Ag 150S Syllabus Template

AG 150S-Be a Master Student-SYLLABUS Environmental Science Section 007 Fall 2009 Course Instructors from Office of Undergraduate Education: Name Email Telephone The Office of Undergraduate Education is located in 101 Dr. Marcos Fernandez [email protected] 814-865-7521 Agricultural Administration Building. Instructors are Dr. Marianne Fivek [email protected] 814-865-7521 available by appointment only by calling: 814-865-7521. Ms. Deborah Little [email protected] 814-867-0383 Dr. Terry Musser [email protected] 814-863-2834

Course Instructors from Department of Crop & Soil Sciences and Environmental Resource Management: Name Email Telephone Katharine Butler [email protected] 814-865-2119 Tarrah Geszvain [email protected] 814-865-6942

Course Objectives: To help students become: 1. active, collaborative and lifelong, independent learners; 2. critical thinkers; 3. aware of University policies, rules, support programs and opportunities for expanding the college experience; 4. academically successful; 5. aware of the scope of career opportunities related to the agricultural industry.

Evaluation

1. Attendance and Participation Grade: a. Class attendance is essential to success in this class b. An excuse/reason must be provided to the instructors for any missed classes c. Three or more unexcused absences result in failure of the course d. Attendance and participation will account for 20% of your final grade

2. Criteria for Writing Assignments: a. All reports must be typed b. Format – single-spaced and 12 point font c. Grade based on organization, spelling, grammar, and completeness and clarity of discussion of topic.

3. Grading: Grades will be based on assignments outlined in this syllabus. 50% of the assignments are required in the Monday, large group portion while the other 50% are required in the smaller section you are enrolled in. The course is based on a grading scale of 100 percent of the total points possible (200) and will include plus and minus demarcations as follows: A 95-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 75-79 D 65-69 A- 90-94 B 84-86 C 70-74 F 0-64 B- 80-83 Assignments

 All students are to be prepared to discuss core concepts and theories presented and to provide personal examples that reflect original and critical thought.  Assignments must be turned in on time for full credit. Penalties on assignments are: 10% deduction if assignment is one day late; 20% deduction for assignments 2-7 days late; 30% deduction on assignments more than 7 days late. Assignments will not be accepted after midnight on Friday, December 11.  All assignments must be posted on ANGEL (cms.psu.edu) by midnight on the date due.  Details for each assignment will be presented in the previous class.

1 Academic Integrity

Academic integrity, as defined by University Faculty Senate Policy 49-20, is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Individual assignments in AG 150S should be authored by and reflect that individual’s ideas and opinions.

Course Agenda

*Please note that the assignments and activities highlighted in grey pertain to the College-wide section of this course while the non-highlighted information pertains to the Environmental Science section of this course

Date/Location Activity Speaker Assignments Due August 24 Introductions All Instructors Attend CAS Club and College Fair on 2:30 – 3:20 Course overview and expectations Sept. 2 101 ASI Review syllabus Complete ANGEL Obstacle Course Preview ANGEL August 24 Introductions Katharine Butler 1:25-2:15 Course overview and expectations Tarrah Geszvain 9 Business Bldg. Review syllabus Preview ANGEL August 31 Time Management Skills Debbie Little Complete worksheet on Principles 2:30 – 3:20 Study Skills and Policies 101 ASI August 31 Air Quality Learning & Dr. Dennis 1:25-2:15 Demonstration Center Decoteau Curtin Rd. Bus Pull-Off September 7 LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES September 7 LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES September 14 The Land Grant Mission Marcos Fernandez Attend Library Open House 2:30 – 3:20 Why are you here? September 15 or 16 101 ASI Penn State Principles and Policies 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Complete “Know the Code” code of conduct quiz online before 9/21 September 14 Tour of Millbrook Marsh Nature Molly Hetrick 1:25-2:15 Center Curtin Rd. Bus Pull-Off September 21 Academic Integrity Gary Miller Time Management Chart Assignment 2:30 – 3:20 Judicial Affairs Due 101 ASI September 21 Tour of the MorningStar Solar Dr. Lisa Brown 1:25-2:15 Home Curtin Rd. Bus Pull-Off

