Spring 2017 Environmental Science ESS 215/BIOL 215 Drew University Professor: Dr. Sara Webb, Hall of Science 137, Phone x3550, email: [email protected] Office hours: MW 10:00-12:00; TTh 10:30-11:30, and by appointment Never hesitate to email me any time with questions or to find a time to meet.
Class meetings: Morning section D: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. TTh, HS 139 Noon section H: 11:50 a.m. - 1:05 p.m. TTh, HS 139
Course Description: This course explores the science behind environmental problems and solutions. We examine current environmental issues in the context of scientific (biological, chemical, earth science) underpinnings, while also considering the political, social and cultural dimensions of these issues. The course addresses the role of scientific knowledge in understanding and resolving environmental problems, such as climate change, deforestation, extinction, air and water pollution, food production, and environmental health.
Learning Outcomes: Through this course, which emphasizes both expertise and competencies, students will: Acquire expertise about the scientific underpinnings of environmental problems, building a body of knowledge about causes and effects of pollution, unsustainable resource use, environmental health problems, environmental injustice, ecosystem transformation, and impairment of biodiversity. Become knowledgeable about solutions to environmental problems, alternatives to current practice, and obstacles to environmental improvement. Understand, clearly articulate, and thoughtfully apply the methods and findings of scientific research to environmental problems. Become proficient at locating, documenting, evaluating, and summarizing sources including peer-reviewed scientific literature. Build environmental communication skills including writing, discussion, and oral presentation. Ameliorate environmental problems through service learning projects.
Books: Required for purchase: Latest editions required. Do not expect to do well in the course without the books!
1) Environmental Science: A Global Concern, by William P Cunningham & Mary Ann Cunningham. 13th ed., 2015. 2) Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber. 2nd edition, 2010.
Other Required Readings will be provided in hard copy or on Moodle. (See attached list)
{ Carson R. 1962. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin, Boston. (excerpts) { IPCC 2014. Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report on Fifth Assessment, Summary for Policymakers. http://ipcc.ch/ (excerpts; link on Moodle) { IPCC 2013. Climate Change: Physical Science Basis (excerpts) . (excerpts; link on Moodle) { Pacala S., Socolow R. 2004. Stabilization wedges: solving the climate problem for the next 50 years with current technologies. Science 305: 968-972. { Parke, J. 2011. Reforestation at Drew. New Jersey Audubon Magazine. { Stinson KA et al. 2006. Invasive plant suppresses the growth of native tree seedlings by disrupting belowground mutualisms. PLoS Biology 4(5): 727-731, e140. { Weisman A. 2007. The World Without Us. Chapter 9/Polymers are Forever. Thomas Dunne/St. Martins. Grading: Projects, Analysis, Exams (Preliminary; subject to modification)
Environmental news presentation (25 pts) Pollution bibliography projects (50 pts) Research paper (150 points), as follows: o Proposal=10 points, bibliography & outline=20 pts, presentation=20 pts, paper=100 pts Service project: environmental work on or off campus to promote sustainability (30 pts) Environmental events and analysis (2 @ 15 pts = 30 pts) Short papers, homework, and in-class activities: (7@10-25 pts = ~120-170 pts) Exams (3@100 points each) Note late penalties and attendance requirement (below)
Events: Outside of class time, this course requires students to attend on-campus events (films, speakers, panels). Multiple options will be available, scheduled at various times. Extra credit is offered for additional events.
Please Read These Important Course Policies
Attendance is required. With more than two absences, final course grades are penalized by 2% per additional absence. Save your excused absences for genuine emergencies! Late assignments lose 2% of their grade value per day. Be sure to check regularly for email from me about our course assignments, activities, and events. Please arrive on time. Essential announcements take place at the start of class. Chronic tardiness feels to professors like a lack of respect and will affect your grade. You are responsible for all announcements and information provided in class and for keeping track of all assignments and deadlines. No laptop, tablet, or phone use of any kind during class except for official class activities. Bring paper and pen to class every day, and maintain a folder or binder for handouts, articles, and graded work. Taking notes is your best ticket to an “A” in the class.
College Policy and Procedures for Academic Accommodations: Students who require accommodations are instructed to contact the Office of Accessibility Resources (formerly Office of Disability Services), BC 119C, 973-408- 3962, for a private, confidential appointment. Accommodation Request Letters are issued to students after documentation, written by a qualified professional, is reviewed and accommodations are approved by OAR. Accommodations are implemented by faculty only after the student presents the Accommodation Request Letter issued by OAR. Letters should be presented to the faculty at least one week before the accommodation is needed. No accommodation can be implemented retroactively. Students’ requests for accommodations should be submitted to OAR within the first two weeks of a course.
