School of Natural Resources and Environment
A university-wide program in ecology, environmental science, and sustainability
Introduction to Environmental Science EVR2001Section1F81(3credithours)
SpringSemester2017
TuesdayPeriods8‐9(3PM‐4:55PM)
andThursday,Period9(4:05PM‐4:55PM)inFineArtsBRoom103
TeachingAssistant
Instructor
JenniferAdler
DannyCoenen,Ph.D. OfficeLocation:TBA
OfficeLocation:McCartyD,Room2047
OfficeHours:TBA
OfficeHours:T12–1:30orbyappt.
E‐mail:[email protected]
Email:[email protected]
Phone:TBA
Phone:TBA
Coursewebsite:Canvas(http://elearning.ufl.edu/)
CourseDescription
Deliveredfromasystemsperspective,aninterdisciplinaryapproachexplorescontemporaryenvironmentsthatare
comprisedofbothhumanandnon‐humanelements.Exploresphysical,chemical,andbiologicalprocessesto
understandpressingenvironmentalchallengesandculturalvalues,attitudes,andnormsexpressedbyindividuals
andpopulationsaroundtheglobe.
CourseOverviewandPurpose
EnvironmentalScienceisaninterdisciplinaryacademicfieldthatintegratesphysical,biological,andsocialsciences
forthestudyofenvironmentalsystems,processes,constraints,andproblems.Throughouthistory,naturehas
contributedtoshapinghumanculture.Inturn,agrowinghumanpopulationandcontinuedeconomicand
technologicaldevelopmentsubjectstheenvironmentsofourplanettoalargenumberofstresses,insomecases
threateningtheirpersistenceandoftenresultinginundesirableconsequencesforhumanity.Theinterdependence
ofphysical,biological,andculturalaspectsinshapingcontemporaryenvironmentsliesattheheartof
environmentalscience.
Thisgeneraleducationcourseintroducesstudentstoenvironmentalscienceasanacademicfieldtoimprovetheir
environmentalliteracywhiledevelopingskillsinscientificreasoning,interdisciplinarythinkingandanalysisof
complexsocial‐ecologicalenvironmentalissues.Heavyemphasisisplacedoninternationalperspectiveson
environmentalproblemsandsolutionstoemphasizetheimportantroleofcultureinenvironmentalmatters.
Prerequisites
None
RequiredTextbook
WilliamP.CunninghamandMaryAnnCunningham.EnvironmentalScience,13thEdition.2015.ISBN:
9780073532547.
AdditionalrequiredreadingswillbemadeaccessibleviaCanvas.
GeneralEducationObjectivesandStudentLearningOutcomes
Thiscourseisaphysical(P)andbiological(B)sciencesaswellasInternational(N)subjectareacourseintheUF
GeneralEducationProgram.
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Biologicalsciencecoursesprovideinstructioninthebasicconcepts,theoriesandtermsofthescientificmethodin
thecontextofthelifesciences.Coursesfocusonmajorscientificdevelopmentsandtheirimpactsonsociety,
scienceandtheenvironment,andtherelevantprocessesthatgovernbiologicalsystems.Studentswillformulate
empirically‐testablehypothesesderivedfromthestudyoflivingthings,applylogicalreasoningskillsthrough
scientificcriticismandargument,andapplytechniquesofdiscoveryandcriticalthinkingtoevaluateoutcomesof
experiments.
Physicalsciencecoursesprovideinstructioninthebasicconcepts,theoriesandtermsofthescientificmethodin
thecontextofthephysicalsciences.Coursesfocusonmajorscientificdevelopmentsandtheirimpactsonsociety,
scienceandtheenvironment,andtherelevantprocessesthatgovernphysicalsystems.Studentswillformulate
empirically‐testablehypothesesderivedfromthestudyofphysicalprocesses,applylogicalreasoningskills
throughscientificcriticismandargument,andapplytechniquesofdiscoveryandcriticalthinkingtoevaluate
outcomesofexperiments.
Internationalcoursesprovideinstructioninthevalues,attitudesandnormsthatconstitutethecontemporary
culturesofcountriesoutsidetheUnitedStates.Thesecoursesleadstudentstounderstandhowgeographiclocation
andsocioeconomicfactorsaffecttheseculturesandthelivesofcitizensinothercountries.Throughanalysisand
evaluationofthestudent’sownculturalnormsandvaluesinrelationtothoseheldbythecitizensofother
countries,theywilldevelopacross‐culturalunderstandingoftherestofthecontemporaryworld.
