Contact Information

Instructor: Dr. Daniel Short

Office: 215 John Jay
Office Phone: (412) 262-8260
E-mail: short@robert-morris.edu

Office/Lab Hours: See calendar

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Course Description and Objectives

This course is an introduction to the study of environmental science. It is a study of interrelationships that will equip you with the necessary information to understand the complex arena of environmental concerns. Questions of human populations and their interaction with the environment, as well as basic scientific principles, environmental ethics, resource use, and conservation will be addressed.

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Course Outline

Unit 1 - Environmental Problems: Population, Pollution

Unit 2 - Global Warming, the Ozone Hole

Unit 3 - Urban Air Pollution

Unit 4 - Toxins in the Environment: Toxicity, Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Endocrine Disruptors

Unit 5 - Water: Properties, The Water Cycle, Water Pollution

Unit 6 - Waste: Landfill, Composting, Incineration, Recycling

Unit 7 - Energy: Nonrenewable Energy Sources (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear), Renewable Energy Sources (Solar Power, Wind Power, Geothermal Power

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Delivery System

The delivery of this course will include a combination of teaching methods such as: case studies, cooperative learning activities, individual presentations, lectures, coursework activities, discussions, and other techniques.

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Attendance

Attendance of each scheduled lecture is strongly advised, especially to those who wish to do well.

Changes in the class schedule, information on coursework, tests and other notices will be given in class. It is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with these changes.

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Class Participation and Active Learning

You are encouraged to be an active member of the class and to add to the learning environment of the course. You are also expected to answer questions, raise questions, initiate discussions and come prepared to share your knowledge with the class.

The chosen textbook should not be used as the sole source of information. The Internet, library and news media should all be sought out as a way of enriching your learning experience. Any news article relevant to the class topics should be brought to the attention of the class. Your creativity in bringing forth new and interesting topics to discuss will make the class more tailored to your interests and probably those of your classmates.

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Classroom Disturbances

As a student you have the right to hear the lectures and the class discussions. These classes are large and it is incumbent on each student to respect the rights of others. Therefore, I reserve the right to lower the grade or dismiss from class anyone exhibiting improper behavior which disturbs the class. Including but not limited to: arriving late to class (tardiness), leaving early (reverse tardiness), consumption of food (drinks allowed), and disturbing others through talking / use of mobile phones.

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Assessment

This course will be assessed on the basis of coursework assignments and a series of end of unit tests. The coursework will constitute 50% of the final grade and the tests will count as 50%.

Grading:

A 93-100 - Outstanding. A thoroughly comprehensive, well-organized and well-written answer or exercise. (Some degree of originality of ideas and treatment may compensate for deficiencies in coverage and organization.)

A- 89-92

B+ 86-88

B 83-85 - Achievement significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements; coverage, organization and writing satisfactory.

B- 80-82

C+ 77-79

C 70-76 - Achievement meets course requirements, i.e., an evident understanding of the material presented, even with minor deficiencies of coverage, organization, and/or writing.

D 60-69 - Achievement worthy of credit even though course requirement is not fully met, and coverage organization, and/or writing show clearly evident deficiencies.

F <60 Performance indicating that there are serious deficiencies in a student's understanding of the course material, usually accompanied by poor coverage, lack of organization, and/or inadequate writing.

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Tests

Unit tests will be comprised of a number of short answer questions with material being drawn from whatever has been covered in the lectures and coursework assignments.

Making sure you keep up with the weekly reading and assignments will bring you one step closer to success with the unit tests.

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Coursework

Online Activities (50%)

CW1: Ecological Footprint

CW2: Global Warming

CW3: Air Pollution

CW4: Toxins

CW5: Water Pollution

CW6: Recycling

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Responsibility

Be responsible for your own education. If you miss a class, obtain the notes from another student before the next class. 

Under no circumstances will due date extensions be given for the assigned coursework. If you miss an assignment due date, you must see me in my office within 3 days (M/T/W/R/F) with a valid reason or you will receive a zero for that section of the course. Please note that telephone calls and email messages are unacceptable ways of dealing with missed submission dates. Extensions will only be given if there is a death in the family, documented illness or extraordinary (documented) circumstances.

Ask questions and get involved in class discussions. Your participation and willingness to learn will be used as an aid in grade determinations for borderline situations.

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Academic Honesty

Every student at Robert Morris University should make themselves familiar with the colleges expectations in terms of academic honesty. Any violations of this code in terms of cheating or plagiarism will be duly addressed.

I incorporate use of the internet as much as possible into this course. In doing so students may wander into what I view as academically dishonest behavior, and may do so unknowingly. Lifting material from the Internet and submitting it either as ones own, or as part of ones project is unacceptable. This does not qualify as independent work, and is viewed as plagiarism. Be advised that with developments in today's technology it is extremely easy to spot such violations and if found the person or persons involved will not receive credit for their work.

Students who commit blatant acts of plagiarism will fail the course and may be required to present a defense to be allowed to continue their studies at Robert Morris.

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Computer Literacy

Become familiar with how to access a computer with an Internet connection. This is expected of all college students in today's educational environment.

Familiarization with computer applications and Internet-related activities should be sought quickly and efficiently in order to gain the most from this course. A course website is on my homepage and a textbook website is available for short answer questions on items found in your text.

This site has the address:

http://www.brookscole.com/biology/member/student/envsci/chapter/index.html

I will also be asking you to check websites from time to time. This is your responsibility and priority.

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Required Text

Miller, G.T. (200?) Sustaining the Earth. Brooks/Cole. (Alternatives available)

Disability

Students with special requirements that can be accommodated and are covered by the Students with Disabilities Act should contact the instructor.

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