Download Env.Sci100 - The University of Jordan :: Faculty of Science

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
SYLLABUS Fall 2008/2009
UNIVERSITY OF JORDAN
Instructor: Prof Hani N. Khoury School Phone: (962) 5355000- ext.: 22266
Office hours: Daily 10 – 13.30
Meeting Time: 12-13 Su, Teu, Wed. Geology 104
Classroom Expectations:
Be on time and prepared for class. Active participation is essential to learning.
Attendance is essential to learning, be there.
Respect one another in both word and action.
Textbook – Botkin, Daniel and Edward Keller. 2005. Environmental Science: Earth as a
Living Planet, 5th Ed. Wiley & Sons, Inc.; New York, NY.
Course Objectives:
The study of environmental sciences is necessary to become more cognizant of the living
world, the biotic and abiotic factors, which affect your daily life, and the
interrelationships you have with other organisms. Material covered in the class includes
global interactions, ecosystems, energy and matter, land, water, atmosphere, and
biodiversity.
Lecture, class discussions, presentations, will all be used throughout the year to aid your
learning of the major ecological and biological concepts.
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES:
Environmental Science is the most inclusive of all sciences. It crosses the lines among
science disciplines as well as having applications in the economic, political, geographical,
and sociological areas. It is global in scope.
This course addresses the general education outcomes relating to identifying and
evaluating global, economic, political, historical, and geographical forces, and analyzing
how these forces help shape the past, present, and future
Course Content
No of Lectures
Basic Issues in Environmental Science
2
Thinking Critically about the Environment
2
Systems and Change
2
The Biogeochemical Cycle
3
Human Population as an Environmental
2
Problem Ecosystems and Ecosystem Management
2
Biological Diversity
1
Biogeography
1
Biological Productivity and Energy Flow
1
Ecological Restoration
2
First Hourly Exam 20%
1
World Food Supply
1
Effects of Agriculture on the Environment
1
Forests, Parks, and Landscapes
1
Wildlife, Fisheries, and Endangered Species
1
Environmental Health, Pollution, and Toxicology
Energy: Some Basics
Fossil Fuels and the Environment
Alternative Energy and the Environment
Second Hourly Exam 30%
Nuclear Energy and the Environment
Water Supply, Use, and Management
Water Pollution and Treatment
Atmosphere, Climate, and Global Warming
Air Pollution
Indoor Air Pollution
Ozone Depletion
Waste Management
Review
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
Course Calendar and Grading:
In the classroom ---- there will be 3 lectures/week. Meeting time12-13 Su, Teu, Wed.
Geology 104 daily.
Grades will be calculated based on points accumulated during the semester (50% for the
first exam and activities). At the end of the semester there will be a comprehensive final
exam. This exam will constitute 50% of your final semester grade.
References
Arms, Karen. 2000. Environmental Science. Holt, Rinehart, & Winston; Austin, TX.
Botkin, Daniel and Edward Keller. 2000. Environmental Science: Earth as a Living
Planet, 3rd Ed. Wiley & Sons, Inc.; New York, NY.
Cunningham, William and Barbara Woodworth Saigo. 2000. Environmental Science: A
Global Concern, 6th Ed. McGraw-Hill; New York, NY.
Enger, Eldon and Bradley Smith. 2000. Environmental Science: A Study of
Interrelationships, 7th Ed. McGraw-Hill; New York, NY.
Miller, G. Tyler. 2003. Environmental Science: Working with the Earth, 9th Ed. BrooksCole; Pacific Grove, CA.
The History of the Universe in 200 Words or Less
Quantum fluctuation. Inflation. Expansion. Strong nuclear interaction. Particle-antiparticle annihilation.
Deuterium and helium production. Density perturbations. Recombination. Blackbody radiation. Local
contraction. Cluster formation. Reionization? Violent relaxation. Virialization. Biased galaxy formation?
Turbulent fragmentation. Contraction. Ionization. Compression. Opaque hydrogen. Massive star formation.
Deuterium ignition. Hydrogen fusion. Hydrogen depletion. Core contraction. Envelope expansion. Helium
fusion. Carbon, oxygen, and silicon fusion. Iron production. Implosion. Supernova explosion. Metals
injection. Star formation. Supernova explosions. Star formation. Condensation. Planetesimal accretion.
Planetary differentiation. Crust solidification. Volatile gas expulsion. Water condensation. Water dissociation.
Ozone production. Ultraviolet absorption. Photosynthetic unicellular organisms. Oxidation. Mutation. Natural
selection and evolution. Respiration. Cell differentiation. Reproduction. Fossilization. Land exploration.
Dinosaur extinction. Mammal expansion. Glaciations. Homo sapiens manifestation. Animal domestication.
Food surplus production. Civilization! Innovation. Exploration. Religion. Warring nations. Empire creation
and destruction. Exploration. Colonization. Taxation without representation. Revolution. Constitution.
Election. Expansion. Industrialization. Rebellion. Emancipation Proclamation. Invention. Mass production.
Urbanization. Immigration. World conflagration. League of Nations. Suffrage extension. Depression. World
conflagration. Fission explosions. United Nations. Space exploration. Assassinations. Lunar excursions.
Resignation. Computerization. World Trade Organization. Terrorism. Internet expansion. Reunification.
Dissolution. World-Wide Web creation. Composition. Extrapolation?