Syllabus and Course Schedule>
ENV 120(D) Principles of Environmental Science I
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of the scientific
principles and processes underlying the interrelationships between humans and
the environment. Concepts used to evaluate problems and
options available in dealing with population growth, wise use of natural
resources, and environmental degradation and pollution are considered in this
course. Major topics include the
evolution of human-environment relationships, principles of matter and energy;
structure, function, and dynamics of ecosystems; and water, food, agricultural,
land, wildlife, and plant resources.
Laboratory exercises (ON CAMPUS) include field experiences and computer
simulations.
Prerequisite: None
4 semester hours
3 Class Hours
3 Laboratory Hours
DISTANCE
EDUCATION COURSE INTERACTION PLAN:
Course Title: ENV 140(D)
Principles of Environmental Science
Faculty: Professor Gary
A. Beluzo
Office Hours: by appointment on the
web
Mailing and/or Email Address: gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu
__X_ Asynchronous Course* ______
Synchronous Course
*Asynchronous with the exception of
weekly class conferences on WEBCT (Sunday 8-9 pm) students must attend at least
50% of the conferences.
Asynchronous:
This kind of distance education is characterized by an emphasis on
"learning on demand" or "as needed communication" between
students and faculty from multiple locations at times convenient to
participants.
Synchronous: This
form of distance education entails the use of live, two-way communication among
and/or between students and faculty in a scheduled or "fixed"
point(s) of time(s), much like classroom-based instruction.
This course may include, but not be
restricted to, the following interactions:
1. in person meetings NO
2. telephone interactions NO
3. electronic interactions ( email,
internet. ..) YES
Students are required
to engage in the following interaction(s) for successful completion of this
course:
Access
course materials on the internet at the course WEBCT site
Participate
in electronic bulletin board class discussions
Take
quizzes online
Complete
weekly written assignments using information on the internet
Cooperate
with several other students to complete a Group Project
Participate
in on-campus lab with no more than 2 absences
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The student, as a result of
taking this course, will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an
understanding of the major sources, types, and effects of environmental
pollutants and appropriate control technologies
2. Demonstrate an
understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of
environmental pollutants.
3. Demonstrate an
understanding of environmental impact on human health.
4. Evaluate present and
future energy resource alternatives.
5. Assess the various
responses of the environment to human interaction.
6. Demonstrate an
understanding of the relationships between environment and society from
ethical, economic, and governmental perspectives.
7. Demonstrate a basic
understanding of the use of microcomputers and computer simulations in
environmental sciences.
8. Perform basic field and
laboratory procedures and analytical techniques of environmental investigation.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance online will be monitored through
the WEBCT software. Students must
login at least once a week.
Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the course. Attendance at all laboratory/field
periods is a required part of the student's academic work. In the event of excessive absences (two nights), a meeting with the instructor will be
arranged. The instructor reserves
the right to assign the grade F* if the student is unable to show just cause
for the excessive absences. It is
the responsibility of the student to obtain all materials and or information
missed due to an absence.
ACCESS TO THE ONLINE
INSTRUCTOR:
E-Office hours, Group Meeting conferences, and Weekly
online class conferences will be posted.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Various
learning activities will be used to accomplish the course goals. Text and
computer online readings and exercises are used to introduce materials,
methods, and concepts.
Each
student should plan on spending 8-12 hours
per week online
- Read
chapters in the Environmental Science:
Earth as a Living Planet by Botkin and Keller text.
- Progress
through the WebCT Content (PowerPoint Presentations and weblinks) online.
- Read
exercises in the ENV 140 (D) Principles in
Environmental Science Laboratory Manual before each meeting.
- Complete
the Laboratory Exercises on campus (MRB 216).
- Participate
in Bulletin Board Discussion.
- Participate
in Weekly Conference (Chat/Whiteboard) online.
- Complete
the Web-based Written Assignments.
- Participate
in Group Projects.
- Take
examinations online.
