Environmental Science 100 Syllabus, Spring 2014

Monday/Wednesday 10:45am-12:00pm, Remsen Rm.100

Instructor: Gregory OMullan Office: Science Building, D206 Phone: 718-997-3452 Email: gomullan@qc.cuny.edu Office hours: Weds 1:30- 3:00pm or by appointment. Course goals: Gain knowledge of scientific, social, economical, & political aspects of major environmental issues facing society, including climate change, over-population, the effects of agriculture on the environment, energy conservation, and pollution and waste management. Beyond discussing these environmental challenges, the goal is to address potential solutions and management practices that have been or could be implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of the issues we are currently facing. By the end of this class students should be able to:

1) interpret scientific data portrayed on simple graphs and tables 2) read and understand material assigned from textbook, newspaper, and scientific journal articles 3) gather scientific data, organize in tables, and create charts to analyze data patterns 4) demonstrate an understanding for how biology influences geochemistry of the earth system (e.g.

climate gas production/consumption) 5) develop and articulate viewpoints related to environmental issues

Course materials:

We will use Connect, McGraw-Hills online learning system (www.connect.mheducation.com). Every student will need to have a semester subscription ($85 including eBook) to Connect. Online Quizzes, eBook, SmartBook, and Learn Smart study tools can be found in Connect. Details for how to access and use Connect will be presented in class and posted to blackboard The eBook and Connect subscription can be purchased online from our course link: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/g-omullan-spring-2015 If you would also like a hard copy of the book (hard copy is not required, only Connect access is required), you will have an option of purchasing a loose leaf version of the text for an additional $40 after purchasing the connect subscription, or a hard copy of the book can also be purchased in the College Book storebut please note, you must have access to connect for the online quizzes. Textbook: Principles of Environmental Science, Cunningham, 7th ed. Custom- value addition McGraw Hill, ISBN: 978-1259170621 All students must also have access to Blackboard, Blackboard: http://www.cuny.edu > Portal log-in > Enter login and password > Click course: Ensci100

For Blackboard help: http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/edtech/BlackBoard/Student%20InstructionsV2.0.pdf The course syllabus, announcements, and updates and lecture slides (uploaded in batches after the class) will be available on Blackboard (only until the next exam). It is critical that you check the course website regularly and maintain an active email account where course announcements can be sent. If you need help getting into the Blackboard website, please see the OCT Helpdesk or email helpdesk@qc.cuny.edu Required Supplies: You must have a No. 2 pencils with eraser for exams. I will not provide them.

Course Grading: 60% of the overall course grade is based on lecture and 40% in the laboratory (see lab instructor for details of lab grading). Your lecture grade will consist of: 90% Exams, 10% Quizzes Queens College grade intervals: A:100-93%, A-:90-92%, B+:87-89%, B:83-86%, B-:80-82%, C+:77-79%, C:73-76%, C-:70-72%, D+:67-69%, D:60-66%, F: 59% or below It is important that you do not miss exams, quizzes, or lab assignments; if you do your grade will quickly drop. I typically do not offer extra credit in this class. Exams: Exams will cover material presented in lecture and in the reading material, focused mostly on lecture material. There will be four exams and they will consist primarily of multiple choice. No phones, translators, PDAs, or communication equipment will be allowed during tests. If you need special aide on the exams, please go to Special Services and provide documentation to me at the beginning of the semester. Exams will focus mostly on the material presented since the last exam. However, the final exam will be cumulative. All exams are required. If you take all four exams and score a minimum of 50% on each, the lowest exam grade will be dropped. A missed exam will count as a zero, and your lowest exam grade will not be dropped. Make-up exams are only possible if you have a valid written excuse for missing the test (i.e. a signed doctors note) and you receive permission from me BEFORE the test has occurred. Only in the case of very unusual emergencies will you be allow to take a make up exam if you have not received permission prior to the regular exam and you still should contact me as soon as possible (typically within 24 hours). Make-up exams should occur within one week. Exam dates: If you know you will be absent on any of these dates let me know ASAP! THE EXAM SCHEDULE is currently (subject to change): 2/25, 3/30, 4/29 and the date of the final exam will soon be announced by the college. You MUST be available to take the final exam so do not make travel plans that will cause a conflict during the exam period. The class schedule is subject to change.attend class and check blackboard to stay current. Quizzes: There will be at least four short quizzes, that will be taken via Connect online and they will account for 10% of your lecture grade. I will drop the lowest quiz grade. Expectations: Etiquette: Please turn off your phone before class begins. Taking pictures of lecture slides is not permitted, appropriate materials will be posted to blackboard. If you take pictures you may be asked to leave class and I may no longer post slides to blackboard. If you must come late or leave early, please do so quietly. If you are having trouble hearing the lecture or are distracted by noises around you, please move to the front of the classroom. Talking during exams, quizzes or lectures is not permitted. If you are caught doing something other than taking notes on your computer during class, you will be asked to no longer bring the computer. If you disrupt class, you will be asked to leave lecture. How to excel in this course:

Participate in every lab session and complete lab assignments (40% grade) Come to lecture and lab, having read assignments before class Pay attention and take detailed notes Complete all assignments, including quizzes and tests Ask questions and seek assistance when needed

Assistance: There will be time in most lectures for questions, but lecture time is limited. Attend office hours for more specific questions. Actively seek assistance for weaknesses in study skills, math, and reading comprehension. Contact the Academic Skills Center (718-997-5670) if you need extra assistance.

Disability Support Services: If you have a disability that may impact your course work, please contact the Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities (111 Frese Hall, 718-977-5870). They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. Academic honesty: Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to plagiarism and/or cheating on examinations and papers. Any student, who engages in an activity that is academically dishonest, is subject to disciplinary charges, as is any student who knowingly aids another who engages in them. Cheating will not be tolerated in this class. If you cheat, you will receive a zero on that exam, quiz, or assignment. please review: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf

Lecture Schedule (subject to change with proper notice)

Date Class Topic Textbook Reading* Weds 1/28 1 Introduction to Class Ch. 1 Mon 2/2 2 Historical Context and Intro to Env. Science Ch. 1 Weds 2/ 4 3 Introduction to Matter, Energy & reading graphs Ch. 2 Mon 2/9 4 Ecological Principles, intro to biogeochemistry Ch. 2, 3 and 12 Weds 2/11 5 Human Population Ch. 4 Mon 2/16 NO CLASS Weds 2/18 6 Environmental Health, Hazards, Risk Ch. 8 (8.1-8.3) Mon 2/23 7 Environmental Health, Pollution, Toxicology Ch. 8 (8.4-8.7)

Weds 2/25 8 Exam 1 Classes 1 through 7

Mon 3/2 9 Atmosphere- Structure and circulation Ch. 9 Weds 3/ 4 10 Inconvenient Truth and discussion Mon 3/9 NO CLASS Weds 3/11 11 Climate Change I: mechanisms Ch. 9, & IPCC sum on Blackboard Mon 3/16 12 Climate Change II: strategies and solutions Ch. 9, & Pacalla & Socolow paper Weds 3/18 13 Air Pollution, microbial aerosols and indoor air Ch. 10 & TBA resource Mon 3/23 14 Energy Resources I: Nonrenewable Ch. 13 (13.1-13.3) Weds 3/25 15 Energy Resources II: Sustainable Ch. 13 (13.4-13.9) Mon 3/30 16 Exam 2 Classes 9 - 15 Weds 4/1 17 Nitrogen cycle and biogeochemistry TBA Mon 4/6 NO CLASS Wed 4/8 NO CLASS Mon 4/13 18 Hydrologic cycle and freshwater; drinking water Ch. 11 Weds 4/15 19 Coasts, Estuaries, Oceans Ch. 11 Mon 4/20 20 Water Engineering- drinking and waste Ch. 11 Weds 4/22 21 Water Quality- case studies Online resources: TBA Mon 4/27 22 Partial movie- FLOW and discussion Weds 4/29 23 Exam 3- Classes 17-22 Mon 5/4 24 Agriculture: Feeding the planet and Food Choices Ch.7 Weds 5/6 25 Soils Ch. 7 Mon 5/11 26 Solid Waste Ch. 14 Weds 5/13 27 Urbanization and Exam Review Ch. 15 and 16 Final

Monday 5/18 Exam 4 cumulative but focused on classes 24

through 27 Finals Week *Additional readings may be posted on Blackboard