OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

CLASS SYLLABUS Bio 106 Introduction to Environmental Science

Instructor: Michelle Groves

Phone: 630-624-3561
Emergency: (cell) 630-624-3561
E-mail: mgroves@oakton.edu or mgroves13@hotmail.com
Science Division: 1
Science Division Phone: 847-635-1866
Academic Assistance Center/Tutoring
Information: 847-635-1659
Class 3:30-4:45 in RM160 for the Tuesday/ Thursday Day class TH 12:30-3:15 RM 355
Class 8:00-9:15 on Mondays RM 160 and 5:00-7:45 Wed RM 355 for Evening class
OFFICE HOURS Wed 4:00- 5:00pm or T/R 2:00-3:30pm in Bio Lab 355 or by appointment

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.

Course

Course

Section

Prefix
BIO

Number
106

Number
050

Name
Credit
Introduction to
Environmental
Science

Lecture
4

Lab
3

II. Prerequisite: None

III. Course Catalog Description:
Laboratory course introduces study of the environment in which we live and of factors contributing
to its alteration. Content includes: ecosystem, structure and function, population dynamics,
resources, pollution, evaluation and management of natural areas, overview of ecological balances
in nature and mans relationship to these balances. Intended for non-science majors.
IV. Biology Department Learning Objectives: After successfully completing this course at Oakton a
student should be able to:

Think critically define problems, construct hypothesis, gather, analyze and interpret data
relative to various environmental issues that disrupt the physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of earths ecosphere.

Explain how the environmental movement relates to past, present and future occurrences that
have or may affect earths ecosphere.

Differentiate between fact and opinion relative to such concepts as Malthusian and NeoMalthusian over population.

Compare and evaluate various solutions to problems leading to eco-disruption.

Explain the natural recycling of matter and the one-way flow of energy within the ecosphere.

Interrelate the principles of food chains, food webs, trophic level energy transfers and the
energy laws that effect ecosystem structure and function.

Demonstrate literacy demonstrate the ability to read critically within content areas. Use
technology to locate, evaluate, and communicate data, information, ideas, and concepts.

Communicate communicate ideas, concepts, and information through written and oral means,
collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and communicate findings from
laboratory investigation effectively.

Demonstrate responsibility apply ethical principles to local, national and global environmental
issues and be able to recognize the skills necessary to build and maintain effective human
relationships within the realm of environmental organizing and advocacy.

V. Academic Integrity:
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic
integrity and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct.
This code prohibits:

Cheating

Plagiarism (turning in work not written by you or lacking proper citation)

Falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth)

Helping others to cheat

Unauthorized changes to official documents

Pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you

Making or accepting bribes, special favors or threats

Any other behavior that violates academic integrity

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oaktons policies
and procedures provide students fair hearing if a complaint is made. If you are found to have
violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and a disciplinary record will
be established and kept on file in the Office of the vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3
years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

VI. Outline of Topics:

Lab notebooks are extremely important to succeed in this class
This schedule is tentative and may change
Week 1: Intro, vocabulary / Environmental Ethics Yellowstone ecosystem movie
Week 2: Ecosystems and worlds population/Story of Stuff
Week 3: Population Lab/Endangered/Invasive Species/Biological Control

Week 4: Climate Issues/ Begin Energy and Sustainability

Week 5: Quiz 1, Endangered Spp Assignment
Week 6: Alaskas Last oil/ Fracking/ Pollution overview/
Week 7: Quiz 2, Water Journal Assignments given out /Duplicity and Dioxin Movie
Week 8: Agriculture and World Food sources, Begin Food Journal (Robyn OBrian/ Food Inc)
Week 9: Spring Break
Week 10: Field Trip Air Field? Intro to Water Chapter /Research Power Points Due

Week 11: Pollution, Dilution Lab, Water resources Movie (FLOW) and Discussion (present)
Week 12: Outdoor water quality Lab/ Indoor Air Quality Lab (present)
Week 13: Quiz 3Transect study overview/ (present)
Week 14: Transect Study/ Garden work/The Good the Bad and the Grizzly, Review
Week 15: Current Events-Community Involvement/Field Trip to Grove
Week 16: Roundtable, Review for Final, Final

