Academic Inquiries: Qingdao University Email: iss@qdu.edu.cn Phone: 86-532-85951196 Qingdao University 2019 SUMMER BIOL 121 Environmental Biology Information Class Hours: Monday through Thursday,2 hours (2*60minutes) each day Discussion: Friday, 1 hour (60 minutes) Review Section: Saturday, 1 hour (60 minutes) Office Hours: 2 hours (120 minutes), according to professors' teaching plan Field Trip: According to professors' teaching plan Credit: 3 Total Contact Hours: 60 (50 minutes each) Instructor: TBA Course Summary Environmental Biology BIOL 121 is a five week - three credit introductory course where our students will be given opportunities to fully explore environmental biology from the global limitations, past and current impacts on sustainability, alternative energy sources, pollution, conservation, renewable and non-renewable resources, and include international policy and environmental solutions. This course will meet the criteria for science majors, engineers, and the pre-health professions. This course will engage students using integrated, current case studies to provide a context of understanding environmental biology and emphasize the fundamental principles and theories of environmental biology. Topics this year will include the nature of environmental biology and sustainability; environmental systems and cycles; matter, energy and ecosystems; human population; geology, oceanography, meteorology, including fresh water, oceans, and coastlines; terrestrial ecosystems, including forests, tundra, taiga, deserts, and savanna; atmospheric science, air pollution, water pollution, and terrestrial pollution; renewable vs. nonrenewable resources, such as energy, food, and lumber, and their conservation and preservation impacts; alternative renewable energy sources; global climate change; evolution; life cycles and development; biodiversity; and population, community, biome ecologies. Students will investigate the properties of species interactions that unite all living organisms, how they are interdependent, thrive, and function. In this course, the students will be able to participate in hands-on laboratory exercises and will learn how the processes of scientific investigation can lead to new discoveries, including use of data analysis questions, relevant examples, current research data, integrated central case studies, and analyses. Environmental policy will also be discussed when appropriate, and particular attention given to historical and current human-driven impacts to our environment. It is the professor s goal to engage students using current, integrated case studies to provide a context for a higher understanding of environmental biology. This should ensure that the classroom experience will make learning more efficient and enjoyable. Course Textbook and Online Support Withgott, and Laposata. 2015. Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, 5th Ed. Pearson Press, Boston, MA. Publishers. ISBN: 9780321984456 This course will exclusively utilize this text as the primary reference/resource for this course. Daily power point presentations, interesting lectures with demonstrations, and in-class activities will enhance and reinforce the content. The lecture subjects and textbook units complement each other closely. The student should skim corresponding areas in the text before it is covered, then return and critically read same material after that unit is
covered. The text features chapter outlines, summary tables, concept reviews, excellent pictures and diagrams, review questions and a comprehensive glossary to help facilitate learning. Students are not expected to bring this text to lecture. Five laboratory exercises will also be completed in class to support the full understanding of environmental biology. Even though this course is designed on a traditional lecture format, substantial interaction amongst the students and the professor, using specimens, examples, technology, and virtual field trips, will encourage, inspire, and motivate engaged learning. Through lectures, hands-on activities, completing in-class projects, and studying for exams, students will have an opportunity to learn environmental biology in great depth. Students are strongly encouraged to voice their perspectives and propose points for discussion at most any time during class. It is our intent to promote innovative and creative exchanges of ideas within the classroom. Participation can enhance the learning, as well as the appreciation for the complexity of the field of environmental biology. Courses meeting liberal arts requirements in environmental biology are designed to enable students to: Gain actual hands-on experience with the concepts of laboratory testing, such as water quality to form a foundation for scientific method and application of knowledge; Discover the patterns, principles, and dynamics of natural phenomena and relate them to issues in their lives as citizens and sustaining members of our biosphere; Comprehend scientific methodology, how scientists collect data related to environmental concerns and current research and its limitations; Engage in