Thesegeneraleducationobjectiveswillbeaccomplishedinthecontextofthiscoursethroughthefollowing
objectives:
1) Studentswillunderstandtheprocessofscientificinquiryandgaintheabilitytoapplyscientificprinciples
incross‐culturalandinterdisciplinarycontexts.
2) Studentswillbeabletoexplainthatecosystemsarecomprisedofphysicalandbiologicalelementswhose
interactionsengenderecosystemfunctionsthatprovidehumanitywithadiversearrayofecological
services.
3) Studentswillbeabletodescribethecomplexanddiverserelationshipsbetweenhumansandenvironments
aroundtheworld,includinghowculturalvaluesshapepatternsofresourceuseandvaluationofecological
services.
4) Studentswillbeabletocompareandcontrastnon‐renewable,exhaustible,andinexhaustiblematerialand
energyresources,thephysicalandbiologicalprocessesthroughwhichtheyarecreated,andassociated
environmentalconstraints.
5) Studentswillbeabletodevelopandcommunicateinterdisciplinaryapproachestoevaluatingand
proposingsolutionsforenvironmentalproblems,takingintoaccountscientificandsocioeconomic
information,includingculturalandpoliticalconstraints.
6) Studentswillgaintheabilitytoconsiderenvironmentalimpactsofbehaviors,choices,andactivitiesinto
everydaydecisionmakingintheirpersonallives.
Specificweeklylearningoutcomesarelistedinthecoursetimeline.Attheendofthecourse,studentswillhave
achievedthefollowingstudentlearningoutcomes(SLOs)incontent,communication,andcriticalthinking:
Category
Content
InstitutionalDefinition
InstitutionalSLO
Contentisknowledgeoftheterminology,
Studentsdemonstratecompetenceinthe
concepts,methodologiesandtheoriesusedwithin terminology,concepts,methodologiesand
thesubjectarea.
theoriesusedwithinthesubjectarea.
1.) Studentswillidentify,describe,andexplainthebasicconcepts,theoriesandterminologyof
naturalscienceandthescientificmethodinenvironmentalscience.Theywillidentify,
describe,andexplainthemajorscientificdevelopmentswithinthesubjectareaandthe
impactsonsocietyandtheenvironment.Theywillidentify,describe,andexplainrelevant
processesthatgovernbiologicalandphysicalsystemswithinthesubjectarea.
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Implementation:Throughlecture,discussion,readings,andactivities,studentswillacquire
knowledgeofthephysicalandbiologicalstructuresandprocessesthatshapeEarth’s
ecosystems,naturalresources,andenvironmentalissues.
Assessment:Achievementoftheselearningoutcomeswillbeassessedthroughtwo
examinations,threequizzes,weeklyengagementpreparationassignments,andgradedin‐
classactivities(partofstudents’classattendanceandengagementgrade).
2.) Studentswillidentify,describe,andexplainthevalues,attitudesandnormsthatshapethe
culturaldifferencesofpeopleswholiveincountriesotherthantheUnitedStates.Theywill
identify,describe,andexplaintherolesofgeographiclocationandsocioeconomicfactorson
thelivesofcitizensinothercountries.
Implementation:Throughlecture,discussion,readings,andactivities,studentswillacquire
knowledgeofhowEarth’secosystems,naturalresources,andenvironmentalissuesvaryby
geographiclocation,andhowtheyaredifferentlyimpactedbyhumanityinvariouscultural
contexts.
Assessment:Achievementoftheselearningoutcomeswillbeassessedthroughtwo
examinations,threequizzes,weeklyengagementpreparationassignments,andin‐class
activities(partofstudents’classattendanceandengagementgrade).
Critical
Thinking
Criticalthinkingischaracterizedbythe
comprehensiveanalysisofissues,ideas,and
evidencebeforeacceptingorformulatingan
opinionorconclusion.
Studentscarefullyandlogicallyanalyze
informationfrommultipleperspectivesand
developreasonedsolutionstoproblems
withinthesubjectarea.
1.) Studentswillformulateempirically‐testablehypothesesderivedfromthestudyofphysical
processesorlivingthingswithinthesubjectarea.Theywillapplylogicalreasoningskills
effectivelythroughscientificcriticismandargumentwithinthesubjectarea.Theywillapply
techniquesofdiscoveryandcriticalthinkingeffectivelytosolveexperimentsandtoevaluate
outcomes.
