BIOL 1040
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (4)
DESCRIPTION: A survey of the major environmental issues and concerns facing our planet in the last years of the 20th century. From a background study of natural ecosystems and human population, the course will survey the environmental, social, and economic consequences of energy generation, resource consumption and pollution. Numerous local field trips will be a major part of the course. Three lecture, two field/laboratory hours per week.
INSTRUCTOR: Christopher Beals
OFFICE: Warf-100A OFFICE HOURS: POSTED OUTSIDE OFFICE DOOR
PHONE: (615) 741-3215, (615) 452-8600, or Toll Free: 1-888-335-8722 Ext. 2837
FAX: (615) 230-3292 E-MAIL: christopher.beals@volstate.edu
ADDRESS: VSCC, 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066-3188
TEXTBOOK: Environment: The Science Behind the Stories by Brennan and Withgott
and Environment (Annual Edition) by John L. Allen (McGraw Hill).
THIS TEXTS MAY BE PURCHASED IN THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOAL: The general education goal of this course is to provide scientific information and instruction in the thought processes involved in the scientific method of inquiry.
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES: As a result of completing this course successfully, students will have demonstrated an acceptable level of mastery of designated scientific facts, concepts and principles and demonstrated an understanding of and ability to apply the scientific method of inquiry.
OTHER GOALS: Additionally, this course attempts to place the body of scientific knowledge in a
historical context and to show the impact of geology on the cultural and social development of the
human species. Further, it is hoped that the student's ability to locate and obtain stored information
will be enhanced, as will his/her ability to identify and solve problems. Finally, written
communications skills will be reinforced in the course.
OUTCOME STATEMENTS: Upon completion of this course the student will have demonstrated
his/her ability to:
ASSESSMENT: Satisfactory completion of the course requirements as set forth in this syllabus will insure the general education goal of this course has been reached.
The degree to which the student has mastered the course content, as defined by outcome statements, will be ascertained by a series of examinations administered at regular intervals throughout the semester. The examinations, though possessing a subjective element, will be largely objective. A typical examination will include multiple choice, true‑false and fill‑in‑the‑blank type questions, with occasional use of the matching format.
The subjective portion will be used as a measure of the student's ability to analyze and integrate information and draw rational conclusions.
Laboratory performance will be measured by two examinations over the field and laboratory experiences.
Achievement of some of the other goals will be assessed in the regularly‑
scheduled examinations, particularly in the subjective portion of the tests. It is not the province of this course to assess writing skills, rather it aims to reinforce them. This will be done in due course through essay questions, lab write‑ups, etc.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
A. GRADING: The lecture grade will be arrived at by averaging the regularly‑scheduled examinations (including the non‑comprehensive final exam). The class schedule included with this document should be consulted for the dates of the examinations and the topics to be covered on each.
The laboratory grade is earned in two ways:
1) Mid-Term and Final Examinations (2/3)
2) Attendance and Participation (1/3)
The attendance portion of this grade is earned by attending at least 1/2 of the scheduled lab period. The participation portion reflects the instructor's subjective opinion and is based on perceived interest, preparation, and participation in all aspects of the laboratory component of the course.
The grade for this course will be determined as follows: 70% lecture and 30% laboratory.
EXAMPLE: 77 lecture average x .70 = 54
80 lab average x .30 = 24
Final Average = 78
The grading scale and other symbols used in this course are:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
I = (Incomplete) indicates that the student has not completed the requirements for a course during the semester for some unavoidable reason that is acceptable to his instructor. The student is thus on notice that he should contact the instructor immediately in an effort to complete course requirements. The mark of "I" will not be given unless the instructor is reasonably sure that it is possible for the student to complete the requirements for the course during the subsequent semester and receive a grade of "D" or better. If the "I" is not completed by one week before the first day of final exams for the next semester, the "I" will convert to an "F", and will be reflected in the student's GPA. Under unusual circumstances the student may ask the instructor to request an extension of one additional semester to complete the "I" from the Admissions and Retentions Committee.
W = Withdrawn from course (Consult the college catalog for information concerning who may withdraw, specific dates, etc.)
B. ATTENDANCE: It is a rare student who can be successful in a course without regular attendance. It is therefore expected that students will attend class regularly. The student is held responsible for all information, assignments and activities originating in the classroom, regardless of his/her reason for missing class.
C. TARDINESS: Chronic tardiness will not be tolerated, due to the disruption of the class resulting from the late entry. Following a warning from the instructor, each tardiness will result in the loss of one point from the final average.
D. MAKE‑UP TESTS: Tests may be made up ONLY if the
instructor is notified prior to the scheduled test. If a make‑up is allowed, it must be
taken not later than one class meeting following the student's return to
class. Responsibility for scheduling
the make‑up rests with the student.
A missed test which is not made up according to these procedures will
receive a grade of 0 for that test.
E. MID‑SEMESTER DEFICIENCIES: To assist the student in assessing his/her progress in the course, a formal notice of deficiency will be sent to those determined by the instructor to be in danger of failing the course. This should be interpreted as a warning that a higher level of work must be forthcoming if a passing grade is to be earned.
E. TOBACCO: No smoking, no smokeless tobacco, please!
G. INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: If the College is officially open, any class or laboratory session will meet as scheduled, all assignments will be due and any scheduled exams will be given. Any missed work will be subject to the make‑up policy outlined above.
If the College is officially closed, all lecture assignments will be due and any examinations will be given the next regular class meeting. Lab sessions will be made up on the Friday announced for make‑up.
Please refer to the information contained on the VSCC webpage regarding the inclement weather policy. Because road conditions vary throughout the service area, it is possible that on-campus classes may meet while classes in Livingston may be canceled.
H. CHEATING: Students are expected to do their own work on examinations and assignments, unless cooperative efforts are specifically authorized by the instructor. Any divergence from this is considered cheating. Any student caught cheating will be dismissed from the class and will receive a grade of F for the course.
I. ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE CLASS: Your instructor has scheduled several office hours order to assist you with any aspect of this course. You are encouraged to make use of this time. If these posted office hours are not convenient, other times may be scheduled by appointment. You may also feel free to contact your instructor by phone utilizing the phone numbers provided in this document.
J. DISTURBANCES: Prohibited items include any electronic or other noise- or light-emitting device that can distract or disturb its owners or others, such as beepers, cell phones, palm pilots, laptop computers, games, and the like. Cellular telephones are not to be used during class for any purpose, including making or receiving calls, photographs, or text messages, or playing games. Students cannot wear headphones or ear buds in class. The instructor may exclude any student from the class in which a disturbance occurs. The student is responsible for any missed material and class assignments made during his/her absence.
ADA
Statement:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the student's responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations. Disability Services is located in C-206B. Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive services.
Equal Opportunity Statement: Volunteer State Community College is an equal opportunity Affirmative Action Educational Institution. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the College because of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. The College also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended and with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974. The commitment to equal opportunity applies to all aspects of recruitment, employment and education of individuals at all levels throughout the College.