Environmental Biology Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

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

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.2013

Students have the option of purchasing the new textbook with online Access Code from the AC Bookstore or the ebook (Connect Plus) through McGraw-Hill (online purchase).  Buying a used book is NOT the most cost effective method of purchasing required materials.  You will need to register with McGraw-Hill Connect during the first week of class.  McGraw-Hill provides a free, three-week trial of Connect.  Registration in McGraw-Hill Connect will remain open for the first few days of class.  Students must create accounts and register within the first two days of class.

 

Supplies

Students are expected to have access to a computer with Internet access.  A video camera in association with Respondus Lockdown Browser is required for the EXAMS.  The browser is available through the Student Tools link.

Some inexpensive supplies may be required to complete laboratory assignments associated with BIOL 2106-001.

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 compliment of Environmental Biology. 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, design, or present a theoretical construction project that would solve an environmental problem, reduce environmental impact, or affect environmental awareness.

4. Explore ESA phases I, II, and III, and the various business and industry implications according to EPA guidelines.

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

Mental Health Services and the Advocacy & Resource Center:

 

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 806-371-5191.  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 iswww.actx.edu/arc

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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.  Discussion topics are assigned weekly.  Topics vary from week to week.

Grading Criteria

Grading Scale/Criteria: Students must take BIOL 2106 concurrently with BIOL 2306 in the same manner (ie. online)

A = 90-100

B = 80-89                

C = 70-79               

D = 60-69                

F = < 59                   

Makeup Policy: Grades will be determined by the successful completion of LearnSmart 20%, Discussions 20%, Quizzes 20% and Exams 40%. Late assignments will not be accepted. Any late work will receive a zero.  BIOL 2306 is the lecture portion of the class and the grade is separate and distinct from BIOL 2106, which is the lab portion of 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 groups.

Calendar

Additional Information

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

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must consult with their instructor first. Students can either communicate via email or meet face-to-face with their instructor to begin the withdrawal process. If the instructor and the student both agree that withdrawal is the appropriate course of action, then the instructor will initiate a withdrawal case for the student in the Retention Alert System (AC Connect).

Students will receive confirmation that their withdrawal request has been completed. The Registrar’s Office will process the withdrawal and notify both the student and instructor via AC email.