ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY

Spring 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 1:25-2:15,  Thur 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 Content

Check this web page often for updates and assignments!

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 about100 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.  In addition, you will be asked to evaluate your group members. Your individual grade on the assignments will be the group grade multiplied by a % that is the average of the grade your peers give you, for preparedness and participation. For example, your group receives 10/10 points on an exercise. Your group members assign you a 3, which is equivalent to an 85%. Your individual grade for that exercise is 8.5/10. (If you are absent for an exercise, but turn it in by e-mail, or the next class period, you may get partial credit.)

The Peer evaluation scale is as follows:

4 = 100% student is always prepared, makes an excellent contribution to group exercises

3 = 85%  student is usually prepared, makes a good contribution to group exercises

2 = 70% sometimes prepared, okay contribution

1 = 55% rarely prepared, little or no contribution to group

Please do expect your peers to be honest. If your peer grades are way out of line with your exam grades, or if there appears to be "grade fixing", I will reassign  or reshuffle group members.

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!

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.