Department of Environmental Sciences
Down-to-Earth: Environmental Science – EEES 1130 (Spring
2007; 3 credits)
| Time and Place: | Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 - 10:45am, SM-2100 |
| Professor: |
Dr. Johan F. Gottgens, 1009C Bowman-Oddy (x8451); |
| Office Hours: | Tuesday and Thursday 2:00 – 4:30 pm, or by appointment |
| Teaching Assistant: |
Kumar Mainali. Help Desk: Thursday 11am-1:30pm (BO-3049) and Friday 11:30-2pm (BO 2002). E-mail: kpmainali@gmail.com |
Course
Description:
Down-to-Earth: Environmental Sciences stresses the application of
ecological principles 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 global 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 Natural Science, 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
: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 lectures during that portion of the course. Example questions can be found here.
All exams will be objective, i.e., multiple choice/computer-graded (bring #2 pencil to each exam). 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 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 23 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. “IW” grades are no longer issued. “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.
Required reading:
Robert T. Wright. 2005. Environmental Science:
Toward a sustainable future
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 text book. In order to help you with this, I will provide additional lists with keywords and concepts (now updated for the final exam) during the term.
Recommended papers:
These papers, available on the course web site, will be used for the pop
quizzes and to reinforce lecture topics.
Hardin, G. 1968.
Dubos, R. 1976. Symbiosis between the earth and humankind. Science 193: 459-462.
Odum, W.E. 1982.
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.
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 the wetland systems in Central and South America.
|
Week |
Dates |
Topics |
Readings * |
|
|
|
Introduction to Environmental Sciences |
|
|
1 |
Jan 9,11 |
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 |
Ch. 1 |
|
2 |
Jan 16, 18 |
Multi-disciplinary science,
lessons from the past. |
[ppt] |
|
|
|
The Science of Ecology |
|
|
3 |
Jan 23, 25 |
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 |
|
4 |
Jan 30 |
|
|
|
4 |
Feb 1 |
The little things that run the
world. Material cycles. |
|
|
5 |
Feb 6, 8 |
Populations and communities in transition. Disturbance and succession.Species interactions. Selection, adaptation and evolution. |
Ch. 4
|
|
|
|
Human Ecology and Stressed Populations |
|
|
6 |
Feb 13, 15 |
Population growth. Human populations, demography and limits to growth. |
Ch. 5,
6 |
|
7 |
Feb 20, 22 |
Addressing the population problem.
Food, hunger, and nutrition. |
Ch. 9 |
|
8 |
Feb 27 |
|
|
|
|
|
Renewable Resources |
|
|
8 |
Mar 1 |
Water resources. Human water use
and the hydrologic cycle. |
Ch. 7 |
|
|
|
Mar 5-9: Spring Break |
|
|
9 |
Mar 13, 15 |
Wetlands, lakes and reservoirs. Water pollution essentials. Alternative treatment. |
Ch. 17 |
|
10 |
Mar 20, 22 |
Soils, land use, and soil conservation. |
Ch. 8 |
|
11 |
Mar 27, 29 |
Biodiversity, tropical rainforests, alien invaders, and conservation |
|
|
12 |
Apr 3, 5 |
Ecosystems as resources, land management, fisheries and forests. |
Ch. 11 |
|
13 |
Apr 10 |
|
|
|
|
|
Energy, Atmosphere and Climate Change |
|
|
13 |
Apr 12 |
Energy and power. Sources and uses. A brief history of energy. Fossil fuel reserves and production. |
Ch. 12 |
|
14 |
Apr 17, 19 |
Renewable energy |
Ch. 14 |
|
15 |
Apr 24, 26 |
Atmosphere, climate, and air pollution. El niño, global warming, ozone troubles. |
Ch. 20,
21 |
|
|
May 2 |
|
|
* Wright. 2005. Environmental Science (9th Ed). Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Reading assignments may be adjusted during the term!
Reset: 7 January 2007