Environmental Biology Biology 195 COURSE SYLLABUS Instructor: Kathryn Larson Course dates: July 23 August 10, 2012

2 Course meeting times: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm Instructor email: klarson2@luc.edu Instructor phone number: Office hours: Please email instructor to set up appointment. DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on exploring and understanding the interactive web that connects all living organisms to one another and to our physical environment. We will begin by surveying the amazing biodiversity that surrounds us today and delve into past biodiversity to discuss the extinct organisms that once occupied earth. Through this path we will gain an understanding of the processes that have shaped this biodiversity and that operate on our planet to form the patterns found in nature. We will also address how certain human activities impact our environment and focus on how we can modify our behaviors to reduce negative impacts, promote conservation, and adopt sustainable lifestyles. ORGANIZATION: The course involves lectures, laboratory activities, group discussions, debates, and short student presentations. Expect each of these activities to be interspersed throughout each three hour meeting. In addition, there are full-class field trips to the Field Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo and a few shorter excursions around campus. OBJECTIVES: - Foster interest in nature and natural processes. - Gain a detailed understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes that operate in the environment. - Learn about the human activities that threaten our environment and how we personally and as a culture can decrease our negative impact. - Improve skills involved with critically thinking about environmental issues as well as critically assessing information and information sources. - Improve abilities to effectively present information and opinions in writing and in speech.

TOPICS: 1. Biodiversity 2. Environmental history of the earth 3. Ecology: Communities, ecosystems, and biomes 4. Agriculture: Modern agriculture and the environment, sustainable agriculture 5. Expanding human populations and urbanization 6. Freshwater resources 7. Energy and fossil fuels 8. Pollution and environmental health 9. Climate and climate change 10. Alternative energy sources 11. Conservation goals and strategies 12. Sustainability TEXT: Raven, PH, DM Hassenzahl, and LR Berg. 2012. Environment. 8th Edition. Wiley. Paperback ISBN: 978-0470-94570-4; Hardback ISBN: 978-1118-13810-6. GRADING: Grade breakdown: - Attendance and activity participation: 10% - Quiz: 15% - Lab and field trip assignments and presentations: 20% - Response paper: 5% - Final project paper: 15% - Final project presentation: 10% - Final exam: 25% Quiz and Final Exam: - There will be one quiz and one final exam. The final exam covers material from the entire course. - Both the quiz and the final exam will have multiple choice, short answer, and longer essay questions. Written Assignments: - Written assignments are to be submitted in person or via email by the beginning of class on the date due. For every class day an assignment is late your grade will be deducted a quantum, ie. A to A-. - Response paper: A two page paper analyzing the complexity of a current contentious environmental issue. Details about the response paper will be provided in a separate handout.

Lab and field trip assignments: Numerous worksheets will be completed based on lab activities and field trips. These worksheets are due the next meeting period after the activity. - Final paper: An 8-10 page paper is based on your final project. Details about the final project will be provided in a separate handout. Presentations: - Three person student groups will present findings from the field trips. - Each student will give a 10 minute presentation on their final project. COURSE POLICIES: - Attendance is mandatory and counts toward your grade. In case of absence due to illness or emergency please contact instructor as soon as possible. - No open laptops (without prior permission) and no phones out during lectures. - Be prepared to participate in group activities. - Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Consequences include an automatic zero on the assignment and report to the scholars program to determine further action. A primer on how to properly cite sources and avoid accidental plagiarism will be given in lecture near the beginning of the course.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Day Date Topic Introduction to Environmental Science; M 7/23 Biomes Introduction to Biology; Biodiversity I: T 7/24 Plants and Fungi W Th F 7/25 7/26 7/27 7/28 7/29 7/30 7/31 8/1 8/2 8/3 8/4 8/5 8/6 8/7 8/8 8/9 8/10 Biodiversity II: Invertebrates Biodiversity III: Vertebrates trip to Lincoln Park Zoo Earth history and Paleontology Reading (Due on Major Assignments day listed) Due Ch. 1 (optional) Ch. 6; Supplement Supplement Supplement Supplement Topic for final paper Response paper

M T W Th F

Introduction to Ecology; Communities and Ecosystems Communities and Ecosystems continued Quiz; Urbanization and Agriculture Environmental history of the Earth: trip to Field Museum's Evolving Earth exhibit Air Pollution and Climate Change

Ch. 3, 5 Ch. 18, 22 Quiz Ch. 8, 9 Pg. 67-78;Ch. 11, 19 Final project outline

M T W Th F

Energy and Energy Alternatives Water: Marine Systems, Water Resources, and Water Pollution In Class Presentations; Conservation Sustainability; Review Final Exam; Environmental Health and Toxicology

Ch. 10, 12 Ch. 13, 21

Final paper draft (optional)

Final Paper and Final Presentation Ch. 16, 17, 24 Final Exam