Environmental Science 1401 Syllabus

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Lone Star College-CyFair Campus Policies

Revised 08/01/2017 We encourage students to read the Student Handbook and LSC Catalog for a comprehensive list of policies and procedures.

Student Behavior Expectations Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while on College property, in an online environment, and/or in the dual credit classroom on the high school campus. Students may receive disciplinary action up to and including suspension, if they violate College rules, disrupt classes, or interfere with the opportunity of others to obtain an education. Students who pose a threat to the safety of others will be subject to immediate withdrawal from the classroom, campus environment, and/or online environment, as well as face subsequent criminal charges, as appropriate. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct for additional information.

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Student Absence on Religious Holy Days The student must notify the faculty member in writing within the first 12 days of the semester of the intent to be absent due to a religious holy day. Under Texas Education Code 51.911, a student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time as established by the faculty member.

of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 Campus Safety and Security Lone Star College is committed to maintaining the safety of the students, faculty, staff, and guests while visiting one of our campuses. To help ensure your safety during an emergency (safety, fire, severe weather, etc.), please follow the instructions of college officials. Safety information and resources may be found on the Office of Emergency Management website and are also posted in each classroom. In the event you wish to report an emergency, please contact the police at 281.290.5911 or utilize the red handled emergency phones located in classrooms.

The Texas Legislature enacted campus carry by passing Senate Bill 11, effective at LSC on August 1, 2017. Senate Bill 11, known as the “Campus Carry” law, amends Texas law to allow license holders to carry concealed handguns on college campuses. To carry a concealed handgun on LSC campuses, an individual must have a valid License to Carry issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. LSC has established rules and regulations regarding enforcement of Campus Carry. Lone Star College prohibits concealed carry in some areas of LSC campuses. For more information about Campus Carry, visit the LSC Campus Carry website.

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of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 Counseling Services Counseling services are available to students who are experiencing difficulty with academic issues, selection of college major, career planning, disability accommodations, or personal issues. Students may contact Counseling, Career, and Disability Services at 281.290.3260, email: [email protected] or stop by CASA 109 to make an appointment.

Students may contact counseling services at the Fairbanks Center or Cypress Center. The Fairbanks Center contact is 832.782.5110, email; [email protected], or FBC120. The Cypress Center contact is 832.920.5029, [email protected], or CYC, or 100B.

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Course Information Instructor contact information

Instructor: DeAnna Appling Office Phone: 281 897-4600

Office:Room 1015 Office Hours: 2:45 – 3:30 PM

E-mail: [email protected] Website: beachbioeyw.com

Welcome to

Course Title: Environmental Science Term and Year: Fall 2017 Course Subject: ENVR Course Number & Section: 1401 Class Days: Monday - Friday Credit Hours: 4 Lecture Hours: 48 Class Room Location: 1015 Lab Hours: 48 External Hours: N/a Total Contact Hours: 96

CEU’s (if linked w/ credit course): N/A Page 4 of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 Course overview

This is a Dual Credit Course. Dual credit is part of the Lone Star College exceptional admissions program. It is especially designed for secondary education students who qualify to earn high school and college credit simultaneously while still in high school.

Catalog Description: Interdisciplinary study of both natural (biology, chemistry, geology) and social (economics, politics, ethics) sciences as they apply to the environment. Focus is on the role of science in addressing global environmental concerns. Concepts include ethics, policy, matter, energy, species biodiversity, ecology, human populations, food and agriculture. Practical laboratory experience emphasizes the application of fundamental principles of biology and chemistry as well as critical thinking and analysis. Lab required. . Student Learning Outcomes: Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.

Course Learning Outcomes:  1 - Recognize, describe, and quantitatively evaluate earth systems including the land, water, sea, and atmosphere, and how these function as interconnected ecological systems.  2 - Describe the principles of ecology.  3 - Describe how environmental factors influence where species live.  4 - Identify different types of species interactions and their causes and effects.  5 - Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem levels.  6 - Identify and analyze how humans affect biodiversity.  7 - Assess environmental challenges facing humans caused by their interaction with the physical and biological environment (e.g., population growth energy resources, food production, pollution, water and resource use.  8 - Acquire a scientific vocabulary and critical thinking skills related to environmental science.  9 - Assess the effectiveness and feasibility of environmental policy and its impact.  10 - Apply the scientific method to environmental investigation.  11 - Measure and observe aspects of the environment (e.g., air, water, soil through sampling and sample analysis.  12 - Develop an assessment plan for an environmental case study.  13 - Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data. In our efforts to prepare students for a changing world, students may be expected to utilize computer technology while enrolled in classes, certificate, and/or degree programs within LSCS.