the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data behind environmental issues. Hands-on Activities 1) Professor will provide all handouts in printed format, as well as all hands-on materials, laboratory apparatus, and test kits. Students are encouraged to bring their own 3-ring binder to place the handouts, diagrams, or maps for future reference and study purposes. Students are expected to read through any handout before arriving on activity day. 2) In-class laboratory exercises will be performed in groups on arranged days during this course. In-class projects will take place throughout the units. Materials needed will be provided by the Professor. Reading the chapters and attending all class periods will be critical to successful completion of these. These cannot be made up if the student is absent on that day. 3) Virtual Field trips will occur to provide experience with actual environmental issues and allow students opportunities to engage and interact with the critical content. Schedule WEEK ONE: Monday Professor Introductions, Course overview, Science and Sustainability: Introduction to Environmental Science (Chapter 1) Tuesday Science and Sustainability (Chapter 1), Human Population (Chapter 6) Wednesday Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems (Chapter 2) Thursday In-class Laboratory Exercise, Human Population (Chapter 6) Hands-on Activities and Laboratory Exercises include: The Rain Shadow Effect WEEK TWO: Monday Geology, Minerals, and Mining (Chapter 11) Tuesday Freshwater, Oceans, and Coasts (Chapter 12), Pollution Control (Chapter 13) Wednesday Atmospheric Science, and Air Quality and Pollution Control (Chapter 13) Thursday In-class Laboratory Exercise, Freshwater, Oceans, and Coasts (Chapter 12)
Hands-on Activities and Laboratory Exercises include: Observing Mineral Mining Effects, Tusks versus Tuskless Elephants WEEK THREE: Monday Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development (Chapter 5) Tuesday Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation (Chapter 15) Wednesday Global Climate Change (Chapter 14), Review for Midterm Exam Thursday In-class Laboratory Exercise, Mid Term Exam Hands-on Activities and Laboratory Exercises include: Two Sample Water Quality Analysis (15 Tests) WEEK FOUR: Monday Renewable Energy Alternative (Chapter 16) Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food (Chapter 7) Tuesday Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (Chapter 8) Wednesday Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas (Chapter 9) Thursday In-class Laboratory Exercise, Environmental Health and Toxicology (Chapter 10) Hands-on Activities and Laboratory Exercises include: Competition or Cooperation, Studying a Land Ecosystem WEEK FIVE: Monday Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology (Chapter 3) Tuesday Species Interactions and Community Ecology (Chapter 4) Wednesday In-class Laboratory Exercise, Managing Our Waste (Chapter 17) Thursday Urban Environment: Creating Livable and Sustainable Cities, (Chapter 18) Final Exam Friday Office hours to discuss grades, finalize points, input grades Hands-on Activities and Laboratory Exercises include: Lynx Eats the Hare Learning Objectives After successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Engage students effectively with immersive content, tools, and experiences 2. Discuss the underlying concepts of environmental biology, from biochemical to biosphere level. 3. Summarize the properties of all living things; discriminate living from non-living entities. 4. Explain basic biotechnology techniques. 5. Discuss how biology relates to society, and apply biological concepts in dealing with societal issues. 6. Identify and explain the impact and importance of ethics on science and biology. 7. Relate various levels of the hierarchy of biological organization from organism to biome. 8. Integrate the fundamentals of chemistry, geology, physics, social sciences, and biology. 9. Develop basic data analysis skills and experience practice with environmental issues. 10. Explain the sources and uses of different forms of energy, how we develop, acquire, and alter these to improve efficiency and conserve nonrenewable resources. 11. Think critically about environmental issues, research, and possible interventions. 12. Participate in virtual field trips on wind power (chapter 6), saltwater intrusion (chapter 12), and possibly invasive species (chapter 4). 13. Engage in critical and analytical thinking; 14. Build skills in oral and written communication;
