You are responsible for becoming familiar with all the information on this syllabus.

Your Instructors

Your instructors are Dave Schwartz, Sue Holt, and Nicole Crane. We hold office hours at the times and places below. Other times can be arranged – just contact us.

Instructor

Phone

Email

Office Hours

Dave Schwartz

479-6495

daschwar@cabrillo.edu

MWF 11-12, TTh 9-10 in 705C

Sue Holt

479-6382

suholt@cabrillo.edu

T or Th 4-5 after Sue’s classes

in 5005

Nicole Crane

479-5094

nicrane@cabrillo.edu

MW 9-9:30,  2:40-3:40,

T 1:15 -2:15, F 9-9:30 in 620

Subject

Covers the physical, biological, chemical and human systems that constitute the earth's environment. Topics include geological processes, hydrology, natural resources, climatology, population biology, ecosystems, biodiversity, biochemistry and the chemistry of pollution. Includes an analysis of how human behavior and institutions affect the environment.

Texts

There are two required text books at the bookstore for this course -- Miller, Living in the Environment, paperback, about $60; and Cunningham, Principles of Environmental Science, about $30.  Copies are also available on library reserve (# GF41, #4066).  You are responsible for all readings on the next page and additional material posted online at each instructor’s website:

www.cabrillo.edu/~daschwar          www.cabrillo.edu/~sholt             www.cabrillo.edu/~ncrane

Use the Library or the Computer Technology Center for computer access to online materials. 

Exams

Student progress will be assessed on two midterms and a comprehensive final exam.  All exams are multiple-choice.  Out of a possible 400 points, the exams count 100, 125, and 175 points respectively towards your course grade.   Scores of 360 points or more earn an A, 320-359 earn a B, 280-319 earn a C, 240-279 earn a D, and scores below 240 earn an F. Bring a ParSCORE scantron (large orange one) and a #2 pencil to each exam.  Extra-credit work can add up to 45 points to your course grade.

Staying Current

We have a strong support system of three instructors for you.  If you don’t understand something, ask in class, after class, or in office hours – don’t wait.  Also, study together every week to determine the strong and weak points of your understanding.   We want you to keep in touch with your instructors, especially if you are experiencing difficulties in the course. 

Absences

Attendance is required at all class meetings.  Four absences are grounds for being dropped.   If you cannot attend a class, it is a good idea to call or email the instructor whose class you are missing.  We expect you to borrow someone’s notes and consult your instructors with any questions you have on the material.  You are substantially less likely to pass this course if you miss one of the exams.  With advance notice and under valid circumstances, accommodations for a missed midterm may be possible.  Otherwise your final exam will replace the missed midterm.

Disabilities

If you need accommodations, contact Dave Schwartz ASAP. Accommodations are provided to insure equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities. If you need assistance with an accommodation, please contact Disabled Student Services, Room 810, 479-6379, or Learning Skills Program, Room 1073, 479-6220.

Integrity

Those who cheat, and those who make it possible for others to cheat, will receive zeroes.

DATE

Class #

TOPIC

PERSON

TEXT (chapter # or chapter-section #) & LINKS

9/4 T

1

Introduction to Course

DS

1-1, 1-3, 1-4, 2-1 Miller

9/6 TH

2

The Science Process

SH

1 3-1 Miller, link 1

9/11 T

3

Climate and Biodiversity

JC*

pp. 107-122 Cunningham

9/13 TH

4

Global Climate History

GW*

21-1 thru 21-3, 21-5 Miller, Link 2

9/18 T

5

Geologic Processes & Hazards

DS

16-1 thru 16-3 Miller

9/20 TH

6

Rock Cycle, Minerals & Soil

DS

16-4 thru 16-6, 14-3, 14-4 Miller

9/25 T

7

World Views; Chemistry

NC

Chap. 1 & 2 Cunningham

9/27 TH

8

Biogeochemical Cycles

NC

Chap. 2 Cunningham

10/2 T

9

MIDTERM I - 100 pts

10/4 TH

10

Human Population Dynamics

SH

10-1 thru 10-3 Miller, Link 3

10/9 T

11

Economic Growth and  Resource Use

SH

3-5, 21-7, 21-8 Miller, Link 4

10/11 TH

12

Resources and Institutions

SH

3-5 Miller, Link 5

10/16 T

13

American Political Process

  RO*

Link 6

10/18 TH

14

Ecology and Food Webs

NC

Chap. 2 & 3 Cunningham

10/23 T

15

Community Ecology/populations

NC

Chap. 3 Cunningham

10/25 TH

16

Biomes and Oceans

NC

Chap. 5 Cunningham

10/30 T

17

Agriculture and Food Resources

NC

Chap. 7 Cunningham

11/1 TH

18

Water Resources

RD

Chap. 15 Miller & 22-1 thru 22-5

11/6 T

19

Water Resources and Pollution

DS

Chap. 15 Miller & 22-1 thru 22-5

11/8 TH

20

MIDTERM II - 125 pts

11/13 T

21

Nonrenewable Energy Resources I

DS

Chap. 17 Miller

11/15 TH

22

Nonrenewable Energy Resources II

DS

Chap. 17 Miller

11/20 T

23

Energy-Using Behavior

SH

Link 7, scan Chap. 18 Miller

11/27 T

24

U.S. Environmental Policy

SH

Link 8

11/29 TH

25

Mining and the Environment

BL

12/4 T

26

Forestry & Timber Harvests

NH*

11-4, 11-5 Miller

12/6 TH

27

Conservation Biology

NC

pp. 107-122 Cunningham

12/11 T

28

Environmental Treaties

SH

Link 9

12/13 TH

29

Student Oral Reports

12/20 TH

30

Comprehensive Final -175 pts

1-3:50 pm