Getting ready

Prerequisites: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing, MATH 0308.

Required Material: 1. Living In The Environment, 16th edition. G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman, Brooks/Cole, 10 Davis Dr., Belmont, CA 2. Environmental Science Lab Book

of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 3. Laboratory downloads from teacher webpage 4. Scientific Calculator 5. ½” 3-ring binder with paper 6. Computer/internet access

Instructor guidelines and policies

Attendance: The student is expected to be on time and to attend each class/lab (and is therefore responsible for all material covered/announcements, etc.). Good class attendance is absolutely essential to do well in this course! It is a good idea to get a few names and phone numbers of others in the class so that you might reach them if you miss a class to arrange to get the information you missed as quickly as possible. You must follow the attendance policy of Cypress Fairbanks ISD.

Assignments: Due dates will be stated when assignments are given; no late work will be accepted. There will be assignments online through McGraw Hill’s “mhedconnect” as well as videos and questions on my website (beachbioeyw.com). Other in-class assignments will arise as well. There will be several labs through the course with at least 2 formal lab reports and at least 2 lab exams.

Exams: There will be both lab exams and lecture exams. Lab exams will cover content and techniques learned during the lab. There will be no make-ups for lab exams. Exams will be in a multiple-choice, short answer and /or essay format. Each lecture exam will be worth 100 points. Neither lecture nor lab exams may be take-home or open book exams. Exams will be graded within a week of taking the exam and you will have the opportunity to go over your grade and exam with me. Make up exams: We will follow the Cypress Fairbanks ISD and campus policies for make-up exams. Final exam is mandatory and makeup exam is not allowed.

Electronic devices: Cell phones are disruptive and should be silenced and placed out of view before class begins. Texting/conversing on cell phones are not allowed during class. The instructor will ask the student who disregards this rule to leave the classroom if this rule is disregarded after 3 times. Use or handling of mobile devices, laptops, or other electronic devices is not permitted during assessments or review of exams and may result in a zero on the assessment. See CFISD “Electronic Policy”

Instructor’s assurance: Instructor will return all email correspondence within a 48-hour period Monday through Friday. All exams will be graded and scores given within a week of the exam date. Instructor will provide the students with the opportunity to review and discuss their exams.

Behavior and etiquette: Unless the students are asked by the instructor to conduct discussions, talking is not allowed in lectures or labs. Communication among students during lab for group work is allowed with noise level kept to a low level. The instructor will ask a student who disturbs lectures/labs to leave the room, and be marked “absent” for the day.

Department/Division Contact: If you encounter a problem during this class that cannot be resolved with your instructor contact the Biology Department Chair (Dr. Warner Bair). Phone: 281-290-3905, email: [email protected]; office CASA 320S

Your grade will be Percent determined by the Details of Final following Average There will be 6 lecture exams (lowest Lecture Exams grade of completed exam will be 45 dropped)

of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 There will be 4 lab exam/formal lab Lab Exams/Formal Lab reports; Due dates given, no late work 20 Reports accepted, lowest completed dropped There will be multiple assignments Quizzes/Homework/Etc. throughout the course (lowest grade 20 will be dropped) There will be a comprehensive final Final Exam 15 exam Total: 100% GRADE DETERMINATION: (NOTE: GRADE DETERMINATION MUST FOLLOW LONE STAR COLLEGE GUIDELINES AND MAY DIFFER FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOL)

of 12 Revised 08/01/2017 Final Examinations A final evaluation activity will occur during the published final evaluation period. The appropriate dean must approve any variation to this schedule. LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT:

Letter Grade Final Average in Percent A 89.5 - 100 B 79.5 - 89.4 C 69.5 – 79.4 D 59.5 – 69.4 F 0 – 59.4

Dual credit rules allow college faculty to use two grading scales, one for the high school class (ISD) and the other for the college class (Lone Star College). Consequently, a student could master the course material at a level satisfactory to pass the high school class, while failing the college course. A dual credit course taken at a high school campus is a college course in all respects. Retesting is not a standard practice, and is not allowed on student request. Please review your course syllabus and ask your professor for details on grading policies and procedures.