EVALUATION:
To
measure the extent to which students attain the objectives of the course the
following will be graded:
Examinations: The online quizzes could include any or all of the
following types of questions: objective (true/false, multiple choice,
matching), essay, short answer, and fill-in-the-blank.
Assignments: Complete the
written assignments or other Web-based Activities online.
Group Project: Students will be
assigned randomly to a Learning Group.
Each group will decide on a topic, research the topic, communicate as a
group online, and develop an online presentation in HTML. Each group will have
a private bulletin board. Use your
INFROTRAC accounts on the internet to do the research.
Discussion Forum: Participate
in Bulletin Board. This could include current event discussions, problem
solving situations, and/or question analysis. Procedure: You should respond
twice to each question (topic or thread). First, give your comments on the
question, and second, respond to a classmate's comments. Be sure to use common
courtesy in responding to comments made by other students.
Online Conferencing: Each
student should plan to participate in at least seven (50%) of the class
conferences online. Each day/time
will be posted on the Calendar.
Email me before the
session if you are unable to participate.
COURSE GRADE:
The final grade will be derived
from the the points earned as outlined below:
|
(10) Online Course Quizzes (Accessed from Quiz area)
|
100 points
|
|
(5) Online Written Assignments (Accessed from the DROPBOX)
|
100 points
|
|
Online Discussion (Weekly Questions/Answers on the
Bulletin Board)
|
100 points
|
|
Group Presentation (Submitted as a Powerpoint Slideshow)
|
50 points
|
|
Final Examination (Comprehensive)
|
100 points
|
|
Submission of Laboratory Notebook
|
50 points
|
|
(10) Lab Quizzes
|
100 points
|
|
Laboratory Performance (Attendance and Lab Skills)
|
50 points
|
|
Laboratory Examination
|
50 points
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
700 points
|
It is expected that
students will complete these assignments according to the calendar schedule
published online.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.
Botkin and
Keller, 2007. Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet. 6th edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
2.
ENV 140(D) Principles of
Environmental Science Laboratory Manual, Environmental Science and Technology Department, Holyoke Community College.
TEACHING METHODS:
WEBCT
Online Multimedia Presentations
Facilitate Synchronous and Asynchronous
Online Communciaton
Facilitate Group Projects Online
Laboratory Exercises and Field Trips
Computer
Simulations
ONLINE
SCHEDULE:
Check the WebCT site
calendar for all online activities, assignments, and events.
WEEK TOPIC Botkin/Keller
(6th edition)
Sept 02 Introduction
to Environmental Science Chapter
1
The
Key Themes
Sept 09 Science as a Way of Knowing Chapter
2
Critical
Thinking about the Environment
Sept 16 The
Big Picture: Systems of Change Chapter
3
Sept 23 The
Human, Population, and Env Chapter
4
Sept. 30 Geophysiology Chapter
5
Oct 07 Ecosystems
and Ecosystem Management 1 Chapter
6
Oct 14 Ecosystems
and Ecosystem Management 2 Chapter
6
Oct 21 Biological
Diversity Chapter
7
Oct 28 Biogeography Chapter
8
Nov 04 Biological
Productivity and Energy Chapter
9
Nov 11 Ecological
Restoration Chapter
10
Nov 18 Forests,
Parks, and Landscapes Chapter
13
Nov 25 Massachusetts
Old Growth Forests Handouts
Dec 02 Wildlife,
Fisheries, and Endangered Spec Chapter
14
Dec 09 Geognosy:
ėKnowing Earthî Handouts
Dec 16 Course
Closes
LABORATORY
SCHEDULE:
The laboratory schedule and syllabus
will be distributed at the first Laboratory Meeting (6:00pm Tuesday, September
06, 2006 in Room MRB 216 at HCC).
The lab instructor is Debbie Bruno (dbruno@hcc.mass.edu). You will be doing an exercise on the
HCC Trail (dress appropriately) after a short intro to the course by me.
