ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY - BIO 1110 ONLINE
The linked sections of BIO 1110 and BIO 1120 satisfy the general education requirement for a four-credit lab
science course. You'll receive a separate course grade for BIO 1110 and BIO 1120.
This course highlights current environmental topics of interest to both science and non-science majors.
Environmental Biology will give you an overview of today's major environmental issues. During this semester,
you should acquire a basic understanding of how these problems came about and of the various approaches that
can be used to develop solutions. You'll be able to apply this information directly to your life when you make
decisions as a consumer, a citizen, and a voter.
It's predicted that one of the fastest growth sectors in the job market over the next decade will be in the
environmental arena. This is a great opportunity to explore lots of cool career options!
You can do well in this course without having taken any previous science courses. However, you will need
good reading and writing skills
Please read through the following basic information about the course and don't hesitate to contact me if I can
provide any additional information of if you just want to "reach out and touch" someone.
Best wishes,
Dr. M. Bres
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BIO 1110 ONLINE
BIO 1110 is designed to give students an overview of today's major environmental issues. Examples include
global warming, risk assessment, population, air and water pollution, and sustainable alternatives for
agriculture, energy use, and other human activities.
There are no required on-campus meetings for either course, but you must come to campus to complete the
Bio 1110 final exam.
During the semester, you should acquire a basic understanding of how these problems came about and of the
various approaches that can be used to develop solutions. You'll be able to apply this information directly to
your life when you make decisions as a consumer, a citizen, and a voter.
The course requirements for BIO 1110 include reading assignments in the text book and weekly learning
modules in the classroom, weekly assignments, discussion board postings, several quizzes, and a
comprehensive final exam. All of these are designed to foster interaction with your classmates and give you a
broad background in the basic principles of ecology and environmental science.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of Biology 1110, you'll be able to:
1.
apply the fundamental principles of ecology to real-world situations
2.
list and explain factors that impact human population growth and evaluate the impacts of human
population dynamics on ecosystems around the world
3.
explain how various human actions affect the global and local environments
4.
evaluate the merits of various alternatives for dealing with the impacts of human population and
technology on ecosystems
5.
list and explain the environmental consequences of the choices and decisions which citizens make as
voters and consumers
YOUR TIME COMMITMENT FOR THIS COURSE
The time requirement for the online sections is the same as for any on-campus lecture/laboratory
combination. The ease of access of distance education often offers promise of being able to do more in a 24
hour day; however, each student must acknowledge how much else they have "on their plate" which must be
combined with the requirements of a college level class. Also, I acknowledge that science isn't the easiest
subject for many students. It may require more effort because the subjects and topics of the class are often
not something that individuals expressly address everyday.
The distance learning format is wonderful because of its flexibility, but the price you pay for this
convenience is that the responsibility for learning the course material falls squarely on your shoulders. Even
if you've taken other online courses and have found them easy, expect to work hard in this course!
Don't panic. This doesn't mean you're working alone. I'm here to help you and so are your fellow students.
You're signing up for a linked lecture and lab. In the on-campus sections, lecture and lab each meet for three
hours per week - a total of six hours of time spent in class, plus your responsibilities for reading, studying, and
completing homework assignments. In an online section, you don't have to drive to campus for class
meetings, but otherwise, the workload for this class is no different than for an on-campus section.
Although you don't have to come to campus and (thus saving on commuting time, saving gas money, and
reducing the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming), you'll have to equal the amount of time you
would have spent in class to be successful in this course. You may find that even more time is required when
you're working in the more independent format of a online course.
Please take this information to heart, so there won't be any misunderstandings about the work load or course
requirements. If you follow the weekly schedule I provide and review on a regular basis, you should be able to
pace yourself to complete the course in the allotted time without undue strain.
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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
It's your responsibility to check the schedule to determine when an assignment is due and to read all
assignment instructions early enough to allow you enough time to successfully complete each exercise.
Please don't wait until the day before an assignment is due to read it for the first time. All assignments are
posted ahead of time so you should have plenty of time to get in touch with me and get help understanding
the concepts needed to complete your submissions.
It's your responsibility to ask questions when you're unclear about or don't understand a topic, reading or
assignment. I can't tell if you need help unless you ask! You'll be graded on your mastery of the assigned
topics. If you're unclear about a topic and don't seek assistance, your work may not be complete and may not
earn full credit for the assignment.
DUE DATES
If you find that you'll have a problem meeting the deadline for a scheduled assignment, be sure to contact me
immediately. If you have a legitimate reason for missing the scheduled time, I'll try to arrange some form of
accommodation for you. I won't even consider a deadline extension unless I hear from you before the due date
has expired.
QUIZZES
There will be four online quizzes. Each will contain both objective and essay questions. Some individuals may
wish to take more time and others may finish comfortably in less. Quizzes and exams will be based on your
knowledge of the assigned textbook readings, postings in the Weekly Assignment modules, and information
covered in the assignments and class discussions.
In order to be successful in this course, you must be able to demonstrate your comprehension by explaining
course concepts in your own words and apply your knowledge to new situations. It isn't enough to simply
memorize facts and definitions. You'll be expected to explain course concepts in your own words and solve
new problems similar to those covered in class and on homework assignments.

The course material is cumulative in that comprehension of subjects later in the course hinges on your
understanding of earlier, foundation concepts.

If you need clarification on something you missed on a quiz or assignment, or didn't understand during
your studying, please ask me about it.
FINAL EXAM
The final exam will be comprehensive. It will be CLOSED BOOK. The exam will be proctored and
administered at the Testing Center located in Bladen Hall, Room 100.
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ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty won't be tolerated. Any act of cheating will result in a GRADE OF ZERO for that work.

COPYING DIRECTLY OUT OF A BOOK, CLASS HANDOUT, OFF THE INTERNET, FROM
OTHER REFERENCES, OR FROM OTHER STUDENTS ISN'T ACCEPTABLE! This includes
slightly rearranging the words so that they're a little different than the source.

Academic dishonesty includes putting someone's name on a group assignment when that person hasn't fully
participated in the group work.

No papers turned in by separate students or separate groups should EVER have the exact same essay
answers (or even very similar answers).

Think the material over, then write the answer in your own words!
EXTRA CREDIT
I can't grant requests for extra credit assignments that aren't available to the entire class, so please don't ask.
I'm required by the College to treat all students equally and make sure that all students have the same
opportunities. This policy is undertaken to ensure fairness to all students.