ENVR 102L – Introduction to Environmental Science II

Spring 2007

 

Course Description: An analysis of natural resources and the environmental impact of their extraction and use by humans. Environmental quality, pollution, and biodiversity preservation will be among the topics covered.

Course Goals: Students who successfully complete ENVR 102L will appreciate and understand 1) The nature of the world’s natural resources; 2) The impact on humans and on the environment of resource extraction and use; 3) The role of humans as effectors of environmental change; 4) How complex environmental problems can be addressed and solved; 5) Each individual’s impact on the natural world.

Lecture: MWF 10:30-11:20 in ZAB 202

Lab: Wednesdays, 1:30-4:20 in ZAB 20. Dress for the weather and outdoor activities.

Course Web Page: Go to http://aurora.wells.edu/~noleary/ and click on the ENVR 102L link.

Professor: Dr. Niamh O' Leary, ZAB 101; 364-3279; noleary@wells.edu

Office Hours: 9:30-10:30 and 11:30-12:30 MWF; also by individual appointment.

Textbook: Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller. 14th Edition.

Calculator: You are required to bring a calculator to all lecture and laboratory sessions. This calculator must be capable of performing functions such as square roots and natural logarithms.

Paper Saving Policy: Students are encouraged to hand in assignments on one-sided paper (but please be sure to put a line through whatever is on the other side), or to print on both sides of each page. Use of post-consumer recycled paper is also encouraged.

Attendance: Attendance is required at all labs and lectures and is a component of class participation. Missed lectures and labs cannot ordinarily be "made-up". The student is responsible for all material covered in lecture and lab during her or his absence. Notification of planned absences must be given to the professor in writing one week before the absence. Any work due during a student's planned absence must be handed in before he or she leaves campus.

Punctuality: Punctuality is expected for all labs and lectures, and is a component of class participation. Students who are late miss important announcements, handouts, class activities and field trips.

Cell Phone and Technology Etiquette: It is inappropriate to make or receive any type of cell phone calls or text messages during class activities. This includes time in lecture, lab, on field trips, and in college vans. Similarly, during computer-based labs students are expected to refrain from checking e-mail, instant messaging, etc.

Due Dates and Late Work: All assignments must be handed in at the beginning of the lecture or lab session in which they are due. Any work that does not meet this deadline will be considered late and will receive a late penalty of at least 10% grade deduction. Late penalties accrue at 10% per day.

Make-up Exams: Only under officially documentable conditions of ill-health, extenuating personal circumstances, or conflict with other academic events will make-up exams be allowed.

Honor Code: I expect and require academic integrity from all students in all work this semester. All assignments are individual assignments unless otherwise specifically stated in writing.

Tentative Lecture and Lab Schedule: Below I have outlined the topics we will cover this spring. Some topics may take more or less time than indicated.

Day

Date

Topic

Chp.

Quizzes,

Exams,

Due dates,

Etc.

M

1/29

Food  and Soil Resources

14

 

W

1/31

Food and Soil Resources

14

 

IN LAB

1/31

Campus Ecology I: The Physical Plant

 

 

F

2/2

Food and Soil Resources

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/5

Water Resources

15

 

W

2/7

Water Resources

15

 

IN LAB

2/7

Campus Ecology II: Energy Use on the Wells Campus

 

 

F

2/9

Water Resources

15

QUIZ 1

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/12

Water Resources

15

 

W

2/14

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

16

 

IN LAB

2/14

 

 

Mini-Report on Campus Ecology II Due

F

2/16

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

16

QUIZ 2

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/19

Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

16

 

W

2/21

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

17

 

IN LAB

2/21

Home Energy Audit &

Environmental Issues Paper Intro

 

 

F

2/23

EXAM 1

 

EXAM 1

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/26

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

17

 

W

2/28

Nonrenewable Energy Resources

17

 

IN LAB

2/28

Wastewater II: AnAerobic Treatment

*Lab Starts at 12:30*

 

 

F

3/2

No Class - Attendance at Activism Symposium Required

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/5

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

 18

 

W

3/7

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

18

 

IN LAB

3/7

Field Trip to Seneca Meadows

 

First Draft of Environ-mental Issues Paper Due

F

3/9

Risk, Toxicology & Human Health

19

 QUIZ 3

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/12

Risk, Toxicology & Human Health

19

 

W

3/14

Risk, Toxicology & Human Health

19

 

IN LAB

3/14

Wastewater I: Aerobic Treatment

 

 

F

3/16

Air Pollution

20

QUIZ 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/26

Air Pollution

20

Write-up on Activism Symposium Due;

Mini-Report on Wastewater Treatment Due

W

3/28

Air Pollution

20

 

IN LAB

3/28

Student Presentations on Environmental Issues Paper

 

Student Present-ations

F

3/30

EXAM 2

 

EXAM 2

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/2

Climate Change & Ozone Loss

21

 

W

4/4

Climate Change & Ozone Loss

21

 

IN LAB

4/4

Stream Project I

 

Home Energy Audit Due

F

4/6

Climate Change & Ozone Loss

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/9

Water Pollution

22

 

W

4/11

Water Pollution

22

 

IN LAB

4/11

Stream Project II

 

Final Draft of Environ-mental Issues Paper Due

F

4/13

Water Pollution

22

QUIZ 5

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/16

Pest Management

23

 

W

4/18

Pest Management

23

 

IN LAB

4/18

Field Trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

 

 

F

4/20

Pest Management

23

QUIZ 6

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/23

Solid & Hazardous Waste

24

 

W

4/25

Solid & Hazardous Waste

24

 

IN LAB

4/25

Field Trip to Solar Panel System

 

 

F

4/27

EXAM 3

 

EXAM 3

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/30

Sustainable Cities

25

 

W

5/2

Sustainable Cities

25

 

IN LAB

5/2

Floating Classroom I

 

Lab Report on Stream Project Due

F

5/4

Economics & the Environment

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

5/7

Environmental Politics

27

Mini-Report on Solar Panel System Due

W

5/9

Environmental Ethics & Worldviews

28

 

IN LAB

5/9

Floating Classroom II

 

Mini-Report on Floating Classroom Due

F

5/11

REVIEW SESSION

 

 

**The Final Exam is scheduled for 2-5pm on Thursday, May 17th**

 

Grade Breakdown:

Component

Weight

6 Quizzes @ 2% Each

12%

3 Exams @ 10% Each

30%

Final Exam

20%

2 Lab Reports @ 5% Each (Home Energy Audit, Stream Project)

10%

4 Mini-Reports at 3% Each (Campus Ecology II, Solar Panel System, Wastewater Treatment, Floating Classroom)

12%

Environmental Issues Paper: First Draft

2%

Environmental Issues Paper: Final Draft

5%

Environmental Issues Presentation

3%

Write-up on Activism Symposium

2%

Participation

4%

 

Description of Major Grade Components:

  • Quizzes - Regular quizzes on 1-2 weeks worth of lecture material
  • In-class Exams - Each will cover approximately one third of the semester's lecture material
  • Final Exam - Cumulative, on lecture material
  • Lab Reports - Significant reports, typically in the style of a scientific paper
  • Mini-reports - Typically relatively short assignments based on lab activities