Biology 157 – Life Science:  An Environmental Approach

La Salle University

Norbert F. Belzer, Ph.D.

Fall, 2010

E-mail:  belzer@lasalle.edu

Office:  Holroyd 226

Web Page:  www.lasalle.edu/~belzer

Phone: 215- 951-1250

 

 

                                   

 

 

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Biology 157 (F, S) --- LIFE SCIENCE:  AN ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH  (3 credits/Frameworks)
A foundation biology course for non-majors that places emphasis on the unifying concepts of ecology.  It is intended to demonstrate 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 still a 'College-level' course.  Bio. 157 is a CORE CURRICULUM (Frameworks of Scientific Understanding) course and as with all CORE CURRICULUM 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.

 

 

NOTE:

For additional information concerning this course, plus a few examples of exam type questions, check the Bio. 157 link on my webpage (www.lasalle.edu/~belzer).

TENTATIVE  LECTURE  SYLLABUS  &  READING  ASSIGNMENTS

 

DATES

TOPICS AND TEXT READINGS

 

 

Aug. 30 (M)

Sept. 1 (W)

Objectives, Scope, Format & Requirements of the Course, Testing & Grading Procedures;   Ecology vs. Environmental Science;   The Scientific Method;   The need for a specialized terminology;   Systems: ecological & otherwise (the interacting whole & its parts);   Planetary organization, Biosphere, Gaia;  The number of ecosystems & communities  (Syllabus;  1;  2.1)

 

 

Sept.  8 (W)

 

Environmental problems - root causes, The need for environmental awareness  (1, 15);   Models
1st WRITING ASSIGNMENT DISTRIBUTED - DUE WED.,  OCT. 6th

 

 

      13 (M)

Energy and energy flow:  producers, consumers & reducers Trophic levels, food chains & webs, energy budgets
(2.3, 2.4, 2.5)

 

 

      15 (W)

      20 (M)

Nutrient cycling and selected biogeochemical cycles

(calcium, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus)  (2.2, 2.6)

 

 

      22 (W)

FIRST EXAMINATION (covers material of Aug. 30th - Sept.20th)

 

 

      27 (M)

The hydrogeologic cycle;  Is water unlimited?

Water pollution:  causes and cures  (10)

2nd WRITING / PROJECT ASSIGNMENT DISTRIBUTED - DUE WED., DEC. 1st

 

 

Sept. 29 (W)

Oct.   4 (M)

Energy use & ecological implications:  Energy Crisis I – internal energy (= food);  The Green Revolution – success or failure;  Interrelationship of the biological, sociological and political aspects in causing (and solving) the hunger problem  (7)

 

 

Oct.   6 (W)

      11 (M)

Energy use & ecological implications:  Energy Crisis II - external energy (= fuel);  Consequences of energy use;  Reduction in energy use;  New / Alternative energy sources  (12)

 

 

      13 (W)

      20 (W)

Populations:  growth patterns, carrying capacity, control of population size  (3.3;  4)

 

 

Oct.  18 (M)

MIDSEMESTER HOLIDAY

 

 

      25 (M)

SECOND EXAMINATION (covers material of Sept. 27th - Oct. 20th)

 

 

      27 (W)

Nov.   1 (M)

       3 (W)

Toxic Materials: types, sources, cycling & accumulation;   Control of, and alternatives to, the use of toxics with emphasis on pesticides, radioisotopes and heavy metals;   Risk and Risk Analysis  (8)

 

 

Nov.   8 (M)

Resources, Solid Wastes, Recycling  (11, 13, 14)

 

      10 (W)

Air pollution:  emphasis on smog, acid precipitation and global warming  (9)

 

 

      15 (M)

Biodiversity;  Endangered species - should we be concerned?  (5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7;  6)

 

 

      17 (W)

Species and their niche  (3.1)

Species-Species interactions  (3.2)

 

 

      22 (M)

THIRD EXAMINATION (covers material of Oct. 27th - Nov. 15th)

 

 

      24 (W)

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

 

 

      29 (M)

Communities and ecosystems;  Ecosystem stability and complexity;  Ecological succession  (3.4, 3.5)

 

 

Dec.   1 (W)

Major Terrestrial Biomes:  structure, distribution and controlling factors  (5.1)

 

 

Dec.   6 (M)

Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems (5.2, 5.3)

 

 

       8 (W)

TO BE ANNOUNCED

 

 

     ???????

FINAL EXAMINATION:  45% comprehensive, 55% on the material since the 3rd examination

 

 

                                   

 

TEXT:  W. P. Cunningham and M. A. Cunningham.  2009.  Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications (5th edition).  McGraw-Hill Publishers

 

                                   

 

GRADING,  REQUIREMENTS,  ETC.

