Friday, October 20, 2006
Environmental Science
Course Requirements and Outline
Introduction: What is Environmental Science?
Environmental science is the study of natural ecosystems, human impacts on the environment, and sustainable management of the earth’s resources.
This field integrates diverse subjects from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to create a holistic approach to the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Using these varied skills, the environmental scientist is able to design equitable and science-based policies to safeguard human health and to preserve the integrity of the world’s environments.
And Man created the plastic bag and the tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away that which had no further use. And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: “Look at this Godawful mess.” ~ Art Buchwald, 1970
Requirements and Grading Policy
Labs/Activities 20%
Project/Paper 20%
Attendance and Participation 15%
WEB Quests 15%
Writing Assignments 10%
Quizzes/Tests 10%
Final Exam 10% **
Total 100%
Labs/Activities: Laboratories and activities are an important part of science. Your work will receive a numeric grade based on the number of points the lab or activity is worth (10 – 40 points). Late labs will receive a 10% total point deduction for each school day it is late. Labs or activities received more than 6 days after the assigned due date will receive a grade of zero (0).
Project/Paper: you may choose a topic in environmental science of your choice and complete a project and paper with corresponding references according to the guidelines provided at the introduction to the project. This is a Senior Thesis course and should you choose will count as fulfillment for this requirement if needed. You may only complete the Senior Thesis if you are a Senior and work independently on the project.
Attendance/Participation: Attendance will be recorded at each class and your participation level for the day will be evaluated (Class Participation Index). Since we meet approximately 55 days this semester, everyone will start with 55 points for their CPI. Factors affecting your CPI will include but not be limited to your attendance, attitude, language, “alertness” in class, being unprepared, talking, etc…. I will assume that you all will be active participants and in full attendance. Behavior otherwise deemed unsuitable for class will result in a deduction from your CPI, a referral and possible parental notification.
WEB Quests: You will receive information for several WEB quests to be completed with the aide of a computer with internet access. Many of the WEB quests will be completed during class time in Lab 211 or 216, however if you are absent and/or fail to complete the quest in the allotted class time, it is your responsibility to complete it on your own time! If you do not have your own computer at home, you may use the library or computer lab 216, however you must sign up ahead of time, so please plan accordingly.
Writing Assignments: All written assignments will be completed on my blog which can be accessed at the following website: http://zimenviroassign.blogspot.com/.
Quizzes/Tests: All quizzes/tests will consist of multiple choice, constructed response and fill-in type questions. Most of the quizzes and tests will be open notebook, so your attention in class will be a determining factor in your grade.
**Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam given in this class; however, if you maintain a 90% or higher average you may be exempt from the final exam.
Topics
1. History
2. Studying Earth
3. Ecological Interactions
4. Biomes
5. Humans and Nature
6. Energy Resources
7. Water Quality and Human Health
8. Resources in the Biosphere
9. Managing Human Impact
Materials: There will be a class textbook associated with this course (to be used in class). Additionally you will receive many hand-outs and therefore are expected to maintain a folder with all handouts including this outline. Many of the papers will contain important information which may be needed to help you be successful in this class.
Please be prompt and prepared with your folder and pen or pencil at EVERY class!!
Course Requirements and Outline
Introduction: What is Environmental Science?
Environmental science is the study of natural ecosystems, human impacts on the environment, and sustainable management of the earth’s resources.
This field integrates diverse subjects from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to create a holistic approach to the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Using these varied skills, the environmental scientist is able to design equitable and science-based policies to safeguard human health and to preserve the integrity of the world’s environments.
And Man created the plastic bag and the tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away that which had no further use. And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: “Look at this Godawful mess.” ~ Art Buchwald, 1970
Requirements and Grading Policy
Labs/Activities 20%
Project/Paper 20%
Attendance and Participation 15%
WEB Quests 15%
Writing Assignments 10%
Quizzes/Tests 10%
Final Exam 10% **
Total 100%
Labs/Activities: Laboratories and activities are an important part of science. Your work will receive a numeric grade based on the number of points the lab or activity is worth (10 – 40 points). Late labs will receive a 10% total point deduction for each school day it is late. Labs or activities received more than 6 days after the assigned due date will receive a grade of zero (0).
Project/Paper: you may choose a topic in environmental science of your choice and complete a project and paper with corresponding references according to the guidelines provided at the introduction to the project. This is a Senior Thesis course and should you choose will count as fulfillment for this requirement if needed. You may only complete the Senior Thesis if you are a Senior and work independently on the project.
Attendance/Participation: Attendance will be recorded at each class and your participation level for the day will be evaluated (Class Participation Index). Since we meet approximately 55 days this semester, everyone will start with 55 points for their CPI. Factors affecting your CPI will include but not be limited to your attendance, attitude, language, “alertness” in class, being unprepared, talking, etc…. I will assume that you all will be active participants and in full attendance. Behavior otherwise deemed unsuitable for class will result in a deduction from your CPI, a referral and possible parental notification.
WEB Quests: You will receive information for several WEB quests to be completed with the aide of a computer with internet access. Many of the WEB quests will be completed during class time in Lab 211 or 216, however if you are absent and/or fail to complete the quest in the allotted class time, it is your responsibility to complete it on your own time! If you do not have your own computer at home, you may use the library or computer lab 216, however you must sign up ahead of time, so please plan accordingly.
Writing Assignments: All written assignments will be completed on my blog which can be accessed at the following website: http://zimenviroassign.blogspot.com/.
Quizzes/Tests: All quizzes/tests will consist of multiple choice, constructed response and fill-in type questions. Most of the quizzes and tests will be open notebook, so your attention in class will be a determining factor in your grade.
**Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam given in this class; however, if you maintain a 90% or higher average you may be exempt from the final exam.
Topics
1. History
2. Studying Earth
3. Ecological Interactions
4. Biomes
5. Humans and Nature
6. Energy Resources
7. Water Quality and Human Health
8. Resources in the Biosphere
9. Managing Human Impact
Materials: There will be a class textbook associated with this course (to be used in class). Additionally you will receive many hand-outs and therefore are expected to maintain a folder with all handouts including this outline. Many of the papers will contain important information which may be needed to help you be successful in this class.
Please be prompt and prepared with your folder and pen or pencil at EVERY class!!
