Environmental Science II Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-1402-001 Environmental Science II

Prerequisites

Course Description

General intersest course requiring a minimum of previous science background and relating scientific knowledge to problems involving energy and the environment. May or may not include a laboratory. 

Student Resources Student 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 hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Recommended

"Living in the Environment"

Author: G. Tyler Miller/ Scott Spollman

ISBN: 978-0-357-14220-2

Supplies

Lab notebook, bound

3 Ring binder, 2 inch

Student Performance

STUDENT PERFORMANCE, COMPETENCIES AND OBJECTIVES: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department.

Environmental Science II (ENVR 2) (Lecture)

An overview of scientific principles governing energy, environmental hazards, pollution, conservation, and waste. Examines mitigation/remediation strategies, municipal facilities, with an introduction to federal, state, and local government regulation and environmental law. Includes critical analysis of environmental pollution, remediation, and conservation within a multifaceted scientific, legal, and political context. Course will identify and apply reasoning to make informed decisions about broad environmental management issues that affect the ecosystem.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Recognize, describe, and quantitatively evaluate earth systems, including the land, water, sea, and atmosphere, and how these function as interconnected ecological systems.

2. Assess environmental challenges facing humans caused by their interaction with the physical and biological environment (e.g., population growth, energy resources, food production, pollution, water and resource use).

3. Acquire a scientific vocabulary and critical thinking skills related to environmental science.

4. Assess the effectiveness and feasibility of environmental policy and its impact.

Environmental Science II (ENVR 2) (Lab)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Apply the scientific method to environmental investigation.

2. Measure and observe aspects of the environment (e.g., air, water, soil) through sampling and sample analysis.

3. Develop an assessment plan for an environmental case study.

4. Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data.

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

STUDENT BEHAVIOR: 
Students will be respectful of other students and the instructor.  This includes email, text, and other communications for the class.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: If a student is having a problem with the course policies or the instructor, he or she should first try and resolve any such problems with the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved the student may proceed to the Department Chairman, Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, and the College President, IN THAT ORDER.

SAFETY: "Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are stored in SCIE 110. A link to the online MSDS Sheets is in the Introduction Folder in the online class
For any emergency contact Campus Police 371-5911

WITHDRAW: A grade of "W" will be given for drops or withdraws on or before the published official withdraw date.  You may not drop or withdraw after that date (April 23, 2026). The link below is for the drop form:

Link to Drop Form on Registrar's website

FINAL GRADE CHANGES: The final grade turned into the registrar's office will not be changed unless approved by full time biology faculty committee. Request must be submitted in writing.

TECHNOLOGY POLICY:  You may use laptops or tablets in this class to consult online readings or to take notes. However, any other use of these devices and the use of cell phones is strictly prohibited. Place your phone on mute before you come to class. Violating this policy will negatively impact your participation grade.

EMAIL INSTRUCTOR POLICY: If you would like to email the instructor, please follow the guidelines in the link below.

How to email your instructor.

Grading Criteria

 A = 90-100      B = 80-89        C = 70-79        D = 60-69        F = 59 or below

Lecture exams 40%

Lab assignments/practical  25%

Lecture assignments/quizzes/attendance 10%

Final exam 25%

You need to schedule an appointment to take your exam.    Please click on the link below to go to the Science Testing Center website.  Click on "Make an appointment" to schedule your exam.

Science Testing Center WARE 1st floor– 

For those of you that utilize the testing center, the appointments link:

https://outlook.office.com/book/ScienceTestingCenter2@actx.edu/?ismsaljsauthenabled

Operating hours will be the same:

M - Th 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am - 8pm, and Sat 9am - 6pm 

***last test started 90 minutes before closing. 

Please let your students know that they need to make an appointment to test AND have a photo ID. We do accept a virtual ID if it has the student’s photo on it. Science students will need to use the door adjacent to the Oschenger mall. Math will be using the other door and there may be a line.

Attendance

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

If you stop doing class assignments and exams and do not officially drop the course you will receive an “F” for the course. You must contact your instructor to start the drop procedure prior to the official drop date.  Texas law now mandates that students may only drop or withdraw 6 classes in their entire college career, which excludes drops prior to census date.

There will be a grade given for attendance.

Calendar

Additional Information