Environmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2006 Bonine, Boyle, Potter 1Environmental Biology Syllabus ECOL 206, spring 2006, University of Arizona Kevin Bonine, Ph.D., Alice Boyle and Kristen Potter Grad TAs William A. Calder III, 1934–2002 Bill Calder, Rocky Mountain Biological Station, Gothic, CO. Photograph taken in July 1999 by Lorene Calder. Introduction Welcome to Environmental Biology. Our focus will be on the basic principles of environmental biology, ecology, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. This is a course in biology for non-majors, therefore, our discussion will begin broadly, but by the end of the course we hope you will understand and appreciate the natural forces that generate and maintain the diversity of life we see on our planet, as well as the myriad interactions among both biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems. We also hope you will be able to objectively assess the role that humans have played in changing the natural environment, especially during the last few centuries. Meeting Times Lecture: MWF 0900–0950h in BSW 208 Lab/Discussion: Lab 1. Tuesday 1400-1700h in CBS/KOFFL 410 (Boyle) Lab 2. Wednesday 1400-1700h in CBS/KOFFL 410 (Potter) Lab 3. Thursday 1400-1700h in CBS/KOFFL 410 (Potter) Lab 4. Friday 1100-1400h in CBS/KOFFL 410 (Boyle) Please attend the lab/discussion section in which you are enrolled. Instructors Kevin E. Bonine, Ph.D. (626-0092, [email protected]) Office Hours: TBA in BSE 1D (in the basement) and by appointment T.A.: Alice Boyle ([email protected], 621-3534, BSW506) Office Hours: TBA and by appointment T.A.: Kristen Potter ([email protected], BSW211) Office Hours: TBA and by appointment Course Materials Miller, G. Tyler, Jr. 2005. Sustaining the Earth 7th edition. Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning, Pacific Grove, California. (The Miller text is available at Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave., 792-3715) Speth, James Gustave. 2004. Red Sky at Morning. Yale University Press. (The Speth book is also available at Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave., 792-3715) Quinn, Daniel. 1993. Ishmael. Bantam Paper. Purchase optional; 16 copies on reserve in UA Science library (password = ecology206).Environmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2006 Bonine, Boyle, Potter 2Additional readings will be provided by the instructors (placed on the course website, placed on electronic reserve in the library, or made available for photocopy). You should also obtain a smallish field notebook and a three ring binder for lab (details below). Course Work Lecture Exams (three midterms @ 100 pts each, cumulative final 150 pts) 450 Participation Grade (attendance, contribution to lecture discussions, lecture quizzes, etc.) 50 Current Events Journal (fourteen @ 10 pts each, not accepted late) 140 Group Problem Solving Semester Project 125 Group Oral Presentation 50 Lab/Discussion (lab assignments, lab quizzes, lab attendance) 110 Lab Notebook (collected twice at 25 pts and 50 pts respectively) 75 Total Points: 1000 Grading Assignments are due no later than the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each day they are late. (Current event assignments will not be accepted late.) We realize that you have lives (cars do break down, people die, stuff happens). In exceptional documented cases, and if arrangements are made in advance, we will consider your unique situation. Grades will generally be distributed as follows: ≥ 90% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D ≤ 59% F Please re-familiarize yourself with policies against plagiarism, etc., within the UA Student Code of Academic Integrity: http://studpubs.web.arizona.edu/policies/cacaint.htm Students caught cheating may be penalized by failing the relevant assignment or exam, failing the course, or being expelled. Students with Disabilities: If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with the Disability Resource Center (Disability Resource Center, 1224 East Lowell Street Tucson, Arizona 85721, Phone: (520) 621-3268 V/TTY Fax: (520) 621-9423, E-mail: [email protected]) and request that the DRC send the instructor official notification of your accommodation by the beginning of the 3rd week of class. Please plan to meet with us by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations and how the course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate. All related discussions will remain confidential. Attendance You are expected to attend each lecture, each discussion/laboratory session, and the all-day Saturday or Sunday field trip to Mt. Lemmon. Another Saturday field trip will be optional. Be prepared and ready to contribute. Quizzes (often unannounced) may be occasionally given to motivate you to attend class and keep up with the material. Please plan to arrive on time and stay until class is over. Please turn off your cell phone, etc. All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who indicate affiliation with that particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean's designee) will be honored.Environmental Biology, ECOL206, spring 2006 Bonine, Boyle, Potter 3Class meeting discussion suggestions: Please consider employing these suggestions (borrowed from Guy McPherson) during class discussions: 1. Listen carefully to others before speaking 2. Challenge and refute ideas, not people 3. Focus on the best ideas, not on being the best, or "winning" 4. Before adding your own contribution, practice listening by trying to formulate in your own words the point that the previous speaker made 5. Speak whenever you wish (without interrupting!) even though your ideas may seem incomplete 6. Avoid disrupting the flow of thought by waiting until the present topic reaches its natural end before introducing a new issue 7. If you wish to introduce a new topic, warn the group that what you are about to say will address a new topic and that you are willing to wait to introduce it until people are finished commenting on the current topic 8. Give encouragement and approval to others Please be aware of the UA policies against threatening behavior by students: