Download Course Specification - Assumption University

GE TQF3 –1/2014
Course Specification
Institution
Assumption University
Campus/Department/Faculty
Hua Mark and Suvarnabhumi Campuses
Department of General Education
Faculty of Arts
Section 1 General Information
1. Course code and title
GE 1301 Environmental Science
2. Total credits
3 (3-0-6)
3. Program and type of course
General education course offered as a required course.
4. Responsible faculty member (Coordinator) Dr. Rungsri Wongvitavas
Teaching faculty members:
Dr. Suchada Chunsanit
Dr. Rungsri Wongvitavas
A. Khin Saw Mon
A. Watcharee Numprasert
A. Sasiluk Srisutraporn
A. Wutthipol Wutthiworapong
A. John Stampe
A. Saw Nardar
5. Semester/year of study
Semester one/first year
6. Prerequisite (If any)
None
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
7. Co-requisite (If any)
None
8. Learning venue
Assumption University
Suvarnabhumi Campus
9. Latest date of course specification
development or modification:
May 14, 2012
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
Section 2 Aims and Objectives
Aims of the course
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
understand the interrelationship of human beings, science, technology and the environment
be aware of environmental problems
analyze the causes and effects of environmental problems
apply the fundamentals of environmental science to realize the importance of local and/ or
regional environmental problems through conservation activity
Section 3 Course Characteristics and Implementation
1. Course Description
General science, scientific approaches, understanding the interrelationships of the nature,
identification and analysis of environmental problems, application and alternative solutions
for preventing and solving the environmental problems.
2. Number of hours/semester
Lecture
Tutorial
45 hours
none
Practice/Field
Experience/Internship
Self-directed
Learning
none
90 hours
3. Number of hours provided for academic advice and guidance to students
Students can request for academic advices prior, during, or after class hours
Students can make appointment to stop by the faculties’ office during the specified advising
hours (18 hours per week).
Students can request academic advices through the e-mail of faculty members.
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Students can access course materials from the LMS system.
Section 4 Development of Student Learning Outcomes
1. Ethics and Moral
The course aims to develop students to have morals in their daily life and also be environmentally
responsible citizen. Students should understand ethics and code of conducts-ecosystem
approaches in their daily activity.
1.1
Ethics and Moral to be developed
 Value honesty and personal responsibility
1.2
Teaching Methods
 Check attendance
 Lecture with questioning to encourage students to participate, and share ideas in
class
 Apply case study/ class work scenario to discuss and learn about ethical code of
conducts regarding environmental issues
 Assign students to create and conduct environmental conservation activity(community
voluntary project) in the community
 Apply the rules and regulations of the university as of classroom’s management
1.3 Evaluation Methods
 Record of class attendance and assignment submission
 Observe students’ manners and behaviors during group/ class discussion on how they
respect or accept others’ ideas and opinions as well as the rules and regulations of the
university
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
 Evaluate students’ environmental conservation activity (community voluntary project)
and their contribution to the community.
2. Knowledge
The course aims to develop students to understand the concepts of the subject matters. Students
also have to understand the interrelatedness between human life and the environment from a
scientific perspective. The students are able to apply the related concepts in their daily life and
also in their professional career in the future.
2.1
Knowledge to be acquired
 Associate a wide variety of knowledge areas with other related subjects
2.2 Teaching Methods
 Lecture with questioning to encourage students to participate, and share ideas in class
 Apply case study/ class work scenario to discuss and learn about current and
emerging environmental issues
 Apply related research findings to update and expand their point of views on particular
environmental issues
 Apply environmental film/ clip video and then discuss or reflective writing to improve
the students’ interest, criticism and communication skills
 Assign students to create and conduct environmental conservation activity (community
voluntary project) in the community to promote self-directed learning on regional
environmental problems
2.3 Evaluation Methods
 Observe students’ participation during lecture
 Observe and reflect students’ criticism and discussion in small group and/ or whole
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
class
 Evaluate students’ class work assignments, reflective writing and environmental
conservation activity (community voluntary project)
 Assess overall knowledge of subject matter by testing midterm and final examination
3. Cognitive Skills
The course aims to develop students’ thinking skills in terms of -reasoning, logical, critical, and
creative thinking; initiative skills, and problem solving skills to investigate and understand
environmental issues together with initiate appropriate approaches; and meta-cognitive skills to
promote students’ intellectual life.
