Dec 21, 2015
• Syllabus• Schedule • Assignments• Handouts
Class Web Sites:www.wcc.hawaii.edu/facstaff/miliefsky-m/
Class Policies
Attendance:
• Mandatory
Come Prepared:
• Read assignments
• Review lecture notes and outlines
• To provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world
• To identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made.
• To evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.
Course Goals
1. Science is a process.
• Science is a method of learning more about the world.
• Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
• Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere.
• As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
• Natural systems change over time and space.
• Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
Environment & Ecology
This science field is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study.
4. Humans alter natural systems.
• Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years.
• Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate and scale of their impact on the environment.
5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
• Understanding the role of cultural, social and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.
6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
• A suitable combination of conservation and development is required.
• Management of common resources is essential.
Environment & Ecology
Environmental Science is the study of how humans interact with their environment.
Our environment is everything that surrounds us, both natural and man-made.
What Is Environmental Science?
• Ecology is the study of how animals and plants interact with their environment.
• This science looks at interrelationships between land, sea, the atmosphere and the living things that occupy these environments.
What Is Ecology?
• Greenhouse gas emission• Pollution• Ozone depletion• Endangered species• Coral bleaching• Sea level rise• Overfishing• Overpopulation
Global Issues
ATTENDANCE:
• Mandatory
• Email for legitimate absence
• 100 points
• Unexcused absence deduction of 10 points
REACTION PAPERS:
1. Threats to Biodiversity
2. Effect of VOG
• 2-3 pages types double spaced
• 100 points each
• Attach article
Review SessionReview Session
You ask questionsJeopardy game
EcologySymbiosis Succession Community Biodiversity Potluck
EXAMINATIONS:
• 4 exams @ 150 points each
• Non cumulative
• 50 multiple choice questions
• Book questions included on exams
• Closed book, but allowed 1-sided 3x5 note card
Missed Exam Policy
No retest unless a legitimate reason
Take exam next class time
Contact your instructor (email)!
1. 4 assignments worth up to 5 points toward your exam. Due at each exam. Last one due 1 week early.
2. Attend a lecture at Waikiki Aquarium, Hanauma Bay Education Center, participate in a beach or algae cleanup…
3. Review an article related to class content (e.g., Discover magazine, National Geographic, local paper…). Internet Journals O.K.
4. Write a 1 page summary-reaction paper, typed, double spaced, size 12 font. Attach article to paper (photocopy or cut it out).
GRADES:
Attendance 100 pts
Homework 100 pts
Reaction Paper (2@100 points each) 200 pts
Exams (4@150 points each) 600 pts
Total 1000 points
No plus or minus final grades
Grading
Grade cutoffs: A = above 90% B = 80%-89% C = 70%-79% D = 60%-69% F = below 59%
• Cheating
• Plagiarism
See student handbook on conduct code orhttp://www.hawaii.edu/student/conduct/imper.html
Textbook
Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories with MasteringEnvironmentalScience, 4/EJay H Withgott & M. Laposata,
ISBN-10: 0321752546ISBN-13: 9780321752543Publisher: Benjamin CummingsCopyright: 2012Format: Paper Package; 464 ppPublished: 09/16/2011Suggested retail price: $122.87
Options
• MasteringEnvironmentalScience® -- Instant Access -- for Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories, 4/EWithgott & LaposataOnline purchase price: $42.90
• MasteringEnvironmentalScience® with Pearson eText -- Instant Access -- for Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories, 4/EWithgott & LaposataOnline purchase price: $78.00
http://www.mypearsonstore.com/index.asp
Options
• Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories, Books a la Carte Plus MasteringEnvironmentalScience®, 4/ESuggested retail price: $83.73 (3-ring binder version)
• Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories, CourseSmart eTextbook, 4/EWithgott & LaposataOnline purchase price: $48.99
http://www.mypearsonstore.com/index.asp
Log in: http://www.masteringenvironmentalscience.com/
Mastering Environmental Science
Register: click STUDENTS
• iSwifter• Skyfire• photon
For ipad you need a flash enabler to run Mastering Environmental Science
itunes app store
Flash Enabler
Many Important Societal Issues Involve Science
Decisions on solutions or remediation can’t be delayed
Many issues are critical concerns
PopulationPressuresPopulationPressures
NaturalDisastersNaturalDisasters
ResourceExploitationResourceExploitation
EnvironmentalDegradationEnvironmentalDegradation
Key Themes
Our relationship with the environment on a personal and global level
The strong interaction between science and society
Human population growth and Earth’s carrying capacity?
Key Themes
Sustainability for a global economy
Placing value on the environment in a utilitarian, ecological, moral, cultural and aesthetical perspective
How to Succeed in this Class
• Review lecture notes as often as possible.
• Read the text.
• Making flashcards for each new vocabulary word presented.
• Establish study groups and study together.
• Ask questions.
Why Biology 124?
We are at the right place
There are very important problems
We have a good basic knowledge
Knowing biology will help your overall understanding of life
Reminders
Make sure you have access to the class web site:www.wcc.hawaii.edu/facstaff/miliefsky-m/
Withgott, J. & M. Laposata, 2012. Essential
Environment. (4th ed.). (bookstore)
Questions• The course instructor’s name is:
• The instructor suggested that the best way to get help for the course is to:
• The title of the Biology 124 textbook is:
• The Biology 124 course URL (web address) is:
• A primary goal of this course is to:
• The best place to get the dates of the exams is: