Environmental Science I Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Office Hours

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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.

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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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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

ENVR-1401-001 Environmental Science I

Prerequisites

Course Description

This lecture and lab course should combine all of the elements of ENVR 1301 Environmental Science (lecture) and ENVR 1101 Environmental Science (lab), including the learning outcomes listed for both courses. (Cross-listed as GEOL 1405 Environmental Science)

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Living in the Environment , 20th Edition
G. Tyler Miller; Scott Spoolman
ISBN-10: 0-357-14220-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-357-14220-2

Supplies

Highly recommended:

Windows based PC (laptop or desktop), Mac Book (compatible for use with AC online testing; contact CTL for assistance in determining compatibility), or preferred tablet (MS Surface, Apple iPad, etc) having audio and video capability, i.e., a webcam

     *Web browser for PC/Mac Book used for classwork, lectures, online exams/quizzes must be Google Chrome

Chromebooks are not recommended due to compatibility issues with Blackboard Collaborate and online testing

Student Performance

By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all of the listed learning objectives (below) with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the required examinations and other work as required by the instructor.

LEARNING/ PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES (MINIMUM COMPETENCIES):
After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following:

  1. Understand the Key Principles of Sustainability and Ecological Footprints.
  2. Define and discuss matter, energy, and systems.
  3. Discuss Ecosystems and how they work.
  4. Describe the major types of life on earth and there role in an ecosystem.
  5. Describe biodiversity and the factors that affect biodiversity.
  6. Describe and discuss species interaction and its response to a changing environment.
  7. Describe and discuss human population and its impact on the environment.
  8. Discuss factors that influence the weather and climate.
  9. Discuss how the weather and climate affects biomes.
  10. Describe aquatic systems and ecosystems and there interactions.
  11. Explain human involvement in species loss and what can we do to sustain and grow species diversity.
  12. Understand industrialized food production and discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
  13. Discuss our water resources, the human impact, and sustainable consumption.
  14. Discuss and understand the individual's role in environmental solutions. Answer: the "What can I do about it?" question.

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

Grievance Procedure:

If a student is having a problem with the course policies and/or instructor, he/she should first try to resolve any such problem with the instructor. If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed first to the Biology department chair (Dr. Richard Hobbs), then to the Dean of STEM (Dr. Carol Buse), the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Dr. Tamara Clunis), and lastly, the college President (Dr. Lowery-Hart), IN THAT ORDER.  

Cell Phones are not prohibited during non-examination class meetings, but please be considerate of others. If your cell phone goes off during an exam or practical you will receive a 25% reduction of your grade on that exam/practical. 

TEXTING: Continuous texting in class by a student may be a distraction to others and shall be addressed on an individual basis by the instructor. If it is determined to be an issue, the student may be asked to leave the room. Continual abuse of this policy will result with the student being referred to the Dean of Student Services.

You may bring drink into lecture; however, if you spill something, please clean up after yourself. No food or drink will be allowed during the laboratory section of class.

Academic integrity is a core principle of Amarillo College. Therefore, any student that has been found to be dishonest through cheating on quizzes, lecture exams, or laboratory practicals will automatically receive a zero on that assignment. The subsequent student will also be referred to the Dean of Student Services (Mr. Robert Austin).

Grading Criteria

Lecture/Lab Assignments -----------40%

Lecture/Lab Tests  ------------------------------30%

Final Exam -------------------------------------30%

90 -100 = A

80 – 89  = B

70 – 79 = C

60 – 69 = D

59 and below = F

Grades will not be curved nor will points be added to any grade. No make up will be given for missed assignments, lecture quizzes, or major exams. A grade of zero will be given for any missed lecture quiz or major exam.

NoteIf a student receives a grade lower than a 70 on a major exam, that student MUST  attend a tutoring session of no less than 60 minutes in the Science Enrichment Center PRIOR to the next major exam. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, tutoring may be virtual versus in-person; contact SEC for specifics.

If the student fails to attend the 60 minute tutoring prior to the next major exam, that student WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to take the major exam. The student will receive a grade of zero on that major exam.

Attendance

Moday Classes will be held in the STEM Building

Wednesday Classes will be held via Google Classroom

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement, therefore it is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and complete all assignments.

Calendar

Week 1 (Mon 8/23 & Wed 8/25)

  • COVID Safety
  • Syllabus Review
  • Lecture - Course Introduction / The Environment & Sustainability
  • Lab – Lab Safety / Intro to Lab Project

Week 2 (Mon 8/30 & Wed 9/1)

  • Lecture – Science, Matter, Energy and Systems
  • Lab – Chemical and Physical Properties

Week 3 (Mon 9/6-No Class & Wed 9/8)

  • Lab – Lab Paper as Assigned

Week 4 (Mon 9/13 & Wed 9/15)

  • Lecture – Ecosystems: What Are They & How Do They Work?
  • Lab – Energy Flow Through a Food Chain

Week 5 (Mon 9/20 & Wed 9/22)

  • Lecture – Biodiversity and Evolution
  • Lab – Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
  • QUIZ 1

Week 6 (Mon 9/27 & Wed 9/29)

  • Lecture – Species Interactions, Ecological Succession & Population Control
  • Lab – Two Species Interactions

Week 7 (Mon 10/4 & Wed 10/6)

  • Lecture – Human Population
  • Lab – Population Growth & Shelford's Law

Week 8 (Mon 10/11 & Wed 10/13)

  • Lecture – Climate & Biodiversity
  • Seed Dispersal and Evolution

Week 9 (Spring Break)

Week 10 (Mon 10/25 & Wed 10/27)

  • Lecture – Aquatic Biodiversity
  • Lab – Lab Project as Assigned
  • QUIZ 2

Week 11 (Mon 11/1 & Wed 11/3)

  • Lecture – Saving Species 
  • Lab - Endangered Species

Week 12 (Mon 11/8 & Wed 11/10)

  • Lecture – Saving Ecosystems
  • Lab – Bird Identification & Echological Niches

Week 13 (Mon 11/15 & Wed 11/17)

  • Lecture – Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
  • Lab –  Lab Project as Assigned
  • QUIZ 3

Week 14 (Mon 11/22 & Wed 11/24)

  • Lecture – Food Production & The Environment
  • Lab – Lab Project as Assigned

Week 15 (Mon 11/29 & Wed 12/1)

  • Lecture – Water Resources
  • Lab –  Fresh Water Quality

Week 16 (Mon 5/3 & Wed 5/5)

  • Lecture – Course Review
  • Lab – Lab Project Presentations

Week 17 (5/10 – 5/14)

  • Finals Week

Additional Information

Dates of Importance:

Aug 23                   First Day of Class

Sep 6                     Labor Day - No Class

Oct 18 - 24            Spring Break - No class

Nov 23                   Last day to drop

Dec 08                   Last day of class

Dec 13 – 17           Finals Week 

Syllabus Created on:

11/25/20 1:11 PM

Last Edited on:

08/09/21 2:53 PM