NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Course title: Environmental Biology

Course prefix, number, and section number: Biol 2406, sections 340 and 341

Semester/Year of course: Spring 2022

Semester start and end dates: Start date: January 18, End date: May 14

Modality (Face to face/Synchronous or Asynchronous online/Hybrid):

Class meeting location, days, and times: Online only

Lab meeting location, days, and times: Online only

Semester credit hours: 4

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.

Course prerequisites: None

Required course materials:

Required text Required or Recommended Course Materials:

Principles of Environmental Science 9^th., Cunningham

ISBN  9780078036071

Name of instructor: Belinda Anderson

Office location: Bowie Campus Room # 132

Telephone number: (940) 872-4002 ext. 5217

E-mail address: banderson@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: Bowie campus Monday 10-12:30: Graham campus Tuesday 11:30-12:30: Online Monday 9-10 and 3-5, Tuesday 2-3, Wednesday 9-1.

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments: 3: Lecture exams @ 180 points each, 13 Lab exercises @ 230 points total, 1 Lab Final @ 100 points, 13 Lecture Discussions @ 130 points total.  Total Point Value = 1000 points

Final grade scale: 

900 to 1000 points=A, 800 to 899.99 points=B, 700 to 799.99 points=C, 600 to 699.99 points=D and below 600 points=F

Late work policy: No late work accepted

SEE CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy: 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)]”. 

Attendance Policy: 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

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: April 4^th.

Student Learning Outcomes: Lecture Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the structure and impact of biogeochemical cycles.
2. Describe energy transformations across trophic levels.
3. Illustrate abiotic/biotic interactions and symbiotic relationships.
4. Identify various types of natural resources, human impact on these resources, and common resource management practices.
5. Quantify and analyze the impact of lifestyle on the environment.
6. Depict evolutionary trends and adaptations to environmental changes.
7. Describe environmental hazards and risks and the social and economic ramifications.
8. 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.

Core Objectives:

Critical Thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Empirical and Quantitative Analysis

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS