Download CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE SYLLABUS FOR ENVR 1401

CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
SYLLABUS FOR ENVR 1401
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Fall II Term (Oct 21 – Dec 14 2013
Semester Hours Credit: 4
Instructor: David P. Jones
Course Hours: T/Th 5:15-7:45
Location: Rm 130, Bldg 215 Fort Riley Campus
Office hours: 5:00-7:30, by appt
TEL: (785)239-2630
Cell: (785) 317-2853
Email: [email protected]
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary study that draws from the physical,
biological, and social sciences. It attempts to understand how life on Earth is
sustained, what leads to environmental problems, and how to manage these
problems.
B. Prerequisite: basic math skills
II. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
A. Required Textbook: As noted in CTC Instructional Materials website,
http://www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
III. COURSE PARTICIPATION
A. Class Participation: Students are expected to attend lecture during their
scheduled time. Leaving class early will be counted as an absence, unless it has
already been excused. See section VII below for information on consequences of
insufficient attendance. Although excessive absences and tardies negatively affect
performance and should be avoided, participation, not regular attendance, is the key
to academic success. Such active involvement facilitates learning and long-term
memory and is part of an efficient, effective study strategy. You may be able to
attend a later lecture if your absence is excused. Otherwise, you should get the
notes from another student.
B. Laboratory Participation in lab is required. There may be an occasional outdoor
lab exercise or field trip. Reading and discussion of articles or videos will also
constitute a Laboratory exercise; participation in discussion is required. You may
earn up to 50 points in laboratory activities.
C. You may also earn 0 to 50 participation points depending on instructor’s
observations made throughout the semester – of class attendance, contribution to
lecture discussions, involvement in lab exercises, interactions with classmates,
civility, overall attitude, etc.
IV. COURSE WORK
Course work will be based primarily on the text plus magazine articles. Videos
pertaining to each chapter will be shown will discussion time. Laboratories will be
based on field trips and assigned readings/discussion. Class participation will be critical
to your grade.
V. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATIONS
Letter grades are determined solely by the total number of points earned in the course.
There will be quizzes or articles to read for a total of 150 or more points to be earned
throughout the term. An additional 50 points will be given for class participation.
‘A’ means superior (90%+), b (80% - 89%), (C (70% - 79%) ‘D’ means passing (60% 69%). You are expected to keep track of your grades as you receive them – record
them in the chart on the left below. Later in the semester you can calculate points
earned by multiplying your percent grade by the point value (e.g. 80% of 150 points is
120 points).
VI. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE INSTRUCTOR
A. Course Withdrawal: It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a
course if circumstances prevent attendance. To do so, complete and sign the
Central Texas College Application for Withdrawal (CTC Form 59) any time prior to
Friday the 12th week of classes during the 16-week fall and spring semesters. The
deadline for withdrawal is published each semester in the Schedule Bulletin. A
student may not withdraw from a class for which the instructor has previously issued
the student a grade of “F” or “FN” for nonattendance.
B. Administrative Withdrawal: An administrative withdrawal may be initiated when
the student fails to meet College attendance requirements. An instructor may
withdraw a student from a course if the student has more than 4 absences. For
example, I may withdraw you from this course if you miss 2 lectures and 2 labs.
Such insufficient attendance may result in a grade of “FN” if the deadline for
withdrawal has passed.
C. Incomplete Grade: If a student has made satisfactory progress in a course with
the exception of a major quiz, final exam, or other project, the instructor may – after
reviewing documentation showing the reason for missed work – grant a temporary
grade of incomplete, “IP”. See current college catalog for more information.
D. American’s With Disabilities Act (ADA): Students requiring accommodations for
disabilities are responsible for notifying the instructor. Reasonable accommodations
will be granted in compliance with federal and state law and Central Texas College
policy.
E. Civility: Individuals are expected to be cognizant of what a constructive
educational experience is and be respectful of those participating in a learning
environment. Examples of uncivil conduct in class include, but are not limited to:
eating or drinking; talking; using inappropriate language; use of electronic media for
communication or entertainment; tardiness, leaving class early. Note that all of these
activities distract other students and disrupt their learning experience. The offending
student may or may not be given a warning before a CTC Counseling and
Disciplinary Referral Form is filed and may receive disciplinary action up to and
including expulsion. See Student Handbook for more information.
F. Cheating: It will not be tolerated and may result in a grade of zero for that
assignment. You may not leave the room until your exam is turned in. The instructor
will judge whether copying has occurred and determine the proper consequence. A
formal charge against the student may be made to the College Disciplinary Board.
G. Instructor Discretion: The instructor reserves the right of final decision in course
requirements.
H. Courtesy: Students are expected to discuss any course-related issue or problem
with their instructor first. If the problem has not been resolved at that level, students
may contact the Head of the Science Department.
VII. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
A. Understand scientific principles pertinent to environmental science.
B. Understand ecology and evolution.
C. Identify natural resources and ecological services.
D. Identify root causes of environmental problems.
E. Acquire knowledge of environmental processes and how human systems can
affect them.
F. Use scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills to understand and assess
environmental problems.
G. Elaborate on environmental issues related to population growth, land and water
use, fishing and agriculture, biodiversity, air and water pollution, environmental
health and toxicology, energy, and waste management.
H. Define environmental sustainability and the precautionary principle.
I. Work independently and cooperatively in a laboratory setting.
J. Develop questioning, investigating, and analyzing skills.
K. Apply the scientific method.
L. Convey information in a scientific, coherent and concise manner.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
A. CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Define environmental science.
b) Identify natural resources; distinguish among perpetually renewable,
potentially renewable and nonrenewable resources.
c) Describe the tragedy of the commons and identify ways to avoid it.
d) Define ecological footprint and explain how and why it differs between
developing and developed countries.
e) Define sustainability and sustainable development.
f) Describe the scientific process: the scientific method and peer review.
g) Distinguish between hypothesis and theory.
B. CHAPTER TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS: MATTER, ENERGY AND
ECOSYSTEMS
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Define matter and describe the hierarchical organization of the natural world.
b) Distinguish between ions and isotopes.
c) Be able to use periodic table so: if given atom of some element (e.g.Na),
determine number protons or electrons; if given isotope of some element (e.g.U235), determine number of neutrons; if given ion (e.g.Na +1), determine number
of protons or electrons.
d) Distinguish between acids and bases and describe the pH scale.
e) Describe the law of conservation of matter.
f) Define energy and differentiate between kinetic and potential energy.
g) Describe the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
h) Describe the feeding relationships between producers, consumers, and
decomposers.
i) Recognize the chemical reactions for cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
j) Distinguish between gross and net primary productivity; identify factors that
affect primary productivity.
k) Identify terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems with high and low net primary
productivity.
l) Describe the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems.
m) Summarize the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles and how human activities
affect them.
C. CHAPTER THREE: EVOLUTION, BIODIVERSITY, AND POPULATION ECOLOGY
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Define evolution; Distinguish between microevolution and macroevolution and
give examples of each.
b) Define adaptation; Describe natural selection and list the three conditions that
must be met for it to work.
c) Distinguish between natural selection and artificial selection.
d) Discuss speciation, extinction, and adaptive radiation.
e) Define ecology; describe the five levels of organization within the realm of
ecology.
f) Distinguish between species and population.
g) Define ecological niche; Distinguish between generalist and specialist species.
h) Identify characteristics of population: size, density, age distribution, and
dispersion pattern.
i) Describe how births, deaths, immigration and emigration determine changes in
population size.
j) Predict a population’s growth rate (slow, rapid, zero, negative) if given the age
distribution of the current population.
k) Compare and contrast exponential and logistic population growth.
l) Define carrying capacity; describe effects of an overshoot or dieback.
m) Distinguish between density-dependent and density-independent controls on
population growth.
n) List characteristics of r-selected and K-selected species, relate to biotic
potential, and provide examples of each.
