Download Bio 177/Advanced Environmental Science - Spring 2004

Environmental
Science
ESS 215/BIOL 215
Drew University
Spring 2017
Professor: Dr. Sara Webb, Hall of Science 137, Phone x3550, email: [email protected]
Office hours: MW 10:00-12:00; TTh 10:30-11:30, and by appointment
Never hesitate to email me any time with questions or to find a time to meet.
Class meetings: Morning section D: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. TTh, HS 139 Noon section H: 11:50 a.m. - 1:05 p.m. TTh, HS 139
Course Description: This course explores the science behind environmental problems and solutions. We examine
current environmental issues in the context of scientific (biological, chemical, earth science) underpinnings,
while also considering the political, social and cultural dimensions of these issues. The course addresses the
role of scientific knowledge in understanding and resolving environmental problems, such as climate change,
deforestation, extinction, air and water pollution, food production, and environmental health.
Learning Outcomes: Through this course, which emphasizes both expertise and competencies, students will:
 Acquire expertise about the scientific underpinnings of environmental problems, building a body of
knowledge about causes and effects of pollution, unsustainable resource use, environmental health
problems, environmental injustice, ecosystem transformation, and impairment of biodiversity.
 Become knowledgeable about solutions to environmental problems, alternatives to current practice, and
obstacles to environmental improvement.
 Understand, clearly articulate, and thoughtfully apply the methods and findings of scientific research to
environmental problems.
 Become proficient at locating, documenting, evaluating, and summarizing sources including peer-reviewed
scientific literature.
 Build environmental communication skills including writing, discussion, and oral presentation.
 Ameliorate environmental problems through service learning projects.
Books: Required for purchase: Latest editions required. Do not expect to do well in the course without the books!
1) Environmental Science: A Global Concern, by William P Cunningham & Mary Ann Cunningham. 13th ed., 2015.
2) Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber.
2nd edition, 2010.
Other Required Readings will be provided in hard copy or on Moodle. (See attached list)
 Carson R. 1962. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. (excerpts)
 IPCC 2014. Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report on Fifth Assessment, Summary for Policymakers.
http://ipcc.ch/ (excerpts; link on Moodle)
 IPCC 2013. Climate Change: Physical Science Basis (excerpts) . (excerpts; link on Moodle)
 Pacala S., Socolow R. 2004. Stabilization wedges: solving the climate problem for the next 50 years with
current technologies. Science 305: 968-972.
 Parke, J. 2011. Reforestation at Drew. New Jersey Audubon Magazine.
 Stinson KA et al. 2006. Invasive plant suppresses the growth of native tree seedlings by disrupting
belowground mutualisms. PLoS Biology 4(5): 727-731, e140.
 Weisman A. 2007. The World Without Us. Chapter 9/Polymers are Forever. Thomas Dunne/St. Martins.
Grading: Projects, Analysis, Exams (Preliminary; subject to modification)
 Environmental news presentation (25 pts)
 Pollution bibliography projects (50 pts)
 Research paper (150 points), as follows:
o Proposal=10 points, bibliography & outline=20 pts, presentation=20 pts, paper=100 pts
 Service project: environmental work on or off campus to promote sustainability (30 pts)
 Environmental events and analysis (2 @ 15 pts = 30 pts)
 Short papers, homework, and in-class activities: (7@10-25 pts = ~120-170 pts)
 Exams (3@100 points each)
 Note late penalties and attendance requirement (below)
Events: Outside of class time, this course requires students to attend on-campus events (films, speakers, panels).
Multiple options will be available, scheduled at various times. Extra credit is offered for additional events.
Please Read These Important Course Policies
 Attendance is required. With more than two absences, final course grades are penalized by 2% per additional
absence. Save your excused absences for genuine emergencies!
 Late assignments lose 2% of their grade value per day.
 Be sure to check regularly for email from me about our course assignments, activities, and events.
 Please arrive on time. Essential announcements take place at the start of class. Chronic tardiness feels to
professors like a lack of respect and will affect your grade.
 You are responsible for all announcements and information provided in class and for keeping track of all
assignments and deadlines.
 No laptop, tablet, or phone use of any kind during class except for official class activities.
 Bring paper and pen to class every day, and maintain a folder or binder for handouts, articles, and graded
work. Taking notes is your best ticket to an “A” in the class.
College Policy and Procedures for Academic Accommodations: Students who require accommodations are
instructed to contact the Office of Accessibility Resources (formerly Office of Disability Services), BC 119C,
973-408-3962, for a private, confidential appointment. Accommodation Request Letters are issued to students after
documentation, written by a qualified professional, is reviewed and accommodations are approved by OAR.
Accommodations are implemented by faculty only after the student presents the Accommodation Request Letter
issued by OAR. Letters should be presented to the faculty at least one week before the accommodation is needed.
No accommodation can be implemented retroactively. Students’ requests for accommodations should be submitted
to OAR within the first two weeks of a course.
