Spring 2000

Environmental Science

Telecourse: ENV 1300, Section 03257

Laboratory: ENV 1300L, Section 03258

Welcome to Environmental Science! In this course we will explore the environmental systems which make up the global and local environment. We will study the cause-and-effect of human impacts and we will investigate various means to sustain our natural resources. The course uses textbook readings, a study guide, videotapes, assignments, exams, and web-based communications to assist the students understanding. Students study the concepts of matter, energy and ecology to better understand the impact of humans on the environment. Topics include air and water pollution, population growth and carrying capacity, natural resource management, waste disposal and reuse, sustainability, and biological diversity. An optional laboratory (ENV 1300L) is offered utilizing an interactive CD-ROM to augment the concepts learned.

Credits:

• Lecture 3 credits
• Laboratory 1 credit

Prerequisites: none

Instructor:

• Thorne Abbott
• Office Room: #HT 739
• Office Phone: # (301) 934-7814
• Email: Thornea@charles.cc.md.us
• Thorneabbott@yahoo.com
• www.CoastalZone.com

Office Hours:

• Wednesday: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
• Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

General Education:

• ENV1300 and 1300L fulfill 4 credit General Education science requirement

Required Materials:

• Telecourse: Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections and Solutions,by G.T. Miller,Jr., 10th Edition
• Study Guide: Race to Save the Planet by Edward C. Wolf
• Videotapes: Ten (10) sixty-minute segments recorded on five (5) videotapes accompany the telecourse
• Lab: Interactive CD-ROM Exploring Environmental Science

Course Objectives:

• To acquaint the student with the concepts of environmental science such as biogeochemical cycling, energy flows.
• To teach the student about cause-and-effect relationships of human activity and environmental impact.
• To introduce the student to the principles of pollution and pollution control technologies and strategies.
• To introduce the student to concepts of environmental change and problems such as global warming and ozone depletion.
• To introduce students to biological diversity and its role in a sustainable environment.
• To teach the student about energy flow in the environment and the role of ecological systems.
• To relate these concepts too contemporary issues familiar to the students.

General Education Skills and Knowledge:

Students successfully completing ENV 1300 will have demonstrated competency in the following academic skills:

• The ability to read college-level material.
• To define or interpret unfamiliar words, and to use features such as the table of contents, index, appendix and glossary.
• Conduct careful, thoughtful observations of objects in nature and science.
• Describe their observations and measurements accurately using appropriate terms and units.
• Interpret and draw conclusions based on their observations and measurements.
• Evaluate the significance of their conclusions.
• Interpret, analyze and evaluate spoken messages
• Identify the main and subordinate ideas in spoken messages.
• Distinguish between informative and persuasive spoken messages.
• Follow spoken instructions.
• Recognize valid and invalid reasoning.
• Understand and use inductive and deductive reasoning
• Draw reasonable conclusions from information found in various sources.
• Distinguish between fact, opinion and inference.
• Compare, contrast and classify information and concepts.
• Recognize cause and effect

Networking and Email:

• We will be using the Internet extensively for communications, asking and answering questions, posting notes and articles of interest, and as a 'chat room' to discuss the issues presented. Anyone without Internet access should contact me immediately. If anyone is interested in a study group or partner I will include information pertaining to that as well. Notes and presentations are located at http://www.CoatalZone.com/webcourse/courses.htm

Instructor Assistance:

• My office hours are established for the purpose of assisting students. The student should feel free to seek assistance, if necessary, during scheduled office hours. If these times are in conflict with the student’s schedule, the student should make an appointment with me either in person or through the Biology Department’s secretary. Scheduled office hours are listed on the first page of this syllabus.
• Students should also use e-mail if possible to contact me. Due to the nature of the course, it is anticipated that you may have questions about the material or would like to discuss an issue or concept. You should use whatever method you are comfortable with to contact me.

Make Up Exam Policy:

• For valid reasons (i.e., hospital stay, emergencies, etc.), a student MAY be excused from taking an exam at the scheduled time. In order to do this, the student MUST discuss with the instructor the reason for being excused, obtain permission, and make arrangements to take the exam either before or after the scheduled time.
• If a student fails to take an exam at the scheduled time without permission of the instructor, she/he must present a written excuse (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.). In this case, the student MUST make arrangements to take the exam WITHIN ONE WEEK of the originally scheduled times or time frame. IF THE STUDENT FAILS TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE, SHE/HE WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF ZERO (0) FOR THAT EXAM.

Disability Policy:

• If you have learning, or other disability that might affect your performance in this class, please inform your instructor as soon as possible or a Learning Specialist ext.7614 in the Learning Assistance Center, in order to verify your status and provide you with appropriate assistance/accommodations. Even if you do not have a learning disability you might want to make use of the Learning Assistance Center services.

Inclement Weather:

• WXTR - 104.1 FM - Charles County
• WMAL - 63 A - Washington D.C./metro area
• WMJS - 92.7 FM - Calvert County
• WKIK - 1370 AM - St. Mary’s County
• WCMD- 1560 AM - Charles County
• College Weather Hotline: (301) 369-1999

Tests:

• Content of exams will include subject material covered in the assigned readings from the text, study guide, and videotapes. Format of exams will be multiple-choice, short response (1-2 words), and short answer essay-type questions (3-5 sentences).

Grading Procedure:

• Grades will be determined by your performance on four (4) exams.

Grade Calculation for Telecorse:

• Three (3) exams each 30%. Total = 90%
• Assigned questions and correspondence, total = 10%

Grade Calculation for Lab:

• CD-ROM assignments

General Final Grading Scale for Course Grade:

• 90 - 100% = A
• 80 - 89% = B
• 70 - 79% = C
• 60 - 69% = D
• Below 60%= F

Border Line Grading Policy:

• A student with a borderline numerical course average will be given the higher or lower grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Lecture/Lab Correlation:

• In a course such as this, a complete correlation between lecture and lab material is not always possible. However, every attempt has been made to keep lecture and lab materials closely aligned.

Student Honesty:

• ALL FORM OF DISHONESTY, INCLUDING CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. A grade of ZERO (0) will be given for any exam, project, etc., on which the student cheated or used plagiarized material. In addition, the student shall be subject to disciplinary action, as set forth under "Judicial Procedures" in the CCCC Student Handbook that may result in their dismissal from the college. More importantly, you are cheating yourself of learning from the education that you paid for.

THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS WITHOUT A GRADE, OR TO CHANGE AN AUDIT-TO-CREDIT, AND CREDIT TO AUDIT, IS FRIDAY APRIL 21, 2000.

Finally, some thoughts succeeding in the course:

• You must develop a strategy and discipline to succeed in the course,
• Review the syllabus, note the schedule and deadlines in advance,
• Communicate with me as often as you need to,
• Download notes and presentations from the web-site before watching video taped segments,
• Don't use only the handouts and presentation notes as your study guide, you will need to develop critical thinking to succeed in the course, and in life!
• Set aside a time and a place to review the previous weeks materials and really think about what it means to your daily life.
• Stay on schedule!

Note:

• Class is NOT in session and the college is CLOSED during
• Spring Break, Monday - Sunday, 3/27 - 4/2.
• Room and syllabus schedules are subject to change.

Environmental Science

Telecourse: ENV 1300, Section 03257

Laboratory: ENV 1300L, Section 03258

NOTE:

• Each exam must be completed within nine (9) days.
• Exam #3 must be completed by Monday, May 15, 2000.
• The college is CLOSED during Spring Break: Monday - Sunday, 3/27 - 4/2.

Visit the Web page for notes, presentations, postings, and interactive discussions at: http://www.coastalzone.com/webcourse/course.htm