D. CHAPTER FOUR: SPECIES INTERACTIONS AND COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe trophic levels of a food chain. Describe a food web.
b) Explain why food chains have a limited number of trophic levels.
c) Define keystone species.
d) Describe the following interspecific interactions and recognize examples of
each: competition, mutualism, commensalism, predation, parasitism, and
herbivory.
e) Describe competitive exclusion and resource partitioning.
f) Define coevolution; identify the interspecific interactions that may result in an
“evolutionary arms race.”
g) Describe ecological succession; compare and contrast primary and secondary
succession; describe how humans can influence succession.
E. CHAPTER FIVE: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe ecosystem services.
b) Identify causes of environmental problems.
c) Describe the role of science in public policy.
F. CHAPTER SIX: HUMAN POPULATION
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe human global population growth
b) Describe the effect the agricultural and industrial revolutions had on human
population growth and carrying capacity.
c) Explain the IPAT model.
d) Discuss the cultural carrying capacity for the global human population.
e) Distinguish between developed and developing countries in terms of age
distribution, total fertility rate, birth rate, death rate, population growth rate and
population size.
f) Explain what has contributed to most of the world’s population growth during
the 20th century.
g) Distinguish between replacement-level and total fertility rate.
h) Describe recent and projected human population trends and describe
population momentum.
i) Identify factors that affect fertility rate.
j) Describe the demographic transition model and characterize its four stages.
k) Explain why the “population problem” does not only exist for developing
countries.
G. CHAPTER SEVEN: SOIL AND AGRICULTURE
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe the Agricultural Revolution.
b) Distinguish between traditional and industrialized agriculture.
c) Describe ways in which food production has increased during the 20th century
and describe their environmental impacts.
d) Describe the 3 food systems of food production - croplands, rangelands, and
fisheries.
e) Describe soil and the different layers found in a profile of mature soil.
f) Discuss the problem of soil degradation, its causes and effects.
g) Define desertification and identify its causes.
h) Describe methods of soil conservation.
i) Describe integrated pest management.
k) Provide advantages and disadvantages of aquaculture.
l) Identify the main cause of hunger and malnutrition.
m) Identify challenges to future food production and describe sustainable
agriculture.
H. CHAPTER EIGHT: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Define biodiversity; describe earth’s current biodiversity.
b) Describe the value of biodiversity.
c) Distinguish between extinction and extirpation.
d) Distinguish between background extinction and mass extinction.
e) Describe the current extinction rate.
f) Identify and discuss the main threats to species diversity.
g) Distinguish between intrinsic and instrumental value of biodiversity.
h) Describe ecotourism and community-based conservation.
i) List the 2 criteria for the ‘hotspot’ designation for an area of land.
j) List characteristics that make species prone to extinction.
k) Distinguish between endangered and threatened species.
l) Discuss approaches to protect species, e.g. CITES and ESA.
m) Describe the role of captive breeding in conservation.
I. CHAPTER NINE: FORESTS, FOREST MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTED AREAS
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Identify economical and ecological services of forests.
b) Describe 2 approaches to resource management: maximum sustainable yield
and ecosystem-based management.
c) Distinguish among tree farms, primary and secondary forests.
d) Describe methods of harvesting timber and sustainable forestry.
e) Identify causes and effects of deforestation.
f) Distinguish between surface fires and crown fires; describe prescribed burning.
g) Identify different types of public land in the US.
h) Describe the purpose and organization of a biosphere reserve.
i) Describe the purpose of habitat corridors.
