Reading & Discussion

Exams

Research Projects

Writing and Presentation

Field Trips

Grading

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Readings, Discussion, and Participation

• Reading: The required text for this course is Environmental Science, A Global Concern, by William Cunningham and Barbara W. Saigo. 2000. McGraw Hill, Madison, WI.

This book features a great Environmental Science Online student learning center. This site features interactive lecture notes on each chapter and much, much more.

Readings must be completed by the day indicated on the weekly schedule. DO NOT GET BEHIND! While reading, your job will be to write down 2 questions you have on concepts you don't understand. In addition, there will be several discussion questions assigned to you at the end of every lecture.

• In-Class Participation: In this course, we will combine daily lectures with discussions. Please come PREPARED to share your ideas! PARTICIPATION includes more than simply attending class. Participation means contributing your ideas, actively listening to others, and criticically analyzing the material with your peers.

• Leading Discussion: Several times throughout the course, you and a partner will lead a discussion on an article that will be assigned to you. Your job will be to present the main themes of the article, and raise questions, misconceptions, and insights.

• Evening Informal Discussion Sections: Your homework will be to get together in groups each night to answer assigned discussion questions for the following morning. This homework will not be graded, but it will greatly assist you with your understanding of the material. We will reserve 1 hour each day of class to discuss each of your questions and answers.

Exams

You will be tested on lecture and field trip material at the end of week 2 (Thursday Feb 8) and week 4 (Wednesday March 13). The exams will be in class, closed book, essay and short problem format. No make up exams will be given except in cases of medical or family emergency (Dean's office will verify). Exam questions will be similar to those assigned for evening discussions. I will conduct a short review session the evening before the final exam. Please consult the EV 121 Daily Schedule for details.

Research Project

Over the course of the block, you and a partner will be conducting an environmental research project of your choosing using the concepts and skills you learn in class. By Thursday of week 1, you should have already spoken to me in detail about your project proposals and will have turned in a Research Proposal outlining in detail your question, methods, sampling plan, expected results, and why this question is important. For details, go to this link: EV121 Project Details

• Research Project Presentation and Web Page. At the beginning of week 4, you will orally present your work from your published web document. Your presentation must be linked to your web page because we will access it from the web in class that day.

• Two consultation days. At the end of week one and week two, you will have a full Friday to conduct your research project. These days are NOT to be seen as "days off." All members of each group are required to work together on projects this day. Anyone who does not participate in the project on these days will automatically take a grade deduction in their project.

• Group Work. The research projects will require full participation of each member of the group. If you are taking the class pass/fail, you will pass the class ONLY if you contribute and equal amount of time and effort as other members of your group. This policy will ensure that the student who is taking the course for a grade will not have to "carry" the entire project on her/his own. Participation of each group member will be assessed by each of you anonymously at the end of the block.

Writing and Oral Presentation

• Clear and concise writing and oral presentation are essential tools to be an effective scientist or spokesperson for the environment. I strongly recomment that you use the CC Writing Center tutors and/or have your friends read your work for grammar, clarity, and style before you turn it in to me. I will pay close attention to your writing throughout the course and will grade accordingly. For tips on how to give a good presentation, click here

Field Trips

• When and where: We will be taking one day-trip each during weeks one and two to explore environmental and ecological issues in our beautiful, Rocky Mountain and Southwestern region. All field trips are mandatory. Consult the Daily Schedule to see when and where field trips will take place. All field trips will begin at 9:00 am sharp in the back of Barnes, at the loading dock, unless otherwise specified.

• Day trip gear: All students must supply their own gear for day hikes, including appropriate clothing for warm and cold weather (maybe rain or snow!), water bottle, sunscreen, good walking shoes, packed lunch, notebook and pencil.

Grading

To get an "A" in this course, you must demonstrate mastery of Enviromental Science topics, superior oral communication, and excellent initiative and research skills in your final project.

Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 0-59 forget it.