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Introduction To Environmental Sciences: ENSC 001 Course Syllabus Summer, 2008 Course Objectives: I. 2.

To introduce a wide range of topics in the environmental sciences and explore the science underlying these issues. To stimulate interest in and create excitement about the environment.

Course description:

This course is intended for students with a strong interest in science and the environment. After covering some

introductory material on basic tools, the properties of ecosystems, global population growth, and the world's natural resources, we

will focus on the impacts of human activity on the environment. We'll cover issues ranging from

local problems you may be familiar with in your community to such global topics as ozone depletion and global warming.

Prerequisites:

Students should have taken courses in biology and chemistry.

Text:

Environmental Science by Wright. 10th edition (available in UVM Bookstore).

Grading:

All lessons for a week must be submitted by midnight Saturday of that week, except for the final week's lessons, which will be due

by midnight, Tuesday, June 24. The final exam, which will be open book, will be available at 8am (EDT) Monday, June 23, and

must be completed by midnight (EDT), Friday, June 27. Grades will be calculated as follows:

• weekly assignments: 35% • class project: 25% • final exam: 30% • weekly discussion postings: 10% Late submissions:

Unexcused late submissions will not be permitted.

Class project:

You will write a 5 page paper on an important local environmental issue of

your choice For instance, if your town is struggling with high summer

smog levels, you might write a paper on that issue. You may also think

more globally. An interesting topic might be the projected impacts of

global climate change on your community.

Each paper must include the following sections: (1) what is the issue and

why is it a concern (about 1 page); (2) what is known scientifically about

the issue (about 3 pages); and (3) what might be done about the issue

(about 1 page). You must use citations throughout the paper and include a

citation section at the end with at least 6 references (legitimate web

sites are ok). The paper must be submitted by no later than 6 pm,

Friday, June 27. It should be submitted on line by saving it in Rich Text format and sending it as an attachment via email. It can

also be cut and pasted into an email.

Discussion Board Postings: each of you will be required to make at least one posting on the Discussion Board each week. At the

beginning of the week, J will post the environmental question of the week. After doing some on-line research on the topic, you

should post an answer (1/4 page minimum) to the question of the week. It is ok to read postings of other students and consider

their viewpoints as you formulate your response. I will try to choose somewhat controversial topics designed to stimulate a

variety of responses.

Optional choice exercises: you have the opportunity to earn extra credit by completing five "choices" exercises. Starting with

Lesson 6, you can view a video in which I will pose a simple choice involving some environmental consequences (e.g. paper vs.

plastic). After you've done some research on the web to help you choose the option that's best for the environment, post a

response of at least one page with two original references (reputable web references are ok) defending your choice. Each choice

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successfully completed will be worth an additional 1% added to your final grade percentage. Choices must be completed by

Saturday noon of the week they're opened.

Consultation:

Ifyoll wish to contact me on an individual matter such as a question about a grade, please use the private mail function. The

discussion board is for items to be read by all. If there are reminders and other messages, I will usually do both a mailing and

posted discussion message.

Lessons:

Week I (May 19-23) ~?son 1 Topics: An Introduction: Tools and Concepts Readings Text pp. 1-23,629-637 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Lesson 2 Topics Energy Readings Text pp. 54-67 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment l,..esson 3 Topics Cycling of Matter Readings Text pp. 67-79,169-175 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment Les§on 4 Topics The Physical Earth Readings None Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment Lesson 5

Topics: The Atmosphere

Readings Text pp. 41-42,510-515

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Week 2 (May 26-May 30) t.-esson 6 Topics Ecosystems

Readings Text pp. 27-41, 85-113

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Lesson 7

Topics Global Distribution, Population Growth, and Resource Allocation

Readings Text pp. 117-165

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Lesson 8

Topics: Dynamics of Population Growth and Cultural/Economic Influences

Readings: Text pp. 117-165

Assignments: Terms to Learn andYour Assignment

<>~E!sson_~

Topics Water

Readings Text pp. 175-193, 287-294

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

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L?~son 10 Topics Soils & Minerals Readings: Text pp. 195-217 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Week 3 (June 2-June 6) ~sson 11 Topics: Biodiversity Readings: Text pp. 245-258, 219-243 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

L?sson 12 Topics: Energy: Conventional Readings Text pp. 305-353 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment ~esson 13 Topics: Energy: Alternative Readings Text pp. 355-381 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

~sson 14 Topics: Land: Use and Restoration Readings: Text pp. 273-301,601-623 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

<>Lesson 15

Topics: Environmental Quality: Air Pollution

Readings Text: pp. 543-571

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Week 4 (June 9-June 13)

Lesson 16 Topics: Environmental quality: air pollution Readings Text pp. 543-571 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment !,.~ssons 17-18

Topics Water Pollution

Readings: Text pp. 437-463

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

!,,~sson 1~

Topics: Solid Waste

Readings: Text pp. 465-483

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

~esson 20

Topics: Human Health

Readings: Text pp. 385-409

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Week 5 (June 16-20)

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Lessons 21-22

Topics: Global Climate Change. Readings: Text pp. 509-534 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment Le!?son 2~ Topics: Ozone Depletion Readings: Text pp. 534-541 Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment ~esson 24

Topics: Global Biodiversity

Readings: Text pp. 258-271

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Lesson 25

Topics: Environmental Economics

Readings: Text pp. 575-599

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment

Week 6 (June 23-June 26) l-e~son 26

Topics: Environment and Society

Readings: Text pp. 460-462, 485-507

Assignments: Terms To Learnand Your Assignment

hes.son 27

Topics: Living Sustainably

Readings: Text pp. 601-622

Assignments: Terms to Learn and Your Assignment Final Exam (June 23-June 27)

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