ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 204A

ECOLOGY AND THE BIOSPHERE

WINTER QUARTER 2002

Instructor: Deborah Minium Office: 139A

Section A: MW 2:30-4:40 Phone: 425-649-5602

Required Texts: Principles of Environmental Science, Inquiry and applications,

By Cunningham and Cunningham

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to provide you with a general science foundation in the geo-sciences, meteorological-sciences, and bio-sciences interwoven with the social sciences. Thus providing you with the necessary tools to make your own environmental decisions.

Week Dates Topics Readings

1 Jan 2 Introductions, Ecology, paleo-environment, Chapter 1, 11

properties of water, weathering

2 Jan 7, 9 Soils, Oceans, Rivers, physical cycles, Chapter 2, 9, 10

Atoms, molecules and compounds

Discussion 1 – Wednesday 1/9

3 Jan 14, 16 Climate and Water Chapter 9, 10

4 Jan 21, 23 EXAM I – Wednesday 1/23 Chapter 3

5 Jan 28, 30 Populations, Communities , Food chains Chapter 4, 5

Niches, species interaction, biodiversity

Discussion 2 –Monday 1/28

6 Feb 4, 6 Human populations, food Chapter 5, 7

Discussion 3 – Wednesday 2/6

7 Feb 11, 13 Toxicology, land use, waste management Chapter 8, 13

8 Feb 18, 20 Environmental Law Chapter 14

Discussion 4 –Wednesday 2/18

9 Feb 25, 27 Preservation, Sustainability, stewardship Chapter 15

10 Mar 4, 7 Environmentalism, conservation, environmental Chapter 15

Perspectives

Discussion 5 – 3/7

11 Mar 11, 13 Project Review

12 Mar 20 Final exam March 20^th 2:30- 4:20

Lectures: Attendance will not be taken in lecture; however, they may involve quizzes. A quiz will count towards your grade. Readings should be completed before lecture. Additional readings as well as class and work assignments will be given during class time. Assignment completion schedule will be given at time of assignment.

Discussions: Five formal discussions will be held during the quarter. Group assignments will be assigned to support a facilitated debate on the topics to be discussed.

Projects: Two projects will be assigned during the quarter. The first project involves a written descriptive paper, with supporting data, on a site evaluation of your choice. (A full project description will be given the first week of class). The second project will be a team class presentation using a media format of your choice on assigned ecological topics. (A full description will be given at time of assignment.)

Grading: Exams (2) 200 A = 100-93% C+=79-77%

Projects (2) 200 A-=92-90% C = 76-73%

Quiz (4) 100 B+=89-87% C-=72-70%

Assignments 100 B= 86-83% D+=69-67%

Discussions 50 B-=82-80% D =66-60%

Participation 50 F =59-0%

Total 700 pts

Field trips: Based on class dynamics and availability.

Important Note: All assignments are due on the dates assigned. All written assignments should be typed. Only one quiz or exam may be taken as a make-up, if missed, on March 13^th during class time. There will be no make-up for the final exam.

SCIENCE DIVISION POLICY ON CHEATING:

You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity. If you cheat*, or aid someone else in cheating, you violate a trust. If you cheat, the following actions will be taken:

1. You will receive a grade of "0" on the work (exam, assignment, lab, quiz, etc.), where the cheating occurred. This grade cannot be dropped.

2. A report of the incident will be sent to the Dean of Students. He may file the report in your permanent record or take further disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion from the college.

If you feel you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may appeal. (For a description of due process, see WAC 132H-120.)

*Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying answers on tests or assignments, glancing at nearby test papers, swapping papers, stealing, plagiarizing, and illicitly giving or receiving help on exams or assignments.