BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

School of Science and Technology

Department of Biological Sciences
P.O. Box 175, Port of Spain,
Trinidad, W.I.
Course Outline
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
- BIOL 208-01, PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Second Semester 2014/2015 3 course credits M-R; 1:40p.m. 2:55 p.m.
LH5
- BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science is designed to study basic
ecological principles, how organisms interact with their environment, and the
application of the ecological principles to human activities from a global
perspective. Current class discussions deal with contemporary environmental
issues, maintaining a sustainable environment, and developing positive
environmental ethics. The laboratory period may include field trips, guest
speakers, video presentations and more in-depth discussions of specific
current issues.
- Four face to face lectures each week.
- There are no prerequisites.

* Please retain this course outline as a reference for your future studies.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
- Davley-Ann Wilson, MS
- Instructor
- Science Complex , First Floor 662-2241 ext. 2734
- wilsond@usc.edu.tt
- Office Hours: M, W 9:00 -11:00 am T-3:00.-5:00p.m
- Communication Policy email
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE/COURSE RATIONALE
- This course applies to the General Education science requirement for
non-science majors, to meet certain national educational certification
requirements
- The course can apply to biology major or minor.
- Students that complete this course should become inspired to live
more sustainably in order to ensure quality of life not only for
themselves but for future generations.

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

LETTER TO THE STUDENT

Dear Students,
You are now embarking on a course that will expose you to the most
compelling and relevant aspects of the environment. Many of you are doing
this course because it is a requirement. It is my goal that at the end of this
semester you will view the world in a different light. This course of study
should help to mold you into a model citizen who will support new and
existing methods of environmental preservation.
Successful completion of this course requires active participation and
presence in both the classes and laboratory sessions.
Welcome to BIOL 208, Principles of Environmental Science. I look forward to
us fostering a good working relationship in an atmosphere of mutual respect
and cooperation.
Regards
Davley-Ann Wilson
(Lecturer)

GOALS/AIMS
Aims

This course seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills
needed to critically assess matters surrounding environmental issues.
Students will be able to gather necessary data from all sources, set
goals and make intelligent interventions to meet goals on time.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (Modules/Unit Learning Outcomes)

At the end of the course the student will able to:

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

1. demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the scientific process and
the joy of discovery
2. analyse and understand environmental problems.
3. discuss what is in an environmentally sustainable society
4. make connections among science, matter, energy and ecosystems in nature.
5. understand the concepts of community and population ecology as well as
sustainability
6. discuss the different approaches in sustaining biodiversity.
7. discuss different methodologies in sustaining resources and environmental
quality.
8. discuss the impact of environmental hazards on human beings in society.
9. develop an appreciation of Christian stewardship towards the environment

COURSE CONTENT
Humans and Sustainability: an Overview
Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability.
Ecology and Sustainability

Science, Matter, and Energy.

Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Biodiversity and Evolution.
Biodiversity, Species Interactions, and Population Control.
The Human Population and Urbanization.
Climate and Biodiversity.

Sustaining biodiversity
Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach.
Sustaining Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach.
Sustaining Resources and Enviromental Quality
Food, Soil, and Pest Management.
Water Resources and Water Pollution.
Geology and Nonrenewable Minerals.
Energy.
Environmental Hazards and Human Health.
Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion.
.Solid and Hazardous Waste.

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

TEACHING STRATEGIES
Lectures
Tutorials
Group discussions
Student Presentations

RESOURCES
Textbook(s)
Cunnignham, Williams and Mary Ann Cunningham. Environmental Science Inquiry &
Application. Mc Graw Hill ISBN-13: 9780073532516

Reference Text:
Miller, G. Tyler. Environmental Science-Working with the Earth. 11th ed.
Brooks-Cole, Thomson Publishing.
ASSIGNMENTS
GROUP PROJECT

The group project seeks to encourage group participation in analyzing

environmental issues/problems. Students will select and design a project in
which they participate in environmental conservation or education. Detail
will be discussed in class.

