Department of Environmental Sciences

 

Down-to-Earth: Environmental Science – EEES 1130 (Spring 2009; 3 credits)

Time and Place:  Tuesday, Thursday 11:00am - 12:15pm, SM-2100
Professor:

Dr. Johan F. Gottgens, 1009C Bowman-Oddy (x8451);
E-mail: johan.gottgens@utoledo.edu
Office Hours: Monday 2:00-4:30pm, Tuesday 1:00-3:30pm, or by appointment

Course Description:
Down-to-Earth: Environmental Sciences stresses the application of science (in particular ecology) to the solution of human population and pollution problems.  Environmental science is a dynamic field that is becoming much more global in its concerns and investigations.  It has expanded from human impact on local and regional issues such as water pollution, solid waste management, and urbanization to such problems as climate change, loss of stratospheric ozone, ocean pollution, famine, and loss of tropical rain forest.

In this course, we will examine the basic scientific principles that form the foundation for understanding environmental issues.  We will then analyze the interaction of humans with natural resources and the resulting effect on environmental quality.  Pollution problems, their causes and controls will be identified.  Environmental management questions that have not been answered will be discussed and the major obstacles will be illustrated in the context of our social, economic, and political system.

This course counts towards fulfilling the natural science competency requirements of our general education/core curriculum.  It is designed to expose students to the process of scientific inquiry and to encourage development of a perspective of science in the world.  It concentrates on providing an understanding of the basic issues, methodologies, and theories that drive scientific inquiry.

In order to qualify for the general education/core curriculum in the natural sciences, this course:
       a. provides an understanding of the nature of science in general and of major scientific concepts
         b. provides analysis and evaluation of scientific information
         c. provides discipline specific principles and information
        d. presents applications and demonstrate the value of the discipline to society in general
    e. introduces scientific reasoning skills

Requirements and evaluation:
 You are expected to attend every scheduled class meeting and to read the material before it is presented in the lectures.  I will cover all key points in lecture and your presence at each class meeting will greatly impact your grade.  Active participation in class is encouraged and I expect your full attention.  There are no dumb questions and only very few dumb answers!

Please minimize late arrivals and early departures!  It is your responsibility to get the notes if you miss lecture.  I do not give out notes to be copied but would be happy to go over the material with you during office hours.

Grades will be based on three midterms and a final exam (each worth 25%).  No make up exams will be given for the midterms.  Your lowest grade among the three midterms will be dropped and a missed exam will be counted as your grade to be dropped.  Each exam will only cover the material that is reviewed and discussed in the lectures during that portion of the course. Example questions can be found here.

Please bring a #2 pencil, an eraser and your valid UT student ID card to each examination.  All exams will be objective, i.e., multiple choice/computer-graded.  Only a few of these questions will deal with memorization (selecting an answer that was presented in the same form in class).  The large majority of the questions will focus on interpretation (recognizing relationships within some body of information), extrapolation (extending what you have learned in class to determine its implications or consequences), and synthesis (creating something new out of what you already know).  Material for the exams will come from the lectures and assigned readings.

In addition, four unannounced pop quizzes (no make-ups!) will be scattered throughout the term.  These quizzes are given at the start of class, cover material from ‘classic’ (and one recent) papers (see below), and count for extra credit (up to 10% additional points). The papers will be made available electronically on the course web page.

March 27, 2009 is the last day to withdraw from the course and receive a “W” grade.  Unless a student withdraws him/herself by this date, he/she will remain enrolled in the class and will be graded.  “I” grades are only given in extraordinary cases when unexpected conditions prevent the student from completing the requirements of the course within the term of enrollment.

Note:  Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact me as soon as possible so that necessary accommodations can be made.

Required reading:
Robert T. Wright. 2008. Environmental Science: Toward a sustainable future (10th Edition).  Prentice Hall, New Jersey.  You are asked to read each assignment before it is covered in class.  The book, however, is not a replacement for the lectures, which are primary for the exams.  In preparing for the exams, you should emphasize the keywords and concepts listed in your textbook.  In order to help you with this, I will provide additional lists with keywords and concepts during the term.  A copy of the textbook is placed on reserve in Carlson Library (in-house; 2 hours max).  In the same location, you can access to electronic copies of the chapters for each exam.

Recommended papers:
These papers, available on the course web site, will be used for the pop quizzes and to reinforce lecture topics.