2 Date/Location Activity Speaker Assignments Due September 28 International Opportunities Marilyn McPheron Run degree audit on eLion for your 2:30 – 3:20 CAS Office for International intended major before 10/5 101 ASI Programs September 28 Tour of PSU Composting Facility Nadine Davitt 1:25-2:15 Curtin Rd. Bus Pull-Off October 5 Academic Advising Topics Terry Musser Bring degree audit 2:30 – 3:20  Meeting w/your adviser 101 ASI  Online advising resources  Degree audit  Minors/dual majors October 5 Marcellus Shale Presentation Tim Kelsey 1:25-2:15 9 Business Bldg. October 12 Personal Wellness 2:30 – 3:20  University Health Services Beth Collitt 101 ASI  CAPS Dan Elreda  Police Services Officer Bywater October 12 Library Research with Class Group Helen Smith 1:25-2:15 403 Paterno, Paterno Library October 19 Career Services Maggie Frank Intercultural Development Inventory 2:30 – 3:20 Internships Deb McAllister Assignment Due 101 ASI Prep for AG Sciences Career Fair October 19 Scavenger Hunt-Locating Important Scavenger Hunt Presentations 1:25-2:15 PSU landmarks/Facilities 9 Business Bldg. October 26 Diversity Jeopardy Randi Congleton Race Relations Project Assignment 2:30 – 3:20 Due 101 ASI Attend Ag Sciences Career Fair Oct. 27 October 26 e-Portfolio Introduction Kate Butler & 1:25-2:15 206 Tarrah Geszvain Business Building November 2 Financial Planning/Management Curt Marshall or Career Fair Report Assignment Due 2:30 – 3:20 Ro Nwranski 101 ASI November 2 Waste Management at PSU Al Matyasovsky 1:25-2:15 9 Business Bldg. November 9 Research in Agricultural Sciences Bruce McPheron Budget Worksheet Assignment Due 2:30 – 3:20 Interview faculty & write report on 101 ASI his/her research November 9 TBA 1:25-2:15 9 Business Bldg.

3 Assignment Description Due Date Points Date/LocationTime management chartActivity Speaker SeptemberAssignments 21 10 Due NovemberIntercultural 16 Opportunities Development for Inventory Involvement Student Panel October 19 10 2:30 – 3:20Scavenger Hunt Clubs/teams Group Presentations October 19 10 101 ASI Participation Researchin Race Relations Project October 26 10 Career Fair ReportService (from Learning October 27 Career Fair) November 2 10 NovemberBudget 16 WorksheetTBA e-portfoliosNovember Due 9 10 1:25-2:15 e-Portfolios November 16 20 9 BusinessFinal Bldg. Course Reflection/Evaluation November 30 10 Nov 23 - 29Marcellus NoShale Class Group – Thanksgiving Presentation holiday and Group Paper November 30 30 Nov 23 - 29Written reportNo Class on faculty – Thanksgiving research holiday December 7 20 NovemberFinal 30 reflectiveWrap-up paper and on semester environmental review tours/speakers FinalDecember Reflection 7 Assignment20 Due 2:30 – 3:20Attend Club/College Fair, CAS Career Fair, Library Open House; take Throughout the 20 101 ASI the “Know the Code” online quiz; and bring a degree audit to class semester NovemberAttendance 30 Marcellus and Participation Shale Class in PresentationsEnvironmental Section MarcellusThroughout Shale the Group Presentations20 1:25-2:15 andsemester Paper Due 9 BusinessTOTAL Bldg. 200 December 7 No Class – makeup for out-of-class Faculty Research Assignment Due requirements December 7 Wrap-up and semester review Reflective Paper on Tours/Speakers 1:25-2:15 9 Business Bldg.

Assignment Details for College Section of AG 150S

Time Management Chart (10 points) Complete the weekly calendar on ANGEL indicating how you spent your time for a seven-day period from Sunday, September 13 through Saturday, September 19. At the bottom of the chart, write one paragraph reflecting on what you learned from doing this activity and how you might tweak your time management habits.

Intercultural Development Inventory (10 points) Complete the IDI on ANGEL

Race Relations Project (10 points) The Race Relations Project (RRP) is a peer-facilitated diversity program that employs trained undergraduate students from Penn State to lead small group discussions on topics of race relations relevant to you and the other students participating. RRP facilitators encourage participants in these groups to express their views and experiences on these issues. Because our mission is to expand dialogue, our facilitators do not tell people what they should think; instead, they encourage honest and open dialogue.

