COURSE SYLLABUS

Bio 10/ ESRM 1

Spring 2008

INSTRUCTOR:  Elzbet Diaz de Leon

 

OFFICE LOCATION:

SCI 347 (shared )

OFFICE HOURS:

By appointment

OFFICE PHONE:

654-6399x2429    voice mail         

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

elzbet@vcccd.edu    (always type vcbio in subject to avoid being rejected by junk mail filter)

MAILBOX:

 Math & Science office (NOT in admin Bldg) Just give it to a staff person; they can even date-stamp item for you.

INSTRUCTOR WEB PAGE:

TBA currently under reconstruction

 

 

CLASS HOURS:

Noon-1:20 T Th

CLASS CRN:

30193/31079

PREREQUISITE(S):

none

 

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class is intended as a non-majors’ introduction to environmental science, with emphasis on the biological implications.  Natural systems, roblems, and solutions will be addressed.

 It fills the UC/CSU general-ed requirement for life.

 

B. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

 

I will lecture about 75% of the class instruction time.  The rest will be spent in workshops. These are group projects which you have prepared for by reading the assignments in your text. There will be term projects to provide real world experience and civic engagement.

C. COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

Formulate the principles of scientific inquiry and experimental methodology

 

Apply scientific methodology to the analysis of environmental problems resulting from human actions (including world food supply, agricultural production, water and air environments, and societal impacts)

 

Evaluate ozone depletion, climate change, and other natural resource management examples in the context of scientific, sociological, political, and economic recommendations

 

Examine the impact of human actions on natural biogeochemical cycles, and biological diversity

 

Integrate the principles of ecology into evaluations of environmental problems

 

Construct a foundation in the fundamentals of matter and energy, and in ecological concepts and principles essential to environmental sciences

 

Assess environmental science methodology in the investigation and analysis of environmental impacts resulting from human actions

 

Integrate the themes of science, sociology, economics and politics for critical review of environmental consequences

An examination and analysis of the biological sciences within the context of the interrelationship between human populations and their natural surroundings.  The characteristics of natural systems are described and the effects and impacts of human activities on these systems are considered.  The course introduces the principles of scientific inquiry  and experimental methodology in the study of ecological concepts and environmental issues.  Alternatives and approaches to deal with environmental problems are considered and evaluated.

.

 

 

 

D. COURSE TOPICS

Environmental science overview: The methods and essence of science

 

Human population growth and its environmental impacts: Environmental problems and their causes, Population growth: Application of ecological principles

 

Biosphere, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biogeochemical cycles

     Ecosystem components: structure, biotic and abiotic

     Ecosystem dynamics:  Interactions within communities and ecosystems

 

Foundations of biodiversity:  Biomes, Niche partitioning, ecosystem stability

 

Overview of matter and energy, types and dynamics of energy flow

 

Overview of the principles of resource management: Renewable resources, conservation, preservation, restoration, pest control

 

Environmental issues related to renewable and non-renewable energy resources: fossil fuels, nuclear energy, alternative energy technologies

 

Environmental issues related to renewable and non-renewable water resources

 

Environmental issues related to renewable and non-renewable mineral resources

  

Environmental issues related to renewable and non-renewable land resources and management principles:

     Soil and soil issues

     Forests and wildlife

     Wilderness, parks and sensitive habitats

 

Environmental issues related to renewable and non-renewable food resources: effects of agriculture on the environment, fertilization, pesticides, soil loss, desertification, fisheries

  

Principles of pollution control

 

Environmental issues related to water pollution

 

Environmental issues related to air pollution and the ozone layer destruction: local and global impacts

 

Environmental issues related to municipal and hazardous waste

  

Overview environmental economics and policies

     Demographics, economics, and politics

     Risk analysis and human health

     Models and Impact analysis

     Problems, assessment and policy making

     Environmental ethics

     Endangered species

 

Historical and cultural origins of environmental concerns: Cultural changes, world views, ethics, and sustainability

 

 

Core competencies:

Read, retain, and apply published ideas.

Write clearly and accurately

Demonstrate active listening skills /effective interpersonal communication

Employ vocabulary of the subject studied

Recognize need for information; clarify the question to be answered

Find and interpret relevant information

Utilize data to draw conclusion or to create new information

Apply principles of scientific reasoning to solve problems

Defend a logical hypothesis to explain observed phenomenon

Recognize a problem; devise and implement a plan of action

Work as an effective member of a team

Demonstrate etiquette in face-to-face and written communications

Use language as appropriate to the situation

Learning Outcomes

As a result of this class you will be able to:

 

1. Formulate the principles of scientific inquiry and the experimental methodologies used to evaluate environmental conditions.

  1. Apply scientific analysis to anthropogenic environmental problems and some approaches to their solutions.

3.Critically review science articles about environmental issues which appear in the media

 

E. TEXTBOOK

Wright  Environmental Science 10th ed.

This text can also be used in ESRM 2 next semester. (Save$$:2classes-1text

F. GRADING PLAN

 

Total points =  400      90%=A    80%=B      65%=C      60%=D

Final Exam                                          = 100               12:30 Thurs 8 May

Quizzes                                                          = 100       (based on a percent of the total quiz points)

NGO    Poster                                     = 20

Service Learning Journal & Presentation = 75

Online Carbon Diet                             = 85

Carbon Diet Forms                             = 20

 

The Projects

 

Community Engagement project:

VCCooL is a grassroots Ventura community group dedicated to fighting climate change.  They have several projects in place, usually working with partners such as other non-profits or the City of Ventura. The Carbon Diet project is in partnership with the City of Ventura.  In this program citizens form groups called Carbon Rings of ~6 households. They are given a book that outlines a 3-step program for reducing one’s carbon footprint. The Carbon Ring forms a support group as they go through the program then the group’s data go on a website, which expands as the project grows.  Graduates of the program ideally then go mentor new Carbon Rings.  Ring clusters are initiated at presentations given at public venues or churches or schools.