  • Gottgens, J.F., J.E. Perry, R.H. Fortney, J. Meyer, M. Benedict and B.E. Rood. 2001.  The Paraguay‑Paraná Hidrovia: Protecting the Pantanal with lessons from the past. Bioscience 51(4): 301‑308. [you can access this paper on-line by going to the University of Toledo library homepage, clicking on 'OhioLink', 'Electronic Journal Center', and going to the journal  'BioScience'.  This article appears in Volume 51, issue 4.  Try it, it's a good skill to have...]

Academic honesty:
Students are expected to adhere to principles of academic honesty in all aspects of this course.    During exams and quizzes, cell phones must be turned off and packed away (cell phones may be on ‘silent mode’ during lectures).  Infractions may result in a failing grade for the course. 

Instructor:
Dr. Gottgens is a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences.  He teaches and does research in aquatic ecology, the study of lakes, rivers and wetlands.  Over the years, aquatic ecology has grown from a basic science to an applied discipline which is increasingly called upon to help understand and solve pollution problems impacting our freshwater resources.  As a result, modern aquatic ecology combines traditional biology with engineering, hydrology, geology, chemistry, and other disciplines.  Training, required for successful employment in this field, stresses such a modern approach to ecology.   Students in the aquatic ecology program use this approach in their research projects.  Field sites include Lake Erie, Maumee Bay, Great Lakes’ wetlands, and wetland systems in Central and South America.

This course in environmental science  is one of the most important courses I teach. Because the course serves as a science requirement for non-science majors, I realize that this may very well be the only opportunity I have to demonstrate to you that science is really common sense and does not have to be boring lab stuff.

Week

Dates

Topics

Readings *

 

 

Introduction to Environmental Sciences

 

1

Jan 13,15

Introduction, course goals, Bugula neritina and the process of science.  Overview, definitions and trends. Perspectives from science and engineering, Socially desirable – economically feasible – ecologically viable

[pdf text only] 

2

Jan 20, 22

Multi-disciplinary science, lessons from the past. Regional issues, global issues

Ch. 1
[pdf]

 

 

The Science of Ecology

 

3

Jan 27, 29

From species to ecosystems and biomes. Abiotic factors and climate.  Trophic levels, food webs and energy flow in ecosystems. Limiting factors, tolerance limits.

Ch. 2
[pdf]

4
Feb 3
  • First Exam

 

4

Feb 5

The little things that run the world.  Material cycles and energy flow. Ecosystem services & functions.

Ch. 3
[pdf]

5

Feb 10, 12

Populations and communities in transition.  Disturbance and succession. Species interactions.   Selection, adaptation and evolution.

Ch. 4
[pdf]

 

 

Human Ecology and Stressed Populations

 

6

Feb 17, 19

Population growth.  Human populations, demography and limits to growth.

Ch. 5, 6
[pdf]

7

Feb 24, 26

Addressing the population problem.  Food, hunger, and nutrition. Green revolution, bioengineering. [extra credit talk, March 17!]

Ch. 9
 [moved to 3rd midterm]
 [pdf]

8
Mar 3
  • Second Exam

 

 

 

Renewable Resources

 

8

Mar 5

Water resources.  Human water use and the hydrologic cycle.

Ch. 7
[pdf]

 

 

Mar 9-13:  Spring Break

 

9

Mar 17, 19

Wetlands, lakes and reservoirs.  Water pollution and prevention.  Eutrophication and alternative treatment.

Ch. 17
[pdf]

10

Mar 24, 26

Soils, land use, and soil conservation.

Ch. 8
[pdf]

11

Mar 31, Apr 2

Biodiversity, tropical rainforests, alien invaders, and conservation

Ch. 10
[pdf]

12
Apr 7, 9

Ecosystems as resources, land management, fisheries and forests.

Ch. 11
[pdf]

13

Apr 14
  • Third Exam

 

 

 

Energy, Atmosphere and Climate Change

 

13

Apr 16

Energy and power. Sources and uses.  A brief history of energy.  Fossil fuel reserves and production.

Ch. 12
[pdf]

14

Apr 21, 23

Renewable energy

Ch. 14
[pdf]

15

Apr 28, 30

Atmosphere, climate, and air pollution.  El niño, global warming, ozone troubles.

Ch. 20, 21
[pdf1][pdf2]

 
May 7
  • Final exam (10:15 am – 12:15 pm)

 

 *  Wright. 2008.  Environmental Science (10th Ed).  Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Reading assignments may be adjusted during the term!

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