GEOL 1305 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CRN 10840
Geology Program, Department of Natural Sciences
Course Syllabus – Summer 2017
Environmental Science
GEOL 1305
Summer 2017 GEOL 1305 Environmental Science CRN 10840
Instructor contact information: Ayorinde Idowu, Tel: 281-989-2208, <[email protected]>
Office Location and Hours: Fully Online Course
Course Location/Times: Can be reached through either telephone or E-Mail
Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH) (lecture, lab) If applicable
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Total Course Contact Hours
48.00
Course Length: 16-weeks
Type of Instruction
Lecture
Course Description:
A survey of the forces, including humans, that shape our physical and biologic environment, and how they affect life on Earth. Introduction to the science and policy of global and regional environmental issues, including pollution, climate change, and sustainability of land, water, and energy resources.
Course Prerequisite(s)
- Qualify to take INRW 0420 or ESOL 0360
Geology Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will recognize scientific and quantitative methods.
- Students will evaluate the differences of scientific approaches and communicate these findings, analyses, and interpretations in oral and written communication.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, religion, and public policies.
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.
5. Students will identify and recognize the differences in competing scientific theories.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) as defined by ACGM:
- Recognize, describe, and quantitatively evaluate earth systems, including the land, water, sea, and atmosphere, and how these function as interconnected ecological systems.
minimum topics covered: Environmental Interrelationships, Organism interaction in environments, Types of ecosystems and communities, Biodiversity issues
- Assess environmental challenges facing humans caused by their interaction with the physical and biological environment (e.g., population growth, energy resources, food production, pollution, water and resource use).
Minimum topics covered: General Population characteristics, Renewable and non-renewable energy, Land-use planning, Soil and agricultural methods, Water resources and management, Air quality and pollution, Climate change, Solid waste and hazardous waste management.
Acquire a scientific vocabulary and critical thinking skills related to environmental science.
Minimum topics covered: Basic scientific principles and the scientific method.
Assess the effectiveness and feasibility of environmental policy and its impact.
Minimum topics covered: Environmental ethics, Economics and environmental concerns, A variety of policies related to energy, land-use, pollution, resource management, waste management
Learning Objectives:
1.1 List the four categories of limiting factors for organisms in an ecological systems (raw materials, energy, waste products and interactions among organisms).
1.2 Interpret environmental trends from data (graphs or histograms or tables)
2.1 Utilize population data (e.g., from the US Census Bureau at http://www.census.gov/) to determine population growth rate, and analyze impact on resource demand and waste production.
2.2. Calculate personal energy or resource consumption (e.g., via household electric meter readings or water usage).
2.3. Compare the use of fossil fuel, nuclear, and renewable energy consumption (wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric).
2.4. Discuss current events related to environmental science as reported by news media.
3.1. Discuss the reliability of science through the Scientific Method in resolving environmental problems.
3.2. Discuss the chemical behavior of matter and states of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) in relation to kinetic and potential energy.
3.3. Support the notion that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but when energy is converted from one form to another, some energy is converted into a less useful form.
4.1 Explore how the political process impacts environmental decision making.
4.2 Evaluate significant environmental policies (e.g., clean air act, recycling nuclear fuel rods) related to what procedures are actually in place.
Core Curriculum Objectives:
This course is in the Life and Physical Science Core Curriculum “functional component area” and meets the objectives of:
- Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
- Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
- Empirical and Quantitative Skills - to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
- Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
Course Calendar
Course Calendar
Course Outline -- Testing and Assignment Due Dates (initial draft)
Chapter # Topic
June (5-15):
1 Environmental Interrelationships
2 Environmental Ethics
4 Matter, Energy, and the Environment
5 Environments and Organisms
6 Ecosystems and Communities
7 Population Issues and Principles
8 Energy and Civilization Patterns of Consumption
9 Energy Sources
June 10 Assignments 1 & 2 Due
June 16 TEST 1: (CH. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, & 7); and Assignment 3due
June (16-26):
10 Nuclear Energy: Benefits and Risks
11 Biodiversity Issues
12 Land-Use Planning
13 Soil and Its Use
14 Agricultural Methods & Land Use
15 Water Management
June 27 TEST 2: (CH. 8-14); and Assignment 4
June 27-July 6:
16 Air Quality Issue
3 Risk and Cost: Elements of Decision Making
17 Solid Waste Management and Disposal
18 Regulation of Hazardous Substances
19-End Environmental Policy and Decision Making
July 6: TERM PAPER DUE; and Assignment 5
July 7 Test 3 (Final): Chapters 3, & (15-20)
Student Assignments:
Term Paper Requirements
The Term Paper is to be written on a topic of your choice from the attached list. However, you have an option to nominate your own topic for the paper in which case you will email to me(through Website Email Tool) about half a page summary or abstract of your proposal, obtain my approval before you write the paper. The paper will be in a standard format, double space, and between 6 - 10 pages in length. Total grade for the paper will be scored based on the content, formatting, grammar, and references cited or bibliography. Completed Term Paper is to be forwarded directly to me on the Assignments Tool
Suggested Topics for the Term Paper
- Oil Spills
- The Greenhouse Effect
- The Ozone Layer
- Acid Rain
- Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Accident
- Tropical Forest: Their Distribution and Destruction
- The Texas Wetlands
- The Edward Aquifer
- Forest Fires
- Air Pollution
- The Florida Everglades
- National Parks in the US
- Hydroelectric Power Generation
- Lake Tahoe: its Development and Effects on the Environment
- Storing Hazardous /Toxic Wastes
- Nuclear Waste Disposal
- Recycling
- Solar Energy
- Drought
- Genetically Engineered Food
Instructional Method: 100% Online
Student Assessment(s)
Student Assessment
The course is divided into three units of about seven textbook chapters each. A major test will be scheduled to cover the materials in each unit. There is no comprehensive final exam. Each of the three tests will consist of 50 multiple-choice plus five essay questions. The test will measure your achievement in learning based on the textbook readings, and the list of reviews posted under the Review Tool on the website. It will also be useful to review the questions at the end of each chapter, the summary, the objectives, the definitions of the boldfaced terms, and to read the additional instructor supplied information on the Web site.
