| Syllabus & Policies
Spring 2007
I. Course Title: ESC 110A Introduction to Environmental Sciences in
Appalachia
Ferrum College
Environmental Sciences Program; School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The Environmental Science program is the second oldest program in
the nation, the undergraduate Environmental Science program offers
a modern introduction to the environmental sciences and the challenging
background enables students to deal with important environmental issues
of the 21st century. Rather than a traditional biological approach
to the environment, the program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature
of the field by drawing from biology, chemistry, statistics, earth
sciences, economics, law, and the humanities and more specifically
from the southern Appalachian Mountains. Environmental problems are
approached from a holistic perspective and in collaboration with the
other Appalachian Cluster classes, English 102 Rhetoric and Composition
and SOC 101, General Sociology. Ferrum’s Environmental Science program
offers students great flexibility in developing their own interests
II. Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Thomas
Office: Garber 119 Phone: 365-4368
Email: cthomas@ferrum.edu or web: www.ferrum.edu/cthomas
Course Web page: http://angel.ferrum.edu (ESC 110 – A-Thomas)
Office Hours: MWF 10-11 AM, Mon. 1-1:30 PM; TTH 8:30-9:30 AM; Th 1-3
PM, Fri. 1-130 PM
III. Class and Lab Meeting Time: Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 AM –
10:50 AM
Lab - Tuesday 12:30-3:15 PM;
Field Trips: Required Activity #1: Tues. Jan. 23 - 6 PM– Ferrum, VA;
Pizza Party at Dr. Thomas’
Required Field Trip #2: Feb. 6 - 6 PM– Roanoke, VA; Link Museum
Required Field Trip #3: Apr. 12 - April 15, 8 AM, Hurley & St.
Paul, VA
IV, Textbook and Readings: (required)
1.) Environmental Science: A Global concern, 9th Edition 2007; by
William P. Cunningham, Mary Ann Cunningham, and Barbara Woodworth
Saigo; published by McGraw Hill Higher Education.
2.) Blue Ridge 2020 An Owner’s Manual 1999 by Steve Nash.
3.) Readings placed on reserve in the library.
V. Catalog Course Description
This is an interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students
to the problems associated with humans and their relationship to the
environment especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Detailed Description:
This course covers topics related to Environmental Issues in the world,
in the United States and locally (southern Appalachian Mountains).
Basic ecology and a survey of world environmental issues will be discussed.
Environmental Sciences specific to the this country and specific to
localities will be discussed in detail including population and demographics,
timbering, extraction mining especially coal mining, biodiversity
and water resources and water pollution. Field trips and lab activities
are a required part of the class and will include trips to the local
area and nearby communities; labs will include a forestry study, animal
and plant studies, stream studies and a computer simulation lab.
VI. Purpose/Rationale for this Course
This course is an introductory course that will prepare students to
continue in the area of environmental sciences, outdoor recreation,
agriculture, horticulture and biology. Students will acquire a working
knowledge of basic concepts and principles of environmental issues
and environmental science and will learn to integrate environmental
science with the concerns of society. The laboratory portion of this
course will introduce students to current issues in the environmental
field in the southern Appalachians, will allow students to experience
field and laboratory research in the environmental sciences, and allow
them to meet with professionals working in different areas of environmental
science.
VII. Use of Technology in Course
The students will use computers and computer software programs such
as the Carmen Lake Project and Sim City IV which will demonstrate
characteristics of the natural and the human managed world and management
techniques environmental scientists use to protect and mange ecosystems.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Units may be used to provide mapping
experiences for the students.
VIII. Course Goals and Outcomes
Students will acquire a working knowledge of basic concepts and principles
of environmental science. The laboratory portion of this course will
introduce students to current issues in the environmental field especially
in Appalachia, will allow students to experience field and laboratory
research in the environmental sciences, and allow them to meet with
professionals working in different areas of environmental science.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define technical terms currently used in environmental science
2. Explain basic concepts in ecology and environmental science.
3. Describe problems confronting the environment in Appalachia and
potential solutions.
4. Determine potential career opportunities in the field of environmental
science.
5. Integrate Environmental Science with the Concerns of Society:
IX. Assessment of Course Goals and Outcomes
Course Goal/Outcome
Instructional Experiences
Assessments
1. Lecture, discussion, individual work, readings
Homework, quizzes, tests, exam
poster project, project presentation
2. All class activities
Homework, quizzes, tests, exam, lab journal, poster project, project
presentation
3. Lecture, discussion, research, enviro-action project work, readings,
lab research exercises Research paper,
enviro-action project, lab reports
4. Guest speakers, field trips, readings, research Lab journal, assessment
of behavior and classroom discussion
5. Readings, research, out of class work, enviro-action planning All
assignments
X. Course Requirements and Assignments
Percentage of Grade Due Date Brief Description
15% 2 times before midterm and 2 times before the final exam A journal
must be kept, recording class, lab and field trip activities, the
readings inside and outside of class, and your impressions of these
activities.
