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Biology 115 - Environmental Science
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Revised:
September 12, 2007
Instructor: Dr. Binney Girdler
Office: Dow Science 307
Phone: 337-5977
Email: girdler "at"
kzoo.edu
Office hours: Tu, Wed 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Class meeting time: MWF2:40-3:55 PM, Dow226
Course Description
Science is not just facts and figures, but a way of getting credible answers to questions. Value judgments are inescapable in crafting solutions to environmental problems, but such values per se cannot be taught in a classroom. The knowledge on which each person bases his or her judgment can, however, be good or bad. The framework that science uses enables one to gain the best possible knowledge about a subject, and this includes recognizing the limitations of and uncertainties associated with, that knowledge. In this course, you will come to understand and be able to utilize this framework in order to apply it during a lifetime of thinking, learning, and making decisions about your environment, whether it be your neighborhood natural area, your national forests, or the global market in pollution permits.
This course will be divided into two parts. During the first three weeks we will set the stage and meet the players, learning about the earth’s systems and our role as the most influential species on the planet. During the latter part of the quarter, we will investigate in some depth four environmental issues that will illustrate some of the complexities of the problems facing our society today. We will study the environment around us at a variety of scales, from the problem of suburban sprawl in Kalamazoo County to the changing global atmosphere. We will be working in both large and small groups as well as individually throughout the quarter, and students will draw upon and further develop their skills in quantitative reasoning, and both written and oral expression.
This course is not: (1) A primer in what to think and say about controversial environmental issues. (2) A course in how to be an environmental activist. (3) A course in public policy, ethics, sociology or economics. While we will incorporate elements of each of these disciplines as we examine environmental issues, the focus of this course will be on the science.
Course Goals
- Build a basic understanding of the physical and natural systems that make up the biosphere on Earth―land, water, atmosphere, and life―stressing the dynamics of these interconnected systems.
- Develop a scientific understanding of the causes and consequences of several of the major environmental problems facing today’s society: human population growth, loss of biodiversity, chemical contamination, energy production, and the changing global atmosphere.
- Acquire the tools to enable you to think critically about other current and future environmental challenges you will face as a member of contemporary society.
Required texts
- Coursepack (Available in the bookstore)
Course Activities & Assessment
General Policies:
Attendance: Much of your learning in this course will be in cooperative teams. While I will not call roll at the start of lecture, your absence will be noticed if your team is short-handed. Unexcused absences will factor into the Participation portion of your grade.
Deadlines: Discussion questions for each reading and reaction papers are germane to the particular lecture period in which those readings will be discussed, therefore they must be turned in on time or you will not benefit from the discussion. I will also be strict about deadlines for collaborative work, because other students’ learning is dependent upon your work. Otherwise, I am an understanding and usually flexible person, within limits: I hereby grant you three grace days for the quarter, to be used at your discretion (one at a time, all at once); after that, you begin to lose points.
Missed work/Absences: Please inform me ahead of time if you will miss a graded assignment (exam, class presentation). This includes athletes! Please allow a week’s advance notice. With the exception of a documented illness, notification after the fact is not acceptable.
Activity |
Weight |
Examinations: |
Exam I: Friday, 19 Oct (4th week) |
10 % |
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Exam II: Friday, 9 Nov (7th week) |
20 % |
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Exam III: Monday, 3 Dec (Exam week) |
25 % |
Reaction Paper: An essay of approximately 1000 words written in response to one of our required readings. |
5 % |
Case Study Team Assignments: Average of three team grades. We will be examining in detail several current environmental issues. Teams will be responsible for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data and presenting their findings to the class. |
15 % |
Current Events Briefing: Once per student |
5 % |
Participation: You will have a variety of opportunities to participate in class activities, including: in class/team discussions, team presentations, electronic discussions, and in-class exercises. To receive full participation credit, you need to be an active participant in one of these formats during the course, in addition to day-to-day engagement in class activities (i.e., attending class; being a responsive, active listener). One weekend field trip is also required. Please see me if you are unsure whether you are on track toward fulfilling this requirement. |
5 % |
Independent Project/Poster: One grade for each small group, with a component for individual participation. There will be two required (and graded) “installments” on this project to help you make progress throughout the quarter. Final projects will be presented during 10th week. The final grade will represent a composite of installment and final product evaluations, including a peer assessment. |
15 % |
Grading: Everyone will be graded on a straight percentage basis: 90-100% is an A, 80-89% is a B, 70-79% is a C, 60-69% is a D, and < 60% is an F. Plus and minus grades will be given within these ranges. |
= 100 % |
HONOR SYSTEM
Much of the work we will be doing in this course will be collaborative, and as such, sharing of ideas and jointly preparing presentations and papers is essential and expected. Each student will be expected to contribute his or her share to group work; expect nothing less from your peers. I only need one copy of team work that is to be turned in, and all members names should be clearly indicated. Students will work individually on quizzes (excluding practice quizzes) and examinations. Unauthorized collaboration and receiving help from others outside the bounds permitted by the instructor are violations of the Honor Code. Please see the policy on academic honesty at http://www.kzoo.edu/studev/acadPol/index.html. Consult
the Kalamazoo College Library resource page: How to Cite Sources
- http://www.kzoo.edu/is/library/reference/guides/citations.html
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