3.1 Cognitive Skills to be developed
 Develop competence in critical thinking, such as problem-solving, decision-making,
and analytical reasoning
3.2 Teaching Methods
 Apply case study/ research finding/ class work scenario to discuss and learn about
current and emerging environmental issues
 Apply online interactive exercise (ecological footprint calculator) to update and expand
their point of views regarding the impacts of students’ lifestyles has on the
environment.
 Apply environmental film/ clip video and then discuss or reflective writing to improve
the students’ interest, criticism and communication skills
3.3 Evaluation Methods
 Observe students’ conservation behaviors in class
 Observe and reflect students’ criticism and discussion in small group and/ or whole
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
class
 Evaluate students’ class work assignments, exercise, reflective writing and
environmental conservation activity(community voluntary project)
 Assess overall knowledge of subject matter by testing midterm and final examination
4. Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility
The course aims to develop students’ interpersonal skills, accountability and responsibility. Students
can work effectively and cooperatively as a leader, a member in team and also to be ready for
workforce with high order responsibilities in multidisciplinary settings.
4.1 Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility to be developed
 Participate effectively in group activities
 Develop responsibility in completing given assignments and tasks
4.2 Teaching Methods
 Provide opportunity for students to learn how to critique others creatively and valuably.
4.3 Evaluation Methods
 Observe and reflect students’ criticism and discussion in small group and/ or whole
class
 Evaluate students’ class work assignments, reflective writing and environmental
conservation activity(community voluntary project) and presentation
5. Numerical Analysis, Communication and Information Technology Skills
The course aims to develop students’ quantitative analysis skills and also how to apply IT to access
essential information to accurate and elucidate comprehensive understanding of the course.
Students are able to communicate effectively.
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5.1 Numerical Analysis, Communication and Information Technology Skills to be developed
 Solve problems using quantitative, logical, and computational approaches
 Search for and make proper use of information from various sources
 Develop communication skills with the use of ICT tools
5.2 Teaching Methods
 Assign students to present their environmental conservation activity (community
voluntary project) to promote students’ team work and also communication skills
5.3 Evaluation Methods
 Observe and reflect students’ quantitative analysis and decision making in small group
and/ or whole class discussion
 Evaluate students’ class work assignments, reflective writing and environmental
conservation activity(community voluntary project) and presentation
Section 5 Teaching and Evaluation Plans
1. Teaching Plan
Lecture
1
Topics
No. of
Hours
Teaching & Learning Faculty
Activities,
Members
Instructional Media
Unit I: Understanding Our Environment
3
Lecture, Discussion
 The Nature of Environmental Science
 An Ecosystem Approach
 Environmental Ethics and Attitudes
8
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
GE TQF3 –1/2014
1. Teaching Plan
Lecture
2
Topics
No. of
Hours
Teaching & Learning Faculty
Activities,
Members
Instructional Media
Unit II: Understanding Human Population
3
Lecture, Discussion
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
Ecological
and
Footprint
Team
Calculator
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
and
Film
Team
 Past and Current Human Population
Growth
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
 Factors that Influence Human Population
Growth
 Biological Factors
 Social Factors
 Economic Factors
 Political Factors
3
Unit II: Understanding Human Population
(continued)
 Population Growth Rates and Standard of
Living
 Measuring The Environmental Impact of
Population
 Ecological footprint
4
Unit III: Understanding Science, Living Systems
and Biodiversity
 Ecological Concepts
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
1. Teaching Plan
Lecture
Topics
No. of
Hours
Teaching & Learning Faculty
Activities,
Members
Instructional Media
3
Lecture, Discussion
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
Presentation
and
Team
 Environment
 Limiting Factors
 Habitat and Niche
5
Unit III: Understanding Science, Living Systems
and Biodiversity (continued)
 Community and Ecosystem Interactions
 Major Roles of Organisms in
Ecosystems
 Energy Flow through Ecosystems
6
Unit III: Understanding Science, Living Systems
and Biodiversity (continued)
 Community and Ecosystem Interactions
 Nutrient Cycles in Ecosystems