Implementation:Criticalthinkingiskeytounderstandingthecomplexsocial‐ecological
systemsthatshapeourplanet,andrequiredtogaintangibleskillsneededtoapplyscientific
principlesnecessarytoaddresscontemporaryandemergingenvironmentalissues.Akey
partofcriticalthinkinginscienceistheformulationofhypothesesandapplyingsound
methodologiestoobservationallyorexperimentallysupportorrejectthesehypotheses.
Theseskillswillbetaughttostudentsthroughlectureandreadingmaterials,andapplied
throughdiscussion,activities,andassignments.
Assessment:Achievementofthislearningoutcomewillbeassessedthroughmultiplemeans.
Studentswillworkwithphysical,biological,andhybriddatasetsforhypothesisformulation
andtestingaspartofengagementpreparationassignmentsandgradedin‐classactivities.
Theinternationalenvironmentalcasestudypresentationassignmentpromptsteamsof
studentstoapplyscientificskillstoproposebiologicallyandphysicallypossible,
economicallyfeasible,andculturallyappropriatesolutionstoenvironmentalproblems.The
finalessaywillpromptstudentstocriticallyreflectonhowmateriallearnedthroughoutthe
semesterhasinfluencedtheirpersonalandprofessionaloutlookonenvironmentalissues.
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2.) Studentswillanalyzeandevaluatetheirownculturalnormsandvaluesinrelationtothose
heldbycitizensinothercountries.
Implementation:Studentswillcompareandcontrastcourseconceptsastheyapplyto
internationalcasestudiestohighlightcommonaltiesandkeydifferencesinhow
environmentalproblemsariseandareaddressedindifferentculturalandsocioeconomic
contexts.Thesecasestudiesarepartoftheweeklycurriculumandwillbeexploredthrough
lecture,discussion,andactivities.
Assessment:Fortheglobalarticleanalysisassignments,studentswillcriticallycompare
internationalanddomesticperspectivesonenvironmentaltopics.Theinternational
environmentalcasestudypresentationassignmentpromptsteamsofstudentstoapply
scientificskillstoproposebiologicallyandphysicallypossible,economicallyfeasible,and
culturallyappropriatesolutionstoenvironmentalproblems.In‐classactivities(partof
students’classattendanceandengagementgrade)complementassessmentofthislearning
objective.
Communication Communicationisthedevelopmentand
expressionofideasinwrittenandoralforms.
Studentsclearlyandeffectively
communicateknowledge,ideas,and
reasoninginwrittenororalforms
appropriatetothesubjectarea.
1.) Studentswillcommunicatescientificfindingsclearlyandeffectivelyusingoral,written
and/orgraphicforms.
Implementation:Beingabletocommunicatescientificconceptsclearly,bothorallyandin
writing,areessentialskills.Thisincludestheabilitytocommunicatescientificandsocial
aspectsofenvironmentalissues.
Assessment:Achievementofthislearningoutcomewillbeassessedthroughstudents’
participationinclassdiscussions(partofstudents’classattendanceandengagementgrade),
theclarityofinformationdisseminationintheinternationalcasestudypresentation,andthe
variouswritingassignmentsinthisclass.
Grading Policies Thefinalgradeforthiscourseisbasedona1000‐pointscaleandwillbeweightedasfollows:
GradeComponent Points Percentage
ClassAttendanceandEngagement
100 10.0%
EngagementPreparation(12×10points)
120 12.0% GlobalArticleAnalyses(3×40points)
120 12.0%
InternationalEnvironmentalCaseStudyPresentation 150 15.0%
FinalEssay
135 13.5%
Quizzes(3×25points)
75
7.5%
Exam1
150 15.0%
Exam2
150 15.0%
Total 1000 100%
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Gradingscale
Grade Points
Percent
Grade Points
Percent
A:
930‐1000 93.0‐100.0% C:
730‐769 73.0‐76.9%
A‐
900‐929 90.0‐92.9% C‐
700‐729 70.0‐72.9%
B+:
870‐899 87.0‐89.9% D+:
670‐699 67.0‐69.9%
B:
830‐869 83.0‐86.9% D:
630‐669 63.0‐66.9%
B‐
800‐829 80.0‐82.9% D‐
600‐629 60.0‐62.9%
C+:
770‐799 77.0‐79.9% E:
0‐599
0.0‐59.9%
ClassAttendanceandEngagement:Studentssignificantlycontributetocreatingacomfortableandproductive
learningenvironmentbyattendingandparticipatinginclass.Studentsareencouragedtochallengethemselvesand
others’ideasandthoughtsinacollegialmanner.Eachstudent’scontributionisvaluabletoourclass.Iencourage
questionsandsharingofrelevantexperiences!Gradesarebasedonattendance,aswellasfrequencyandqualityof
studentcontributionstotheclass,includingin‐classactivities.