 

  • The text readings are required.  Each examination will contain some question or questions (whole or in part) taken from the readings.  This will be explained fully at the first class meeting.

 

  • The three exams during the course of the semester could be quite varied in format (multiple choice, short essay, brief answer, problems, modified true-false, definitions, etc.).  The exams will require repetition of basic material as well as interpretation and application.  These exams will not be cumulative in the strict sense of the word.  However, the final exam will be comprehensive.  Material from the time period covered by the first three exams will be tested with multiple choice questions (45%) while the new material (55%) could be tested with multiple choice questions or by short answer, essay, definition, etc. type questions.  Each of the four examinations counts equally, 18%, toward your final grade.  A letter grade (on a +/- basis) as well as a numerical grade will be assigned to each of your exams.  This enables you to determine EXACTLY where you stand at any time during the semester.  This course will be graded as indicated on the next page.

 

93---100 = A

87-89.99 = B+

77-79.99 = C+

67-69.99 = D+

90-92.99 = A-

83-86.99 = B

73-76.99 = C

60-66.99 = D

 

80-82.99 = B-

70-72.99 = C-

below 60 = F

 

  • It is possible the final letter designation could be adjusted slightly lower than is listed above.  However, DO NOT expect adjustments ('curving') at the end of the semester.  The University grade point equivalent for each grade is as follows:

 

 

B+ = 3.33

C+ = 2.33

D+ = 1.33

A = 4.00

B = 3.00

C = 2.00

D = 1.00

A- = 3.66

B- = 2.66

C- = 1.66

F = 0.00

A+ and D- are not acknowledged in this system.

 

  • You are expected to be present for all lectures and examinations.  If you must miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate (check notes from at least two people to be on the safe side) and to get any handouts for that day from the instructor.  There are no "cuts" allowed, only excused absences.  It seems only sensible that you do not miss a class for a frivolous reason.  Remember, we meet only twice a week and a considerable amount of material will be covered at each meeting.

 

  • It is strongly advised that you do not miss an examination.  If you do miss an examination for a valid reason (such as death in the immediate family or illness under the care of a physician) alternate arrangements will be made.  Lack of a valid excuse (validity of an excuse will be left to the judgment of the instructor) will result in a zero (0) for that exam.  Under no circumstances will alternate arrangements be made for more than one exam.  Any questions concerning an exam grade should be brought to my attention within one week after the graded exams have been returned.  No adjustments will be considered after that time.

 

  • Each exam counts for 18% of your grade for a total of 72%.  The remaining 28% will come from class participation (8%) and the two (2) writing / project assignments (8, 12%).  At the beginning and/or end of many classes there will be a very brief quiz.  These will count for half of the class participation grade.  On the days indicated in the Syllabus an instruction sheet will be given to you explaining the specific writing or project assignment.  These will be relatively short assignments.  The grading of writing assignments is explained at the end of the syllabus packet.  In general, the way you express yourself is as important (= counts as much) as the 'correctness' of the material.  What good is information if you cannot properly communicate it to another.  You are expected to be able to spell correctly, punctuate properly, write clearly and use mature language befitting a college student.

 

  • Academic dishonesty of any type will not be tolerated.  Cheating in an exam results in an automatic zero (0) for that exam.  Dishonesty in a writing/project assignment (having someone else do it for you, plagiarism, etc.) results in a zero (0) for that assignment.

 

 

TIPS  FOR  TAKING  TESTS

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

  • LISTEN to the instructor in the event oral instructions or guidelines are being given.  Then take a few seconds to look through the ENTIRE test.
  • QUICKLY decide on the order in which you will answer the questions.  Sometimes the order in which they are asked is not the best order for you.
  • BUDGET YOUR TIME!!!!!  Determine how much time you are willing to give to each question or set of questions.
  • Check the back of pages to make certain you do not miss any questions.

 

DIRECTIONS:

  • READ & FOLLOW the directions in the test.
  • Note HOW the questions are to be answered.
  • Do you have to answer the questions in a specific order?
  • Do you have options?
  • Do you have space/length limitations? (e.g. "answer in the space provided").
  • Are there special symbols to be used? (e.g. in a true false section you might be required to use the symbols "T/F" or "+/-" or "+/0").
  • Answer the question that is being asked, not one of your own design.  Providing a "function" for an item is very different from providing a "definition" of that same item.  Listing several points is different from discussing something).