J. CHAPTER TWELVE: AQUATIC ECOSYTEMS: RESOURCE USE AND
CONSERVATION
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe Earth’s water supply: percentage of fresh and salt water, ground and
surface liquid water.
b) Define watershed (drainage basin), water table, and aquifer.
c) Describe wetlands and the ecological services they provide.
d) Identify threats to wetlands and define mitigation banking.
e) Describe ecological restoration and use the example of the Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan.
f) Recognize ways we contribute to flooding and ways we can minimize the risks
of flooding.
g) Identify causes of water shortage.
h) Describe water use; distinguish between consumptive and nonconsumptive
use of water.
i) Describe ways to obtain more water and identify advantages, disadvantages of
each.
j) Describe productive marine and coastal ecosystems and discuss human
activities that affect them.
k) Identify sources of marine pollution.
l) Describe (cultural) eutrophication.
m) Describe the extent of overfishing and its major causes.
n) Describe evidence of overfishing.
o) Describe effects of overfishing.
p) Describe ways to manage fisheries: exclusive economic zones, maximum
sustainable yield and individual fishing quotas; also describe the purpose and
effectiveness marine protected areas and marine reserves.
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CLASS CHOICE
K. CHAPTER TEN: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Characterize the 4 types of environmental hazards.
b) Identify leading causes of death.
c) Describe the epidemiological transition.
d) Explain why infectious diseases remain a challenge.
e) Discuss 4 ways in which chemical hazards are assessed.
f) Differentiate between chronic and acute exposure to pollutants.
g) Identify factors affecting toxicity.
h) Describe biomagnification and its implications.
i) Characterize persistent organic pollutants.
j) Identify the different types of toxins and their effects.
k) Compare risk analysis and risk perception.
L. CHAPTER ELEVEN: GEOLOGY, MINERALS AND MINING
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe Earth’s internal structure and explain how plate tectonics shapes its
surface
b) Identify how the categories of rocks and the rock cycle shape the landscape
around us and the earth beneath our feet
c) List major types of geologic hazards and describe ways to reduce their
impacts
d) Outline types of mineral resources and how they contribute to our products
and society
e) Describe the major methods of mining
f) Characterize the environmental and social impacts of mining
g) Assess reclamation efforts and mining policy
h) Evaluate ways to encourage sustainable use of mineral resources
O. CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE AND AIR POLLUTION
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Define pollution.
b) Describe the troposphere and stratosphere.
c) Distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources of air pollution,
primary and secondary pollutants, and point and non-point sources.
d) Distinguish between industrial and photochemical smog.
e) Describe the effect of temperature inversion and the global distillation effect.
f) Identify the 6 criteria pollutants for which national ambient air quality standards
are set by the EPA.
g) Discuss the purpose and effectiveness of the Clean Air Acts.
h) Describe ways to reduce air pollution.
i) Define acid deposition and describe its effects on ecosystems.
j) Compare outdoor air pollution in developed and developing countries.
k) Compare indoor air pollution in developed and developing countries.
l) Describe the causes and effects of ozone depletion, and identify methods of
mitigation and adaptation.
P. CHAPTER FOURTEEN: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Explain how the terms global climate change and global warming are different
but related.
b) Describe past and present trends in climate change.
c) Identify factors affecting global climate.
d) Identify the concern over current global warming.
e) Describe the natural greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect.
f) Identify specific human activities that have contributed to the increase of
specific greenhouse gases.
g) Summarize findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
h) Describe how global climate change is affecting natural ecosystems and
human societies.
i) Distinguish between mitigation and adaptation as responses to global climate
change and provide examples of each.
Q. CHAPTER FIFTEEN: NONRENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe today’s sources of commercial energy in the U.S. and worldwide.
b) Describe the composition and formation of fossil fuels.
c) Define reserves and EROI.
d) Identify main uses of coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power; describe
environmental impacts of each.
e) Describe what is meant by clean coal technology.
f) Compare U.S. oil consumption and supply.
g) Describe the energy crisis.
h) Describe oil shales and oil sands, and describe their environmental impacts.
i) Summarize the debate over drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
j) Discuss energy efficiency and energy conservation.
R. CHAPTER SIXTEEN: RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
1. Learning Outcomes:
a) Describe main categories of renewable sources of energy: direct solar, indirect
solar, geothermal, and hydrogen.
b) Describe the current and projected use of renewable energy alternatives.
c) Discuss specific renewable energy sources: their uses, advantages and
disadvantages.