EngagementPreparation:Eachweek,studentscompletereadingsandrespondtoquestionsthatreinforcetheread
material.Theseassignmentstypicallytaketheformof400‐500wordessays.Emphasiswillbeplacedon
developingandapplyingscientificreasoningskills,suchasformulatinghypothesesandinterpretingempirical
data.Thereare12totalengagementpreparationstobecompletedduringthesemester.Responsestoquestionsare
tobesubmittedonlinenolaterthanthebeginningofclassontheduedate.Gradesarebasedonqualityand
completenessoftheworksubmitted.
GlobalArticleAnalysis:Foreachglobalarticleanalysis,studentsidentifyanenvironmentaltopiccoveredinclass
andlocatetworelatedarticles(news,popular,orrefereed).Onearticlewillcoverthetopicfromadomestic
perspective,whiletheotherarticlecoversthesametopicfromaninternationalperspective.Studentscritically
analyzethebiological,physical,andculturaldifferencesbetweendomesticandinternationalperspectivesonthe
selectedtopicinan800‐1000wordessay.Therearethreetotalglobalarticleanalyses,whicharedueby9:00PM
ontheduedate.Gradingisbasedonqualityandcompletenessoftheworksubmitted,aswellasclarityofwriting.
InternationalEnvironmentalCaseStudyPresentation:Teamsofstudentsapplyscientificmethodologytoformulate
anddisseminateabiologicallyandphysicallypossible,economicallyfeasible,andculturallyappropriatesolutionto
acontroversialenvironmentalissueoutsideoftheUnitedStatestotheclass.Teampresentationsarenomorethan
10minutesinlength,andcreativityofvisualandoraldisseminationmethodsisencouraged.Gradingisbasedon
clarityandqualityofpresentationmaterialsandnarration,plausibilityoftheproposedsolution,andcreativityin
presentationdesignandinformationdissemination.
FinalEssay:Uponcompletionoftheclass,studentswillwritea1200‐1500wordreflectionessayhighlightingthe
impactofclassonthestudentasanindividualandwaysinwhichtheclasschangedhowthestudentapproaches
environmentalscienceissuesonpersonalandprofessionallevels.Gradingisbasedonthequalityofwritingand
cohesivenessofthenarrative,andspecificitywithrespecttoreferencingparticularmaterials,assignments,and
activities.
Quizzes:Therewillbefouronlinequizzestoassessifstudentsarekeepingupwithandunderstandingcourse
materials.Thesemaybeannouncedonshortnotice.Thelowestquizgradewillbedropped.
Exams:Therearetwo50‐minuteexamsduringthesemesterthatwillassesscomprehensionofcoursecontent
usingavarietyofquestionstyles,includingmultiplechoice,fill‐in‐the‐blank,shortanswer,andmatching.Grading
isbasedonthenumberofcorrectanswers.
SpecificgradingcriteriaforeachassignmentwillbeprovidedviaCanvas.Studentsareresponsibleformaintaining
duplicatecopiesofallworksubmittedinthiscourseandretainingallreturned,gradedworkuntilthesemesteris
over.Shouldtheneedariseforare‐submissionofpapersorareviewofgradedsubmissions,itisthestudent’s
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responsibilitytomakethesematerialsavailable.Incaseofagradingdispute,studentsmustnotifytheinstructor
viae‐mailwithinthreedaysofthedatetheassignmentisreturnedinclassoronCanvas.
InformationoncurrentUFgradingpoliciesforassigninggradepointscanbefoundat
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx.AminimumgradeofCisrequiredforgeneral
educationcredit.
Course Policies AttendancePolicy:Attendanceistakendaily.Studentsarepermittedtwounexcusedabsenceswithoutgrade
penalty.Additionalunexcusedabsencesincurascoreofzerofortheday’sClassAttendanceandEngagement.Point
deductionsmayalsobeincurredforrepeatedtardiness.Ifastudentaccumulatesmorethaneightunexcused
absencesduringthesemester,theywillreceiveanautomaticgradeofEforthecourse.