VII. Method of Instruction:

Lecture, Lab, videos, roundtable discussion and 1-2 offsite field trips will be offered
VIII. Course Practices Required:
1. Attend all lecture and laboratory periods.
2. Participate in class discussions.
3. Read assigned materials as scheduled.
4. Take thorough notes in both lecture and lab.
5. Perform other assignments as scheduled
IX. Instructional Materials:
1. Berg and Hager/Instructor materials using book as reference only
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress: Cumulative total of all points
1. There will be 4quizzes and a comprehensive final exam. Quizzes are 30-50 points each Final
100 points
2. Homework assignments are 25 points each ( 7)

3. Journals are 100 points each There are (3)

4. Oral report//research paper 100 points
5. Labs are 100 points each

NOTE: There will be no make-ups for laboratory exercises. A missed lab will result in a grade of
zero for that lab. Each student will also be required to complete a research project. Details for
this project will be presented on the first day of the semester. Projects are due on March 27th
Homework: The following are the subjects of assignments but these can change each
semester. Endangered Spp, Invasive Spp. Energy, 2 Food, 2 article reviews Climate/TBA,
Biographies.
XI. Other Course Information:
1. The schedule of lecture topics and exams is tentative and may change as conditions dictate.
2. Make-up examinations are frowned upon and carry a ten point deduction penalty. If a make-up
is necessary, it must be completed within two calendar days of the original test date. Only one
make-up exam will be allowed.
3. Attendance is required while excessive absences will reflect in final grades.
5 absences = 1 grade reduction
4. All students are expected to arrive to class on time and remain until classroom activities are
completed. Frequent tardiness will not be tolerated.
5. The college offers may support services outside of class. If you need assistance, please talk
with me.
6. See Academic calendar below

7. Field Work: You should be mindful that walking trips may result in a variety of weather
conditions. Dress appropriately. Hats, boots, insect repellant and rain equipment are things to
consider. Since note taking is necessary in the field, a firm notebook or clipboard is required.
8. If you have documented learning, psychological, or physical disabilities, you may be entitled to
reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request services Contact Access and
Disability Resource Center in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill
essential course requirements. The college will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a
course or degree program.
9. All cell phones are to be turned off during lecture, testing and lab sessions. I will ask you to
leave the class should you be found using your cell phone and you will get an absence for that
day.
10. Any student who is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes or
participate in any required exam, study, or work on a particular day shall be excused from that
exam, study, or work requirement and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up any
requirement that he or she may have missed on that day, provided that he or she notifies the
faculty member or instructor well in advance* of any anticipated absence or conflict between a

scheduled class and the religious observance, and provided that the make-up exam, study, or
work does not place an unreasonable burden upon the institution.

January 20
Spring 2015 semester classes begin
January 21
Winterim faculty grading due
January 26
Last day to submit proof of residency, business service agreements and chargebacks/joint agreements
February 15
Last day to withdraw from 16-week courses and have course dropped from record* (See Withdrawal
From Classes for more information.)
February 16
Presidents Day holiday, College closed
February 17
Last day to change to audit for 16-week courses*
March 1
Incomplete (I) grades from fall 2014 semester for which faculty have not submitted final grades will
become an "F" after this date.**
March 13
Last day for filing Graduation Petitions
March 16 -22
Spring Break
March 23
Classes resume after Spring Break
March 25
Registration opens for summer 2015 semester
March 29
Last day to withdraw with a "W" from 16-week courses; Students will receive a grade in all courses in
which they are enrolled after March 29.
April 8
Registration opens for fall 2015 semester
May 14, 15
Evaluation Days***
May 15
Last day of student attendance
May 18
First summer 2015 interim classes begin*
May 18
Grading Day
Faculty on campus and available to students at designated times.May 19
for deadlines on classes meeting less than 16 weeks.
**Students must make arrangements with individual faculty members regarding deadlines to submit
required work for incomplete (I) grades.
Two days to be used for instruction, final student evaluations or culminating course activities. Classes

not scheduled to meet on these days and classes which do not meet for the duration of a semester will
ordinarily use the last class session(s) for instruction, final student evaluations or culminating course
activities