Exam dates have
already been determined (see attached schedule). By registering for this course, you are
committing to be present on those dates. Make-up exams will not be given except
under the most extreme circumstances and with written verification of the reason
for absence.
Quizzes
A short quiz will be given at the beginning of one lecture per week (see attached
schedule). Quizzes are designed to reinforce the main ideas from previous lectures.
They will be distributed promptly at 2:15 pm and collected after 5 minutes. You will not be
able to make up a quiz; however, your lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Homework
Homework will be assigned periodically and will usually involve current event articles or
podcasts, internet research tasks, etc. Late assignments will not be accepted without
my prior approval or a minimum penalty of 20% of the assignment’s value. I reserve
the right to reject any late assignment and will do so if the assignment has been graded
and returned to the class.
In-class work You will complete several small writing assignments throughout the quarter. They will
usually require you to articulate your opinion on an environmental issue, and support that
opinion using information you’ve learned in class. These assignments will not be
announced in advance and you MUST be present to complete them. No make-up work
will be accepted.
Participation Participation points will be tracked throughout the quarter and are based on your
participation during classroom discussions, prompt arrival to class, consistent attendance,
attentiveness, and courteousness.
Class
Policies
1. Absences: In the event that you must miss or be late to a regular lecture class, you
are not required to inform me or explain your absence. In the event that you must
miss an exam, contact me ASAP! Delayed communication will decrease your
chances of making up the exam. You are responsible for all material covered in class
regardless of whether or not you are in attendance. If you are absent, you should get
the notes from a classmate.
2. Angel: We will rely heavily on the Angel course management system this quarter.
Lecture outlines, study guides, and homework assignments will be posted in Angel.
You will submit your homework assignments to Angel drop boxes, and grades will be
posted regularly (~ once per week) in the Angel grade book. You are expected to login
frequently and notify me immediately when you find mistakes.
3. E-mail: If you need to contact me outside of class, email is the most expedient way to
do so. You should check your email daily for course announcements.
4. Cell Phones: Set your cell phones to silent mode before class. If you absolutely must
take a call, exit the classroom first. If texting during lecture, you will lose participation
points. If the issue is persistent, you will be asked to leave.
5. Laptops: If you prefer to take notes on your laptop, sit in the back of the class to
minimize distractions to your classmates. Laptops may ONLY be used during
lectures.
6. Food & Drink: Beverages and snacks are permitted in lecture as long as they’re not
disruptive to those around you.
7. Guests: Guests may occasionally accompany you to class with my prior permission.
Withdrawal
The last day to withdraw from fall quarter classes is Friday, 18 February.
Adademic
Dishonesty
Cheating and academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. As stated in the
Pierce College Student Code of Conduct, academic dishonesty includes the following:
plagiarism, misrepresentation of self or student work product or representation of work of
others as your own. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, a) Use of any unauthorized
assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; writing papers, preparing reports,
solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or b) The acquisition, without
permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of Pierce College
faculty or staff; c) Allowing one person to represent another person as the enrolled student
in any course; d) Representing oneself as another person in any course.
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty are as follows: your first violation earns
an E for that particular assignment. After a second violation, you will be dismissed from
this course and will be subject to Pierce College disciplinary proceedings.
Special
Needs
All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these
requirements may vary. If you need auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, contact
the Disability Support Services Office. When your disability has been appropriately
documented, appropriate arrangements will be made.
Caveat
This syllabus & schedule are subject to (and almost certainly will) change. If you are
absent, it is your responsibility to check for announcements made while you were gone
Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Day
T
Date
4-Jan
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
6-Jan
11-Jan
13-Jan
18-Jan
20-Jan
25-Jan
27-Jan
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
F
T
1-Feb
3-Feb
8-Feb
10-Feb
15-Feb
17-Feb
18-Feb
22-Feb
Th
T
Th
T
Th
T
Th
24-Feb
1-Mar
3-Mar
8-Mar
10-Mar
15-Mar
17-Mar
Lecture
Course Introduction
Chp 1-2: Env Science & Data
Chp 7: Human Population (quiz!)
Chp 8: Health & Toxicology
Chp 9: Food & Hunger (quiz!)
Chp 10: Farming
Movie Day! (quiz!)
Chp 11 - 12: Biodiversity
Exam 1: Chp 1, 2, 7, 9 - 12
Unit 2 Activity
Chp 13: Restoration Ecology
Chp 14: Earth's Resources (quiz!)
Chp 15: Climate
Chp 17: Water Use (quiz!)
Chp 18: Water Pollution
Movie Day! (quiz!)
Last day to withdraw
Exam 2: Chp 13-15, 17-18
Unit 3 Activity
Chp 19: Conventional Energy
Chp 20: Sustainable Energy (quiz!)
Chp 21: Solid Waste
Ocean Issues
Movie Day! (quiz!)
Chp 25: What to do?
Exam 3: Chp 19 - 21, 25 Ocean