COURSE ASSESSMENT
EVALUATION
Quizzes
Labs (reports & participation)
Study Assignments
Class Project
4 Unit Exams
TOTAL

Day

Chapt

Topic

8%
15%
7%
10%
60%
100%

Learnin

Assignment/Ac

Due

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

and
Date

er

g
Outcom
e
Referen
ce

WEEK # 1

Understanding
Our
Environment

1,9

Principles of
Science and
Systems
EBook Training.

4,9

M-19/01/15

4,9

W-21/01/15

Systems:
Matter, Energy
&Life
Systems:
Matter, Energy
&Life

W-08/01/15

WEEK # 2
M-12/01/15

W-14/01/15

WEEK # 3

4,9

WEEK #4
M-26/01/15

W-28/02/15

Evolution,
5,9
Biological
Communities, &
Species
Biomes: Global 5,9
Patterns of Life

WEEK #5
M-02/02/15

Biomes: Global
Patterns of Life

5.9

W-04/02/15

Population
Biology

5.9

M-9/02/15

5,9

W10//02/15

1-4

Human
Populations
Sectional Test 1

WEEK #6

tivity

Date

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

WEEK #7

Mid-Semester Break

16/02/15
19/02/15

WEEK #8
M-23/02/15

W-25/02/15

Environmental
Health and
Toxicology
Food and
Hunger

5,9

7,9

WEEK #9
M-02/03/15

10

W-04/03/15

5-8

Farming:
7,9
Conventional
and Sustainable
Practice
Sectional Test
2

WEEK
#10
M-09/03/15

11

W-11/03/15

Biodiversity :
Preserving
Species
Biodiversity:
Preserving
Landscapes

6,9

6,9

WEEK #11

15
W-18/03/15 15
M-16/03/15

WEEK 12
M23/03/15
W25/03/15

Climate Change 8,9

Climate Change 8,9

16

Air Pollution

8,9

17

Water Use and 7,9

Management

WEEK 13

911,15

Spiritual Baptist
Day
Sectional Exam 8,9
3

18
19

Water Pollution
Conventional

M30/03/15
W-01/04/15

WEEK 14
M-06/04/15
W

8,9
8,9

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

Energy

08/04/15

WEEK 15
M-13/04/15

20

W-15/04/15

22

Sustainable
8,9
Energy
Urbanization
8,9
and Sustainable
Cities

WEEK 16
M-20/04/15
W-22/04/15

Review
Review

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Standard)

University Policies:
Attendance
Attendance at all lectures and laboratory sessions is mandatory. Whenever
the number of absences exceeds 20% of the total class and/or lab sessions
for the semester, the grade F may be recorded. Any irregularity of
attendance may result in lowering a students grade. Students are required
to read the sections related to the topics prior to class attendance from the
required materials.

Academic Dishonesty
All cases of dishonesty or suspected dishonesty will be dealt with as outlined
in the USC Handbook. Cases involving suspected dishonesty would be
forwarded to the office of the V.P. for Student Development for placement in
the students file.
All cases of dishonesty or suspected dishonesty will be dealt with as outlined
in the USC Handbook. Cases involving suspected dishonesty would be
forwarded to the Office of the V.P. for Student Development for placement in
the students file.

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline

GRADING SYSTEM (Standard)

Grading Scale
A
90
100%
A85 89%
B+
80
84%

75 79%

60 64%

BC+

70 74%
65 69%

CD

55 59%
50 54%

0 49%

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE

Evaluating your study habits is a good way to begin preparation for success
in this class. Use the quiz at the web address below to ascertain how
effective your study habits are. You can also find a link on Moodle.
http://www.studygs.net/attmot4.htm
This quiz comes from the Study Guides and Strategies web site. There are
many helpful tips that can be found there. Each individual needs to develop
a study strategy that works best for them. So try as many of the study
suggestions as you can.
Your success in this class will also be enhanced by following the suggestions
provided below.
Attend all class and be on time.
Avoid doing homework in class.
Review material covered in class regularly
Get access to the textbook
Ask lots of questions. Write them down and share them with me if you
are not comfortable doing so in class.
Make a time table for studying
Instead of trying to memorize the material try to recount it as a story.

Last Revised January 2015.

BIOL208 Principles of Environmental Science Course Outline