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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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BIOL 2406 Environmental Biology
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Course Prefix & Number:
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BIOL2406
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Section Number:
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840
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Semester/Year:
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SP 2020
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Semester Credit Hours:
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4
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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1
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Course Description (NCTC Catalog):
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.
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Course Prerequisite(s):
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Required or Recommended Course Materials:
Principles of Environmental Science 9th, Cunningham
ISBN 9781260219715
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Elizabeth McClinchie
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Campus/Office Location:
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PPHS
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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emcclinchie@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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7:40-8:40
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7:40-8:40
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7:40-8:40
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7:40-8:40
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7:40-8:40
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3:35-4:45
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3:35-4:45
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Or by appointment
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Lecture Learning Outcomes
- Explain the structure and impact of biogeochemical cycles.
- Describe energy transformations across trophic levels.
- Illustrate abiotic/biotic interactions and symbiotic relationships.
- Identify various types of natural resources, human impact on these resources, and common resource management practices.
- Quantify and analyze the impact of lifestyle on the environment.
- Depict evolutionary trends and adaptations to environmental changes.
- Describe environmental hazards and risks and the social and economic ramifications.
- Describe ecological and statistical techniques and approaches used in the study of environmental biology.
Lab Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
- Use critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory.
- Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
- Explain the structure and impact of biogeochemical cycles.
- Describe energy transformations across trophic levels.
- Illustrate abiotic/biotic interactions and symbiotic relationships.
- Identify various types of natural resources, human impact on these resources, and common resource management practices.
- Quantify and analyze the impact of lifestyle on the environment.
- Depict evolutionary trends and adaptations to environmental changes.
- Describe environmental hazards and risks and the social and economic ramifications.
- Describe ecological and statistical techniques and approaches used in the study of environmental biology.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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3
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Lecture Homework Assignments
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18%
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12
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Reading Quizzes (Mondays starting Week 3)
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10%
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3
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Lecture Exams
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45%
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1
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Optional Comprehensive Final Exam
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*15%
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12
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Laboratory Assignments (drop lowest 2)
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12%
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1
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Laboratory Project and Presentation
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15%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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Week
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Date
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Lecture
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Reading
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Homework
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Lab
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1
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Jan 21-24
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Understanding our Environment
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Ch. 1, Ch. 16.1 Policy
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Safety & Microscopes
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2
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Jan 27-31
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Environmental Systems
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Ch. 2
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HW 1 Due Jan. 31
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Nutrient Cycles (Worm Compsting)
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3
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Feb 3-7
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Evolution, Species Interactions
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Ch. 3
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Food Webs (Owl Pellets)
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4
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Feb 10-14
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Biomes & Biodiversity
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Ch. 5
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Sampling (Entomology)
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5
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Feb 18-21
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Envir. Conservation
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Ch. 6; Ch. 16 End. Species
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Exam 1 Feb 21
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Biodiversity/
Community Structure
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6
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Feb 24-28
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Human Populations (+ Food & Agriculture)
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Ch. 4; Ch. 7
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Population Biology
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7
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March 2-6
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Finish F&A
Solid & Hazardous Waste
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Ch. 14; Ch. 16 Superfund Act
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HW 2 Due March 6
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Soil Testing & Food and Agriculture
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8
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March 9-13
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Environmental Health & Toxicology
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Ch. 8
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Consumption (Solid Waste Assessment & Ecological Footprints)
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Spring Break March 16-20
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9
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March 23-27
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Geology & Earth Resources
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Ch. 12
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Exam 2 March 27
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National Parks
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10
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Mar30-Apr1
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Water
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Ch. 11, 16 (Clean Water Act)
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Water Quality
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11
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April 6-9
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Climate
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Ch. 9
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Water Treatment Plant Field Trip
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12
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April 14-17
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Air Pollution
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Ch. 10, 16 (Clean Air Act)
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HW 3 Due April 17
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Air Quality
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13
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April 20-24
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Energy
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Ch. 13
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Project Prep
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14
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Apr27-May1
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Economics
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Ch. 15
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Project Presentations
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15
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May 4-8
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Review
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EXAM 3
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Tragedy of the Commons
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16
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May 11-15
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Final Exams
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Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _____April 3, 2020________.
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-3300. Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 in Gainesville.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________
Communication
Mathematics
Life and Physical Science
Language, Philosophy & Culture
Creative Arts
American History
Government/Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Component Area Option
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
Critical Thinking
Communication
Empirical and Quantitative
Teamwork
Personal Responsibility
Social Responsibility
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- Academic probation for the rest of the semester
- In the case of a 2nd offense, there will be immediate suspension for the semester
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Dr. Lisa Bellows
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Science Building Office 408
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-4252
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E-mail Address:
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lbellows@nctc.edu
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