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GENV 205: From Garbage to Greenhouse Gases: Understanding the Impact of Today's Society on the Environment

Three Credits

Course Description

This introductory level science course covers topics in the fields of biology, ecology and physical science. The focus of the course is the changing state of the environment with regard to global climate change, natural resource depletion and exploitation, population issues, pollution sources, and waste management practices. The course also explores resource management and conservation efforts to reduce the impact of the negative forces adversely affecting various environments on Earth. Using the scientific method, students will complete analytical assignments using multiple data sources.

Learning Outcomes & Competencies

University Outcomes

1. Communication Outcome: Express and interpret ideas clearly, using a variety of written, oral and/or visual forms.

1. Construct coherent, organized expression appropriate to a variety of disciplines and audiences.

2. Apply the basic mechanics of language (syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling) effectively.

1. Critical and Creative Thinking: Use different modes of disciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry to explore ideas and issues from multiple perspectives.

1. Assess ideas, research and theories presented by others.

2. Synthesize multiple perspectives into coherent understanding of a problem, issue, or question.

3. Generate alternate questions, interpretations, or approaches within an established discipline or field of inquiry.

1. Ethical & Social Responsibility: Express ethical & social implications in one’s social, professional, artistic and/or scholarly practice.

1. Reflect on one’s value system and the value systems of others.

2. Describe ethical responsibility in the context of professional or scholarly practice.

3. Articulate and evaluate the reasons and justifications that support particular values.

Course Specific Competencies

I. Analyze and interpret environmental processes using scientific concepts

II. Analyze data using statistical methods.

III. Assess and evaluate the causes and effects of different factors that impact the condition of different ecosystems on Earth

IV. Solve problems using various data sources, analytical techniques and the scientific method

V. Research current issues plaguing the environment and apply information covered in the course to current environmental concerns

VI. Evaluate the costs and benefits of various measures to preserve the environment

Course Outline

I. Environmental Issues and Concepts (week 1)

II. Ecosystem Ecology and Biomes (week 2)

III. Human Population Growth (week 3)

IV. Land Resources and Agriculture (week 4)

V. Water Resources, Water Pollution, and Air Pollution (week 5)

VI. Solid Waste Generation and Disposal and Human Health Risk (week 6)

VII. Conservation of Biodiversity (week 7)

VIII. Climate Alteration and Global Change (week 8)

Assessment

Students will develop a cost/benefit analysis to minimize or eliminate a major source of pollution that is adversely affecting a specific ecosystem on Earth. This plan will include an analysis of the cause/source of the pollution as well as a detailed action/implementation plan to reduce or eliminate the pollution. Please see the rubric in the "handout" section of the CampusWeb course for the scoring rubric and all elements required for this assignment.

Students will complete a brief quiz for each assigned topic and will complete exercises that require the application of concepts covered in the course.

Students will research current environmental issues and relate those issues to topics covered in the course. Students will provide a summary and response to each researched issue. Current articles can be found on the web at: www.sciencedaily.com. There is an "Environment" section on the left-hand side of the main page. There are also several websites that contain articles on the environment in the "bookmark" section of the CampusWeb course. Please see the rubric in the "handout" section of the CampusWeb course for the scoring rubric and all elements required for the article review assignments.

Students will complete laboratory exercises in an effort to explore important environmental concepts.

Students will respond to weekly ideas/questions on the collaboration/forum boards and will interact with one another using this format.

Readings & Resources

Essentials of Environmental Science, 2nd edition (2015), Friedland, Andrew, Relyea, Rick, published by W. H. Freeman (2015)

ISBN-13: 978-1319065669

ISBN-10: 131906566X

Textbook’s Website: http://www.macmillanlearning.com/Catalog/studentresources/friedlandessentials2e

Current News in Environmental Science: www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/environmental_science

Assignments

Specific Descriptions and expectations for all assignments are located above under "Assessment." Rubrics for article reviews and the cost/benefit analysis assignment are located in the "handout" section of the CampusWeb course.

Specific Assignments and Due Dates:

(All assignments are due no later than midnight on the Friday of the week they are due)

Week 1

1. Read Chapter 1: Environmental Issues and Concepts

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 1 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 1

4. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 1

5. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 1

Week 2

1. Read Chapter 3: Ecosystem Ecology and Biomes

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 2 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 3

4. Select one article related to the a topic we have covered and complete a summary and response to the article

5. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 2

6. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 2

Week 3

1. Read Chapter 5: Human Population Growth

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 3 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 5

4. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 3

5. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 3

6. Complete the lab exercise on world population

Week 4

1. Read Chapter 7: Land Resources and Agriculture

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 4 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 7

4. Select one article related to the a topic we have covered and complete a summary and response to the article

5. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 4

6. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 4

Week 5

1. Read Chapters 9 and 10: Water Resources, Water Pollution, and Air Pollution

2. Access and view/listen to the lectures for week 5 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quizzes for chapters 9 and 10

4. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 5

5. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 5

Week 6

1. Read Chapters 11 and 12: Solid Waste Generation and Disposal and Human Health Risk

2. Access and view/listen to the lectures for week 6 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quizzes for chapters 11 and 12

4. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 6

5. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 6

6. Students will develop a cost/benefit analysis to minimize or eliminate a major source of pollution that is adversely affecting a specific ecosystem on Earth. This plan will include an analysis of the cause/source of the pollution as well as a detailed action/implementation plan to reduce or eliminate the pollution.

Week 7

1. Read Chapter 13: Conservation of Biodiversity

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 7 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 13

4. Select one article related to the a topic we have covered and complete a summary and response to the article

5. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 7

6. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 7

Week 8

1. Read Chapter 14: Climate Alteration and Global Change

2. Access and view/listen to the lecture for week 8 on CampusWeb

3. Complete the quiz for chapter 14

4. Complete the lab exercise on the greenhouse effect

5. Create one original posting in response to the question listed for week 8

6. Respond to at least one other student's post for week 8

Participation/Attendance/Interaction

Students must interact with the instructor and fellow classmates each week through the collaboration/forum board. Students will respond to questions/ideas posed by the instructor as well as the postings of other members of the class.

Evaluation

Quizzes (10 total/each worth 4% of final grade) - 40%

Article Reviews (3 reviews total/each worth 5% of final grade) - 15%

Laboratory Activities (2 total/each worth 5% of final grade) - 10%

Pollution assignment - 25%

Collaboration/Forum postings (Minimum of 20 total posts/2 each week)- 10%

Final Deadline for all work

All work MUST be submitted by the last Friday of the session.

Late work will be accepted but there will be a deduction in points for each day an assignment is late.

The Writing Center

Union Institute & University’s Writing Center offers self-help resources and free one-on-one tutoring sessions over the phone for all students. Tutoring sessions are available mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends. Self-help resources are located at http://www.myunion.edu/writing-center. Appointments for tutoring by telephone can be scheduled through the writing center’s CampusWeb group or by contacting the center (phone: 513-487-1156 or toll free: 1-800-861-6400 ext. 1156 or email: writing-center@myunion.edu).

ADA accommodations

Union Institute & University is committed to providing equal and effective access to its programs, services and activities for individuals with disabilities. UI & U students may request an ADA accommodation by filling out the Disclosure of Disabilities form on our CampusWeb website: https://campusweb.myunion.edu/ICS/eForms/ADA_-_Disabilities_Disclosure.jnz. Accommodation plans are designed and approved by the UI & U Accessibility office. All ADA information remains confidential and does not become part of a student’s academic record.

You will find more information on our ADA policies and services on Union’s website: https://www.myunion.edu/academics/academic-services/ada-policy-of-union-institute-university/ .

Refer to the Catalog for policies regarding Academic Integrity

https://www.myunion.edu/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy/

CHAIR approved _________

ARC approved____________

DEAN approved___________