ESM 220: Introduction to Environmental Systems, Winter 2016 Instructor: Office: Mailbox: Lab TA: Email: Office hours: Course Description: Introduction to the structure and function of terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric systems, including the human actions that affect them. Includes a lab that introduces basic quantitative techniques for collecting and analyzing data from environmental systems. Co-Requisite: STAT 243 (may be taken concurrently) Course Objectives: 1. Concept/Content a. Factors that influence distribution and abundance of populations, including abiotic conditions and biotic interactions. b. Identification of environmental stressors and their effects on ecosystems and communities c. Trade-offs between different energy sectors d. Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation 2. Information and Data Literacy a. Searching for, reading, and analyzing scientific literature b. Library skills c. Students will learn how to use descriptive statistics, correlations, and graphs to characterize ecological data 3. Problem Solving a. Problem identification, tool discovery, and information needed to solve problems b. Basic mathematical models c. Strategies for working as a team d. Collecting and synthesizing data, including experimental design and methods for collecting environmental data in a variety of settings. 4. Communication a. Technical, lab report, summary, and synthesis writing styles b. Oral presentation Course Guidelines: In order to get the most out of this course, please do the assigned readings on time (i.e., before class) and try hard not to miss any classes, especially labs, which will be very difficult to make up. A significant portion of the class will be working in small groups to solve problems based on online materials, therefore being prepared is critical. The assignments are designed to help you understand fundamental ecological concepts, gain scientific skills, and communicate their knowledge clearly.
Attendance: I expect you to attend and participate in class. If you are absent please find out what you missed by asking your fellow students, checking D2L, and/or speaking with me. You are responsible for all material presented in class, in labs, and online. Late assignments: Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due at the beginning of class. To be fair to all students, late assignments will be penalized 5% per day. If you have an emergency situation, please let me know. Late assignments must be turned into the dropbox outside the ESM office. Grading scale: A: superior, high level integration and conceptual development with factual accuracy B: above average, accurate with significant integration and conceptual development C: basic quality, mostly accurate and simply factual, modest concept development A 94 100 B+ 87 89 C+ 77 79 D+ 67 69 A- 90 93 B 83 86 C 73 76 D 63 66 B- 80 82 C- 70 72 D- 60 62 Statement on Academic Honesty: Plagiarism or academic dishonesty of any form will not be permitted in this class and will result in a failing grade for the assignment. For more information, please see Portland State University s policy on academic honesty. Texts: 1) Required: Environmental Science: Foundations and Applications by Friedland, Relyea, and Courard-Hauri **You should take advantage of the end of chapter materials (Check Your Understanding, Apply the Concepts) and the companion website, which have good study tools: http://bcs.whfreeman.com/friedland/#t_666211 2) Optional: A Short Guide to Writing about Biology by Pechenik Desire2Learn: This class will use Desire2Learn (D2L) to share information, and post and submit some assignments. Your grades will also be posted on D2L. To access Desire2Learn, you must have an ODIN account. You can access D2L through https://d2l.pdx.edu Email Etiquette: As much as possible, please come to office hours to ask questions. If these times do not work for you, send me a message to set up an alternative time. Email questions should be a last resort. If you do need to send me an email, please follow these general guidelines: include an informative subject line (e.g., assignment #1 for ESM 220) include a salutation (e.g., Dear, Hello) address using proper titles (e.g., Dr. Strecker) include your name, student #, and what class you are in As this is a professional environment, do not expect to receive a reply to your message after 5pm or on weekends; normal turnaround time for email is ~48 hours.
Course Grade Breakdown Homework (12%): In-class assignments (2% each) o Module 1: Identification of stressors o Library assignment o Module 2: Analyze a paper o Module 2: Measuring species diversity o Module 3: Short presentation and written summary of energy portfolio o Module 4: Endangered species Assignments (13%) o Module 1: Presentation on stressor effects across different (5%) o Module 3: Technical report on your energy strategy (8%) Exams (25%): Based on readings, lectures, lab, and group work. o Mid-term (10%): In-class exam o Final (15%): Comprehensive exam Lab Component (50%): More details will be provided on the lab syllabus. Tentative Schedule ( = cross-over between class and lab) Week Date Class Topic and Assignments Lab Topics 1 M Jan 4 Course introduction/expectations/group work What is environmental science? Why do we care? W Jan 6 Module 1: Ecosystems, stressors Reading: Chapter 1, online resources Due: In-class assignment - Identify and classify environmental stressors Introduce: lab group assignment choose a stressor and compare it s effects across different 2 M Jan 11 Module 1: Ecosystems, stressors Reading: Chapter 3, 4, online resources reading Group work: stressor effects across different W Jan 13 Module 1: Ecosystems, stressors Reading: online resources, Sala et al. 2000 Group work: stressor effects across different 3 M Jan 18 holiday no class no lab W Jan 20 Module 1: Ecosystems, stressors Due: group presentations on stressor effects across different 4 M Jan 25 In-class library session and assignment (Millar W Jan 27 160) Module 2: Communities, how to measure Reading: Chapter 5, 6, online resources Lab 1: Introduction to experimental design and data collection, components of a lab report Due: Graph of collected data Lab 2: Introduction to Excel, summarizing and graphing data, brainstorm for field trip, continuation of in-class project on environmental stressors (Module 1), introduction to term paper Due: Lab 1 outline Lab 3: Field trip to Balch Creek: Local stream water quality and riparian assessment Due: Lab 1 report
5 M Feb 1 Module 2: Communities, how to measure Reading: Doupé et al. 2006 (must find on own) Due: In-class assignment - Analyze paper W Feb 3 Module 2: Communities, how to measure Due: In-class assignment Measuring diversity Introduce: individual assignment research an energy strategy 6 M Feb 8 Module 2: Communities, how to measure W Feb 10 Midterm Exam 7 M Feb 15 Module 3: Energy and ecosystem services Reading: online resources, Chapter 12, 13 W Feb 17 Module 3: Energy and ecosystem services Group work: research ecosystem services related to your chosen energy strategy Due: Technical report on your energy strategy 8 M Feb 22 Module 3: Energy and ecosystem services Reading: pages v-24 MEA, Costanza et al. 1997 Group work: research ecosystem services W Feb 24 related to your chosen energy strategy Module 3: Energy and ecosystem services Group work: With representatives from the different energy sectors, develop a balanced portfolio for energy in Oregon Due: In-class assignment - Short presentation and written summary of portfolio 9 M Feb 29 Module 4: Conservation, biodiversity, Reading: Chapter 18, 19 Introduce: group assignment research an endangered species W Mar 2 Module 4: Conservation, biodiversity, Reading: Simberloff 1998, online resources Group work: research an endangered species Lab 4: Data classification and analysis from field trip, comparison of field data to larger data sets Due: Lab 3 data Lab 5: Term paper research questions, preparation for presentation Due: Lab 3 report outline (field data only) Lab 6: Continuation of inclass project: ecosystem services related to energy (Module 3) Due: Lab 3 report (field data only) Lab 7: Presentations on water quality study (Labs 3, 4, 5); student critiques and improvement goals Due: Term paper outline Lab 8: Effects of marine protected areas Due: Term paper draft 1 10 M Mar 7 Module 4: Conservation, biodiversity, Due: In-class assignment on endangered species Lab 9: Spatial for conservation of endangered species W Mar 9 Module 4: Conservation, biodiversity, Final M Mar 14 Final Exam: 12:30 2:20p Due: Term paper