Environmental Science 100 Syllabus, Spring 2014

Monday/Wednesday
10:45am-12:00pm, Remsen Rm.100
Instructor:

Gregory OMullan
Office: Science Building, D206
Phone: 718-997-3452
Email: gomullan@qc.cuny.edu

Office hours: Weds 1:30- 3:00pm or by appointment.

Course goals: Gain knowledge of scientific, social, economical, & political aspects of major
environmental issues facing society, including climate change, over-population, the effects of agriculture
on the environment, energy conservation, and pollution and waste management. Beyond discussing these
environmental challenges, the goal is to address potential solutions and management practices that have
been or could be implemented to mitigate the negative impacts of the issues we are currently facing.
By the end of this class students should be able to:
1) interpret scientific data portrayed on simple graphs and tables
2) read and understand material assigned from textbook, newspaper, and scientific journal articles
3) gather scientific data, organize in tables, and create charts to analyze data patterns
4) demonstrate an understanding for how biology influences geochemistry of the earth system (e.g.
climate gas production/consumption)
5) develop and articulate viewpoints related to environmental issues
Course materials:
We will use Connect, McGraw-Hills online learning system (www.connect.mheducation.com).
Every student will need to have a semester subscription ($85 including eBook) to Connect. Online
Quizzes, eBook, SmartBook, and Learn Smart study tools can be found in Connect. Details for how
to access and use Connect will be presented in class and posted to blackboard
The eBook and Connect subscription can be purchased online from our course link:

http://connect.mheducation.com/class/g-omullan-spring-2015
If you would also like a hard copy of the book (hard copy is not required, only Connect access is
required), you will have an option of purchasing a loose leaf version of the text for an additional $40
after purchasing the connect subscription, or a hard copy of the book can also be purchased in the
College Book storebut please note, you must have access to connect for the online quizzes.
Textbook: Principles of Environmental Science, Cunningham, 7th ed. Custom- value addition
McGraw Hill, ISBN: 978-1259170621
All students must also have access to Blackboard, Blackboard: http://www.cuny.edu
> Portal log-in > Enter login and password > Click course: Ensci100
For Blackboard help: http://qcpages.qc.cuny.edu/edtech/BlackBoard/Student%20InstructionsV2.0.pdf
The course syllabus, announcements, and updates and lecture slides (uploaded in batches after the class)
will be available on Blackboard (only until the next exam). It is critical that you check the course website
regularly and maintain an active email account where course announcements can be sent. If you need help
getting into the Blackboard website, please see the OCT Helpdesk or email helpdesk@qc.cuny.edu
Required Supplies: You must have a No. 2 pencils with eraser for exams. I will not provide them.

Course Grading: 60% of the overall course grade is based on lecture and 40% in the laboratory (see lab
instructor for details of lab grading). Your lecture grade will consist of: 90% Exams, 10% Quizzes
Queens College grade intervals: A:100-93%, A-:90-92%, B+:87-89%, B:83-86%, B-:80-82%, C+:7779%, C:73-76%, C-:70-72%, D+:67-69%, D:60-66%, F: 59% or below
It is important that you do not miss exams, quizzes, or lab assignments; if you do your grade will
quickly drop. I typically do not offer extra credit in this class.
Exams: Exams will cover material presented in lecture and in the reading material, focused mostly on
lecture material. There will be four exams and they will consist primarily of multiple choice. No phones,
translators, PDAs, or communication equipment will be allowed during tests. If you need special aide on
the exams, please go to Special Services and provide documentation to me at the beginning of the
semester. Exams will focus mostly on the material presented since the last exam. However, the final exam
will be cumulative. All exams are required. If you take all four exams and score a minimum of 50%
on each, the lowest exam grade will be dropped. A missed exam will count as a zero, and your
lowest exam grade will not be dropped. Make-up exams are only possible if you have a valid
written excuse for missing the test (i.e. a signed doctors note) and you receive permission from me
BEFORE the test has occurred. Only in the case of very unusual emergencies will you be allow to take
a make up exam if you have not received permission prior to the regular exam and you still should contact
me as soon as possible (typically within 24 hours). Make-up exams should occur within one week.
Exam dates: If you know you will be absent on any of these dates let me know ASAP!
THE EXAM SCHEDULE is currently (subject to change): 2/25, 3/30, 4/29 and the date of the final
exam will soon be announced by the college. You MUST be available to take the final exam so do
not make travel plans that will cause a conflict during the exam period. The class schedule is
subject to change.attend class and check blackboard to stay current.
Quizzes: There will be at least four short quizzes, that will be taken via Connect online and they will
account for 10% of your lecture grade. I will drop the lowest quiz grade.
Expectations:
Etiquette: Please turn off your phone before class begins. Taking pictures of lecture slides is not
permitted, appropriate materials will be posted to blackboard. If you take pictures you may be asked
to leave class and I may no longer post slides to blackboard. If you must come late or leave early, please
do so quietly. If you are having trouble hearing the lecture or are distracted by noises around you, please
move to the front of the classroom. Talking during exams, quizzes or lectures is not permitted. If you are
caught doing something other than taking notes on your computer during class, you will be asked to no
longer bring the computer. If you disrupt class, you will be asked to leave lecture.
How to excel in this course:
Participate in every lab session and complete lab assignments (40% grade)
Come to lecture and lab, having read assignments before class
Pay attention and take detailed notes
Complete all assignments, including quizzes and tests
Ask questions and seek assistance when needed
Assistance: There will be time in most lectures for questions, but lecture time is limited. Attend office
hours for more specific questions. Actively seek assistance for weaknesses in study skills, math, and
reading comprehension. Contact the Academic Skills Center (718-997-5670) if you need extra assistance.