Absencesduetoacademicconferences,religiousholidays,andcertainuniversity‐sponsoredeventswillbeexcused
ifappropriatedocumentationisprovidedaheadoftime.Absencesduetoillnesswillbeexcusedifadoctor’snoteis
providedwithinoneweekofreturningtoclass.Undocumentedillnesseswillnotbeexcused.
Ifabsent,itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytomakethemselvesawareofallduedatesviathecoursee‐learningsite
and/orcontactingtheinstructor.Studentsarestillresponsibleforturningassignmentsinontimeunlessan
extensionhasbeenrequestedviae‐mailandapprovedbytheinstructorpriortothedeadline.Incaseoftrue
documentedemergencies,theinstructormaywaivethisrequirementathisdiscretion.
Make‐upPolicy:Workmissedduetoexcusedabsencescanbemadeup.Forabsencesexcusedaheadoftime,the
instructorwilldevelopamake‐upplanandschedule.Incaseofdocumentedillnessesoremergencies,
arrangementsforcompletingmake‐upexamsorassignmentsshouldbemadeuponreturntoclass.Ifexperiencing
trulyextenuatingcircumstancesresultinginlongerabsences,theinstructorshouldbenotifiedassoonaspossible
todevelopaplantomakeupmissedwork.Anyrequestsformake‐upsduetotechnicalissuesmustbe
accompaniedbytheticketnumberfrome‐LearningSupportServiceswhentheproblemwasreportedtothem.The
ticketnumberwilldocumentthetimeanddateoftheproblem.Theinstructormustbee‐mailedwithin24hoursof
thetechnicaldifficultyifyouwishtorequestamake‐up.PleaserefertothesectionofCampusHelpingResourcesin
thissyllabusforcontactinformationforthee‐LearningSupportServices.
Moreinformationregardingclassattendanceandmake‐uppoliciesforclassworkareconsistentwithUniversityof
Floridapoliciesandcanbefoundat:https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx.
LateWork:Foreachdaywrittenassignmentsaresubmittedlate,Iwillsubtract10%fromtheassignmentgrade.If
theassignmentismorethanfivedayslate,ascoreof0willbeentered.Ihighlyrecommendstartingworkon
assignmentsearlytoprecludeunexpectedemergenciesorlate‐semesterstressfromcompromisingyourgrade.
Deadlineextensionsmaybeavailableoncertainassignmentsifrequestedaheadoftimeviae‐mail.Ifextended
deadlinesarenotmet,latepenaltieswillbeassessedbasedontheoriginal,nottherevisedduedate!
Finally,pleasedonotwaituntiltheendofthesemestertodiscussproblemswiththecoursematerialor
performanceinclass.YourperformanceandsuccessareimportanttotheinstructorandUniversityofFlorida,so
pleasecontacttheinstructortodiscussyourconcernsassoonastheyarise.
Engagementpreparationsmustbesubmittedontheduedate;nocreditwillbegivenforengagementpreparations
thataresubmittedonalaterday.
OfficeHours:Pleasetakeadvantageofofficehourstodiscussanyquestionsorconcerns.Theinstructormayalso
requestthatastudentvisithisofficehour.Ifyoucannotbepresentfortheregularlyscheduledofficehour,the
instructorwillattempttoaccommodateyouatanalternatetime.
CourseCommunicationsandTechnology:Thepreferredwaytogetaholdofmeoutsideofclassandofficehours
isviae‐mailaddressedtodcoenen@ufl.edu.AllstudentsareexpectedtocheckthecoursewebsiteonCanvas
(http://elearning.ufl.edu)onadailybasis.Pleaseensurethatyouhaveaccesstothisservice.Gradesareposted
there.
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University of Florida Policies AcademicHonestyandPlagiarism
AcademichonestyandintegrityarefundamentalvaluesoftheUniversitycommunity.UniversityofFlorida
studentsareboundbyTheHonorPledge,whichstates“We,themembersoftheUniversityofFloridacommunity,
pledgetoholdourselvesandourpeerstothehigheststandardsofhonestyandintegritybyabidingbytheHonorCode.
