BI SC 003 - Environmental Science

Instructo
r

Lisa Lohr

E-mail

llohr@waynesburg.edu

Office

Eberly 102

Course
Websit
e

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.lohr.94
8

Office
By Appointment
Credits 3: Hybrid 50% online focus
Hours
Meeting Times: Lectures: Tuesday/Thursday 3:00-4:15
Fall Semester 2015
OBJECTIVES
The course has two primary objectives. The first is for every student to obtain
a working knowledge and understanding of basic Environmental Science. The
second is to apply these environmental science principles to problem solving
situations as observed in the real world.
An understanding of the dynamics between living organisms and their environments
is essential in addressing and mitigating the worlds environmental problems. Like
all living species on Earth today, humans alter their environments. But unlike other
species, humans alter the environment on a massive scale. Despite this, we have
the ability to critically and scientifically analyze these alterations and make the
necessary changes in how we live to reduce our impacts on the biosphere, to
protect biodiversity, and to be good stewards of Earths resources. In order to do
this this class will focus on being able to:
Understand fundamental concepts in ecology including biological and
chemical processes and the function of ecosystems
Understand the fundamentals of conservation biology and
sustainability
Learn how economic systems depend on natural capital
Evaluate human contributions to environmental problems
Determine ways to mitigate environmental problems
Understand the scientific basis of specific environmental problems
Understand the significance of environmental legislation and the
impact of increased citizen awareness on improving the quality of life
we enjoy today
Further develop the ability to evaluate contributions to shared
environmental problems, identify ways to minimize their impact on the
environment, and contribute to the development and maintenance of a
sustainable future.
TEXTS
(Recommended)

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1. Cunningham, W. P, and Cunningham, M. A. 2012. Environmental Science A Global

Concern Twelfth Edition. Mc Graw Hill
Attendance:
Attendance is a direct correlation to your grade and the understanding of the
subject. Because of this, attendance is regarded as a priority and necessity;
however, there will be no attendance policy. I expect that each student is an adult
and will make mature decisions about his/her class attendance.
Cell Phones:
In todays day in age you are what you talk on, but that is not the case once you
enter into my classroom. Cell phones will not be seen or heard during class time.
Please hove your phone on manner mode or off, and have them put away (purse,
backpack, back pocket, anywhere but NOT on the desk or in plain view.) If it goes off
one time you will have a five point deduction from your total grade. If it does off a
second time, 10% of your final grade will be deducted, a third time, 20%, so and so
forth. This applies to texting as well. Texting under the table, or in a way that you
think I will not notice, is not accepted and trust me, I notice.
Elements of the Course:
The course content can be divided into three main components from which your
grade will be compiled.
1. Lectures and reading will be used to present basic concepts, develop a
foundation for homework, and provide you with an understanding of
Environmental Science, in general. Your comprehension of this material will
be reinforced with assignments and discussion, and assessed during exams.
2. Class Participation/discussions/online threads:
Learning and class participation are directly related. Each student has a
maximum of 100 class participation points (discussions, debates, online
threads, article submissions, etc). Points will be earned in the following
manner:
Method
In class Discussion
Days
Facebook Comment
on my thread
Facebook Article
Facebook Comment
on a peers new thread
Submit Article in Class
3. Exams:

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Comment/Discuss

Points
Possib
le
5

Appropriate Comment on Thread

Link an article to a thread

Appropriate comment about
article or topic mentioned by a
peer.
Present article to Prof

5
1
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Two exams will be given within the semester to test your understanding of
the information covered. The test will be a mixed bag of short answer, essay,
multiple choice, etc.
Grading Requirements and Scale:
Grading
Percentag
Requirements
e of Final
Grade
Participation
50%
Exams
40%
Reading and Lectures
10%
Total
100 %

Percent

Grade

94100%
90-93%
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
77-79%
74-76%
70-73%
60-69%
59%below

A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F

Deadlines for assignments:

All assignments are due at the beginning of class prior to the beginning of lecture
on the specified day. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPPTED! An announcement will
be made stating that class is beginning and all homework must be turned in at this
time. A zero will be given if work is not submitted by this time. This includes any
homework that can be emailed or submitted via BLACKBOARD. If you are absent on
the assignment due day, the homework still must be submitted by this time, or a
zero will be assigned.
DISABLED STUDENTS: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,
learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable
accommodations must contact the instructor and Disability Services (430-4125) at
the beginning of the semester. The Student Affairs Office is responsible for
providing or arranging reasonable accommodations to meet the specific needs of
students with physical or learning disabilities. In accordance with ADA guidelines,
official documentation may be required to substantiate the accommodation
requested. For more details check out the Penn State Fayette Student Affairs and
Activities web site.
COUNSELING SERVICES: Short-term, confidential personal counseling services,
including consultation and referral, are available at no charge to students enrolled
at Penn State Fayette. Contact Allen Smith or Jill Wiley at 724-430-4122. Their
office is located at 124 Williams Building
(http://www.fe.psu.edu/StudentServices/counseling.htm).
TUTORING: Students may find it helpful to work with a tutor scheduled through The
Center for Student Academic Progress located at Eberly 206-E. The Center for
Student Academic Progress can be contacted via phone (724-430-4119) or online
(http://www.fe.psu.edu/StudentServices/LRC/lrc.htm). Tutoring is conducted in a
professional, confidential setting, and is free.

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an

open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding
principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all
members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this
principle. Consistent with this expectation, the Universitys Code of Conduct states
that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students dignity,
rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can
succeed through the fruits of their efforts. (http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/)
COMPUTER ACCESS FOR STUDENTS: Penn State Fayette has several computer
areas, most of which are available to students. The primary computer lab is located
at Eberly Room 107. For information on computer lab hours and the location of
other computer labs contact Penn State Fayette Network Services
(ccen@po.fe.psu.edu).
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: During the winter months, it is sometimes
necessary to cancel classes due to inclement weather. Please review the Penn
State Fayette weather policy statement at (http://www.fe.psu.edu/weather.htm?
cn71G). Tune into one of the radio or television stations listed on this web site in
order that you can be informed of rescheduling or cancellation of class.
OTHER POLICIES: Students should be familiar with and are expected to comply
with all requirements outlined in The University Faculty Senate Policies for Students
(http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/).
HELPFUL WEB SITES:
1. http://www.enn.com/
3. http://www.educationindex.com/environ/
4. http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/earth_climate/environmental_science/
5. http://www.envirolink.org/
6. http://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag
Amendments:
The instructor has the right to change the format of the course at any time within
the semester if needed. If format is to change, the class will be notified by being
given amendments to the syllabus in both hard copy handed out in class as well as
electronic form via Facebook.

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