You will go through the Carbon Diet program. You are not required to make any changes in your personal lives for your grade—only to go thorough the process and turn in the forms.

Your participation in the Cool Community Carbon Diet project will have two parts beyond your own participation in a Carbon Ring:

1. You will choose a group such as a school group, church group, club or other community setting and under the supervision of a VCCooL partner give a Carbon Diet presentation. 

2. Each Carbon Ring will chose a category and create a set of Carbon Footprint-reducing hints within that category.  The collected sets will provide an on line Ventura version of a carbon diet that doesn’t require a book so the program is available to students and other community members. There are a variety of partial sets and other communities Carbon Diets already out on the web with a few suggestions, but not collected into one coherent data set. In the future this will also allow everyone in the group equal access to information instead of just one book per group to be shared if only book is given/ bought. Your work will be supervised by VCCooL.At the end of the semester each Carbon Ring will turn in on disc (or CD) and a hard copy  their list of approximately 10 ways to reduce your Carbon footprint and the amount of Carbon (equivalent) saved by the action. They also will turn in a log of their interactions with the partner organization.

You will file with me a brief report of your community Carbon Diet presentation.  You will give a short informal oral report to your peers, offering encouragement and advice on what worked well and what did not.

 

The Service Learning component of this assignment will require 20 hours. 

 

            NGO Poster project: You will do a poster on an environmentally focused non-profit NGO (non government organization). The theme of poster will be some environmental issue that they are addressing and how they are addressing it. You should include their financial information, major activities, how they operate (lobbing, education, civil disobedience, land trusts), areas of special interest, notable successes. Financial information should include where $$ comes from and what percent is spent on fund raising and administration vs. actual work. Posters are generally pictures and text on poster board. They general have the content of a 1 or 2-page term paper (depending on the amount of graphics).  They are a sort of mini- term paper or silent presentation.

 

Quizzes

 

The 100 point quiz grade is calculated by taking a percentage of all the possible quiz points. There will be quizzes most class meetings covering lecture, text and assigned newspaper readings. Some will be open book. Some will be collaborative.  Some will be conventional. There will not generally be make-ups available. If you are late or absent you miss the quiz and lose the points.

 

 

This is a University transferable class and I will require university level work. If you need more time for testing or other accommodation please see me or the folks in the EAC office.  I would be happy to introduce you to their staff.  Please visit me in my office if you are having problems. I want to help. I am concerned about your progress and I have never bitten a student.    Should you wish to take the class Credit/NC or need a W observe the deadlines in the published schedule. They are your responsibility.  Keep all your returned work until you receive your correct final grade from the administration (errors happen). Be aware that plagiarism on assignments or cheating on tests are offenses which can result in suspension from college and be noted on your permanent records.  Tolerating cheating by your peers hurts your grade by raising curves and instructor expectations.

 

If you wish to take this class credit/no credit you need to make arrangements through the registration office by the deadline.

The last day to drop with a W for the spring 08 semester is in your schedule of classes. Students who disappear without dropping may receive an F.

 

G. COURSE COMPONENT SPECIFICS

See the grading section for specifics about the course projects.

 

 

If you feel you need more time for test or other accommodation please see me or drop by the EAC office (FL Bldg). I would be happy to introduce you to their staff.

 

. Visit me in my office.  I am concerned if you are having problems and I have never bitten a student.  Bring your journal, notes, homework, and progress log with you.  Contact me immediately if you have missed a test.

 

. Stick together and help each other!  We are here to work hard, have fun and learn.

 

H. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

 

. Cell phones and MP3 players are not to be used during class or visible during exams.  Please be aware that plagiarism on assignments and cheating on exams are offenses which can result in suspension from college and be noted on your permanent records.  Tolerating cheating by your peers hurts your grade by raising curves and instructor expectations.  ‘Nuff said!

 

 

I. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1.      Emergency: Dial #9 from any campus pay phone.

2.      on campus phones: 9-911

3.      School nurse: x6346 on duty during the day. When the Student Health center is closed called 642-7000. First Aid is available from Campus Police then. All student injuries should be reported to Student Health and a written report filed for insurance purposes.  Forms are available from the Student Health Center, Campus Police or Evening Dean.

4.      Campus security:  off campus (cell phones) 642-7000

5.      Campus police non-emergency number x6486

 

K. PLANNED SCHEDULE  

Reading Assignments in Wright

 

Week                                      section or pages DUE Tuesday

 

1                           get the book

2                                    1

3                                    2

4                                    3

5                                    4

6                                    5

7                                    6

8                                    11

9                                    20.3 &  p556

10                                  skim 12,13 &14

11                                  9 & 16

12                                  17.2, 17.3 & 21.3

13               SPRING BREAK

14                                  15.2 & 19.5

15                                  22

16                                  23

17                                  review & reports

18                                  reports & FINAL

12:30 Thurs 8 May       Final Exam

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Identify

 

 

L. AFFIDAVIT  


My signature below indicates that I have read and understand this syllabus and have been given a copy of my own to keep.

 

 

 

Student Signature

Date