OnallworksubmittedforcreditbystudentsattheUniversityofFlorida,thefollowingpledgeiseitherrequiredor
implied:“Onmyhonor,Ihaveneithergivennorreceivedunauthorizedaidindoingthisassignment”.”TheUFHonor
Codeisavailableinitsfullformathttp://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student‐conduct‐honor‐code/.It
specifiesanumberofbehaviorsthatareinviolationofthiscodeandthepossiblesanctions.Youshouldbesureto
readandunderstandtheHonorCodeinitsentirety.Furthermore,youareobligatedtoreportanyconditionsthat
facilitatesacademicmisconducttoappropriatepersonnel.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleaseconsult
withtheinstructorofthisclass.
TheinstructoremphasizesthatPLAGIARISM,WHETHERINTENTIONALORUNINTENTIONAL,ISASERIOUS
ANDPOTENTIALLYCAREER‐ENDINGFORMOFACADEMICMISCONDUCT.
SoftwareUse
AllUFfaculty,staffandstudentsarerequiredandexpectedtoobeythelawsandlegalagreementsgoverning
softwareuse.Failuretodosocanleadtomonetarydamagesand/orcriminalpenaltiesfortheindividualviolator.
Becausesuchviolationsarealsoagainstuniversitypoliciesandrules,appropriatedisciplinaryactionwillbetaken.
StudentswithDisabilities
StudentsrequestingaccommodationfordisabilitiesmustfirstregisterwiththeDisabilityResourceCenter(DRC).
TheDRCcoordinatestheneededaccommodationsofstudentswithdisabilities.Thisincludesregistering
disabilities,recommendingacademicaccommodationswithintheclassroom,accessingspecialadaptivecomputer
equipment,providinginterpretationservicesandmediatingfaculty‐studentdisabilityrelatedissues.Upon
registering,theDRCwillprovidedocumentationtothestudentwhomustthenprovidethisdocumentationtothe
instructorwhenrequestingaccommodation.Youmustsubmitthisdocumentationpriortosubmittingassignments
ortakingquizzesorexams.Accommodationsarenotretroactive,therefore,studentsshouldcontacttheofficeas
soonaspossibleinthetermforwhichtheyareseekingaccommodations.TheDRCmaybecontactedbyvisiting
001ReidHall,calling352‐392‐8565,orvisitingtheirwebsiteatwww.dso.ufl.edu/drc/.
CourseEvaluation
Studentsareexpectedtoprovidefeedbackonthequalityofinstructioninthiscoursebycompletingonline
evaluationsathttps://evaluations.ufl.edu.Evaluationsaretypicallyopenduringthelasttwoorthreeweeksofthe
semester.Studentswillbegivenspecifictimeswhentheevaluationsareavailable.Summaryresultsofthese
assessmentsareavailabletostudentsathttps://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/.
Campus Helping Resources Yourwell‐beingisimportanttomeandtheUniversityofFloridacommunity.Studentsexperiencingcrisesor
personalproblemsthatinterferewiththeirgeneralwell‐beingoracademicperformancearestronglyencouraged
totalktotheinstructorortakeadvantageoftheuniversity’scounselingresources,availableatnocostforcurrently
enrolledstudents.
 UniversityCounselingCenter&WellnessCenter,3190RadioRd.,392‐1575.Personalandcareercounseling,as
wellastherapyforanxiety,stressandmentalhealthissues.http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/
 DeanofStudentsOffice,202PeabodyHall,392‐1261.Amongotherservices,theDSOassistsstudentswhoare
experiencingsituationsthatcompromisestheirabilitytoattendclasses.Thisincludesfamilyemergenciesand
medicalissues(includingmentalhealthcrises).https://www.dso.ufl.edu/care
 TeachingCenter,BrowardHall,392‐2010or392‐6420.Generalstudyskillsandtutoring.
http://teachingcenter.ufl.edu/
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 WritingStudio,302TigertHall,846‐1138.Helpbrainstorming,formatting,andwritingpapers.
http://writing.ufl.edu/writing‐studio/
 LibrarySupport,http://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/ask.Variouswaystoreceiveassistancewithrespecttousingthe
librariesorfindingresources.
 E‐learningtechnicalsupport,352‐392‐4357(selectoption2)ore‐mailtoLearning‐[email protected].
https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help.shtml.
 SexualAssaultRecoveryServices(SARS),StudentHealthCareCenter,392‐1161.Sexualassaultcounseling.
 CareerResourceCenter,ReitzUnion,392‐1601.Careerassistanceandcounseling.http://www.crc.ufl.edu/
 UniversityPoliceDepartment,392‐1111(or9‐1‐1foremergencies).http://www.police.ufl.edu/
Course Topics, Timeline, and Detailed Learning Objectives Eachweek,wewillexploreanenvironmentalsciencetopicfromacross‐cultural,internationalperspective.Classmeetings
providecontentthroughlecture,discussion,andactivities.
