sc385/hill/syllabus
Syllabus                                                                                                         

DATE/TIME/ROOM: Section J: 0800 MTWRF; ROOM: 269

INSTRUCTOR: Dan L. McNally, Associate Professor, Department of Science and Technology, Office C-220, x6233, dlm1@bryant.edu

OFFICE HOURS: after each class for 1 hour or catch me in my lab 374

TEXTS: none

SELECTED READINGS:

Withgott and Brennan. 2007. Essential Environment: the science behind the stories.  3rd ed. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publishers, San Francisco, CA

Manahan, S. E. 1997.  Environmental science and technology. ed. Manahan. CRC Press LLC. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.

Masters, G. M.  1997.  Introduction to engineering and science.  ed. M. Horton.  Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Keller, E. A.  1996.  Environmental geology.  ed. P. Corey.  Prentice-Hall, Inc.  Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Buchholz, R. A.  1998.  Principles of environmental management.  ed. J. Boyd.  Prentice-Hall, Inc.  Upper Saddle River, NJ.  


COURSE DESCRIPTION: The human population, growing exponentially, is requiring an increasing amount of natural resources and generating a corresponding increase in wastes.  The results are stressing our environment to the point of fatigue.  This course covers environmental issues in land management, wildlife protection, and human health.  Topics include an examination of the environmental problems presented by urbanization and modernization.  Tools and techniques for analysis in problem solving and risk assessment will be emphasized.

COLLEGE MISSION STRATEGIES:

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  (college mission strategies in parentheses)

1. develop an awareness and understanding of anthropogenically caused land, wildlife, and human health problems and issues worldwide (an appreciation for the arts and humanities, global perspective).

2. conduct team research on issues involving the misuse of land and wildlife management, and risk assessment to human health; report the findings and publish to the Internet (the ability to communicate effectively, proficiency in the use of technology, ability to work in and lead groups, the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex problems).

3. analyze environmental problems and assess current environmental technology utilizing white paper format (the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex problems, entrepreneurial drive).

4. provide hands-on learning experiences in the laboratory and field (the ability to communicate effectively, proficiency in the use of technology).

5. foster the development of quality, project, and time management skills by examining treatment technologies, and studying private and government environmental office practices  (promote integrity and a willingness to assume personal responsibility, entrepreneurial drive) 

COURSE FORMAT:  Multi-media techniques will be used.  Emphasis will be placed on the use of a course web page to provide the student with the following information:  schedule, assignments (scheduled and additional reading assignments), lecture outlines, illustrations and video clips, paper instructions and examples, practice exams, practice problems, student status, and announcements.  The student will be required to monitor the course web site before each class.  Student performance will be based on homework, quizzes, exams, presentations, and writing assignments.  Word problems requiring simple mathematical solutions will be primarily used for evaluating students’ understanding of course concepts.  An analysis of an environmental problem will be conducted in the form of a white paper.  Research will include use of the Internet.  Various stages of the white paper (topic, outline, rough and smooth drafts) will be required throughout the semester.  Assignments will be handed in and returned using email, and the smooth draft of the white paper will be a web page linked to the student’s homepage.  A number of in-class experiments and field trips will supplement the course material.

 

EVALUATION:

Exams
 20% each

Quizzes/Problems 20

Individual Projects 20

Team Projects 20

Final Exam 20

GRADING SCALE:

100-93% A

93-88 A-

88-85 B+

85-81 B

81-78 B-

78-75 C+

75-71 C

71-68 C-

68-65 D+

65-60 D

<60 F

FEEDBACK: Score Cards will be furnished after each evaluation event. This will provide a current status of your class standing.

RESCHEDULING: Arrangements to take exams/quizzes earlier or later must be made prior to their scheduled date. Documentation of extenuating circumstances for missing an exam/quiz without prior notification is required. Different exams/quizzes will be given for make-ups. Grades for make-up exams/quizzes and late homework/papers will be reduced by 10% to compensate for additional preparation time.

ATTENDENCE/PARTICIPATION: Attendance is required for optimal performance on evaluation items. Participation is highly recommended and will be voluntarily and involuntarily requested. Both will be considered when final grades are determined.

IMPORTANT DATES:







29 June
  Final Exam at 1000
 

 

OTHER:       Academic Code:    Group study is recommended.  Individual work is required.
                     Social Code:     Consideration must be provided.
                     Problems/Complaints:  Discuss in-house.
                     Professional Development:   Take opportunities.
                     Teaching Style:    Active discussion/problem solving.


If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, email me at dlm1@bryant.edu