COURSE OUTLINE ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE SCIENCE ABIO 106 FALL 2007 Instructor: Dr. Michele Harmon Lecture: 9:25-10:40 am, TTh in H&SS 116 Office: SBDG 221 Credits: 4 Office hours: By appointment Phone: (803) 641-3607 e-mail: [email protected] Lab: Sect 001: 1:40-4:20 pm, T in SBDG 108 (Dr. Harmon) Sect 002: 2:30-5:10 pm, M in SBDG 108 (Mr. Reinhart) Required lecture text: Sustaining the Earth, 8th Edition, by G. Tyler Miller Course Objectives: The course will provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the complex interactions between man and the environment. The course will specifically address the importance of natural resources, human population growth, depletion/degradation of the earth’s resources, types of pollution, pollution reduction and prevention, and strategies for sustainability. Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures along with appropriate visual aids. Traditional exams will be used to evaluate student progress in the class. These exams will include multiple choice, terms/definitions, and short answer. Students should bring a pencil and a long-form Scantron to each exam. There will be several unannounced quizzes and in-class assignments during the semester. Students are expected to have reviewed the material from the previous lecture in preparation. These will be administered during the first 10 minutes of class, and there will be no make-up opportunities for absence or late arrival; however, the lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. The student will be required to complete one written library research assignment. Full details will be handed out in class. The final course grade will be based on the following: 4 Lecture exams @ 100 pts. each 400 1 Final exam @ 200 pts. 200 On-line and in-class quizzes / assignments 25 Library research assignment 50 Laboratory quizzes, reports, and participation 225 900 total pts. available GRADING SCALE: A (90-100%), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59) ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students are expected to adhere to the University attendance policy as stated in the Student Handbook. In this regard, the instructor may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class meetings (lectures and labs) by assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. Lecture exam dates are clearly stated in the syllabus, and all students are expected to take the exam at the regularly scheduled time. Make-up lecture exams will be considered only for a documented, excusable reason. If there is an illness or emergency, you are expected to contact the instructor immediately. Be prepared to show documentation (doctor’s excuse, etc.). Failure to contact the instructor within 24 hours will forfeit any chance of making up the test. Attending lecture and taking notes is the sole responsibility of the student. Under no circumstance will the instructor provide copies of lecture notes or slides for students.Schedule for ABIO 106, Fall 2007 Week Date Topic Chapter 1 Aug. 23 Introduction 1 2 Aug. 28 Environmental Science and Sustainability 1 2 Aug. 30 Energy and Ecosystems 2 3 Sep. 4 Energy and Ecosystems 2 3 Sep. 6 Terrestrial Ecosystems 3 4 Sep. 11 Aquatic Ecosystems 3 4 Sep. 13 Exam 1 Chapters 1-3 5 Sep. 18 library assignment 5 Sep. 20 Species Interaction and Succession 4 6 Sep. 25 Population Dynamics 4 6 Sep. 27 Human Populations: Size and Distribution 5 7 Oct. 2 Urbanization 5 7 Oct. 4 Biodiversity and Species 6 & 7 8 Oct. 9 Exam 2: Chapters 4-7 8 Oct. 11 Fall Break - no class 9 Oct. 16 Energy 10 9 Oct. 18 Sustainable Energy Solutions 10 10 Oct. 23 Soil and Soil Conservation 8 10 Oct. 25 Food Production and Pesticides 8 11 Oct. 30 Toxicology and Risk 11 11 Nov. 1 Biohazards and Risk Assessment 11 12 Nov. 6 Exam 3: Chapters 8, 10, 11 12 Nov. 8 Hazardous Pollutants 13 Nov. 13 Air Pollution 12 13 Nov. 15 Climate Change and Ozone Depletion 12 14 Nov. 20 Water Resources 9 14 Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Holiday 15 Nov. 27 Exam 4: Chapters 9, 12 15 Nov. 29 Solid and Hazardous Waste 13 16 Dec. 4 Water Pollution 9 16 Dec. 6 Environmental Economics 14 Comprehensive Final Exam: Dec. 11 at 8:00 am CHANGES: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture or laboratory schedule, the number of quizzes and exams given, and the contents of each exam as deemed necessary. LABORATORY ATTENDANCE: Because of their nature, laboratory investigations cannot be made up. Therefore, students must make every effort to attend laboratory sessions. If you miss a laboratory investigation, you will not be allowed to take the associated quizzes or turn in a lab report the following week. This also applies if you come in late, leave early, or do not participate fully. You cannot write a report on a laboratory investigation that you did not do. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Plan to be out of touch and to have your cell phone stored out of sight during lecture and lab time. This includes leaving the room to answer silent rings or using the phone for text messages.COMPUTER USE AND EMAIL: All laboratory reports will require the use of a computer. You must be able to log on to the USCA computer system in order to accomplish these laboratory exercises. If you do not know how to sign on to the USCA computer system, you should contact the CSD HELP desk as soon as possible. All official email communications, including class announcements, are made to USCA email accounts. Students should check their USCA email account on a regular basis and use this account for communication with the instructor. In order to protect the privacy of the student, the instructor will not reply to emails sent from non-USCA accounts (e.g., Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.). DISABILITY STATEMENT: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation. Laboratory Schedule for BIO 106, Fall 2007 Date Topic Aug. 27-28 Your Ecological Footprint - Investigation #1 Sept. 3-4