 Human Impact on Nutrient Cycles
7
Unit III: : Understanding Science, Living Systems
and Biodiversity (continued)
 Biodiversity issues
 Protecting Biodiversity
Mid-Term Exam
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1. Teaching Plan
Lecture
8
Topics
No. of
Hours
Teaching & Learning Faculty
Activities,
Members
Instructional Media
Unit IV: Energy Resources
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
VDO
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
VDO
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
VDO
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion, Dr.Rungsri
and
Film
Team
 Global Energy Consumption
 Non-renewable Energy
 Conventional energy
 Nuclear Power
9
Unit IV: Energy Resources (continued)
 Renewable Energy
 Energy Conservation
10
Unit V: Global Pollution and Climate Change
 Overview of Global Climate
 Global Environmental Concerns
 Air Quality Issues and Climate Change
 Photochemical Smog
11
Unit V: Global Pollution and Climate Change
(continued)
 Air Quality Issues and Climate Change
 Acid Deposition
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
1. Teaching Plan
Lecture
Topics
No. of
Hours
Teaching & Learning Faculty
Activities,
Members
Instructional Media
3
Lecture, Discussion
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
3
Lecture, Discussion
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
3
Discussion,
Presentation
Dr.Rungsri
and
Team
 Ozone Depletion
 Indoor Air Pollution
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Unit V: Global Pollution and Climate Change
(continued)
 Global Warming and Climate Change
13
Unit V: Global Pollution and Climate Change
(continued)
 Water Issues
 Hydrologic Cycle
 Human Influence on Hydrologic
Cycle
 Water Pollution and Management
14
Unit V: Global Pollution and Climate Change
(continued)
 Solid Waste Management and Disposal
15
Unit VI: Regional Environmental Concerns
 Environmental Conservation Activity
Final Exam
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2. Evaluation Plan
Activity
Learning
Outcomes
Evaluation Methods
Week of the
Semester
Proportion of
Evaluation (%)
1
1.4,2.5,3.3
Mid-term Examination
Week 8
25 %
Final Examination
Week 16
35 %
2
1.4, 2.5, 3.3, 4.1, Class work assignment
5.4
Whole semester
20 %
3
1.4, 2.5, 3.3, 4.1, Evaluation of environmental
5.4
conservation activity
6-14
10 %
4
1.4, 4.1
Whole semester
10 %
Record of class attendance
and participation
Section 6 Teaching & Learning Resources
1. Major Texts and Documents
Enger, E. D. & Smith, B. F. (2013). Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. 13th ed. New
York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
2. Essential Documents (Books, journals, websites and other documents essential for reading)
None
3. Recommended Documents
Brennan, S. & Withgott, J. (2005). Environment: The Science Behind The Stories. San Francisco:
Pearson Education.
Chiras, D. D. (2006). Environmental Science. 7th ed. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Cunningham, W. P. & Cunningham, M. A. (2008). Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry &
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GE TQF3 –1/2014
Application. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cunningham, W. P., et al. (2007). Environmental Science: A Global Concern. 9thed. New York: McGrawHill Companies.
Miller, G. Tyler & Spoolman, Scott (2011). Living in the Environment, 17th ed., Brooks Cole.
Odum, Eugene & Barrett, Gary (2004). Fundamentals of Ecology, 5th ed., Brooks Cole.
http://www.mhhe.com/environmental_science
http://wikieducator.org/ScienceMan
http://ecogeek.org
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm
http://climate.nasa.gov
Section 7 Course Evaluation and Improvement
1. Strategies for Evaluation of Course Effectiveness by Students
- Students’ feedback questionnaire is used to assess students’ satisfaction in terms of quality of
course curriculum, quality of teaching and learning, and quality of instructors
- Direct discussion with students
2. Strategies for Evaluation of Teaching
- Peer observation is used to exchange knowledge, opinions and experiences among instructors
- Class observation by committee
3. Process for Improvement of Teaching
- Course meeting is used for discussion and sharing opinions among instructors in order to improve
teaching and learning methodology
4. Verification of Standards of Student Achievements
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- Approval of exam papers and course materials by committee
- Grading meeting by instructors
- Grading approval by committee
- Academic approval by committee (Internal and External Quality Assurance)
5. Process for Course Review and Planning for Course Effectiveness Improvement
- Course meeting among team members every semester
- Course specification review by course coordinator and instructors
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