Date Topic SpecificFoci AssignmentsDue
Jan5‐10
Understandingthe
WhatisEnvironmentalScience? none
GlobalEnvironment
Scientificprocessandinquiry
Majorenvironmentalissues
Humanandculturalpressures
LearningObjectivesinPhysical(P)/Biological(B),andInternational(N)SubjectAreas:
P/B:Studentswillreviewwhatscienceis,howscientificresearchisconductedanddisseminated,andbeintroducedto
environmentalscienceasaninterdisciplinaryacademicfield.Inteams,studentswillbeassignedaphysicalorbiological
scienceissueandwillpracticehowtoformulatevalidhypothesesandproposemethodologiesfortestingtheirhypotheses.
N:Studentswillbeintroducedtotheimportanceofculturalandsocioeconomiccontextsinenvironmentalsciencethroughan
overviewofenvironmentalissuesindifferentcountries.
Jan12‐17
GeologyandBiogeochemistry BiogeochemicalCycles(C,N,P) EngagementPrep.1(Jan12)
GeologyandEarthSystems
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswillunderstandhowcarbon,nitrogen,andphosphoruscyclethroughtheearthsystemviaphysical,chemical,
andbiologicalpathways.Studentswillreviewhowplatetectonicscreatesadynamicplanetwithvolcanismandearthquakes.
N:Studentswillexploredifferencesinresiliencetonaturaldisastersbetweendifferentcountriesbycomparingimpactsofthe
2010Haitiearthquakeandthe2011TōhokuearthquakeinJapan.
Jan19‐26
Ecosystems
Biomes‐GlobalPatternofLife EngagementPrep.2(Jan19)
Ecosystemstructure
Ecosystemfunctions
Ecosystemservices
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswilllearnwhatbiomesareandhowclimaticconstraintsaretheprimarydriverofdifferentiationbetweenthem.
Studentswillfurthergainanunderstandinghowecosystemstructureandfunctionengenderecologicalservicesbenefitting
humanity.
N:Culturalservicesareoneofthefourmajorcategoriesofecosystemservices.Studentswillexplorehownatureshapes
humancultureandwell‐beingindifferentcontexts,andhowculturalvaluesshapenaturalresourceextractionpreferencesand
patterns.
Jan31‐Feb2
Biodiversity
EvolutionaryMechanisms
EngagementPrep.3(Jan31)
MeasuresofBiodiversity
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LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswillunderstandwhatbiodiversityisandbeabletoexplainhowitarisesthroughevolutionarymechanisms.
Studentswillworkwithspeciesabundancedatasetstoformulateandtesthypothesesregardingdiversityofdifferent
ecosystemsusingSimpson’sDiversityIndex.
N:Studentswilllearnaboutimpactsofinvasivespeciesonislandswithhighendemism.
Feb7‐9 PopulationDynamics HumanPopulationDynamics
EngagementPrep.4(Feb7)
HumanGeography
Demography GlobalArticleAnalysis1(Feb9)
I=PATRelationship
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswilllearnfundamentalconceptsindemographyandlearnhowrapidhumanpopulationgrowthcreates
pressuresonnaturalresourcesandecosystems.Theywillformulatehypothesesregardinginterrelationshipsbetween
populationgrowth,economicdevelopment,andnaturalresourcedepletionandsupportorrejectthembyreferencingdata
visualizedbytheGapminderWorldweb‐basedsoftwareapplication.
N:Studentswillcompareandcontrastpopulationdynamicsinvariouscountries,withafocusonhowcultureandeconomic
developmentinfluencegrowthrates.
Feb14‐16
Energy Thermodynamics
EngagementPrep.5(Feb14)
SourcesandGeneration EvolvingTechnologies
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswilldifferentiatebetweennon‐renewable,exhaustiblerenewable,andinexhaustiblerenewableenergy
resourcesandlearnhowtheyareutilizedforelectricitygenerationandtransportation.
N:StudentswilllearnabouthowWorldWarIIandpost‐warexperienceshavecreatedacultureofprecautionisminGermany,
whichhascontributedtoGermany’snuclearphase‐outandparallelrapiddeploymentofwindandsolarpower.
