Orange Coast College. Spring Semester Ecology A100 Course Syllabus

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1 Orange Coast College Spring Semester 2014 Ecology A100 Course Syllabus Course Name: Human Ecology Course Units: 3.0 Section: Meeting Day: Tuesday & Thursday Meeting Times: 12:45-2:10 pm Meeting Location: Bio Science 102 Koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, photo by Kelli Elliott Instructor: Kelli Elliott Office Location: Bio Sc 212C Office Phone: Office Hours: Mon 11:30-12:30 & 3:45-4:15, Tues 2:15-2:45, Thurs 10-11, and by * **Personal OCC website: This website name is case-sensitive! *I usually respond to s within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. Please include the course you attend and WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE . Please DO NOT send assignments to me by , either use Blackboard or bring the assignment to class. **Contains the syllabus and web links useful for this course. The files are mostly.pdf (A link to download Adobe Acrobat Reader is on my website; it s free!). All files relevant to the course are posted on Blackboard. Spring 2014 Dates to Remember: Last day to add class: Last day to drop with a refund: Last day to drop without a "W": Last day to drop with a "W": 09 FEB FEB FEB APR 14 For further calendar information consult the Orange Coast College class schedule. 1

2 Prerequisites: There is no required prerequisite for this course. Some knowledge and interest in ecology and our environment will be helpful. Course Format: A lecture course which includes the physical and biological components of the environment, their interrelationships, and the human population influence on these components. Physical, biological, and political means of reversing environmental deterioration will be considered as well as conservation and management of natural resources. This course is suitable as a general education elective for the non-science major and also for students in Environmental Science or other natural sciences. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. Textbooks: Environment: the science behind the stories. 5 th Edition. Withgott and Brennan Person publishing, Boston. Attendance: Students are expected to attend lecture. Attached is a general outline for this course. The dates are approximate. Subjects may change according to the rate of the class. It is the student s responsibility to note changes that may occur throughout the semester. Withdrawal Policy: It is ultimately the student s responsibility to withdraw from the course. Do not depend on the instructor to withdraw you just because you stopped attending. Academic Honesty: The work you submit must be your own. Any ideas, quotes, or summaries must be cited within the paper. Papers may be checked for originality using various methods. All exams will be completed on an individual basis without any unauthorized assistance. Any student who commits academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students and will not receive a grade for the compromised work or exam. Classroom Conduct: Orange Coast College s Academic Honesty and Classroom Conduct policy and guidelines will be strictly enforced. This includes the use of any mechanical device to enhance learning unless otherwise approved by the instructor, providing/receiving assistance during exams, plagiarizing in any form, or any other conduct that is disruptive to the learning process in the classroom. Cell phones and any other electronic device should be turned off during class time. Refer to the Orange Coast College catalog for additional policies. 2

3 Student Learning Outcomes After completing Ecology 100, students will be able to: 1. Define/describe major biological and physical components of the environment. (broad general theory) 2. Discuss social conscience toward the environment (social attitudes) and the human population's place in the biosphere. (cultural perspective) 3. Evaluate human impact on natural ecosystems and resources. (facts and basic principles) 4. Create environmental awareness through the development of environmental ethics. (change in attitude) Learning Strategies: The following is a general list of forming good study habits. 1. Use the text that you purchased. Complete the reading before lecture and prepare any questions. At the end of some chapters are practice questions to help you understand the content and prepare for exams. 2. Attend all lectures. Some material I discuss may not be in the text and I will expect you to know this additional information. 3. Arrive on time and do not leave early. Role is taken each class meeting. 4. Form study groups with classmates. 5. Take well-organized notes. This may require you to rewrite your notes. 6. Do not highlight your text and then assume you now know that word or concept. 7. Draw diagrams and flow charts that connect ideas to form concepts and increase your critical thinking. 8. Do not be afraid to ask questions or make comments in class. Your understanding and opinions are important to me and will make the class much more interesting. 9. Come to my office hours. I am here to help you learn and succeed. 10. Enjoy this course. Grading: Half of the grade will be determined by the exam scores and half will be determined by the journal assignments. Any additional points from Extra Credit Assignments will be added to your overall grade. Graded material: Points Grade Scale Percentage scale for each grade A 90% Exams (3) 3 x 60= 180 B 80% Journals 8 x 5 = 40 C 70% Total = 220 D 60% 3

4 Explanation of Graded Material: Most course information including exam study outlines, assignments, lecture presentation pictures, and grade updates will be posted on Blackboard (found on your student page when you access MyOCC.) Examinations: Throughout the semester there will be three (3) exams. The exam questions consist of multiple choice, true/false, and/or matching and will contain a short answer written section. Make-ups for Exams: You must provide a valid document for being absent the day of the exam (i.e. doctor s note, religious holiday, documented family emergency). You can only complete an exam within one week of the exam date. It is up to the student to notify the instructor at least 3 days from the exam date to allow sufficient time to schedule the exam. Failure to provide documentation within this time period voids the opportunity to take the exam. Only one (1) make-up exam will be validated per student; any other absences on exam days for any reason will be entered as a zero. Journals: Each week you will bring in an article related to the topic (specific topic will be provided in class and posted on Blackboard in the Assignments section one week before the due date) LATE JOURNALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Journal requirements: 1. You must cite the source article for your journal. This citation must include the date, article title and complete website URL or magazine, newspaper, journal, etc information. No citation; no grade. 2. Summarize the article and discuss how the information is related to the topic of the day. 3. Present the article in class for 2 extra points (maximum of 6 points). Extra Credit Assignments: Throughout the semester assignments will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard. Most assignments, if not all, will require the use of the Internet and/or the textbook. Each assignment will be graded for completion and accuracy. These points will go towards your final grade. Each assignment must be completed by the individual student without the assistance of another person. Do NOT cheat/plagiarize on the assignments; it s almost worse than cheating on an exam. Late assignments will NOT be accepted under any circumstances. Papers can be turned in through Blackboard or at the beginning of class, unless otherwise noted on the assignment. 4

5 Spring 2014 (tentative) Lecture Schedule for Ecology 100 Date (day) Topic Read Ahead Jan 28 (T) Course Introduction Jan 30 (Th) Science and Sustainability 1 Feb 4 (T) Feb 6 (Th) Earth s Physical Systems 2 Feb 11 (T) Feb 13 (Th) Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology 3 Feb 18 (T) Feb 20 (Th) Species Interactions and Community Ecology 4 Feb 25 (T) Feb 27 (Th) Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology 5 Mar 4 (T) Mar 6 (Th) Exam 1; Scantron F-289-PAR-L Mar 11 (T) Human Population 8 Mar 13 (Th) Mar 18 (T) Soil and Agriculture 9 Mar 20 (Th) Mar Spring Break Apr 1 (T) Agriculture, Biotechnology and the Future of Food 10 Apr 3 (Th) Apr 8 (T) Biodiversity and Conservation Biology 11 Apr 10 (Th) Apr 15 (T) Freshwater Systems and Marine and Coastal Systems and Resources 15 & 16 Apr 17 (Th) Exam 2; Scantron F-289-PAR-L Apr 22 (T) Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution 17 Apr 24 (Th) Apr 29 (T) Global Climate Change 18 May 1 (Th) May 6 (T) Energy Sources and their Impacts May 8 (Th) May 13 (T) Managing Our Waste 22 May 15 (Th) May 20 (T) Sustainable Solutions 24 May 22 (Th)Exam 3; Scantron F-289-PAR-L 5

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