SYLLABUS
Name of
Course:
Environmental Studies II
Course
Instructor:
Gary Phillips, Environmental Studies Program Coordinator
Office phone number - (712) 362-7978 & e-mail address - gphillips@iowalakes.edu
Credits:
Lecture (EV124A) - 4 credits, Laboratory (EV124B) - 0 credits
Catalog
Description:
Environmental Studies II is an introductory study of global resources
management and the analysis and control of environmental pollution.
This course acquaints the student with the fundamentals of resource
management and the physical, chemical, and biological analysis of pollutants
which contaminate the Earth's biosphere. Topics
covered include global resources, resource management, environmental pollution,
and pollution control.
Text:
Living In The Environment by G. Tyler Miller, Jr.
Other
Materials:
Environmental Studies II Laboratory Manual
Objective of
Course:
The objective of this course is for students to gain an understanding of
the problems associated with the management of global resources and to
familiarize them with the analysis and control of the types of pollutants which
contaminate these resources.
Course
Content:
1.
Global resources.
2.
Resource management.
3.
Environmental pollution.
4.
Pollution control.
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:
List and
describe the three basic categories of natural resources.
Define the
following terms; resources depletion, environmental degradation, sustained
yield, and common property resources.
Describe the
tragedy of the commons.
List and
describe the principle layers of the atmosphere.
Describe the
factors that affect global air circulation.
List and
describe the factors that affect the climate.
Describe the
properties of water.
Describe the
availability, distribution, and usage of world water resources.
Diagram and
label a soil profile.
List and
describe the major soil types.
Describe the
principle characteristics of soils.
Describe the
problems associated with soil erosion.
List and
describe the types of agriculture.
Describe the
principle components of industrialized agriculture.
Describe the
benefits and limitations of the Green Revolution.
List the major
types of biological resources and describe the environmental problems
associated with each of these resources.
List and
describe the structural components of the Earth.
Describe the
distribution and availability of the world's mineral resources.
List the various
types of nonrenewable, renewable, and perpetual energy resources and
describe the availability and utilization of each of these resources.
Describe the
advantages and disadvantages of using the various types of nonrenewable,
renewable, and perpetual energy resources.
Describe the
various types of resource ownership.
Describe the
different types of resource management schemes used to manage natural
resources.
Describe the
techniques utilized to manage the following types of natural resources;
atmospheric water, soil, food, biological, mineral, and energy.
Describe the
problems associated with the utilization of the following types of
natural resources; atmospheric, water, soil, food, biological,
mineral, and energy.
Describe the
major points that must be considered in developing a sustainable
management plan for natural resources.
List and
describe the major categories of environmental pollution.
Define the
following terms; pollution, pollutant, point source, non-point source, acute
effect, chronic effect, synergistic effect, and antagonistic effect.
List and
describe the major types of pollutants.
Describe the
factors that affect air quality.
List and
describe the various categories of air pollutants.
Describe the
effects of air pollutants on humans and the environment.
Describe the
factors that affect water quality.
List and
describe the various categories of water pollutants.
Describe the
effects of water pollutants on humans and the environment.
Describe the
scope and magnitude of the environmental problems associated with solid and
hazardous wastes.
List the major
categories of pesticides.
Describe the
advantages and disadvantages of pesticide usage.
Describe the
effects of ionizing radiation on humans.
List the two basic approaches to pollution control and the
methodology involved in each.
Describe the concept of industrial ecology and the
methodologies used to reduce waste and prevent pollution.
Describe the
techniques used to monitor and evaluate environmental pollutants.
List the
principal U.S. pollution control laws and summarize the key points of each
law.
Describe the
techniques used to control air pollution produced by mobile and stationary
sources.
Describe the
techniques used to control water pollution produced by non-point and point
sources.
Describe the
methodologies utilized in the management of solid wastes.
Describe the
methodologies utilized in the management of toxic and hazardous wastes.
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