Disability Support Services: If you have a disability that may impact your course work, please contact
the Office of Special Services for Students with Disabilities (111 Frese Hall, 718-977-5870). They will
determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.
Academic honesty:
Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to plagiarism and/or cheating on examinations
and papers. Any student, who engages in an activity that is academically dishonest, is subject to
disciplinary charges, as is any student who knowingly aids another who engages in them. Cheating will
not be tolerated in this class. If you cheat, you will receive a zero on that exam, quiz, or assignment.
please review: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf

Lecture Schedule
(subject to change with proper notice)

Weds

Date
1/28

Class
1

Topic

Textbook Reading*

Introduction to Class

Ch. 1

Mon

2/2

Historical Context and Intro to Env. Science

Ch. 1

Weds

2/ 4

Introduction to Matter, Energy & reading graphs

Ch. 2

Mon

2/9

Ecological Principles, intro to biogeochemistry

Ch. 2, 3 and 12

Weds

2/11

Human Population

Ch. 4

Mon

2/16

NO CLASS

Weds

2/18

Mon

2/23

Environmental Health, Hazards, Risk

Environmental Health, Pollution, Toxicology

Ch. 8 (8.1-8.3)
Ch. 8 (8.4-8.7)

Weds

2/25

Exam 1 Classes 1 through 7

Mon

3/2

Atmosphere- Structure and circulation

Ch. 9

Weds

3/ 4

10

Inconvenient Truth and discussion

Mon

3/9

NO CLASS

Weds

3/11

11

Climate Change I: mechanisms

Ch. 9, & IPCC sum on Blackboard

Mon

3/16

12

Climate Change II: strategies and solutions

Ch. 9, & Pacalla & Socolow paper

Weds

3/18

13

Air Pollution, microbial aerosols and indoor air

Ch. 10 & TBA resource

Mon

3/23

14

Energy Resources I: Nonrenewable

Ch. 13 (13.1-13.3)

Weds

3/25

15

Energy Resources II: Sustainable

Ch. 13 (13.4-13.9)

Mon

3/30

16

Exam 2 Classes 9 - 15

Weds

4/1

17

Nitrogen cycle and biogeochemistry

TBA

Mon

4/6

NO CLASS

Wed

4/8

NO CLASS

Mon

4/13

18

Hydrologic cycle and freshwater; drinking water

Ch. 11

Weds

4/15

19

Coasts, Estuaries, Oceans

Ch. 11

Mon

4/20

20

Water Engineering- drinking and waste

Ch. 11

Weds

4/22

21

Water Quality- case studies

Online resources: TBA

Mon

4/27

22

Partial movie- FLOW and discussion

Weds

4/29

23

Exam 3- Classes 17-22

Mon

5/4

24

Agriculture: Feeding the planet and Food Choices

Ch.7

Weds

5/6

25

Soils

Ch. 7

Mon

5/11

26

Solid Waste

Ch. 14

Weds
Final
Monday

5/13

27

Ch. 15 and 16

5/18

Urbanization and Exam Review

Exam 4 cumulative but focused on classes 24
through 27

*Additional readings may be posted on Blackboard

Finals Week