EVR 1001 Spring 2008 Syllabus - Dr. Onsted

EVR 1001: Introduction to Environmental Science

Syllabus

Florida International University, Spring 2008

Professor: Dr. Jeff Onsted                            TA: Anusha Ramani

Phone: (305) 348-1693                                   Email: anusha.ramani@fiu.edu

Office: ECS 332

Office hours:  M & W: 2:30-5:00

Email: jonsted@fiu.edu                                

Class: M, W, and F  10:00-10:50    VH-131

Purpose of Course:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the science behind environmental problems and issues.  The approaches range from the physical, chemical, and biological and topics covered include air pollution, water pollution, energy resources, solid waste, habitat destruction, as well as the persistent creation and aggravation of these problems by human institutions, philosophies, and economic systems.  This course is not all gloom and doom, however, as we will also discuss a number of possible solutions to address the myriad environmental problems in the world today. 

Course Objectives:

In this course students investigate scientifically the impact human beings have had on the Earth and its systems: water, air, biota, and soils.  After this course, students will understand more specifically the actual scientific processes behind the Earth’s natural cycles, the way human beings have affected these cycles, and discussed solutions to remedy these problems.  Students should walk away from the class better prepared and more confident to weigh in on important environmental dilemmas and controversies because they will be armed with scientific knowledge rather than political rhetoric. 

Text:  1.  Miller, G.T.    2008.  Environmental Science   12^th Ed.

Evaluation: Three lecture exams @ 100 points  +  extra credit service possibility @ 30 points  The total will be scored out of 300 points.         

Exams: Exams are usually multiple choice but there may be some short answer questions.  Make-up exams will only be given to those who can produce a note from a doctor due to serious illness and they will be in essay format.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result, at the very least, in a 0 on the assignment and, at most, could result in your expulsion from the University, depending on the severity of the offense. 

Attendance: Although I will not be taking attendance in class, the best way to fail is to not come to class.  Coming to class, taking notes, reading the book and reviewing thoroughly for exams are the best way to do well in this course. 

IN (incomplete) grades and drops: IN grades are only for students in good standing who have completed the majority of the course but cannot complete it for extenuating circumstances.  IN grades have to be cleared with me personally at least two weeks before the end of the term.  If you are doing poorly and want out, drop the course.  Don’t ask for an IN.  By the way, if you decide you want out and stop attending, you must do the paperwork or go to a kiosk and formally drop the course.  If you just stop coming and don’t drop, you’ll receive an F or F0 grade at the end of the term.

Grades: Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A’s: 85-100%      B’s: 73-84%      C’s: 60-72%       D’s: 50-59%        F: < 50%

Laboratory: To fulfill the requirement for UCC physical sciences, you must take the lab (EVR-1001L) also.  It is by far the best to take it in the same term, but if necessary, the lab can be taken in another term.

Environmental Service Requirement: All students are encouraged but not required to perform 3 hours of environmental service.  Fulfilling this service will count as extra credit.  The value of the service is 30 points.  This can be accomplished by participating in one of the SEA’s Preserve or Lake Days on campus.  They have a sign-in sheet of which faculty get copies.  The maximum number SEA can handle is about 40/session, so be on time to be included.  WEAR OLD CLOTHES! or you’ll wish you had.  If your lab instructor also offers service credit, you must do a separate session for the laboratory.  Information about the sessions can be obtained at the SEA website, www. fiu.edu/~ sea and will also be announced in class.  You may do your service also at a national, state, county or city park or with a genuine environmental organization by volunteering and obtaining official written documentation of your work from a park or organization employee.  The documentation must include the following information:

  1.  Your name   2.  The date of the service   3.  the number of hours worked.   4.  What you did.

 The service must be completed during the term the course is offered.

EVR-1001/U01: Introduction to Environmental Science  Spring/2008  Dr. Jeff Onsted                            M, W, F  10:00-10:50  Environmental Studies Dept/UP      Class # 82467    VH 131

Date                             Topics                                                                Miller  12^th Edition.

1/7       Course overview, Sustainability and Human Impact                                CH. 1.1-1.3

1/9       Why do we have these problems?                                                          CH. 1.4-1.6                                                          

1/11     Science, Matter and Energy  I                                                                CH. 2.1-2.3

1/14     Science, Matter and Energy  II                                                               CH. 2.4-2.5

1/16     Ecology and Ecosystems                                                                        CH. 3.1-3.4

1/18     Ecosystem Flows and Cycles                                                                CH. 3.5-3.7

1/21     Martin Luther King Holiday – No Class                                      

1/23    Evolution and Change                                                                            CH. 4.1-4.3

1/25     Human Impacts on Evolution and Biodiversity                                       CH. 4.4-4.5

1/28    Climate Impacts                                                                                     CH.5.1-5.3

1/30    Oceans and Aquatic Systems                                                                CH. 5.4-5.6            

2/1       Species and Communities                                                                     CH. 6.1-6.3

2/4       Communities and Populations                                                                 CH. 6.4-6.5

2/6       Video and/or Review

2/8                  EXAM   #1 (Chapters 1 thru 6 as well as lectures up to this point)

2/11     Human Population Growth                                                                    CH. 7.1-7.4

2/13    Sustainable Cities                                                                                  CH. 7.5-7.7

2/15    Deforestation                                                                                        CH. 8.1-8.3

2/18     Preservation and Restoration                                                                 CH. 8.4-8.6

2/20    Biodiversity on land and sea                                                                  CH. 8.7-8.8

2/22     Human Caused Extinction                                                                     CH. 9.1-9.3

2/25     Species Protection                                                                                CH. 9.4-9.5

2/27     Food Security                                                                                       CH. 10.1-10.4

2/29     Sustainable Diets                                                                                  CH. 10.5-10.7

3/3       Water Use and Scarcity                                                                        CH. 11.1-11.3

3/5       Flooding and Pollution                                                                          CH. 11.4-11.5

3/7       Rocks and Minerals                                                                              CH. 12.1-12.3

3/10     Sustainable Mining                                                                                CH. 12.4-12.5

[3/11  Last day to drop the course with a DR grade]

3/12             EXAM  #2 (Chapters 7 thru 12 as well as all lectures between first exam and this exam)

3/14     Video – to be announced                                                                                 

3/17-3/21                     SPRING BREAK – No Class

3/24     Energy Sources                                                                                    CH. 13.1-13.3

3/26     Renewable Energy                                                                                CH. 13.4-13.6

3/28    Environmental Hazards                                                                          CH. 14.1-4.3

3/31    Risk Assessment                                                                                   CH. 14.4-14.5

4/2     Air Pollution                                                                                          CH. 15.1-15.3

4/4     Global Warming                                                                                     CH. 15.4-15.6   

4/7     Recycling and Waste                                                                             CH. 16.1-16.3

4/9     Waste Disposal                                                                                     CH. 16.4-16.6

4/11   Sustaining Human Societies                                                                    CH. 17.1-17.6

4/14    CLASS IS CANCELLED DUE TO A CONFERENCE                       

4/16   Summary, Review          

Finals Week:    EXAM  #3   (Chapters 13 thru 17 as well as all lectures between second exam and this exam)         

The final will be held on Monday, April 21st from 9 to 11 AM.  It will be 45 multiple choice questions from Chapters 13 thru 17 as well as all lectures (including Garbage Warrior!) since the second midterm.