15. Utilize the scientific method in answering biological questions 16. Apply the concepts of environmental biology to current events. Assessments TOTAL POSSIBLE COURSE POINTS.. 400 points Homework & In-class Activities 100 points In-class Projects & Lab Presentations. 50 points One Mid Term exam.100 points One Final Exam on last day of class.. 150 points The bottom line of receiving a grade is 95-100 A 88-89 B+ 78-79 C+ 68-69 D+ Below 60 F 90-94 A- 85-87 B 75-77 C 65-67 D 80-84 B- 70-74 C- 60-64 D- Exam Format Both the Midterm and Final Exams may consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, True/False and matching style questions, with some short answer questions. These will cover content, concepts and skills learned during class and course activities. Professor will supply a study guide and class will review the day prior to the exam. Additional assistance in preparation can be arranged with the TA and the professor can meet during office hours or designated time. Lecture Assignments Professor will provide handouts, diagrams, and charts to help present content, organize student learning, and support study for formal assessments. You may be assigned homework to provide you with a learning experience outside of class, or to familiarize you with terms or concepts before class. In some cases, you will perform in-class activities or a quiz based on the homework. You are expected to do the homework. Lab Assignments Due to the fact that all laboratory exercises involve considerable preparation, materials, and lab facilities, missing any laboratory exercise will prevent students from being able to earn points for that activity. These will include hands-on activities and reviews to reinforce materials covered in class. You are required to attend and participate in all activities as they will involve working in cooperative student-assigned groups. Discussions on Fridays will be led by native speaking Teaching Assistants that are familiar with the course content. Each group will submit a final lab report and also may conduct a presentation that should highlight all skills learned, as well as application of the concepts. Content handouts will be provided to you for each unit of study. What to Bring Lab top Computer (if you prefer to writes notes with one) Handouts (Professor will provide these, if applicable) Set of colored pencils Paper (if you prefer to use for notes) Textbook (if possible)
Course Policies If you don't understand, are confused or have a question, please feel free to ask!! Electronic devices (cell phones, MP3 players, etc.) are allowed to be on during lecture or activities. Electronic devices are not to be used during exams or quizzes. Alternate Accommodations: Please contact both lecture and lab instructors within the first one week of class. Reasonable alternatives will be provided for A) students whose religious observances overlap with scheduled class time; and B) students with a documented disability. Academic Misconduct: Students are responsible for the honest completion or representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others' academic endeavors. This means don't cheat and don't plagiarize! Cheating includes (but is not limited to) copying from another student and using cheat sheets during exams. Plagiarism is defined as directly using whole or partial sentences without giving proper reference to the author(s) of those words. And yes, we professors can tell! With the advent of the Internet, the potential for cheating by simply cutting and pasting information into a paper is tempting. Be aware that these dishonest activities will not be tolerated. All instructors have access to increasingly sophisticated search engines to test the validity of student work. For the purposes of this class, you MUST rephrase all information obtained from a written source (including the internet and your textbook). Plagiarism also includes copying work of your peers (either whole or partial sentences), so don t do it. If you need further information, seek assistance from your instructor or Teaching Assistant. Disciplinary Action: For the first violation of these standards, the student will automatically receive a ZERO. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class, discussion and activity periods. Although attendance will not be taken daily, you will lose points for any missed class activity. Also, your performance and grades in the course often are impacted adversely by your absences as result of missed information for the exams. One absence only is allowed for verifiable excuses such as illness, family emergencies, or another course trip. You must contact the instructor as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours with appropriate written documentation explaining the reason for the absence. Students may NOT make up work missed due to the absence. Unexcused absence will earn students a zero. It is your responsibility to obtain missed notes from a peer. Late Submissions: You will lose half the assigned grade points for unexcused late assignments. Studying: This course, like most college courses, covers a great deal of information. In order to be successful, students should devote sufficient time to studying (reading the text, reviewing notes and material, doing assignments, and studying for exams/quizzes). The standard is that for every hour of scheduled classroom meeting time the student should spend at least two (2) hours of serious study or preparation outside of the classroom for this course, that means 12 hours / week!suggestions for studying: You are very welcome to obtain additional help with material or suggestions for improvement from instructors during office hours or from the Teaching Assistants