Tentative Instructional Outline:

Week Activities Objectives Number and Assignment and Details Ch. 1 (Environmental Problems, Their Causes, Describe the role of science in relation to ethics and policy- 1 and Sustainability)Supp. making when addressing environmental concerns. #5 Environmental History Ch. 1 quiz LS lab #1 Principles of Sustainability, Jelly Side down formal lab Exam 1 Ch. 1, Ch. 2 (Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems) Supp. # Explain how basic principles of chemistry define 2 1Measurement, and connect living organisms. Supp..#2 ,Reading Graphs, Supp.#6 Basic Chemistry Ch. 2 quiz LS lab #2 (Basic Concepts and Tools) Describe the principles of ecology. 3 Ch. 3 (Ecosystems)

Ch. 3 quiz Week Activities Objectives Number and Assignment and Details Salinization lab Describe the principles of ecology. 4 Ch. 3 (Ecosystems)

Lab exam (labs 1,2,salinization) or Formal lab 1 LS lab #3 Illegal Immigration: Ballast Water and Exotic Species Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to 5 Exam 2 ch. 2 and 3 ecosystem levels Ch. 4 Biodiversity and Evolution, ch. 4 quiz LS lab #4 Catch of the Day: The State of Global Fisheries Supp. # 4 (Biodiversity, Ecological Footprints and Environmental Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to 6 Performance Maps) and ecosystem levels Supp. #7 Classifying and Naming Species LS lab #5 The State of Global Forests

Ch. 5 (Biodiversity, Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to 7 Species Interactions and ecosystem levels Population Control) Quiz ch. 5 Natural Selection Lab Describe how environmental factors influence 8 Exam 3 ch. 4& 5 where species live.

Chi Square Lab Lab exam (labs Lab exam (labs 3,4,5, 9 natural selection, Chi Identify and analyze how humans affect biodiversity Square)/formal lab 2 Ch. 6 (Population Dynamics) Week Activities Objectives Number and Assignment and Details LS Lab #7 (Global Population Growth) Ch. 6 quiz Supp. #3 Economic, 10 Identify and analyze how humans affect biodiversity Population, Data and Maps LS lab #8 (Carrying Capacity and Ecological Footprint)

Describe how environmental factors influence 11 Exam 4 ch. 6 where species live.

Ch. 7 Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity, LS lab #6 Restoration Ecology Describe how environmental factors influence 12 Supp, #8 (Weather Basics) where species live.

Ch. 7 quiz Lab-Biome Research Describe how environmental factors influence 13 Ch. 8 (Aquatic Biodiversity) where species live.

Ch. 8 quiz

Shannon Weiner lab

Describe how environmental factors influence 14 Lab exam (6, 7, 8) where species live.

Ch. 9 (Sustaining biodiversity) LS lab #11 (Restoring EstuariesL Chesapeake Bay) Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable 15 Ch. 9 agricultural practices Ch. 9 quiz Natural Selection lab Week Activities Objectives Number and Assignment and Details Supp. #9 (Interactions in Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable 16 Major Biomes) agricultural practices LS lab # 12 (Soils and Sustaibable Society) Ch. 10 (Sustaining Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable 17 Terrestrial Biodiversity: agricultural practices The Ecosystem Approach) Ch. 10 quiz LS lab #13 Global Grain Production Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable 18 Ch. 10 cont’d agricultural practices Case Studies Research Ch. 11 Sustaining Aquatic Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable 19 Biodiversity agricultural practices Ch. 11 quiz Lab exam (9,11,12,13)

 Describe the role of science in relation to ethics and policy-making when addressing environmental concerns.  Explain how basic principles of chemistry define and connect living organisms.  Describe the principles of ecology.  Describe how environmental factors influence where species live. 20 Ch. 11 cont’d  Identify different types of species interactions and their causes and effects.  Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem levels.  Identify and analyze how humans affect biodiversity.  Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable agricultural practices.

21 Exam (ch. 9, 10,11)  Describe the role of science in relation to ethics and policy-making when addressing environmental concerns.  Explain how basic principles of chemistry define and connect living organisms.  Describe the principles of ecology. Week Activities Objectives Number and Assignment and Details  Describe how environmental factors influence where species live.  Identify different types of species interactions and their causes and effects.  Describe the significance of biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem levels.  Identify and analyze how humans affect biodiversity.  Relate fundamental concepts of ecology to sustainable agricultural practices.

Review 

22 Finals 

* All Lab Objectives are as follows:  Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions, and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.  Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.  Employ teamwork for a shared purpose or goal.

Syllabus Disclaimer

It is the instructor’s right to modify the class schedule when necessary and cover course topics as he/she feels is necessary to meet the learning outcomes, therefore this syllabus is subject to change.