 

DEFINITIONS:

  • An EXAMPLE does not qualify as a definition. (e.g. "An oak" is not the definition of a tree.)
  • A DESCRIPTION does not qualify as a definition. (e.g. "something that is tall and branched with leaves on it" certainly might DESCRIBE a tree but does not tell you WHAT it is. It is an organism, a plant.  This definition also does not exclude a sunflower or a grape vine, both of which have all the characteristics mentioned but certainly are not trees.)
  • A definition should EXCLUDE all terms that might be similar in meaning to the term being defined. (e.g. "a rigid, woody, columnar structure rising from the ground" is not a definition of a tree.  This so-called definition does not exclude a clothes pole, support for a beach house, etc.)
  • Unless the term specifically relates to time, the word "when" usually should not occur in the definition. (e.g. "A tree is WHEN something woody grows out of the ground" suggests that a tree is an interval of time while in reality it is an object.)
  • In reality a tree is a tall perennial self-supporting woody plant usually with one main stem or trunk that develops many branches.  You will note that this definition separates "tree" from a number of similar things.  A sunflower is not perennial nor is it really woody. Shrubs do not have a single main stem, they branch out right from the ground level.  A grapevine is perennial and woody but it is not self-supporting, it must "crawl" up something else.  Thus you see that this is a pretty good definition.  It tells you what a tree is and separates it from other things that have some similarities with trees.

WRITING / PROJECT  ASSIGNMENTS:   OBJECTIVES  AND  GUIDELINES

 

The purpose of the writing assignments and/or projects is multifaceted.  An assignment might help you to identify areas or concepts you do not fully understand or it might help you to expand your horizons past that of the material covered in class.  In all cases these assignments will encourage you to think about the course material in ways different from that in which it was presented and/or will enable you to review and reinforce your understanding of an important topic.  In all instances you will be reinforcing your written communication skills.  Remember, knowledge is essentially useless if you cannot adequately communicate it to others.


Some specific points of importance:

 

  • There will be two (2) writing / project assignments this semester.  Each will be graded on a basis of 100 points.

 

  • The first assignment (8% of your grade) is an INDIVIDUAL assignment.  It is not acceptable to have someone else do it for you.  Also, do not copy from articles, textbooks, etc.  Put it in your own words and, of course, you will use proper English and a writing style befitting a College-level person.

 

  • The second assignment (12% of your grade) is a group project with a written and a PowerPoint presentation component.

 

  • Dishonesty in a writing assignment (having someone else do it for you, plagiarism, etc.) will result in a zero (0) for the assignment.

 

  • All assignments must be done neatly using Microsoft Word.

 

  • Use 1.0 inch margins, 12 point Courier New typeface and double space the paper.  Follow standard typing practices for punctuation and spacing.

 

  • These are ‘formal’ writing assignments.  Do not write as if you are having a casual conversation with another person.

 

  • The writing assignments MUST be between 400 and 600 words.

 

  • Do not waste a piece of paper as a 'cover' page.  On the top line of the first page of the paper put your name (or the names of those in your group).

 

  • Papers / Projects will be graded on:

 

a)      Adherence to the guidelines:  neatness, length, etc.  (25%)

 

b)      General quality and maturity of expression, ability to clearly express ideas, accuracy of your interpretations and / or discussion of the material (where applicable), quality of material, examples, references, etc.  (50%)

 

c)      Adherence to good writing practices (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.)  (25%)

 

d)     Adherence to the deadline is very important.  Late papers or projects will be penalized 1/2 of a letter grade (5 points) for each day late (weekend and non-class days included).  Papers / Projects more than 6 days late will not be accepted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VERY  IMPORTANT  SUPPLEMENTARY  INFORMATION

 

 

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

 

La Salle University has an Academic Integrity Policy (AIP).  It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with this policy and the penalties for violating it.  The full policy can be found on the "Academic Services" tab of the mylasalle portal: http://www.lasalle.edu/portal/provost/intprop/AIP.swf

Please take special care to read the sections on cheating, plagiarism and group work.

 

 

                                  

 

 

EMERGENCIES (WEATHER OR OTHERWISE)

 

In case of a situation that requires the closing of campus for an extended period attempts will be made, where possible, to continue the class from a distance.  All are expected to keep up with the assigned chapters/readings.  If the email system is working all are expected to check with the instructor for alternate assignments.  If such assignments are given it is expected they will be completed and sent to the instructor following the timetable established by the instructor.  Should the campus closure be a relatively short period, it is likely that reasonable adjustments can be made in the syllabus when the campus opens and classes resume.  It is not possible to determine what would occur should a situation require the closing of campus for a very long period of time.