24% Feb. 15 & Apr. 5 Two tests (2 @ 100 pts each)
5% Apr. 17 Topic Paper
6% 1st must be turned in before midterm and the 2nd before finals
2 Lab Reports must be written and turned in following standard format
(as explained by instructor)
15% Apr. 27 Enviro-Action Group Project
10% Apr. 17 Individual Poster Project and Presentation of Topic Paper
10% Throughout course Quizzes and homework
10% Apr. 27 Comprehensive final exam
5% Throughout course Class and group membership; contributions, preparedness,
professionalism, attendance, etc.
Paper: One topic paper is required for this class. The topic may
cover any environmental problem in the southern Appalachia and its
potential solutions. Details are as follows:
1. It would be helpful to discuss the topic of the paper with the
instructor before beginning.
2. The length should be 5 pages, typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margin,
12 point font.
3. Due date is Thurs. Apr. 17th. Late papers will be subject to a
penalty of one letter grade each day.
4. Use at least 5 citations from textbooks or journals. Other citations
may be from web pages.
Individual poster or PowerPoint project of topic paper subject and
presentation will be required during the semester and will be based
on the paper described above. Poster must be at least two 3” by 3”
panels or PowerPoint must have at least 5 slides. Further details
of this poster project and presentations will be provided by instructor.
Lab: The laboratory part of this course is designed to allow students
to gain practical experience with work in environmental science. Many
labs will be outdoors. Dress accordingly for the weather. Boots are
a good idea. Always bring a field notebook. You will be required to
keep a lab journal that includes a description of lab experiences
and any comments you have about the experience. You will be required
to turn in the journal four times this semester. There will also be
two lab reports required from two of the data collection lab activities.
Enviro-action Project: Each lab team (a group of 2-3 students) will
select an environmental service learning project that will be carried
out during the semester. The project should promote environmental
awareness and improve the environment within the community. Example
projects may include the involvement in recycling programs on campus,
wildlife habitat improvement projects, campus clean-up, nature trail
development, environmental education in local schools, and pollution
monitoring. Each group will make a presentation to the class on their
project near the end of the semester.
Quizzes: Most discussion of readings will be accompanied by quizzes
in class and/or outside of class..
Tests and Final Exam: Tests may include short answer questions, multiple
choice, essay and matching questions. The final exam will be comprehensive,
covering textbooks, readings and presentations and will be worth 200
points.
XI. Evaluation and Grading Scale
A=90-100% D= 60-69%
B= 80-89% F= 0-59%
C= 70-79%
XII. Academic Integrity
Academic endeavor is undermined by cheating, plagiarism, or lying
for academic advantage. The faculty has the duty to promote an atmosphere
of honest learning, first through its own example as a community of
scholars, but also through the establishment and support of a system
by which students charged with academic wrongdoing can be fairly judged,
and if found culpable, held accountable. (From – Ferrum College Student
Handbook, pg 19 and the Ferrum College Faculty Handbook, pg 84)
XIII, Attendance Policy
Please do not be late or absent from class, labs, or field trips.
If you know of future absences please discuss the absence with the
instructor as soon as you know of it. If an unexpected absence occurs,
call or meet with the instructor as soon as possible. The determination
of (excused or unexcused) is determined only by the instructor. Lab
class absences count as two absences. There will be a letter grade
penalty for 4 unexcused absences or unreasonable lateness.
Tobacco:
There will be no tobacco products in the classroom, lab or field trips,
including cigarettes, and chewing tobacco.
Electronic devices:
Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of each class and lab
then returned by the end of class. No electronic devices may be used
in class unless permission is granted by the instructor because of
special circumstances. This includes cell phones, beepers, CD players,
radios, computers and other devices. The device will be taken away
from the student at the time of the violation and returned to the
student ate the end of the class or lab period. Occasionally lap top
computers will be provided by the instructor for use during class
time. Proper care must be exercised by the student ts in the use of
these computers or penalties will be applied to the student in violation
of policy.
Special Accommodations:
Reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids will be available for
any qualified student with a disability in accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA). As early in the semester as possible,
you are encouraged to notify the instructor and Ms. Linda Albrecht,
Disability Services Coordinator, in ARC 111. Instructors are not allowed
to discuss individual accommodations in public or ask individual students
to make use of them. Qualified students may request these services
and must follow the reasonable guidelines required by the school (such
as arranging at least 48 hours in advance for any special accommodations
for a scheduled test), or you will lose your right to take advantage
of these services.
