BIOL 2650

ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

Fall 2008

 

Instructor: Tommi Lou Carosella    Office: N257     Phone: 667-3596

e-mail: tcarosella@csustan.edu   textbook website: http://www.aw-bc.com/envscience

Office Hours:   Mon 9:05-10:00, Tues 11:15-12:10,  FRI 1:25-2:15,  or by appointment

Text: Essential Environment 2e. Brennan and Withgott

You can see the powerpoints for this lecture at   http://blackboard.csustan.edu/

 log in with your student ID#,  select  Environmental Biology (BIOL 2650), go to Course Documents or Assignments

Check this web page often for updates and assignments!

 

 

Week

Date

Class Schedule: subject to change as necessary

 

 

1

9/5

Natural Resources, Science, Sustainability  Chap 1  Study Guide 1

 

 

9/8

Chapter 1  Homework 1: What is Important?

 

 

 

9/10

Environmental Economics and Policy Chap 2 Study Guide 2

 

 

 

9/12

Chapter 2  Homework 2: Understanding Science

 

 

 3

9/15

Finish Chapter 2

 

 

 

9/17

Discuss homework 2 Start Environmental Systems Chap 3  Study Guide 3

 

 

 

9/19

Finish Chapter 3   Begin Evolution, Biodiversity, Populations Chap 4 Study Guide 4

 

 

9/22

Chapter 4 

 

 

 

9/24

Finish chapter 4, Species Interactions and Community Ecology  Study Guide 5  

 

 

 

9/26

Finish Chapter 5

 

 

9/29

Exam 1: Chap 1-5    Homework 3: Good Stuff

 

 

 

10/1

Human Population Chapter 6  Study Guide 6   NYTimes: Ecomoms article (optional)

 

 

 

10/3

Chapter 6  Good Stuff Due!

 

 

 6

10/6

Soils, Agriculture, Food Chapter 7  Study Guide 7    Extra Credit 1

 

 

 

10/8

Chapter 7   Water Footprint  website   

 

 

 

10/10

Chapter 7       Homework 4: California Water   Helpful sites for CA Water Homework

 

 

10/13

Columbus day: No Class

 

 

 

10/15

Chapter 7 Soils    CA Water Homework Due 22 points!  Pesticides in Food?

 

 

 

10/17

Chapter 7 Soils and Food 

 

 

10/20

Water Chapter 11  Study Guide Chap 11.1    Mono Lake       Delta Map

 

 

 

10/22

Water  Study Guide 11.2      

 

 

 

10/24

Chapter 11  Plastic Trash in Ocean  More plastic in albatross chicks

 

 

10/27

Chapter 8 Video: Journey to Planet Earth- State of the World's Wildlife

 

 

 

10/29

Exam 2: Chap 6, 7, 11  Sample Questions

 

 

 

10/31

Biodiversity and Conservation Chapter 8   Banksy Art: Humans and  Animals

 

 

10 

11/3

Chapter 8     Study Guide 8      Homework 5

 

 

 

11/5

Chapter 8

 

 

 

11/7

Environmental Health and Toxicology   Chapter 10 Study Guide Chapter 10

 

 

11 

11/10

Video: Journey to Planet Earth- Hot Zones

 

 

 

11/12

Finish Chapter 10  What Are POPs

 

 

 

11/14

Atmosphere and Air pollution Chap 12 pg 271-287 Study Guide 12  

 

12

11/16 Climate Change  Chap 12 pg 288-299  UN Report
  11/18 Chapter 12  Extra Credit 3

 

 

11/20

Global warming maybe a video   Extra Credit 2    Driving Directions to River Site   Fact Sheet

 

13

11/24 Video- Crude Awakening

 

 

11/26

Chapter 13

 

 

 

11/28

No Class: Thanksgiving

 

 

14 

12/1

Nonrenewable Energy Chap 13

 

 

 

12/3

Chap 13 

 

 

 

12/5

Renewable Energy Chap 14 Amory Lovins on Energy

 

 

15 

12/8

Chapter 14

 

 

 

12/15

Final Exam: 11:15-1: 15 Chap 10, part of 11, 12, 13, 14 and video, plus a couple comprehensive questions   

 

 

Check this web page often for updates and assignments!

Note: You may take this class for either a letter grade or credit/no credit. Please decide as soon as possible after the first exam. As in most science courses; 90% and above = A, 80 – 89% = B, 70 – 79% = C, 60 – 69% = D, below 60% = F. Cr = C or above, NC = D or F. 

Read the University catalog for rules applying to withdrawal from the course. Those rules will be followed by this instructor, no exceptions. If you are ill, or have a family emergency that causes you to miss a quiz or exam, you must notify the instructor within 24 hours, either by e-mail, phone, or in person.  I usually grade the exams and give them back by the next class period, so by then it is too late. I may ask you for proof before I allow you to take a makeup exam. DO NOT make the mistake of skipping the next class after the exam. We start right up on the new material.

 There will be 3 exams, each worth about 100 points. Your homework assignments and in class assignments give you a chance to earn points without the pressure of an exam. Try to maximize those points! They can mean the difference between passing/failing, or a B vs. an A.

Important note about the videos: They are not an excuse to skip class. I have chosen the videos to illustrate important points or concepts, that help you understand and visualize the issues. Prior to a video, click on the hyperlink provided, and print the questions. Fill these out as we watch the video. If it is my own video, I will then put it on reserve in the library, for those who wish to see it again, or who were unavoidably absent. Material from the videos will be on the exams.

In addition, there will be frequent IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS, where you will work in groups that are assigned by the instructor. For some of these, you will need to prepare at home, the day or night before, or do follow up work to be discussed in the next class period. You should be willing to interact with your peers, and answer questions in class. Therefore, I expect you to be here and be paying attention! Your group will turn in exercises that will be graded. 

This is a difficult and fast paced course, and like most science courses, it is very content oriented. If you want to do well, DO NOT MISS CLASS!  It pains me to have to say this, but IT IS RUDE TO GET UP AND WALK OUT OF CLASS WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR IS TALKING! IF YOU LEAVE, DON'T COME BACK! YOUR CELL PHONE CALLS CAN WAIT! USE THE BATHROOM BEFORE CLASS. COME ON PEOPLE, THIS IS COLLEGE. If for some reason you know you will have to leave class early, please let me know ahead of time, and sit near the door.

I will not tolerate foul language, disrespect for others, or cheating in my class. Once an exam begins, you may not leave the room until you turn in your exam. Please turn off your cell phone before class. You will not be allowed to answer or check your cell phone once an exam begins.