West Kentucky Community and Technical College

BIO 120 Human Ecology Section B501 & B502, Spring 2017

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Interrelationships among humans, other organisms and the environment including
principles of energy and matter, resource use, biogeochemical cycling, trophic structures, sustainability and
environmental impacts by humans. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: None. General Education Science: 3 credit hours

INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Bobby Ann Lee Office: Waller Hall, Suite A Offices, phone: 270 534-3237 email:
bobby.lee@kctcs.edu- may take up to three business days to respond when class is in session Bobby Lee
website: http://541498140136394388.weebly.com/

INSTRUCTOR SCHEDULE AND OFFICE HOURS (Classes are in Waller Hall)

MON: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 10:45-2p 2-3:20p
Office BIO 120 Office BIO 120
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
TUE: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:15p 12:15-3:15p
Office BIO 112 BIO 112 Office
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
WED: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:50p 1-2p 2-3:20p
Office BIO 120 BIO 121 Office BIO 120
Rm 214 Rm 203
THU: 9-9:30a 9:30-10:45a 11-12:15p 12:15-3p
Office BIO 112 BIO 112 Office
Rm. 214 Rm. 214
FRI: Administrative Meetings, Field Trips, Professional Development,
And Online Classes (BIO 113, BIO 122)

COURSE COMPETENCIES: Upon completion of this course, the student can:

a. Analyze information using the Scientific Method.
b. Demonstrate critical thinking about concepts of ecology and integrate that knowledge into practical application
to daily life.
c. Describe interrelationships among producers, consumers and decomposers and their environment.
d. Describe human use and impacts on the environment.
e. Describe environmental and resource issues and possible resolutions.

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES WITH COURSE SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES:

A. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds

Students will explain basic concepts and principles in ecology by researching and preparing a written or
oral presentation on human use and impacts on the environment.
B. Intellectual and practical skills
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods of science inquiry by utilizing scientific
articles in preparing the written or oral report.
C. Personal and social responsibility
Students will explain how scientific principles relate to issues of personal and/or public importance in
their written or oral report which is graded based on a common rubric.
D. Integrative and applied learning
Students will apply scientific principles to interpret and make predictions in their written or oral report.
 COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Human Ecology (BIO 120) is a lecture course augmented with class
discussion, audiovisual and Internet materials, handouts, homework, in-class and out-of-class projects and field
assignments. This course is web-enhanced, and students must be able to use the KCTCS Blackboard system to
access course material online. Each student is required to have an active KCTCS email account to
communicate with WKCTC faculty, staff and students.
TEXTBOOK/SUPPLIES: TEXT Environmental Science With Online Access, Miller and Spoolman, 15th
Edition, Cengage Learning , 2016. ISBN: 978-1-305-09044-6.
COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: This is a web-enhanced course with your electronic text and
assignments available through Blackboard. Log on to the Blackboard course through http://elearning.kctcs.edu
or from the WKCTC Homepage (look for the link at the top). Login to Blackboard is with your KCTCS
Username and Password.
ACTIVE KCTCS E-MAIL ACCOUNT: All KCTCS students are required to set up an e-mail
account and are strongly encouraged to check it at least twice weekly. It is the students responsibility
to keep the KCTCS e-mail account active, as this is a primary means of communication between
students and the college.
PROJECTS: Each student is required to participate in and complete projects including an oral presentation
project that is related to course competencies. The presentation will be graded on organization, depth of
content, visual aids, communication skills, equal participation and other criteria described in the rubric
handout.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: A record of attendance will be kept and will count toward the final grade. Students
with perfect attendance will receive all attendance points. Students missing more than 9 class periods will
receive zero attendance points at the end of the semester. If less than 9 classes are missed, a two point deduction
for each class missed will be deducted from attendance points.

CLASSROOM CONDUCT: An effective learning environment is dependent on trust and respect. Do not
carry on conversations during class with those sitting around you. No cell phones or texting during class. If you
are running late to class, slip in quietly and take a seat at the back of the classroom. Do not distract from the
ability of others to focus on and engage in the learning process.

GRADING CRITERIA/SCALE: Semester grades will be determined by the student's performance on exams
(300 pts), quizzes (45 pts), projects (100 pts) and attendance/participation/homework (65 pts). Letter grades will
be assigned based on the grading scale: A 90-100%; B 80-89%; C 70-79%; D 60-69%; E 0-59%

INCOMPLETE GRADE (I): The I grade is only given at the discretion of the instructor. The I grade will be
given only if (a) satisfactory completion of the missed work would give the student a reason able chance of
passing the course with a C or better, and if (b) the missed work was a result of the illness of the student or a
death in the immediate family. The incomplete work must be completed and all course requirements fulfilled
within 6 months of the last day of classes of the semester enrolled in this course. If the I grade has not been
removed within this allotted time, it will be changed to an E grade.

WRITTEN WORK AND EXAMINATION POLICY: All exams will be composed of objective, discussion
and/or practical questions. Exams will be announced at least three days prior to the exam. Three to four exams
will be given as time permits. Points may be deducted for misspelled words and grammatical errors on exams
and written work. Written work that is turned in must be a word processor print out. Exams will be graded and
returned to the student as soon as possible. The instructor will go over the exam and answer questions. The
exam will then be recollected and available in the instructors office. All exams must be returned to the
instructor. If an exam is not returned, a zero grade will be given for that exam.
LATE/MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: Make-up exams and late work are allowed at the discretion of the
instructor, and only when there is a legitimate excuse for missing the exam/work. Make-up exams may be in
the form of essay exams. It is the students responsibility to notify the instructor if an exam or work is missed
and to inquire about the time and date to complete make-up exams or late work. All make-up exams and late
work must be made up before the last day of regular class meetings. A zero grade will be given for all exams or
late work not made up at this time. Grades may be reduced for any late work.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: The procedure a student must follow to withdraw from this course:
1. Review the Academic Calendar.
a. View the refund dates and compare to the Refund Policy.
b. Check to see if instructor permission is required for withdrawal.
2. Fill out the online Drop Request Form which can be located at
http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Admissions/Records.aspx
3. Contact Financial Aid to ensure you will not be required to pay back any awarded money.
4. Any student who officially requests a withdrawal up to and including the mid-term date will be given a
"W" grade.
a. After the midterm date, instructor permission is required. If granted, the student must
b. forward the instructors written approval via their KCTCS Student e-mail account, to
WKCTCrecords@kctcs.edu.
5. The student will be officially withdrawn on the date the official Drop-Add Form is returned to the
Admissions/Registrar's office.

FINANCIAL AID REPAYMENT: PELL, SEOG, and Student Loan recipients (Title IV) who stop attending
or withdraw prior to the 60% point in the semester may be obligated to repay a portion of their financial aid.

SPECIAL/STEP EXAM: No special or STEP exam is available for this course section.

KCTCS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: The Kentucky Community and Technical College System
(KCTCS) faculty and students are bound by principles of truth and honesty that are recognized as fundamental
for a community of teachers and scholars. The college expects students and faculty to honor, and faculty to
enforce, these academic principles. The college affirms that it will not tolerate academic dishonesty including,
but not limited to, violation of academic rights of students and student offenses. Academic Offenses include
plagiarism, cheating, student co-responsibility in academic dishonesty, and misuse or student falsification of
academic records. Sanctions for academic dishonesty or misconduct may include the following but are not
limited to:
a. Requiring the student to resubmit the assignment
b. A lower or failing grade on the assignment, exam, or in the course;
c. Removal from the course
d. Referral for other disciplinary actions
A student who receives a penalty for academic dishonesty or misconduct may not avoid the academic penalty
by withdrawing from the courseStudents may refer to the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct, Article II for more
information on academic rights, academic offenses, and the students right to appeal. You can locate the
KCTCS Code of Student Conduct at
http://www.kctcs.edu/~/media/System_Office/Academics/KCTCS_Code_of_Student_Conduct_1117.ashx

Cheating includes buying, stealing, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized copies of examinations or

assignments for the purpose of improving ones academic standing. During examinations or in-class work,
cheating includes having unauthorized information, and/or referring to unauthorized notes or other written or
electronic information. In addition, copying from others, either during examinations or in the preparation of
homework assignments, is a form of cheating.
Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, words, or organization of a source, published or not, as if they were
ones own. All quoted material must be in quotation marks, and all paraphrases, quotations, significant ideas,
and organization must be acknowledged by some form of documentation acceptable to the instructor for the
course. Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the
work that a student submits as the students own. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with
an instructor or tutor, but when the actual material is completed, it must be done by the student and the student
alone. The use of the term material refers to work in any form including written, oral, and electronic.
All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by a student to an instructor or other academic supervisor,
is expected to be the result of the students own thought, research, or self-expression. In any case in which a
student feels unsure about a question of plagiarism involving the students work, the student must consult the
instructor before submitting the work.

TITLE IX Discrimination/Harassment: Students may direct complaints of discrimination or harassment to

Dr. Dalton-Russell (Anderson 204, 270-534-3081, belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu) for resolution pursuant
to the http://www.kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Code_of_Student_Conduct

TITLE IX Sexual Misconduct: Sexual misconduct matters should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Dr.
Dalton-Russell (Anderson 204, 270-534-3081, belinda.dalton-russell@kctcs.edu) to be handled in accordance
with the http://www.kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Safety_and_Security/Title_IX_Procedures . Any responsible employee who
receives information related to sexual misconduct is required to report it to the Title IX Coordinator.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY: The Office of Accessibility Services will work with students to
determine if accommodations are appropriate and to assist them in obtaining equal access to education while at
West Kentucky Community & Technical College (WKCTC.) All requests for accommodations should be
directed to the WKCTC Manager/Coordinator of Accessibility Services, at 270-534-3406. The WKCTC
Accessibility Services Office is located in the Anderson Technical Building in room 105. Appointments are
recommended due to the volume of students being served. Any student with a documented disability should
seek services at the beginning of the semester and no later than mid-term in order to ensure academic success.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR: Visit this website, http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Academics/Calendars

INCLEMENT WEATHER: Visit this website http://westkentucky.kctcs.edu/en/Student_Life/Weather.aspx

PRINT POLICY: In an effort to conserve resources, WKCTC has implemented a print management system.
Each student is allotted 400 sheets of free printing for academic and classroom use. After the initial 400 sheets
are expended, a student may purchase additional prints for 5 cents per page. These may be purchased at the
Matheson Library or the Business Office in the Anderson Technical Bldg. To review the WKCTC print
management policies, visit http://www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Student_Life/PrintPolicy
BIO 120 - TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (may change at discretion of instructor)
CLASS CLASS DISCUSSION ON READING GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
PERIOD ASSIGNMENTS/CASE STUDIES
Mo 1/9 Course mechanics Introduce partner
n
Wed 1/11 Ch. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, Case Study: KCTCS Sustainability
CAUSES & SUSTAINABILITY Framework
Mo 1/16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Campus closed)
n
Wed 1/18 Continue Ch 1
Mo 1/23 Continue Ch 1 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 1/25 Ch. 2 SCIENCE, MATTER, ENERGY & Case Study: KCTCS Hazards Training
SYSTEMS
Mo 1/30 Continue Ch 2
n
Wed 2/1 Continue Ch 2 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
Mo 2/6 Ch. 14 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS & Case Study: Paducah Gaseous Diffusion
n HUMAN Plant Superfund site
Wed 2/8 Continue Ch 14
Mo 2/13 Continue Ch 14 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 2/15 Ch. 3 ECOSYSTEMS Case Study: Oceans and Plastic
Form Groups & Topic Online Assignments Due
Mo 2/20 Presidents Day (Campus closed)
n
Wed 2/22 EXAM 1 EXAM 1: Lecture and Ch. 1, 2, 14
Mo 2/27 Continue Ch 3
n
Wed 3/1 Ch. 4 BIODIVERSITY & EVOLUTION Case Study: Conservation & GIS
Mo 3/6 Continue Ch 4 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 3/8 Continue Ch 4 Determine Oral Presentation Topic
Mo 3/13 Ch. 5 SPECIES INTERATIONS, Online Blackboard Quiz Due (Ch. 4)
n ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION & Online Assignments Due
POPULATION
Wed 3/15 Continue Ch 5
Mo 3/20 Springbreak, no class Online Blackboard Quiz Due (Ch. 5)
n
Wed 3/22 Springbreak, no class
Mo 3/27 EXAM 2 EXAM 2: Lecture and Ch. 3,4,5
n
Wed 3/29 Ch. 7 CLIMATE & BIODIVERSITY Case Study: Climate Change
Mo 4/3 Continue Ch 7
n
Wed 4/5 Continue Ch 7 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
Mo 4/10 Ch. 11 WATER RESOURCES & Case Study: KY Watershed Watch
n POLLUTION
Wed 4/12 Continue Ch 11
Mo 4/17 Continue Ch 11 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 4/19 Ch. 17 ENV ECONOMICS, POLITICS & Field Trips and all Writing Assignments due
WORLDVIEWS
Mo 4/24 Continue Ch 17 Online Assignments Due
n
Wed 4/26 Continue Ch 17 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
FINALS EXAM 3 EXAM 3: Lecture and Ch. 7,11,17
WEEK
TOTAL POINTS 500: 300 Exams 100 Projects/Online Assignments 45
Quizzes 55 Attendance/Participation/Homework
BIO 120 - TENTATIVE ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE (may change at discretion of instructor)
CLASS CLASS DISCUSSION ON READING GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
PERIOD ASSIGNMENTS/CASE STUDIES
Wed 1/18 Course mechanics Introduce partner Case Study: KCTCS Sustainability Framework
Ch. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS, CAUSES &
SUSTAINABILITY
Mo 1/23 Continue Ch 1
n
Wed 1/25 Continue Ch 1 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
Mo 1/30 Ch. 2 SCIENCE, MATTER, ENERGY Case Study: KCTCS Hazards Training
n & SYSTEMS
Wed 2/1 Continue Ch 2
Mo 2/6 Continue Ch 2 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 2/8 Ch. 14 ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS Case Study: Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
& HUMAN Superfund site, Online Assignments Due
Mo 2/13 Continue Ch 14
n
Wed 2/15 Ch. 3 ECOSYSTEMS Case Study: Oceans and Plastic
Form Groups & Topic Online Blackboard Quiz Due
Online Assignments Due
Mo 2/20 Presidents Day (Campus closed)
n
Wed 2/22 EXAM 1 EXAM 1: Lecture and Ch. 1, 2, 14
Mo 2/27 Continue Ch 3
n
Wed 3/1 Ch. 4 BIODIVERSITY & EVOLUTION Case Study: Conservation & GIS
Mo 3/6 Continue Ch 4 Online Blackboard Quiz Due (Ch. 3)
n
Wed 3/8 Continue Ch 4 Determine Oral Presentation Topic
Mo 3/13 Ch. 5 SPECIES INTERATIONS, Online Blackboard Quiz Due (Ch. 4)
n ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION & Online Assignments Due
POPULATION
Wed 3/15 Continue Ch 5
Mo 3/20 Springbreak, no class Online Blackboard Quiz Due (Ch. 5)
n
Wed 3/22 Springbreak, no class
Mo 3/27 EXAM 2 EXAM 2: Lecture and Ch. 3,4,5
n
Wed 3/29 Ch. 7 CLIMATE & BIODIVERSITY Case Study: Climate Change
Mo 4/3 Continue Ch 7
n
Wed 4/5 Continue Ch 7 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
Mo 4/10 Ch. 11 WATER RESOURCES & Case Study: KY Watershed Watch
n POLLUTION
Wed 4/12 Continue Ch 11
Mo 4/17 Continue Ch 11 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
n
Wed 4/19 Ch. 17 ENV ECONOMICS, POLITICS Field Trips and all Writing Assignments due
& WORLDVIEWS
Mo 4/24 Continue Ch 17 Online Assignments Due
n
Wed 4/26 Continue Ch 17 Online Blackboard Quiz Due
FINALS EXAM 3 EXAM 3: Lecture and Ch. 7,11,17
WEEK
TOTAL POINTS 500: 300 Exams 100 Projects/Online Assignments 45
Quizzes 55 Attendance/Participation/Homework