Biology 113 - People and the Environment Fall 2005

Instructor: Jim Taulman

General Information

Course Description – This course provides information on the workings of ecological systems in the natural world. The impact of human activities on these natural systems comprises a major thrust of the material presented. Opportunities for lessening human impacts on the natural world and for restoring damaged ecosystems and processes are discussed.

Prerequisite – College Success 103 with grade of C or better.

Learning Objectives – It is expected that the student will become familiar with concepts of environmental science, with human impacts on the natural world, and ideas for solutions for global environmental problems. Evaluation will be made through scheduled exams.

Conferences – Student conferences will be by appointment. If you need to meet with me email or call and set up a time to meet before or after class. I can be contacted at: 605-745-3959 or by email at: jtaulman@olc.edu

Attendance – You should make a commitment to come to every class on time. If you have a schedule conflict with this class and are not going to be able to attend class regularly, drop it and take it again another semester. If you are regularly late, your grade will reflect that lack of interest in the class.

A student may be dropped after 3 consecutive absences and will automatically be dropped after 5 total absences. Partial attendance will accumulate to class absences. If you miss half of the 3 hour class you will not get credit for attending that class.

Your reasons for missing class will be assumed to be valid. The point is that your absence from 5 classes will not allow you to be exposed to enough of the class discussion to get credit for taking the course. If you miss 5 classes you will have to take the class over to get credit for it.

Book – The text for this course is Environmental Science, A Global Concern, by Cunningham, Cunningham, and Saigo. It is available in the bookstore at Piya Wiconi.

Homework – Work assignments will consist of reading and being familiar with chapters in the textbook for each class period. Individuals will be asked to explain and interpret ideas described in chapters covered each class period.

Grading – Four tests will be given, the lowest grade will be dropped. The other 3 tests will count for 90% of the final grade. The remaining 10% of the grade will consist of the individual report. Do not plan on being able to change a grade after the semester is over. Take time during the semester to get the most out of the course. After the semester is over your work in this class is done.

A = 90 - 100

B = 80 - 89

C = 70 - 79

D = 60 – 69

F = 59 and below

Reports – During the semester each person will create a personal project to demonstrate his/her respect for the earth, people, and our environment. During the last class period before the final exam each person will share with the class information about that project and including any interesting results that arose from it.

Possible ideas might include starting a home or community recycling effort, assisting an elderly person with chores around the home or transportation, or some other home or community project to make a positive impact on your environment. Use your imagination and think of some way to use your own interests and abilities to make a difference, even in a small way, to your own world.

Field Trips – I will schedule a field trip during the semester. This will probably take place on a weekend in order to allow sufficient driving time and so as not to conflict with your other classes. Participation in the field activity will be optional. Those who participate will receive 3 bonus points added to their final course grade average.
Biology 113 - People and the Environment Fall 2005

Instructor: Jim Taulman, 605-745-3959, jtaulman@olc.edu

Lecture (4 tests, 1 project/report) Chapter

Aug. 30 – Environmental Science 1

Sept. 6 – Enviromental philosophy, ethics, matter, energy 2, 3

Sept. 13 – Biological communities, biomes, landscapes 4, 5

Sept. 20– Test #1. Population dynamics, human population 6, 7

Sept. 27– Ecological economics, environmental health, toxicology 8, 21, 23

Oct. 4 – Environmental policy, food, agriculture, pest control 9, 10

Oct. 11 – Biodiversity, Forests and Rangelands 11, 12

Oct. 18 – Test #2.

Oct. 25 - Weather, climate, air pollution 15, 16

Nov. 1 - Water, water pollution 17, 18

Nov. 8 – Conventional energy, environmental geology 14, 19

Nov. 15 – Test #3, Renewable energy 20

Nov. 22 – Urbanization, environmental policy and law 22, 24

Nov. 29 – Reports, What shall we do, nature preservation 25, 13

Dec. 6 – Final Test