Environmental Biology Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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Course

BIOL-2306-001 Environmental Biology

Prerequisites

Corequisite: BIOL 2106

Course Description

Principles of environmental systems and ecology, including biogeochemical cycles, energy transformations, abiotic interactions, symbiotic relationships, natural resources and their management, lifestyle analysis, evolutionary trends, hazards and risks and approaches to ecological research.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Environmental Science, 7th Edition by Cunningham & Cunningham. McGraw-Hill, publisher.2009

Supplies

Some inexpensive supplies may be required to complete laboratory assignments

Student Performance

Students in BIOL 2306, a 3 credit hour course, will be evaluated on the basis of 4 exams and a non-comprehensive final, quizzes/discussions and homeworks covering assigned chapters.

In addition, students must be enrolled in BIOL 2106 the laboratory compenent of Environmental Science. The grade in BIOL 2106 will consist of 5 assignments. This course is an integrated part of BIOL 2306, but is a separate 1 credit hour.

Disability Statement: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 806-371-5436) as soon as possible.

Instructor Objectives for the Course:

1. Define terms and describe relationship among—population, community, ecosystem, biosphere, symbiosis, niche, habitat, conservation, threatened species, endangered species, extinction.

2. Understand the history of environmental science by knowledge of events over time that have affected the environment, both natural and those caused by man.

3. Demonstrate concept mastery of a minimum passing of 60% of course material

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

It is important in an online classroom to maintain professionalism and respect. Any excessively rude or inappropriate comments or postings may result in expulsion from the course.

Grading Criteria

Four tests plus a non-comprehensive final exam are scheduled for the semester (see class calendar in the on-line course). Each test is worth 150 points. This yields 750 possible points on the exams. The exams will be multiple-choice, matching, and true/false. There are also weekly quizzes  for each chapter built into the on-line course. Fifteen quizzes will be given worth 10 points each for a total of 150 points. Finally, there will be discussions and homeworks worth a combined 100 points. All combined for a total 1000 points.

The lab portion of your grade will be worth 1 credit hour and consist of 5 assignments worth 200 points each for a combined total of 1000 points.
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\ Exams will cover the following chapters:
\ Exam #1: Chapters 1, 2, & 3
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\ Exam #2: Chapters 4, 5, & 6
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\ Exam #3: Chapters 7, 8, & 9
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\ Exam #4: Chapters 10, 11, 12

Final : Chapters 13, 14, & 15

\ Tests will be given ONLINE--NOT OPEN BOOK!--in a timed format.
\ If you require special accommodations, you MUST notify me within the first week!!

A non-comprehensive final will be given the final week of class as the fifth exam.

Will be given within the course.

Attendance

Students must check the calendar, homepage, and e-mail on a daily basis during regular class days. Assignments and assessments will be posted on the calendar. Students will also participate in discussion group

Calendar

Additional Information

The instructor reserves the right to amend the course syllabus during the semester.