Policy on Academic Integrity: All work must adhere to the College Standards on Academic Integrity. You must do
your own work. You must put all writings and assignments entirely in your own words and phrasing. You must cite
sources appropriately in all papers and presentations. You must acknowledge the contributions of other students to
your work. All students are required to uphold the highest academic standards. Any case of academic dishonesty will
be dealt with according to the guidelines and procedures outlined in Drew University's "Standards of Academic
Integrity: Guidelines and Procedures," which is located in the academic policies section of the catalog. The policy can
be found at: https://uknow.drew.edu/confluence/display/cladean/Standards+of+Academic+Integrity Any student
who is in violation of this policy will be referred to the Dean’s Office for further action.
Environmental Science, Drew University, Spring 2017
Schedule ~ ~ Revised Feb. 13
DATE
(2017)
CLASS TOPIC
1
2
3
Th Jan.19
T Jan.24
Th Jan.26
4 NEWS
T Jan. 31
Environmental science: overview
Types of Pollutants
Toxic Pollutants; Synthetic Pollutants;
Plastics
Pesticides and alternatives
5
T Jan.31
Th Feb.2
Last day to drop a class without a grade of “W”
Scientific toolbox: methods for assessing
cause and risk
6 NEWS
T Feb.7
Scientific literature research, sources.
7
8 NEWS
Th Feb.9
T Feb.14
9
Th Feb.16
SNOW DAY
Air pollution
Scientific documentation
Air pollution
10
T Feb.21
EXAM #1
Intro, sec. L1/How can I get an A?
11 NEWS
Th Feb.23
T Feb.28
Th Mar.2
Ch.21/Solid, Toxic, Hazardous
Waste
Ch.14/Mining sec. 14.2-14.3 & p.312
Ch.15/Climate: pp. 319-321; and
sections 15.3 - 15.4
Weisman/Polymers are
forever
12
13 NEWS
Hazardous & solid waste; Mining;
Environmental justice
Climate change: causes, evidence
Climate change: impacts, solutions
14
SPRING BREAK: March 4-12
T Mar.14
Climate change
Sustainable energy
Pacala/Carbon stabilization
wedges
15 NEWS
Th Mar.16
Ch.15: sec. 15.5 to end.
Ch.20/Sustainable energy
P.13/Case study: China
Ch.19 /Conventional energy, Fossil
fuels - through 19.4
16
17
T Mar.21
Th Mar. 23
18
T Mar.28
Sustainable energy
Fossil Fuels
Statistics; Unpacking scientific articles
Fossil Fuels
Nuclear energy
EXAM #2
WORK DUE
Paper/ Environmental
views & experiences
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
TEXTBOOK (CUNNINGHAM)
Introduction
Ch.1/ through sec.4
Ch. 8/Environmental Health &
Toxicology (focus on 8.2 & 8.3)
Ch.10/10.3 & 10.4/Pests and
Pesticides
Page 9/Telling news from noise
Ch.1, pp.42-43 /Pseudoscience
Ch.2/ 2.1 & 2.3/Science
Homework #1/Readings
BRING LAPTOP
Homework 2/Readings
Ch.16/Air pollution
Ch. 24/sec. 2/Environmental Laws
Ch. 1/ 1.3-1.4
Pollution Bibliography
Homework 3/ Plastics
Pollution; Climate Change
Research Topic Proposal
due!
Homework 4: Climate
Graphs & Stabilization
Ch.19/19.5 Nuclear power
LIVING DOWNSTREAM
(CHAPTERS); OTHER
READINGS
Ch.1/Trace Amounts
Ch. 2/Silence
Ch. 3/Time
Carson/Silent Spring
(excerpts)
Ch. 4/Space
Ch.5/War
Afterword
Ch. 11/Our Bodies
Ch.8/Air
Ch.10/Fire
IPCC 2014 Excerpts
DATE
CLASS TOPIC
WORK DUE
Continued, schedule for Environmental Science, Spring 2017
19 NEWS
Th Mar.30
Water pollution
F March 31: Last day to withdraw from classes with “W”
20
T Apr.4
Campus ecotour & ecological
restoration in Drew Forest
Project Bibliography
and Outline Due
21 NEWS
22
Th Apr.6
T Apr.11
Water resources: drought to flood
Protecting species
Homework 5/Water
Service Project Plan
23 NEWS
Th Apr.13
Protecting ecosystems
24
T Apr.18
Food and farming
25
26
27
28
Th Apr.20
T Apr.25
Th Apr.27
T May 2
Project presentations
EXAM WEEK - FINAL EXAM
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
TEXTBOOK (CUNNINGHAM)
LIVING DOWNSTREAM
(CHAPTERS); OTHER
READINGS
Ch.18/Water pollution
Chesapeake Bay (p.52-53)
Living Downstream Ch.9/Water
Ch.13/Restoration;
Invasive species: p.234-236; Bait
(p.92) Deer (p.124)
Ch.17/Water; Ch.5/Biomes & p.98
Ch.11/Species
“Elephants”/p.540-541
Ch. 12/Biodiversity: Landscapes
Parke/Reforestation
Ch.9/Food & Hunger
Ch.10/Farming
Ch.7/Earth
Ch.25/What shall we do?
Ch.24/24.1 & 24.3/Env Policy
Ch.12/ Ecological Roots
Stinson/Garlic mustard
Research Papers\ Due