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Biology 157 |
Fall, 2010 |
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Norbert F. Belzer, Ph.D. |
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Office: H-226 |
Web Page: www.lasalle.edu/~belzer |
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Phone: 215-951-1250 |
E-mail: belzer@lasalle.edu |
ABOUT BIOLOGY 157 - LIFE SCIENCE: AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Biology 157 (F, S) --- LIFE
SCIENCE: AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH (3 credits/Frameworks)
A foundation biology course for non-majors that places an emphasis on the
unifying concepts of ecology. It is intended to demosnstrate interconnections
between life and physical science, provide opportunity for in-depth exploration
of environmental issues and establish a relevance to students' lives. Topics
will include: human influence on patterns and products of change in living
systems, energy, matter and organization and human interaction and
interdependence with other living systems.
PERSPECTIVE OF THE COURSE:
Biology 157 is a course in
Environmental Biology. Since Environmental Biology is an applied area having in
roots in Ecology we will do more than just study case histories of population
crashes, pollution episodes and resource depletion. It is essential to
understand the basic principles behind the operations of ecosystems. Then, and
only then, can one study individual cases with any real comprehension. If you
grasp the basic Ecological principles and understand the basic
interrelationships that exist between organisms and their environments, then
you will be more likely to understand the numerous specific instances of
organism / organism or organism / environmental interaction, and ecosystem
balance / imbalance when you read about them in the common press.
This course is wide-ranging in its coverage. We will look at a number of phenomena - some in more detail than others. Biology 157 has been designed for non-majors. However, this is a “University”-level course. Bio. 157 is a FOUNDATION course and as with all FOUNDATION courses there is a WRITING component.
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
- To introduce the Scientific Method and how scientists work to answer questions and solve problems, specifically in ecology.
- To introduce basic ecological principles, such as ecosystem structure, energy & nutrient flows through ecosystems, biomes, ecological succession, population growth and species-species interactions.
- To apply basic ecological principles to current environmental problems. Attempts will be made to show that these so-called 'scientific problems' interrelate with economic, philosophic, political, etc. areas of endeavor. Hopefully one will be given a basis with which to develop informed opinions and to make more informed choices / decisions in the future.