Policy on Academic Integrity: All work must adhere to the College Standards on Academic Integrity. You must do your own work. You must put all writings and assignments entirely in your own words and phrasing. You must cite sources appropriately in all papers and presentations. You must acknowledge the contributions of other students to your work. All students are required to uphold the highest academic standards. Any case of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according to the guidelines and procedures outlined in Drew University's "Standards of Academic Integrity: Guidelines and Procedures," which is located in the academic policies section of the catalog. The policy can be found at: https://uknow.drew.edu/confluence/display/cladean/Standards+of+Academic+Integrity Any student who is in violation of this policy will be referred to the Dean’s Office for further action.
Environmental Science, Drew University, Spring 2017 Schedule ~ ~ Revised Feb. 13 DATE CLASS TOPIC WORK DUE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LIVING DOWNSTREAM (2017) TEXTBOOK (CUNNINGHAM) (CHAPTERS); OTHER READINGS 1 Th Jan.19 Environmental science: overview Introduction Ch.1/Trace Amounts 2 T Jan.24 Types of Pollutants Ch.1/ through sec.4 Ch. 2/Silence 3 Th Jan.26 Toxic Pollutants; Synthetic Pollutants; Paper/ Environmental Ch. 8/Environmental Health & Ch. 3/Time Plastics views & experiences Toxicology (focus on 8.2 & 8.3) 4 NEWS T Jan. 31 Pesticides and alternatives Ch.10/10.3 & 10.4/Pests and Carson/Silent Spring Pesticides (excerpts) T Jan.31 Last day to drop a class without a grade of “W” 5 Th Feb.2 Scientific toolbox: methods for assessing Page 9/Telling news from noise Ch. 4/Space cause and risk Ch.1, pp.42-43 /Pseudoscience Ch.5/War Ch.2/ 2.1 & 2.3/Science 6 NEWS T Feb.7 Scientific literature research, sources. Homework #1/Readings Afterword BRING LAPTOP Ch. 11/Our Bodies 7 Th Feb.9 SNOW DAY Ch.16/Air pollution Ch.8/Air 8 NEWS T Feb.14 Air pollution Homework 2/Readings Ch. 24/sec. 2/Environmental Laws Scientific documentation 9 Th Feb.16 Air pollution Ch. 1/ 1.3-1.4 Ch.10/Fire
10 T Feb.21 EXAM #1 Intro, sec. L1/How can I get an A? 11 NEWS Th Feb.23 Hazardous & solid waste; Mining; Ch.21/Solid, Toxic, Hazardous Weisman/Polymers are Environmental justice Waste forever 12 T Feb.28 Climate change: causes, evidence Pollution Bibliography Ch.14/Mining sec. 14.2-14.3 & p.312 13 NEWS Th Mar.2 Climate change: impacts, solutions Homework 3/ Plastics Ch.15/Climate: pp. 319-321; and IPCC 2014 Excerpts Pollution; Climate Change sections 15.3 - 15.4 SPRING BREAK: March 4-12 14 T Mar.14 Climate change Research Topic Proposal Ch.15: sec. 15.5 to end. Pacala/Carbon stabilization Sustainable energy due! Ch.20/Sustainable energy wedges P.13/Case study: China 15 NEWS Th Mar.16 Sustainable energy Homework 4: Climate Ch.19 /Conventional energy, Fossil Fossil Fuels Graphs & Stabilization fuels - through 19.4 16 T Mar.21 Statistics; Unpacking scientific articles 17 Th Mar. 23 Fossil Fuels Ch.19/19.5 Nuclear power Nuclear energy 18 T Mar.28 EXAM #2
DATE CLASS TOPIC WORK DUE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LIVING DOWNSTREAM TEXTBOOK (CUNNINGHAM) (CHAPTERS); OTHER READINGS Continued, schedule for Environmental Science, Spring 2017 19 NEWS Th Mar.30 Water pollution Ch.18/Water pollution Living Downstream - Chesapeake Bay (p.52-53) Ch.9/Water F March 31: Last day to withdraw from classes with “W” 20 T Apr.4 Campus ecotour & ecological Project Bibliography Ch.13/Restoration; Parke/Reforestation restoration in Drew Forest and Outline Due Invasive species: p.234-236; Bait (p.92) Deer (p.124) 21 NEWS Th Apr.6 Water resources: drought to flood Homework 5/Water Ch.17/Water; Ch.5/Biomes & p.98 Stinson/Garlic mustard 22 T Apr.11 Protecting species Service Project Plan Ch.11/Species “Elephants”/p.540- 541 23 NEWS Th Apr.13 Protecting ecosystems Ch. 12/Biodiversity: Landscapes 24 T Apr.18 Food and farming Ch.9/Food & Hunger Ch.7/Earth Ch.10/Farming 25 Th Apr.20 Project presentations Research Papers\ Due 26 T Apr.25 Ch.25/What shall we do? Ch.12/ Ecological Roots 27 Th Apr.27 Ch.24/24.1 & 24.3/Env Policy 28 T May 2 EXAM WEEK - FINAL EXAM