Tentative Class Schedule
ESC 110 introduction to Environmental Sciences in Appalachia
Term: Spring 2007
Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Thomas
Textbook and Readings: (required)
1.) Environmental Science: A Global concern, 9th Edition 2007; by
William P. Cunningham, Mary Ann Cunningham, and Barbara Woodworth
Saigo; published by McGraw Hill Higher Education. (C, C, & S)
2.) Blue Ridge 2020 An Owner’s Manual 1999 by Steve Nash. (SN)
3.) Readings placed on reserve in the library.
Week Date Topics Readings (C, C & S) & (SN)
1 Jan. 15 - 19 Introduction to course; what are the issues? Pages
1- 13 (C, C & S)
Overview of environmental issues and their importance in Chapter 1(CCS)
Appalachia; “Where You At? Intro (SN)
2 Jan. 22-26 Energy flow; Matter cycling; Biotic communities and
Chapter 3, 4(CCS) species interactions; Quiz #1 (Vocabulary Definitions)
Jan. 23 Evening: Activity #1 – Pizza Party and meeting each other
at Dr. Thomas’ house
3 Jan. 29-Feb. 2 Biomes of Appalachia and the World: Chapter 5(CCS)
Ecosystem disturbance: Natural & Human Chapter 1 & 2 (SN)
4 Feb. 5 - 9 Human Population, demographics and the environment Chapter
7(CCS)
. in the world and in Appalachia Chapter 7 & 9(SN)
Feb 6 Field trip #2 to Roanoke, VA – O. Winston Link Museum
5 Feb. 12 - 16 Sustaining forests in the world and in the Appalachians
Chapter 11&12 (CCS)
Test #1 (Chap. 1, 3-5, 7, 11 & 12 CCS; Chap. 1, 2, 7, 9 &
10 SN) Chapter 10 (SN)
6 Feb. 19 - 23 Energy Needs & Coal Needs in the World Chapter
19(CCS)
Mountain Top Removal speaker; David Cooper
7 Feb. 26- Mar. 2 Coal Mining in the Appalachians; Chapter 4 &
5 (SN)
Women’s Leadership Conference Chapter 16(CCS)
8 Mar. 5 - 9 ***** Spring Break*************** -----------
9 Mar. 12 - 16 Sustainable agriculture; World Biodiversity Chapter
9, 11 & 13(CCS)
10 Mar. 19 - 23 Biodiversity in the Appalachians Chapters 3 &
8 (SN)
11 Mar. 26 - 30 Climate change; Air pollution; Water use & Water
pollution Chapters 15 & 16 (CCS)
Chapters 17& 18 (CCS)
12 Apr. 2 – 5 Renewable energy: Chapter 20 (CCS)
Test #2 (Chap. 15 – 20 CCS; Chap. 3,-5, &8 SN); ** Easter Break**
13 Apr. 10 - 13 Urbanization and sustainable cities in Appalachia
Chapters 22, 23, & 24 (CCS)
Field trip #3 Apr. 12-14 to Hurley & St. Paul, VA
14 Apr. 16 - 20 Historical & Theoretical ideas common to Environmental
Chapters 6 & 11 (SN)
Science & Sociology; Topic Paper& Poster presentations due
15 Apr. 27 2 – 4 PM- Final Exam (All chapters covered in CCS and SN)
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Tentative Lab Schedule
ESC 110 introduction to Environmental Sciences in Appalachia
Term: Spring 2007
Instructor: Dr. Carolyn Lee Thomas
Texts: Handouts
Meeting Time: Tuesdays 12:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Week Date Lab Activity
1 January 16 Introduction to Science Labs; Enviro-action project
planning
2 January 23 Research, design and Draw Biome Food Webs for display
in classroom
3 January 30 Agriculture and Forestry Lab: Plant Propagation Part
1 – Garber Greenhouse
4 February 6 Agriculture and Forestry Lab: Plant Propagation Part
2 – Garber Greenhouse
5 February 13 Visit to O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, VA
6 February 20 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Guest speaker: David Cooper and Mountain Top Removal (cont.)
7 February 27 Field Trip to Sustainable Homes – Ferrum and Rocky
Mount, VA
8 March 13 Field trip to Community Based Farm Seven Springs Farm,
Floyd, VA
9 March 20 Sim City IV: City Building Activity Part I & II
Evening lab – Garber Hall Computer Lab
10 March 27 Watershed Stream Analysis: Part I Stream parameters
11 April 3 Watershed Stream Analysis: Part II Macroinvertebrates
(SOS)
12 April 10 Field trip to Hurley & St. Paul, VA
15 April 17 Topic Paper and poster/PowerPoint presentations
Enviro-action Student Presentations
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