Survey of Environmental Science:

Sustaining Our Earth

ENVS&100 HY Course Number 3950 Fall 2018

Lecture: MTWTh 12:20 - 1:10 - 8:50 GWH 156

Instructor: Jeff D Fennell Email: jfennell@everettcc.edu

Office Hours: M-Th 10:00 – 11:50 Phone: 425.388.9964 x 7332
or by appointment
Office: SHK-124

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Course Requirements

Course Description

Student Learning Objectives

Primary Core Learning Outcomes assessed by this course:

Program-specific Outcomes supported by this course:

Cheating

Deadlines

Canvas Etiquette

Instructor responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

Statement on Accessibility

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Grading Policy
Module Quizzes
In-Class Midterms
Class Discussions
Assignments
Invasive Species Project

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Course Requirements

● Karr, Interlandi, and Houtma. Environmental Science for a Changing World, 3rd ed.
2018.
● You must have a reliable internet connection! If you do not have your own computer with
internet access, there is a computer lab in SHK 231 that is free for student use. The
reliability of your connection is especially critical when taking quizzes as I am not
obligated to reset a quiz for you.

Course Description

Biological and ecological principles and how they pertain to current issues of population growth
and control, diminished food supply, water, air and noise pollution, and similar environmental
issues. Credit may not be earned in both ENVS& 100 and ENVS& 101.

Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL& 101 AND eligibility for MATH 096.

Student Learning Objectives

1. Describe the structure and function of ecosystem components.

2. Describe the interactions among the species in an ecosystem.
3. Describe the energy flow within an ecosystem.
4. Describe nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
5. Describe human interactions with nutrient cycles.
6. Evaluate the relationship between human population growth and environmental issues.
7. Evaluate local, regional and global environmental topics related to resource use and
management.
8. Propose solutions to environmental issues related to resource use and management.
9. Describe environmental issues that relate to energy production and use.
10. Evaluate alternative means of energy production.
11. Evaluate and summarize existing research and present it in written form.
12. Describe the elements of a sustainable society.

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Primary Core Learning Outcomes assessed by this course:

1. Engage and take responsibility as active learners – students will participate in discussions
that explore and reinforce environmental topics and concepts.
2. Think critically – students will apply scientific methodology to evaluate, discuss, and
reach conclusions regarding current research problems involving environmental issues.
3. Communicate effectively - students will communicate the results of their assignments in
a visual presentation.
4. Identify elements of a sustainable society—students will integrate and apply economic,
ecological, and eco-justice concepts into a systems-thinking framework.

Program-specific Outcomes supported by this course:

1. Critically evaluate the science-related content in reports, popular media and public policy
- Students will read assigned articles, books and online resources, and evaluate these
sources in the context of the environmental topics presented in class.
2. Effectively communicate scientific processes - Students will use the results obtained from
projects, demonstrations and discussions to produce written reports and presentations.

Cheating

You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity. When you cheat*, or aid
someone else in cheating, you violate a trust. If you cheat, disciplinary action will be taken. At a
minimum, you will receive a zero on the assignment in question and the incident will be reported
to the Dean.

*Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying answers on tests and assignments, glancing at
nearby test papers, swapping papers, stealing, plagiarizing, and illicitly giving or receiving help
on exams and assignments.

Deadlines

Quizzes and Exams must be taken on the day they are given, unless previous arrangements have
been made. Late assignments will only be accepted at my discretion within 1 day of their due
date, for half credit.

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Instructor responsibilities

1. To facilitate learning of course objectives.

2. To teach you about Environmental Studies to the best of my ability.
3. My goal is to give you a greater appreciation of the environment around you and to make
science accessible and interesting for you.
4. To ensure students are comfortable approaching me with questions in person and online.
5. To be available for you via e-mail at least once a day during the week.
6. I will try to make myself accessible to you on the weekends as well, but please respect
that instructors need their down-time too.
7. To check the student question forum daily and to answer questions in a timely manner.
8. To treat all of my students with the respect they deserve.

Student Responsibilities

1. Your responsibility is to successfully learn the material I present to you.

2. To turn in assignments/exams when or before they are due. You must budget your time to
make room for this course. If you have too many other obligations and cannot spend at
least 20 hours a week on this course, you should reconsider taking it at this time.
3. If you are confused, you should ask me questions. There is no such thing as a dumb
question (relating to the course material anyway). If you have questions, likely so do
others in this class. Don’t be afraid!
4. If you are having trouble understanding the material or doing well on quizzes, it is your
responsibility to seek help from me outside of class and/or seek tutoring at the tutoring
center.
5. If you have any technological problems, it is your responsibility to get them resolved
either by e-mailing me or the Canvas help desk in a timely manner.
6. To provide a comfortable learning environment for your fellow students. You must treat
me and your fellow classmates with respect.
7. No discriminatory comments or attitudes towards your fellow classmates for any reason
will be tolerated, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender,
or disability.

Statement on Accessibility

If you have a specific physical, psychiatric or learning disability and require accommodations,
please let me know early in the quarter so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.
You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Center for Disability Services
(located in Parks 267 right across from the bookstore).

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Grading Policy

Your grade will be based upon the following assignments. All points are approximate.

Assignment Points Weight

13 Module Quizzes (approx. 36 points each) 468 40%

2 In-Class Midterms (approx. 110 points each) 220 20%

10 Class Activities (approx. 15 points each) 150 15%

9 Homework Assignments (10 points each) 90 10%

Invasive Species Project 100 15

Total (approximate) 1028 100%

The point value for each class of assignments may change, however, the weights of the
assignments will not.

Final course grades will be assigned according the percentage of points you earn:

93% - 100% = A 87%- 89% = B+ 77% - 79% = C+ 67% - 69% = D+

90% - 92% = A- 83% - 86% = B 73% - 76% = C 62% - 66% = D

80% - 82% = B- 70% - 72% = C- <62% = F

Module Quizzes

These quizzes (points will vary) will be open Thursday - Sunday, and will cover the material
from that week. This includes module readings, supplemental readings via Canvas, and any
activities we do. The questions will be mostly multiple-choice, with perhaps a few short-answer
questions. You may use your text and notes during these quizzes (because I can’t stop you), but
you’ll only have approximately 1 minute per question, not enough time to look up all the
answers. Be sure you’ve studied! I will drop your 2 lowest scores on these.

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In-Class Midterms

These comprehensive exams will have both multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Check
Canvas for the dates.

Class Activities

During class we will do various activities. You must be present to get these points.

Homework Assignments

During the weeks we’ll have various assignments to complete, designed to help you further
understand the course material.

Invasive Species Project

Sometime after the 5th week of the quarter (check Canvas for the date) you’ll prepare a 2-page
poster on an invasive species of your choice, and present it to the class. More information is
available on Canvas.

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