Instructor

Mrs. Judith Kelly
Office: S-104E Science Building
Office phone: 313-845-9728
jkelly@hfcc.edu   
 

Office Hours

winter 2010
T&R 9-9:30, 11-12:30 and 2-4pm
W 3-5pm

Division Name

Science
 

Course Number & Title

BIO 139 Environmental Science Laboratory
 

Credit Hours

2
 

Meeting Time and Room

Winter 2010 5-8pm  in S-110
 

Total Contact Hours

45
 

Prerequisite

Bio 138 Environmental Science Lecture
 

Co-requisites

Bio 138 Environmental Science Lecture
 

Course Grading Scale

A-E
 

Catalog Description

Current environmental concerns are investigated. Included are 
field trips to local sites during the lab period.   

Particular focus will be given to the Rouge River watershed. 
This course meets once a week for three hours of lab work.

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.      Collect and analyze experimental data.*

2.      Demonstrate use of critical thinking skills in the analysis of experimental data. *

3.      Write formal reports using a standard format.*

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

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

6.      Demonstrate proficiency in the use of basic laboratory equipment.

7.      Analyze current environmental problems.

8.      Interpret topographic maps

9.      Use Geographic Information System software to design maps.

10.  Demonstrate safe handling of equipment and supplies.

*Critical thinking skills evaluated in the laboratory include accurately recording observations, relating new observations to other known facts, phrasing an hypothesis appropriate to the question being investigated, correctly identifying cause and effect for an observed change in an experiment, comparing variable and control, and relating evidence to hypothesis and following safety guidelines.

Course Textbook & Materials

No textbook
USB drive
Calculator
3-ring binder
15 dividers for binder
Lined paper for binder
#2 pencil
 

Web servers

Science Division Server http://sciweb.hfcc.edu/Kelly/Index.htm

UCompass  http://ucompass.henryford.com

Course Grading Policy

Assessment methods for this course include weekly assignments, online activities and formal lab reports.  See the end of this document for the grading points and scale.

Attendance Policy

Each days participation is worth 5 points.  To earn these points you must sign in as soon as you enter the classroom on the sign-in sheet.  Your signature must be in your own handwriting and no one else is allowed to sign your name.  If you forget to sign in you will have forfeited the 5 points permanently.  It is your responsibility to sign in.  It is not the teacher's responsibility to remind students.

The instructor reserves the right to deduct points for tardiness and leaving early.  Class starts on time and lasts the entire three-hour period.  You are not allowed to register for another class whose meeting times overlap with this class.  If you work, it is your responsibility to arrange your work hours so that they do not overlap the class or make you late to class.  If an emergency arises, it is your responsibility to miss as little of class as possible.

Being on time for class shows respect, it allows fellow students to learn effectively, and it increases the chances that all students will be successful. It also demonstrates maturity and responsibility.

Private conversations should be conducted outside of class.

There are no makeups for missed labs.  Work from a missed lab may not be turned in for credit.
 

Conduct

Tape recorders are not permitted in class without the consent of the instructor.

The wearing of headphones is not permitted at any time. 

State law forbids handguns on campus.

If you arrive late to class, please enter the room but wait at the door until you are invited to be seated. It is very impolite and inconsiderate to cross the room in front of or behind the professor while class is in progress, and latecomers will always be asked to join the group in short order. This is not done to embarrass anyone for being late; rather it is done to cause the smallest possible interruption to the teaching/learning process for the professor and everyone else who somehow made it to class on time.

There is to be only one conversation at a time in class unless you are participating in group work or activities; when a student is talking to the class, all "eyes and ears" are on that individual. For some reason, when a student begins to talk by asking or answering a question, it is a signal to all of the other students to begin whispering to one another and to ignore the one who is speaking. The message this sends to the speaker is that her/his comments are worthless and unimportant; we can't have that in college. The spirit of academic life values everyone's opinions, ideas, and questions. Those opinions, ideas, and questions will command everyone's attention.

When you have made an error in action or judgment, accept responsibility gracefully. This is not easy, especially when a printer doesn't work, all parking spots are taken, or a car breaks down. It does no good to try to spread or pass the blame to others; so doing makes you appear to be a person of poor character.

Be considerate of other students and turn off beepers and cell phones before the start of class.

Under no circumstances is talking on cell phones allowed lab (this includes text messaging).  The instructor reserves the right to deduct points from the grade for cell phone use.

On field trips it is not permitted to use cells phones or smoke.

Packets

Packets are readings, activities, and assignments for a particular week that will be placed on the UCompass course management system.  The packet will provide details regarding the readings required for that particular week as well as specifics for the activities and/or assignments that are due that week.  Not every week will have a packet.

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.  The ArcView software has been installed on computers in the Learning Lab.  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 weekly packet.

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.

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 Winter semester 2010, the official college policy for the last day to withdraw from courses is March31, 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://www2.hfcc.edu/resources/policy.htm
• 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, 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.