GENERAL BIOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

Spring 2003

Monday/Wednesday 5:00 – 7:45PM

Dr. Patricia Mosto

BSH 226

Phone: 256-4834

E-Mail: Mosto@rowan.edu

Office Hours: M 3:30 – 4:30

OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE:

The next 50 years will be of telling significance to humanity. Ongoing degradation of Earth’s ecosystems, unprecedented rates of biological extinction, global climatic perturbation, and depletion of our natural resources imperil our future. The present generation of students, basically you! must redesign key aspects of our basic cultural framework to reduce our impact upon our environment and transform our society into one that is sustainable. There is no better place to begin this process that right her, on our class community.

This course introduces you to basic concepts in environmental science. It treats environmental science as an interdisciplinary study, combining ideas and information from natural and social sciences. It is an attempt to understand how nature works and how thing are interconnected, how the environment is used and abused, and what can be done to protect and improve it. Special focus is place in understanding natural resource problems and the possible solution to these problems within a global perspective.

Laboratory exercises will help you to visualize many of the concepts discussed in class. These laboratories are either a hands-on mini research or a compute simulation in a particular environmental topic. Assigned readings related to the class discussion will be included during the semester to enhance your understanding of the complexity of environmental issues.

Goals: When you complete this course you will have learned:

v To find information about particular environmental issues;

v To integrate and express orally and in writing the learning about those issues;

v To listen actively and respond rationally to classmates and the professor with diverse knowledge or perspectives;

v To learn problem solving through the use of case studies and laboratory projects;

v To demonstrate understanding of environmental problems;

v To think critically;

v To understand the intricate, dynamic and diverse dimensions of environmental issues, and to have a global perspective of the processes;

v To promote ethical environmental awareness by debating ethical issues as they pertain to the course material.

Remember: “Thinking is not a case of spontaneous combustion.”

TEXTBOOK: Miller, T. 2003. Environmental Science, Working with the Earth. Wadsworth Publishing Co.

ASSESSMENT:

You will be assessed in four areas: class participation; weekly journals, laboratory reports; and selective/constructive tests. You are expected to attend all classes; absence from more than 2 classes will affect your grade. It is almost impossible to maintain a sense of continuity about the subject matter is you miss class. But, as we all know, unexpected emergencies do happen to all of us. If something should occur to prevent you from attending class, make plans to have somebody take notes for you. Also, I would appreciate if you let me know why you are missing class. If you have difficulties understanding any concepts, either in class or in the textbook, I expect you to ask questions during class and/or come for help during office hours.

Class Participation Assessment: You are expected to actively participate in class, read the chapters ahead of time, come prepared to ask questions, answer questions, and make critical and relevant contributions. Since this class is heavily dependent upon student contributions to discussions, it is very important that you speak up and demonstrate that you have read the assigned material. Remember also that if you do not attend class you cannot participate. 10% of your grade comes from class participation.

Weekly Journal Assessment: Every week you will write in your journal in relation to the week’s topic and its relevance in the world. The human impact should be your primary focus. Some of this journal writing will be shared with the class. This sharing of work contributes to the development of building a learning community in the classroom. Journals are due each Wednesday and comprise10% of your grade.

Laboratory Reports Assessment: You will write laboratory reports. It is impossible to make up a missed lab, and it will be graded 0 and averaged into your final lab grade. You are expected to read the lab exercise prior to coming to the lab. All labs can be downloaded form the following site:

http://users.rowan.edu/~wagnerf/efgb/efgb-labs.html.

Lab reports are due 1 week after the lab is completed and comprise 40% of your grade.

Selective/Constructive Test Assessment: There will be 4 selective/constructive tests. The selective/constructive tests are not cumulative. The major points of each reading assignment will be discussed in class, as well as difficult concepts, and will constitute the core of the selective/constructive tests. Selective/constructive tests will be a balanced combination of short essay, arguments, multiple choice, and matching questions. You will be actively involved in the construction of these tests. You are expected to be present for all selective/constructive tests. Make-ups will not be given, except with a very serious excuse. 40% of your grade comes from the selective/constructive tests.

Grading Scale:

A+ 98-100 C+ 78-79

A 94-97 C 74-77

A- 90-93 C- 70-73

B+ 88-89 D+ 66-69

B 84-87 D 60-65

B- 80-83 D- 55-59

F 0-54

CLASS RULES:

You expect that I’ll be in class every period. I’ll expect the same from you. If you are going to be absent with a very justified reason, please let me know in advance, as I will do, too.

You expect that I’ll be prepared for each class. I’ll expect the same from you. Read the chapters ahead of time, you will be expected to participate on the discussion of the material during the class period.

Your expect me to be in class on time. I’ll expect the same from you.

I’ll expect that you don’t talk of matters different from the class discussion and distract the class. We want to foster a true and respectful learning environment.

I’ll expect you to ask as many questions as you want. There is no such thing as a “stupid” or “dumb” question. We all can learn from your questions. Also, remember that class participation counts as part of your grading.

I’ll expect that you be respectful to other, myself and the environment that surround us. Please refrain from activities that are not conducive to a fun and learning class