Chabot College Fall 2003Course Outline for Ecology 11HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITH LABORATORY Catalog Description:11 - Humans and the Environment with Laboratory 4 unitsIdentification of problems created by humans' modification of their environment by focusing on ecological interactions involving the human species; investigating the life processes of organisms as theyrelate to specific environments. Ecology 10, 11, and 12 may be combined for a maximum of 4 units. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.Prerequisite Skills:NoneExpected Outcomes for Students:Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:1. list and apply the steps of the scientific method and explain how it is used in solving environmental problems;2. describe the laws of energy and energy transformations by autotrophy and heterotrophy in food chains;3. describe the levels of organization of matter and recycling of matter;4. compare ways that organisms interact within and between populations;5. define evolution and explain how it occurs through the process of natural selection;6. explain how communities change through ecological succession;7. describe major types of ecosystems and explain how they are affected by abiotic factors;8. describe genetic engineering and explain how it can affect natural environments;9. describe the classification system for organisms and describe the characteristics of kingdoms;10. explain how humans have increased the natural rate of extinction and compare methods used to maintain biodiversity;11. describe cultural changes, human population growth, and the impact humans have had on the environment through history;12. describe water, soil, mineral, food, land and air resources; list types and sources of pollution and their impact on these resources;13. list types of solid and hazardous wastes and pesticides; describe their impact on the environment; 14. identify the causes and impact of global warming, acid deposition, and loss of the ozone layer; 15. compare the supply, cost, and environmental impact of fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable sources of energy; Course Content (Lecture):1. Scientific Method2. Ecosystems and Energy a. laws of matter and energy b. properties and changes of matter 3. Trophic Levels a. photosynthesisb. cellular respirationc. energy flow d. recycling matter e. food chains and webs 4. Interactions between organisms a. types of interactions b. Gause's competitive exclusion principal 5. Succession 6. EvolutionChabot CollegeCourse Outline for Ecology 11, page 2February 19947. Natural Selection and Speciation 8. Systematicsa. naming and classificationb. kingdoms9. Biodiversity a. endangered species b. wildlife management 10. Physical Environmenta. abiotic factorsb. biogeochemical cycles11. Major Ecosystems12. Human Populationa. population ecologyb. human population growthc. population control13. Water Resources a. California water problemsb. pollution c. sewage treatment 14. Soil Resources a. characteristics of soil b. soil organisms c. loss of soil and pollution 15. Mineral Resources a. types and uses of mineral resources b. 1872 Mining Actc. conservation of minerals 16. Land Resources a. land use b. timber issues c. public lands management 17. Food Resources a. origins and growth of agriculture b. world agriculture systems c. first and second Green Revolutionsd. sustainable agriculture and organic farming 18. Pesticides a. types and uses of pesticides b. problems caused by pesticides c. Integrated Pest Management19. Solid and Hazardous Wastes a. sources of waste b. waste disposalc. types of hazardous wasted. Love Canal and Superfund 20. Global change of the atmosphere a. global warming-Kyoto Protocol b. acid deposition c. loss of ozone layer 21. Fossil Fuels22. Nuclear Energy23. Renewable EnergyChabot CollegeCourse Outline for Ecology 11, page 3February 1994Course Content (Laboratory):1. Scientific Method2. Communities3. Natural Selection4. Systematics5. Hayward Shoreline field Trip6. Nitrogen Fixation7. Ecological Transect Across California: Oakland Museum Field Trip8. Populations9. Water Analysis10. Soil Analysis11. Minerals12. Food Resources13. Integrated Pest Management14. Landfills15. Global Warming16. Davis Street Waste Management Field Trip17. EnergyMethods of Presentation:1. Lecture and discussion.2. Multimedia presentations.3. Field trips4. Research paper/term projectTypical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:1. Typical Assignmentsa. Soil Chemistry and Organisms Lab Reviewb. Oakland Museum field trip reportc. Term paperSuggested topics1) should the Endangered Species Act be amended to include economic factors?2) Why is tropical deforestation a global problem?3) Examine the issue of debt for nature swaps. Are they effective in preserving natural resources?2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progressa. Laboratory reviewsb. Quizzesc. Midterm examinationsd. Laboratory practical examinationse. Final examinationf. Research project/term paperTextbook(s) (Typical):Environment, Raven and Berg, Saunders Publishers, 3rd edition, 2001Lab Manual and Study Guide, D. Howell, 2001Special Student Materials:NonekkRevised: