Environmental Biology (Biology 1230A)

Spring 2008 Tentative Syllabus

Tuesday & Thursday 8:00-9:15 am. Biology Room 1119

Dr. Lorne Wolfe

Office: Biology Bldg. Room 2204

Email: wolfe@georgiasouthern.edu Phone: 912-681-0848,

Course Web Site: http://www.bio.georgiasouthern.edu/Bio-home/wolfe/1230

Lecture	Day	Date	Topic	Text Reading
			I. The Basics
1	T	Jan. 15	Introduction to Course	Preface
2	R	17	Overview of Environmental Biology	1
3	T	22	History of Environmentalism	2
4	R	24	Scientific Method and Risk	1, 10
5	T	29	Global Environmental Change	10, 11, 12
6	R	31	Global Environmental Change
7	T	Feb. 5	Video: An Inconvenient Truth
8	R	7	RRR-What You Can Do	15
9	T	12	***Exam I***
			II. Energy: Costs & Benefits
10	R	14	Fossil Fuels	12, 13
11	T	19	Fossil Fuels
12	R	21	Alternative Sources	11, 14
13	T	26	Alternative Sources
14	R	28	An Insider's View of the Energy Industry
			III. Population Growth
15	T	March 4	Basics of Population Growth	4
16	R	6	Human Population Growth	6, 7, 9
17	T	11	Human Population Growth
18	R	13	Video: Six Billion & Beyond
	T	18	Spring Break
	R	20	Spring Break
			IV. Biological Diversity
19	T	25	Life, Energy & Food	3, 7
20	R	27	***Exam II***
21	T	April 1	Ecology	5, 11
22	R	3	Ecology
23	T	8	Raptor Center Visits Class
24	R	10	Biodiversity	4, 8
25	T	15	Biodiversity
26	R	17	HIPPO	5, 8
			V. Born to Run
27	T	22	Social Activism
28	R	24	Traveling Your World
29	T	29	To be decided
30	R	May 1	***Final Exam***

While the provisions of this syllabus are as accurate and complete as possible, the instructor reserves the right to change any provision herein without actual notice if circumstances so warrant. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of such changes and information about such changes will be available at all times from the instructor. It is the responsibility of each student to know what changes, if any, have been made to the provisions of this syllabus and to successfully complete the requirements of this course.

Textbook: Withgott and Brennan. 2007. ≥Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories≤. 2^nd edition. This comes bundled with ≥Themes of the Times≤.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course you will be comfortable with the basics of environmental biology in order to understand the major problems facing Earth, how your actions impact the planet, and how this eventually influences your life. My hope is that by becoming an educated citizen you will contribute to solutions rather than adding to the problems.

ATTENDANCE: Attendance in lecture is expected. You are responsible for everything covered, mentioned, discussed and displayed in class. If you miss a class, get a classmate's notes as mine will not be available. Donπt think about it, Tuesday and Thursday you come to Biology Bldg. Room 1119 at 8:00 am.

OFFICE HOURS: I do not have specific office hours because I have an open-door policy and you are welcome to see me at any time. Of course you can make an appointment if you so desire.

GRADING: Exam 1 80 pts

Exam 2 100 pts

Final Exam 100 pts

Stuff 20 pts

Total 300 pots

Grading scale: A = 270-300 pts. B = 240-269 pts. C = 210-239 pts. D = 180-209 pts. F = < 180 pts.

EXAMS: If you know you will have to miss an exam for a legitimate excuse (eg: illness), inform me BEFORE the exam (phone or email). You will not be given extra time if you arrive late. If you miss an exam and do not have a legitimate excuse you will be given a zero. No extra credit assignments will be given to students making poor grades. Bring the following to all exams: 1) an unwrinkled Scantron form 2052; 2) one or more no. 2 pencils;
3) your GSU ID card. IMPORTANT ≠ The final exam will be held during the normal class on May 1 and not during the regular final exam period.

STUFF: Twenty points (~7%) of your final grade will come from a variety of in-class and/or take-home assignments. To obtain the points you will have to hand in the assignment on time and it must be done correctly. Even if you miss a class for a legitimate reason you cannot make up any assignment done during that class. However, there will be more than 20 points worth of assignments given during the semester, so even if you miss one or two you can still potentially obtain full credit. Bottom Line - the more classes you attend, the more points you will accumulate.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS: Realize that YOU are responsible for what you learn and the grade you earn. You will only do well if you regularly put in a large effort. I provide the information; itπs up to you what you do with it.

Ä Communicate!! I will gladly discuss any problems you are having with the material but you must take the initiative. Do not wait until the end of the semester if you are having a problem.

Ä The best way to get in touch with me is via email.

Ä The best path to a good grade is to attend every class.

HOW TO STUDY: 1) Keep up with the material. 2) Read to understand and not to race through a chapter.
3) Read chapter summaries before class. 4) Form study groups and get together regularly to discuss the material. 5) Take your own notes from the text: do not rely exclusively on my lecture outlines. 6) Use the Glossary in the text to learn the language of environmental biology and how to define terms.

BEHAVIOR: Please minimize any disruptions. 1) Donπt be late; be ready to go by 7:55 am. 2) Turn off your cell phones and do not leave lecture to make/receive phone calls. 3) Do not eat, sleep or read newspapers during class. 4) Use of laptop computers is only allowed by special permission. 5) If someone bothers you during class, let me know and I will take care of it.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Students found violating the conditions of academic honesty will receive a zero on that assignment/exam (see Student Conduct Code for definitions of academic honesty). Violations of academic honesty will be reported to the administration and will be documented on one's permanent academic record. Academic honesty includes conducting yourself in a non-disruptive manner (see BEHAVIOR section).