You are required to take three major tests fully online with dates scheduled on both the Course Syllabus, and Calendar Tools. Each Test will consist of a combination of 50 Multiple Choice Questions (50 points), plus 5 Short Essays (50 points). Tests will be written directly on the Assessment Tools, graded accordingly, and recorded on the Grade Book automatically.
The Key to Success in a Distance Education Course
Since distance education courses are designed for busy people working from home, you need to plan in advance your reading schedule, self- tests, accessing the web site for information, and preparing homework assignments. To accomplish these tasks, you must allow adequate amount of time, read the textbook carefully and completely. You need to possess extra motivation, self-discipline, and self-reliance to compensate for the option of freedom and lack of class time constraints for scheduling your study time.
Program/Discipline Requirements: If applicable
All HCC policies regarding attendance, withdrawal, academic honesty, students with disabilities, grading, and student rights will be followed in this course. Refer to syllabus section titled "Instructor's Requirements", "HCC Policy Statements", and "Grading" for more details as well as the Student Handbook http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/student-handbook/
Where can you get help? Visit your instructor during office hours. Contact your instructor to meet at a time outside of office hours. Get help online via: https://hccs.upswing.io/ Search for tutoring at HCC at: http://ctle3.hccs.edu/alltutoring/
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100- 90: 4 points per semester hour
B = 89 - 80: 3 points per semester hour
C = 79 - 70: 2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60: 1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F 0 points per semester hour
FX (Failure due to non-attendance) 0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) 0 points per semester hour
W (Withdrawn) 0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete) 0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit) 0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX", compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into an Online course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress.
Instructor Grading Criteria
Program/Discipline Requirements: If applicable
All HCC policies regarding attendance, withdrawal, academic honesty, students with disabilities, grading, and student rights will be followed in this course. Refer to syllabus section titled "Instructor's Requirements", "HCC Policy Statements", and "Grading" for more details as well as the Student Handbook http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/student-handbook/
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100- 90: 4 points per semester hour
B = 89 - 80: 3 points per semester hour
C = 79 - 70: 2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60: 1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F 0 points per semester hour
FX (Failure due to non-attendance) 0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) 0 points per semester hour
W (Withdrawn) 0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete) 0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit) 0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX", compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of "FX" is treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic progress.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect GPA.
Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales may differ from the approved HCC Grading Scale. For Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales, see the "Program Discipline Requirements" section of the Program's syllabi.
Instructor Grading Criteria
Breakdown of Total Grade:
Participation/Assignments 100 points
Term Paper 100 points
Test # 1 100 points
Test # 2 100 points
Test # 3 100 points
The course letter grade will be determined from your course average grade utilizing the official HCCS grading scale as above
Instructional Materials
Required Textbook: Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, 14th ed., by Enger and Smith; McGraw-Hill, 2016 (ISBN 9781259298448). Students will purchase an access code to Connect either at the HCC bookstores or directly from McGraw-Hill’s website. The cost is lower if purchased directly from the Connect website. Students will have the option to order loose-leaf printed copies of the textbook for a small fee once they are registered in Connect.
HCC Policy Statement:
Please familiarize yourself with campus policies in the HCC Student Handbook for topics including: ADA (students with disabilities), Scholastic Dishonesty, General Student Attendance, Repeating courses, Electronic Devices in class, Threatening Behavior, Religious Holidays, withdrawal deadline and mores: http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/student-handbook/
Student with Disabilities (ADA):
HCC strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please meet with a campus Abilities Counselor as soon as possible in order to establish reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and Ability Services. It is the policy and practice of HCC to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. For more information, please go to http://www.hccs.edu/district/students/disability-services/
Withdrawal Policy:
The State of Texas imposes penalties on students who withdraw/drop courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. Students are encouraged to review the HCC 6 Drop Policy.
Students who repeat a course three or more times face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
HCC Sexual Harassment Policy and Title IX: Houston Community College is committed to cultivating an environment free from inappropriate conduct of a sexual or gender-based nature including sex discrimination, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Sex discrimination includes all forms of sexual and gender-based misconduct and violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex-including pregnancy and parental status-in educational programs and activities. If you require an accommodation due to pregnancy please contact an Abilities Services Counselor. The Director of EEO/Compliance is designated as the Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator. All inquiries concerning HCC policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504), and complaints may be directed to:
Director EEO/Compliance
Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity
3100 Main
(713) 718-8271
Houston, TX 77266-7517 or [email protected]
HCC Campus Carry statement: At HCC the safety of our students, staff, and faculty is our first priority. As of August 1, 2017, Houston Community College is subject to the Campus Carry Law (SB11 2015). For more information, visit the HCC Campus Carry web page at http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/police/campus-carry/.
HCC Online Policies:
All students are to refer to HCC hand book on online policies through the following link:
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.