SYLLABUS
Name of
Course:
Environmental Studies I
Course
Instructor:
Gary Phillips, Environmental Studies Program Coordinator
Office phone number - (712) 362-7978 & e-mail address - gphillips@ilcc.cc.ia.us
Credits:
Lecture (EV114A) - 4 credits, Laboratory (EV114B) - 0 credits
Catalog
Description:
Environmental Studies I is an introduction to ecology and environmental
science. This course acquaints the
student with the relationship between humans and their environment and the
environmental problems that often develop because of this relationship.
Topics covered include ecology, population dynamics, human ecology, and
environmental law.
Text:
Living In The Environment by G. Tyler Miller, Jr.
Other
Materials:
Environmental Studies I Laboratory Manual
Objective of
Course:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the study of
environmental science and to familiarize them with the existence of
environmental problems in the environment.
Course
Content:
1.
Concepts of ecology.
2.
Population dynamics.
3.
Human ecology.
4.
Environmental law.
Method of
Instructional Delivery:
There are three hours of lecture, demonstrations, and discussions each
week. A one-hour test will be given
after each of the four units covered in this course.
Two 2-hour laboratory periods are also part of this course.
These lab periods are used for the performance of experiments, field
trips, writing of lab reports, and work on special projects and research papers.
Learning
Objectives/Competencies:
Upon completion
of this course the student will be able to:
Distinguish
between science and technology.
Define the
following terms; scientific data, scientific hypothesis, scientific models,
scientific theory, scientific law, and scientific methods.
Describe the
fundamental concepts of matter and energy.
Define the
following terms; ecology, environment, ecosystem, community, biosphere,
habitat, niche, and competition.
List the primary
biotic components of ecosystems and describe how they interact with each
other.
List the major
types of ecosystems.
Describe the
primary pathways involved in the hydrologic, carbon/oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sulfur cycles.
Describe the
flow of energy and materials in an ecosystem.
Define the
following terms; food chain, food web, trophic level, predation, primary
productivity, biomass, and ecological pyramid.
Describe the
mechanisms which affect and control environmental stability.
Define the
following terms; succession, pioneer community, climax community, ecotone,
ecocline, and restoration.
Define the
following terms; organism, population, population density, census,
population dispersion, and age structure.
Diagram and
label a J-shaped and S-shaped population curve.
Describe what is
happening to a population by looking at its population curve.
Describe the
concept of carrying capacity.
List the types
of environmental resistance which affect populations.
List the various
types of limiting factors that affect populations of species in an
ecosystem.
Define
survivorship and describe the difference between r-strategists and
Describe the
factors involved in biological evolution.
Define the
following terms; mutation, natural selection, adaptation, and species.
Describe the
factors that may lead to the extinction of a species.
Describe the
factors that affect the distribution of plant and animal species.
Outline the
history of human population growth.
List those
factors which limit human population growth and describe how they affect
human populations.
Describe the
basic concepts of human ecology and how they relate to current
population and environmental problems.
Describe how
human population growth impacts the environment.
Describe the
methods available to control human population growth.
Describe the
problems associated with world food supplies, hunger, and the utilization of
agricultural resources.
Describe the
relationships between human ecology and environmental health.
Describe the
concepts associated with risk analysis and how it is applied to
environmental problems.
Describe the
distribution of human populations and explain how these distribution trends
impact the environment.
Describe the
ecology of urban areas.
Explain how
demographics and land-use planning can be used to deal with
environmental problems.
Discuss the role
of politics, economics, and ethics in dealing with environmental problems.
Outline the
history of environmental activities in the United States.
Explain the
importance of the National Environmental Policy Act and How impact
statements required by this law are prepared and utilized.
Define the
following terms; environmental law, statutory law, common law, plaintiff,
defendant, and lawsuit.
List and
describe the major environmental laws which make up the basis for
environmental legislation's in the United States.
Define the
following terms; economics, economic growth, economic development, gross
national product, federal deficit, ethics, morals, and environmental
awareness.
Describe the
concept of global sustainability and discuss why achieving sustainability is
critical to the survival of the human species.
Methods of
Evaluation: Four 1-hour tests
of 100 points each will be given during the semester.
These tests will include multiple choice and essay questions. Four quizzes will also be given during the semester.
Laboratory reports will be required for selected labs and will be graded
on accuracy, completeness, proper format, neatness, and scientific knowledge.
A 50 point research paper is also required for this course.
Students are expected to attend class except in cases of sickness,
emergencies, or excused absences. Students
who miss class for the above reasons will be allowed to make up their work.
Some extra credit may be earned for approved projects.
Grading:
Grading is determined by a percentage of total points for the semester.
Sixty percent is required to pass the course, seventy percent for a C,
eighty percent for a B, and ninety percent for an A.
Tests 400 points
Quizzes 40 points
Laboratory Reports 260 points
Research Paper 50 points
TOTAL POINTS 750