BIOLOGY 1360 – NATURE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ECOLOGY
COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
John Placyk, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
Office – HPR 110
Office Phone – 903-566-7147
Office hours – T/R 2:00 – 3:00 PM and by appointment
E-mail – [email protected]
MEETING TIME AND PLACE: Tuesday/Thursday 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM in HPR 262
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories by Withgott and Laposata.
Fifth Edition. 2015. Pearson.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course fulfills the STEM core requirement by offering students a broad overview
of the field of environmental studies. This course emphasizes local, regional and global concerns and welcomes
students from all areas. This course satisfies the STEM requirement of the Core Curriculum.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of BIOL 1360, the student should be able to
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describe the field of environmental science
diagnose and illustrate major pressures on the global environment
articulate the concept of sustainability
define ecosystems and evaluate how living and nonliving entities interact in ecosystem-level ecology
explain the process of natural selection and cite evidence for this process
perceive the potential impacts of invasive species in communities and offer solutions to biological
invasions
describe environmental policy and assess its societal context
describe the scope of human population growth
explain the challenges of feeding a growing human population
evaluate the primary causes of biodiversity loss
summarize the ecological and economic contributions of forests
explain the goals of environmental health and identify major environmental health hazards
characterize the environmental and social impacts of mining
assess problems of water supply and propose solutions to address depletion of fresh water
characterize the scope of air pollution and assess solutions
suggest and assess ways we may respond to climate change
assess concerns over the future decline of conventional oil supplies
discuss reasons for seeking alternatives to fossil fuels
delineate the scale of the waste dilemma
analyze environmental impacts and advantages of urban centers
GRADING POLICY: The final grade will be determined as follows:
Exams: Four (4) exams will each be worth 20.0% of the final grade. Exam questions will be multiple
choice, true and false, matching, labeling, and short answer, and will be taken from the text and lectures.
Quizzes: As many as eighteen (18) quizzes worth a total of 10.0% of the final grade will be administered in
class the day following the completion of each chapter. The three quizzes with the worst grades will be
dropped. These in-class quizzes cannot be made up unless accompanied by documentation of a valid excuse
(e.g., a doctor’s note, jury duty, death in the family, etc.).
Book Review: Students will need to choose one book (see list below) to read and review by April 27th.
Reviews should consist of a summarization of the book and any personal thoughts on the material read and will
be worth 10% of the final grade. Reviews should be 3-4 double-spaced pages with no bigger than 11 point
font. Recommended books include: The Song of the Dodo by Quammen, Silent Spring by Carson, Half-Earth
by Wilson, The Future of Life by Wilson, Biophilia by Wilson, A Sand County Almanac by Leopold, Walden
by Thoreau, Nature by Emerson, or another pre-approved book that fits the topics covered in class.
Extra Credit: Students will have the opportunity to gain 5 extra credit points in one of two ways: 1) by
reading and reviewing approved supplementary articles on the topics covered in the class or 2) by attending and
summarizing Biology Department seminars; a list of Spring 2017 departmental seminars can be found on
Blackboard in the Biology Department Seminar Schedule section. You may submit a maximum of 4 extra
credit assignments for a total of 20 points, which will be added to your exam point total when calculating final
grades. All extra credit assignments will be due on April 27th, but students are encouraged to submit them
throughout the semester.
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = below 60
Academic Misconduct: Submitting plagiarized work to meet academic requirements including the representation of
another’s work or ideas as ones own; the unacknowledged word for word use of another persons ideas; and/or the
falsification, fabrication, or dishonesty in reporting research results shall be grounds for charges of academic
misconduct. Any cheating or other type of academic misconduct will be reported to university administration and at
minimum will result in automatic failure of the course.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
To know and understand the policies that affect your rights and responsibilities as a student at UT Tyler, please
follow this link: http://www.uttyler.edu/wellness/StudentRightsandResponsibilities.html
Grade Replacement/Forgiveness
If you are repeating this course for a grade replacement, you must file an intent to receive grade forgiveness with the
registrar ASAP. Failure to do so will result in both the original and repeated grade being used to calculate your
overall grade point average. Undergraduates will receive grade forgiveness (grade replacement) for only three
course repeats; graduates, for two course repeats during his/her career at UT Tyler.
State-Mandated Course Drop Policy
Texas law prohibits a student who began college for the first time in Fall 2007 or thereafter from dropping more
than six courses during their entire undergraduate career. This includes courses dropped at another 2-year or 4-year
Texas public college or university. Exceptions to the 6-drop rule may be found in the catalog. Petitions for
exemptions must be submitted to the Registrar's Office and must be accompanied by documentation of the
extenuating circumstance. Please contact the Registrar's Office if you have any questions.
Disability Services
In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodation must provide documentation of his/her
disability to the Disability Support Services counselor. If you have a disability, including a learning disability, for
which you require an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services office in UC 282, or call (903)
566-7079.
Student Absence due to Religious Observance
Students who anticipate being absent from class due to a religious observance are requested to inform the instructor
of such absences in a timely fashion (e.g., in advance of the actual absence).
Student Absence for University-Sponsored Events and Activities
If you intend to be absent for a university-sponsored event or activity, you (or the event sponsor) must notify the
instructor at least two weeks prior to the date of the planned absence. At that time the instructor will set a date
and time when make-up assignments will be completed.
Social Security and FERPA Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Tyler to protect the confidential nature of social security numbers. The
University has changed its computer programming so that all students have an identification number. The electronic
transmission of grades (e.g., via e-mail) risks violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; grades
will not be transmitted electronically.
Emergency Exits and Evacuation:
Everyone is required to exit the building when a fire alarm goes off. Follow your instructor’s directions regarding
the appropriate exit. If you require assistance during an evacuation, inform your instructor in the first week of class.
Do Not re-enter the building unless given permission by University Police, Fire department, or Fire Prevention
Services.
19
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
LECTURE
Syllabus Review
Science and Sustainability: An Introduction to Environmental Science
Science and Sustainability: An Introduction to Environmental Science
24
26
Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems
Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology
2
3
31
2
Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology
Species Interactions and Community Ecology
3
4
7
9
Species Interactions and Community Ecology
EXAM 1
4
1-4
14
16
Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development
Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development
5
5
21
23
Human Population
Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food
6
7
28
2
Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
7
8
7
9
Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas
EXAM 2
9
5-9
14
16
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
21
23
Environmental Health and Toxicology
Geology, Minerals, and Mining
10
11
27
28
30
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW
Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts
Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts
12
12
Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control
Global Climate Change
13
14
DATE
JAN
17
FEB
MAR
APRIL 4
6
MAY
CHAPTER
1
1
11
13
Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation
EXAM 3
15
10-14
18
20
Renewable Energy Alternatives
Managing Our Waste
16
17
25
27
The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities
Epilogue: Sustainable Solutions
Extra Credit due
Book Review due
18
2-6
EXAM 4
15-18