RRP programs occur outside of the regular meeting times of your class. Most programs are held in the evenings, although we do have some day time programs throughout the week to accommodate your schedule. For more information on the RRP, visit our website: www.racerelationsproject.psu.edu. Be aware, the programs for this class will only be offered during specific weeks of the semester. One week before the start date you will receive an email explaining how to register for the RRP program. You will not be admitted if you are more than 5 minutes late and the program lasts 95 minutes. All questions regarding the RRP should be directed to the RRP staff at: 865-5692 or [email protected]

Career Fair Report (10 points) Write a one-page, single-spaced report on your experiences at the 2009 College of Agricultural Sciences Career Fair on October 27. Include information about one or two important contacts you made there (include their name(s) and company or 4 organization name(s)) and how you plan to use the information you gathered for future internship or career opportunities. Upload your report to ANGEL.

Budget Worksheet (10 points) Complete your personal budget worksheet on ANGEL and write one paragraph reflecting on how you might improve your current financial situation through reduced spending or increased earnings or why you feel your current budget plan is effective. Complete this assignment even if your parents or other family members provide all of your income and/or pay all of your bills. You should be responsible by calculating exactly what it costs you or your family for you to be here.

Final Evaluation (10 points) Complete the course evaluation form on ANGEL.

Written report on faculty research (20 points) Write a one- or two-page, single-spaced report on the research project you learned about. You may choose to interview a faculty member of a college other than Agricultural Sciences. Include the name, title and department of the faculty member(s) you interviewed, the name of the research, a brief description of the research, and a synopsis of the impact that research is having or intends to have on agriculture (or another field you are interested in). Be sure to include your impressions of the research and what you learned. Upload the paper to ANGEL.

Attendance and Participation (20 points)  Class attendance will be taken each class period.  You will receive credit for attending the Club/College Fair (September 2) with a coupon you turn in for ice cream at the Fair (turn in the coupon even if you don’t want ice cream).  You will receive credit for attending the Library Open House by completing and turning in the library map you receive at the Open House (September 15 or 16).  You will receive credit for taking the online “Know the Code” quiz in preparation for the guest speaker on Sept. 21  You must go to eLion (www.eLion.psu.edu) and use the “Degree audit” module to print a degree audit for your intended major in preparation for class on Oct. 5. You must select “Alternative Major” on the opening page of that module in order to enter a major you are interested in. You may choose to run a degree audit for any major in any college you are most interested in (it doesn’t have to be in the College of Agricultural Sciences). You will turn in your degree audit for scoring at the end of class October 5.

Assignment Details for Environmental Science Section of AG 150S

Scavenger Hunt Assignment and Group Presentation (10 points) On a typical scavenger hunt, you have to acquire certain objects along your way to demonstrate that a certain path was taken. Since this is a scavenger hunt for important Penn State landmarks, buildings, and other things, you are to demonstrate your visits through photographs. This is a three-fold assignment: 1. Follow the directions you are given and find the places/items listed (this will be handed out in class) 2. Take the most creative/funny pictures at each site [REMEMBER: ALL team members (except the person taking the picture) must be in the pictures or they WILL NOT count]. Take turns taking pictures 3. Compile the pictures into a presentation that your group will share with the rest of the class on October 19th. This scavenger hunt will be graded as follows:  Locating landmarks 2.5 points  Creativity of photos 2.5 points  Creativity of presentation 5 points  TOTAL 10 points

Marcellus Shale Group Presentation (10 points) Please refer to assignment details on ANGEL 5 Marcellus Shale Group Paper (20 points) Please refer to assignment details on ANGEL

E-portfolio An e-Portfolio can be used to post information such as a resume, research papers, study abroad and internship experiences, or other pertinent personal and professional information. Students will benefit from creating an e-portfolio that can be used when applying for internship and job positions or when eventually applying to graduate schools. It will be beneficial for students to maintain the e-Portfolio even after this course is over. We will be meeting as a class in a computer lab on October 26th to begin working on the e-portfolio.

The e-Portfolio MUST: Grading Breakdown:  Be accessible on-line • Professionalism: 5 pts.

 Include AT LEAST two outside working hyperlinks • Aesthetics: 5 pts.

 Have a link to your resume • Bulleted Criteria 10 pts. (pictures, resume, etc)

 Include relevant/personal pictures

Reflective Paper on Environmental Tours/Speakers (20 points) You will write a 2-3 page (12 pt. font, double-spaced) paper that reflects upon the activities, tours and guest speakers that you encountered throughout the semester. Please be sure to cover information on all of the tours and speakers, and expand on one or two that were the highlight for you.

Attendance/Participation, Environmental Science section (20 points)  Class attendance will be taken each class period  Participation will be peer-evaluated for group projects  Participation will be monitored during tours/guest lectures

Disability Access Statement: The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the instructors as soon as possible.