Exam1(February21)
Feb23‐28
Water WaterCycle
EngagementPrep.6(Feb23)
WaterPollution WaterUseandManagement
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswillunderstandthehydrologiccycleandtheconceptofbiochemicaloxygendemandinaquaticecosystems.
N:StudentswillexplorewaterpolicyintheformerSovietnationsKazakhstanandUzbekistantounderstandthedesiccationof
theAralSea.
Mar2‐14
Air
AtmosphericCirculation EngagementPrep.7(Mar2)
AirPollution
GlobalArticleAnalysis2(Mar14)
AirQualityIndex
AirManagement
LearningObjectives:
P/B:StudentswillunderstandthestructureandcomponentsofEarth’satmosphere,andhowitinfluencestransportof
airbornepollutants.Majorairpollutantsandtheirimpactswillbediscussed.Dataonemissionsofozone‐depletingsubstances
andsubsequentimpactstotheozonelayerwillbeassessed.StudentswilllearnabouttheAirQualityIndexandidentifyspatial
andtemporalpatternsofairpollution.
N:StudentswillexplorethecausesandimpactsofsmoginBeijing,China,andstepsbeingtakentoalleviatetheproblem.
Mar16‐21
Agriculture
AgriculturalPractices EngagementPrep.8(Mar16)
Geneticengineering
Organicagriculture
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswillunderstandenvironmentalinputsrequiredforfoodproduction,differencesbetweenconventionaland
organicagriculture,andhowhybridizationandgeneticmodificationareinfluencingagriculturetoday.
N:Studentslearnaboutthechallengescountriesinaridregionsfacewithrespecttoagriculturalproduction.Foodsecurityand
desertificationintheSaharanfringeandAustralianoutbackarediscussedusingcasestudiesthatillustratetheimportanceof
culturalmemoryandsocialcapitalincopingwithenvironmentaldegradation.
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Mar23‐30
EnvironmentalChange
NaturalClimateVariability
EngagementPrep.9(Mar23)
AnthropogenicClimateChange EngagementPrep.10(Mar30)
SeaLevelRise
OceanAcidification
EcologicalImpacts
HumanImpacts LearningObjectives:
P/B:StudentswillexplorecausesforvariabilityinEarth’sclimatewithemphasisonthedifferencesbetweennaturalclimate
variabilityandanthropogenicclimatechange.Sealevelriseandoceanacidificationwillbediscussed.Studentswilllearnabout
climatemodelingandprojectedimpactsofclimatechangeonspeciesandecosystems.
N:Studentswillappreciateclimatechangeasanenvironmentalproblemspanningmanyordersofmagnitudeingeographic
scaleintermsofitscauses,impacts,andsolutions.StudentswilllearnabouttheplightofthepeopleofKiribati,whosenation
isamongthemostseverelyimpactedbyclimatechange.
Apr4‐6 EnvironmentalEconomics
EconomicsystemsEngagementPrep.11(Apr4)
NaturalResourceValue
GlobalArticleAnalysis3(Apr6) LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswillunderstandbasicconceptsinenvironmentaleconomics,includingexternalizationofcosts,marketfailures,
andvaluationofnaturalresourcesandecosystemserviceswithemphasisoncommonandpublicgoods.
N:StudentswillbeintroducedtotheconceptofPaymentforEcosystemServices(PES)asameanstofinanceconservationand
developmentindevelopingcountries.
Apr11‐13
EnvironmentalPolicy EnvironmentalLawsEngagementPrep.12(Apr11)
PolicyImplementation
InternationalTreaties
LearningObjectives:
P/B:Studentswilllearnaboutdiscrepanciesbetweenscientificknowledgeandassumptionsinherentinenvironmental
policies.
N:Studentswilllearnaboutthecontextsinwhichenvironmentallawsandpoliciesarecreated,andthechallengesofforging
internationalenvironmentallegislation.ExamplesincludetheMontrealProtocol,theKyotoProtocol,andtheEuropeanNatura
2000program.
Apr18 None Exam2(Apr18)
ThefinalessaymustbesubmittednolaterthanMonday,April24,at9:00PMviaCanvas.
CourseAlterations
Duetounforeseencircumstancesortoenhanceclasslearningopportunities,itmaybenecessarytoalterthe
informationgiveninthissyllabusduringthesemester.Suchchangesarenotunusualandshouldbeexpected.All
changestothesyllabuswillbeannouncedinclassand/orpostedtoCanvas.Itisyourresponsibilitytokeepup
withanysyllabuschanges.
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