Instructor

Mrs. Judith Kelly

Office: S-104E Science Building

Office phone: 313-845-9728

jkelly@hfcc.edu   

Division Name

Science

Course Number & Title

BIO 138 Environmental Science

Credit Hours

3

Total Contact Hours

47

Prerequisite

None

Co-requisites

None

Course Grading Scale

A-E

Catalog Description

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study, combining ideas and information from the natural sciences (such as biology, chemistry, and geology) and the social sciences (such as economics, politics, and ethics) to present a general idea of how nature works and how everything in nature is interconnected. Current environmental concerns are discussed. Human modification of natural systems and strategies for promoting environmental health are emphasized.

Course Goals

This course will present the fundamental concepts of environmental science.  After completing this course students will be able to:

·         use scientific laws, principles, models, and concepts to understand environmental and resource problems and possible solutions.

·         understand how these concepts, problems and solutions are connected.

·         develop a list of principles, concepts, and rules to serve as guidelines in making decisions.

·         think logically and critically.

Major Core Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete the assignments should be able to:

1.    Describe the concept of sustainability and how it applies to solutions to current environmental problems. *

2.    Demonstrate familiarity with library resources and electronic media and use criteria with which to judge reliability of various resources.

3.    Recall and restate basic scientific facts and concepts, as listed in the individual unit objectives.

4.    Recognize the components of an ecosystem and explain the relationships among them.

5.    Describe the major sources of pollution.

6.    Describe effects of pollutants on ecosystem structure and function.

7.    Analyze current environmental problems.

8.    Describe the process of global climate change and its possible impacts on the Earth

* critical thinking assessment

Course Textbook & Materials

Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections and Solutions.       16^th Edition.  G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman.

WebTutor™ on WebCT™ Instant Access Code for Miller's Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, 16th Edition

Both are available at the college store  http://collegestore.hfcc.edu/ 

Both are available from http://www.cengagebrain.com/market/index.html

As an online student, you will need to have a computer that is connected to the internet.

 

Course Grading Policy

Assessment methods for this course include weekly assignments, quizzes, discussion board activities and 5 exams.  See the end of this document for the grading points and scale. There will be Second Life/media watch extra credit assignments.

Packets

Packets are readings, activities, and assignments about a particular topic.  You will be able to access course packets every Monday morning at 9:00AM. The packets will provide details regarding the readings required for that particular topic as well as specifics for the activities and/or assignments that are due for that packet. All of the activities and assignments from those packets will be due the following Monday at 9:00AM.  For more detail see the course schedule at the end of this syllabus.

If your computer or internet service goes down, it is your responsibility to find a working computer and complete your work on time.  As an HFCC student you may use the computer lab on the second floor of the HFCC library for free.  All public libraries now have free computers for getting on the internet. 

Activities/Assignments

 The activities and assignments will vary throughout the semester. The assignment will consist of writing which will reflect your performance of an activity and your understanding of the subject matter of the packet. The specifics of each assignment will be expressed in each packet.

For the Media watch assignments you will be asked to view an online video or rent one from a video rental store.

Late Assignments

Assignments that are turned in late will result in a 10% deduction per day from the overall grade of the assignment. Late assignments are accepted only one week after their due date.

Quizzes and Examinations must be completed by the due date.  They will not be accepted late.  I highly recommend that you do not wait till the last minute to take quizzes and exams. 

Second Life/YouTube Project

We will be taking virtual field trips to an online virtual world called Second Life.   Before the semester starts I will demonstrate how to download the viewer for Second Life and how to use it.  Second Life requires a newer computer and a fast internet connection.  Some of you may have older computers that do not meet the technical specifications to run Second Life.  If your computer will not run Second Life, I will assign you an alternative media watch exercise which will involve viewing online videos. 

Participation & Drop Policy

Students are expected to complete all weekly assignments and activities contained within this course.   Penalties may be imposed, at the discretion of the individual instructor, whenever the quality of the student’s work has been affected by non-participation and non-completion of course assignments and activities.

Drop Policy

For Fall semester 2010, the official college policy for the last day to withdraw from courses is November 11, 2010.

Tuition Refunds

Refunds on tuition and fees (except registration fees) may be obtained on all classes of fifteen-week duration officially dropped according to the following schedule:

100% 1st week of classes

  50% 2nd week of classes

No tuition refunds are given after the end of the second week of classes and no exceptions are made for students who enter late. Courses of other than fifteen-week duration have differing refund schedules. Details may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar.

Students receiving federal financial aid have additional refund options available to them. They should review the brochure Financial Aid Information Guide and Consumer Information Supplement, available in the Financial Aid Office.

Online Conduct Policy

A. Students at HFCC are expected to show respect for order, law, the personal rights of others, and the educational mission of the College, as well as to maintain standards of personal integrity.

B. Students working online will be held to the same behavioral standards as students in traditional classrooms. Please be aware that I will be observing your threaded discussions with each other, and I will review those discussions, commenting where appropriate with the goal of helping you to better understand the course content.

Specifically, you should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Personal correspondence should be conducted elsewhere.
• Treat and respect others as you would like to be treated.
• “Flaming”, an angry series of words or comments used to personally attack others who may disagree with you, is not permitted.
• Take time to review the tone, language, word choice, spelling, and grammar of any written correspondence prior to sending it. You will be judged by the quality of your work.
• HFCC’s computer use policy is in effect. It can be found at http://www.hfcc.edu/current_students/HFCC_Online_Services.pdf
• Students are responsible for completing their own online course work. 

Academic Dishonesty

Policy on Academic Dishonesty (Cheating)

Henry Ford Community College considers academic dishonesty to be a serious offense. It is the policy of the College that determination of and appropriate action in respect to academic dishonesty by a student shall be a matter of individual judgment by the instructor. The instructor may administer a penalty up

to and including failure in the particular course. It is the professional obligation of the faculty to enforce academic integrity in their courses.

Academic dishonesty is any activity intended to improve a student’s grade fraudulently.* It includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Unauthorized acquisition of tests or alteration of grades (such as the stealing of tests, test keys, or grade books from faculty offices or elsewhere, or the purchasing of tests or grade books);

2. Unauthorized use of notes, books, or other prohibited materials during an examination;

3. Open cheating on an examination (such as copying from another student’s paper);

4. Permitting another person to take a test in the student’s place or receiving unauthorized assistance with any work for which academic credit is received;

5. Providing unauthorized assistance with any work for which academic credit is received;

6. Revision of graded work in an attempt to receive additional credit fraudulently;

7. Plagiarism (using another person’s work without acknowledgment);

8. Any other conduct intended to obtain academic credit fraudulently or dishonestly. If an instructor fails a student in a course for academic dishonesty, the instructor must immediately notify in writing the student and the registrar of the infraction, retaining copies of both notifications.

The registrar maintains a record of all such violations. If a student fails two classes as a result of academic dishonesty, he or she is dismissed from the College for two academic years. In addition, a notation of the reason for academic dismissal is placed on the student’s transcript. The notation may be expunged at the discretion of the appropriate vice president if the student petitions for its removal after at least two years have elapsed since the disciplinary action. If a student believes that the accusation is false, he or she may appeal through the Student Complaint Procedure. If the appeal reaches the Student Complaint Board, the Board may consider only whether the charge is justified. The Board may not set aside or change the penalty given by the instructor unless the charge of academic dishonesty is set aside.

*Any action that violates the Student Conduct Policy and Due Process Procedure is also subject to review under that policy.

Student Support Services

Data & Voice Administration

If you need assistance with username and password issues, please contact Data & Voice Administration at https://dvc.hfcc.net/helpdesk/000729.htm

Instructional Technology

If you require assistance accessing UCompass Educator courses, please contact Instructional Technology at 313.845.9663, ext.4, 5, or 6 or via e-mail at signorelli@hfcc.edu or kolin@hfcc.edu. Instructional Technology is located on the lower level of the Learning Technology Center (same building as Campus Safety), room A-004.

Media Center

Located on the second floor of the Library, the Media Center is an open access computer lab where students can go to work on computer assignments, access the internet, and/or check their e-mail. For more information, you may contact the Media Center at 313.845.6386. For more information regarding Library Services, you may phone 313.845.9606.

Assisted Learning Services

The Assisted Learning Services Program is designed to assist physically challenged, learning disabled or academically disadvantaged students at Henry Ford Community College to overcome barriers to education through supportive services. In addition, the Assisted Learning Services Department also provides tutoring services to the general student population. Assisted Learning Services is located in the LRC (Learning Resources Center), north side (parking lot side) main level. For more information, you may contact the office at 313.845.9617 or for the hearing impaired 313.845.9804.

Learning Lab

Located on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center, the Learning Lab assist HFCC students with identifying and improving the skills needed for success in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Math.

Although operation hours may slightly vary each semester, generally, the Learning Lab is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. – 8:40 p.m., on Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 9:40 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. For more information, contact the Learning Lab at 313.845.9643.

Programs to download before the start of class

Adobe Flash

Adobe Reader

Adobe Shockwave

Quicktime

Real Player

Second Life

http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

http://get.adobe.com/reader/

http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

http://www.real.com/

http://secondlife.com/

Week 1

Aug 26-Sep 5

Sustainability

Learning Skills (pp. 1-4)

Ch 1

Week 2

Sep 6-Sep 12

Ecosystems

Ch 2 & 3

Week 3

Sep 13-Sep 19

Biodiversity

Ch 4, 5

Week 4

Sep 20- Sep 26

The human population

Lecture Exam 1 Ch 1- 5

Ch 6

Week 5

Sep 27-Oct 3

Climate and Terrestrial & Aquatic Biodiversity

Ch 7 & 8

Week 6

Oct 4-Oct 10

Sustaining Biodiversity

Ch 9, 10 & 11

Week 7

Oct11-Oct 17

Food, soil and pest management

Lecture Exam 2 Ch 6-11

Ch 12

Week 8

Oct 18-Oct 24

Risk, human health and toxicology

Ch 17

Week 9

Oct 25-Oct 31

Air Pollution & Geology

Ch 14 & 18

Week 10

Nov 1-Nov 7

Water & Water Pollution

Lecture Exam 3 Ch 12, 14, 17, 18

Ch 13 & 20

Week 11

Nov 8- Nov 14

Energy

Ch 15 & 16

Week 12

Nov 15-Nov 21

Climate change & ozone loss

Ch 19

Week 13

Nov 22-Nov 28

Sustainable cities

Ch 22

Week 14

Nov 29-Dec 5

Solid & hazardous waste

Economics, Environment & Sustainability

Lecture Exam 4 Ch 13, 15, 16, 19, 20

Ch 21 & 23

Week 15

Dec 6-Dec 12

Politics, Environment & Sustainability

Environmental Worldviews, Ethics & Sustainability

Ch  24 & 25

Week 16

Dec 13-14

Lecture Exam 5 Ch 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Quizzes

15

X

15 points each

=   225 points

Weekly critical thinking exercises

15

X

10 points each

=   150 points

Weekly discussion board

16

X

10 points each

=   160 points

Lecture exams

  5

X

100 points each

=   500 points

TOTAL POINTS

= 1035 points

Letter Grade

Percentages

Total Points

A

100-90

1035-931

B

89-80

930-828

C

79-70

827-724

D

69-60

723-621

E

59-0

620-0