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ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: SCI 112 BA SP 12 INSTRUCTORS NAME: PROFESSOR CONTACT PATRI INFORM CIA ATION: NUCC IO, MHPE , MA
ONLINE

PH: 847-275-2032 (Please restrict to urgent use) EMAIL: pnuccio@robertmorris.edu

CLASSROOM/TIME:

OFFICE HOURS:

BY APPOINTMENT

CREDIT HOURS: 4 QUARTER HOURS PREREQUISITE: NONE

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the relationship between humans and the environment. Students study basic ecological principles and analyze the impact of humans on the Earth. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the interdependency of life and on the importance of working towards a sustainable future. LENGTH OF COURSE REQUIRED TEXT Withgott, J and Laposata, M. Essential Environment, the science behind the stories, 4th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson 2012, ISBN: 10:0-321-75290-2 or ISBN: 13:978-0-321-75290-1. 10 WEEKS

Syllabus Table of Contents Course Objectives, online course policies, time commitment expectations, class policies: Required Technology. Academic Honesty/Dont plagiarize/Reference format. pages 3 & 4 page 4 pages 4 -5

Grading policies.............page 6 Course outline: readings, assignments, exams.. page 7 Other RMU policies....................... page 8

COURSE OBJECTIVES Students will: 1. Describe the dynamics of natural ecosystems 2.Evaluate current environmental problems and the importance of human management of natural resources. 3 Compare the roles of government, industry, and individuals in creating a sustainable future. Apply the scientific method and use critical thinking skills to solve problems ON-LINE COURSE POLICIES Sci 112 is a four credit-hour course. This means that you are required to attend this class for 4 hours each week. The on-line difference is that you choose the time of day that you want to attend instead of the college choosing it for you. This class requires the following: Hours of on-line time 1 . 4-5 hours each week to: *Complete a homework assignment *Take an on-line quiz *Take an on-line exam * Read text The on-line time does not include the time that it will take you to read the course text. If you do not have time to fulfill the requirements of the course, then you should consider dropping the course. Important Class Policies Use of Email and Blackboard. Check RMU email and Blackboard often! I expect you to check your RMU email at least three times a week for updates and announcements. I also expect you to check Blackboard at least three times each week. Policy on late weekly assignments: Late assignments are not accepted. This course moves quickly and there is no time to work on a late assignment and still keep up with assignments due that week. Policy on Plagiarism. Plagiarized assignments will receive a grade of zero (0). Policy on inappropriate behavior. Respect the class. High standards of professionalism are expected in all discussion board conversations.

4.

Important Class Policies- continued:

Please keep current with assignments and readings and other course activities. This class moves quickly, and there is an assignment and text book reading each week. I have taught many online courses before, and unfortunately there have been too many times when a student did not start out strongly from day 1, and got to a point in the class where there were not enough points left for them to earn a passing grade.

REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY Technology is an essential part to a students success in college and in todays workplace. At RMU, students use Blackboard, a web-based tool that supports the classroom experience. Through Blackboard, students can access supplemental class materials, such as discussion boards, handouts, and readings. Students at Robert Morris University will use applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel as well as the Internet and Blackboard where applicable in their courses. ******You need to have a back-up computer in mind (friend, family member, local library or a printing center such as Kinko's) in case you have problems with your primary computer. You should have a functioning RMU email account that you check at least several times a week. Both are required to participate in this online class. Please also check the announcement page on a regular basis. ACADEMIC HONESTY RMU expects the highest standards of intellectual honesty. Commitment to those standards is the collective responsibility of every student, faculty and staff member of Robert Morris University. Breaches of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, duplicating assignments electronically, and the unauthorized possession of exams, papers, or other class materials. The University could not possibly indicate every method used to demonstrate academic dishonesty; however, the University has a NO TOLERANCE policy. For further information about standards and sanctions, please see the RMU Academic Handbook http://www.robertmorris.edu/studenthandbook/ A Few Words on Plagiarism Plagiarism may be defined as the use of anothers ideas or words without acknowledgement. Examples of plagiarism may include the following: Failing to use quotation marks when quoting from a source; Failing to document distinctive ideas from a source; and

5 Fabricating or inventing sources.

DO NOT copy text from web pages (or copy sentences from the textbook) and hand it in as your own work. Citing references for this class I am more concerned that you cite references in your work, than whether you use proper MLA or APA format. As a science-based class- not opinion based class, all assignments must have a at least one RELEVANT reference to support your position. You should use as many as you need to indicate when you are using someone elses work to support your position By that I mean, if you use quotes you must use an in-text citation. An example is example, (Withgott, Laposata, page 100) You DO NOT have to do a full reference at the end of your paper. Remember to reference the text to support your position.

If you do not cite references, you will get a zero for that assignment and risk having an academic dishonesty form in your records.

EXAMS All exams will be posted in Blackboard. The exams are all multiple-choice with some essay and other questions. Students are given a window of several days in which to complete each exam.

6 ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Completed weekly assignments must be submitted using Assignment Manager: There is a web picture instruction guide in the Assignment section of Blackboard, if you need help using Assignment Manager. If you have problems with submitting assignments as noted above, please let me know. Course Grading Make sure you check your Gradebook on a regular basis, so you can see how you are progressing in earning points. There is a possible 1110 points totaling ALL of the possible course activities. However to accommodate personal situations the grading range starts at 1060 points. This means there are 50 flex points in this course. This also means there is NO extra credit or makeup assignment options in this class. In special circumstances, like a major illness, or death in family, late work is accepted with a 20% point deduction, if arrangements are made with me in advance. Grading curve applies to final grade calculation Based on 1060 points 954-1060=A 848-953=B 742-847=C 636-741=D 635 and less = F

Course Outline: Weekly assignments are posted on Sun evening, and are unless otherwise noted, are due the following Sun at 11:59pm
Week 1 February 21 Unit Chapter 1 Reading* Assignments and assessments Environmental Footprint discussion board 100 points HW Quiz Chpter 1= 100 points Due Sun, Feb 26, 11:59pm Wk 2 Assignment ( 100 points) due March 4, 11:59pm

2 Feb 26

3 March 4 4 March 11

Evolution, Biodiversity and Population Ecology Species Interactions and Community Ecology Human Population Global Climate Change

Chapter 3 ( all) Chpt 4 pp 64-78

Chapter 6 Chapter 14

Wk 3 Assignment ( 100 points) due March 11, 11:59pm Global Warming test ( 100 points) -due Sun, March 18, 11:59pm

5 March 18 6 March 25

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Midterm exam study guide posted Chapter 8 ( content will be on Midterm Exam ( 100 points) quiz, week 6) due Wed, March 21 , 11:59pm Chapter 15 Wk 6 Assignment ( 100 points) due April 1, 11:59pm Quiz on Chapter 8 ( 10- tenpoints) due April 1, 11:59pm Renewable energy test- 100 points) due April 8, 11:59pm Wk 8 Assignment ( 100 points) due April 15, 11:59pm Wk 9 Assignment ( 100 points) due April 22, 11:59pm Final exam study guide posted Final exam ( 100 points) due Wed, April 25, 11:59pm

7 April 1 8 April 8 9 April 15

Renewable Energy Alternatives Waste Management Soil, Agriculture and the Future of Food. Overfishing and Marine Conservation. Sustainable Solutions Finals Week

Chapter 16 Chapter 17

Chapter 7 - pages:146-158; Chapter 12: pages 273-275 and the Epilogue

10 April 22

THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS CITIZENSHIP STATEMENT The College of Liberal Arts avows citizenship as the means to developing students into foundations for their families and communities. Citizenship includes experiential and reflective learning that leads students to a comprehension of the connectedness between individuals, cultures, and the environment. Through the curricular and extra-curricular integration of Cultural Connections and Sustainability, Robert Morris University challenges students to know what is happening in diverse communities, to care about those communities, and to act as citizens of the world. THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS WRITING REQUIREMENTS Students will produce a total of at least ten pages of writing for this course. They will have numerous opportunities to practice various forms of writing in assignments of different lengths, which combined will fulfill this requirement. These might include online written activities (e.g., substantive discussion board postings), journal entries, short response essays, essay examinations, formal papers, and other kinds of writing. THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION POLICY Students should expect to interact with other students and faculty in the classroom, online, and at off-campus course events. The value of a students degree and the richness of the university experience is the result of a students participation and engagement in class and student activities. Faculty members in The College of Liberal Arts develop and communicate attendance and participation expectations to their students from the very beginning of the term. ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY LOPATA CENTER Students that need or want additional help with course material can attend The LoPata Center to meet with a consultant or make an appointment with their instructor for assistance.