|
Environmental Issues BI 326 Spring 2006 Meeting Times and Location: 3:00-4:30 Mon, Wed Spiro 28 Instructor: Dr. Brian Palestis Megerle Science Bldg 417 718-390-3237 Office Hours: TBA Course Description: This course is part of an Intermediate Learning Community with EC306 Economics of the Environment. Lectures will focus on the principles of conservation biology and environmental science. In addition to lectures, a large portion of the course will involve discussion of current environmental issues. Students are expected to actively participate in these discussions. For each article that we read, one student will be assigned to distribute a brief outline to the class that includes potential discussion questions or issues to get the discussion started. Learning goals addressed are as follows: 1) an appreciation of and access to different modes of inquiry that will lead to a continued search for truth, knowledge and understanding 2) skills of listening, writing, and speech that enable effective communication and self-expression 3) competency in scientific reasoning and quantitative analysis, which promotes critical thinking and problem solving 4) knowledge and skills in a chosen field of study, which provide both the proficiency and flexibility to achieve future goals. Required Text: Cunningham, W.P. and M.A. Cunningham. 2006. Principles of Environmental Science. Inquiry and Applications. 3rd ed. Articles on controversial issues will be distributed by the instructor. Grading: Midterm exam 25% Final exam 30% Term Paper 15% Participation in discussions 20% Critical thinking exercises 10% Class Schedule: Cunningham & Cunningham Pages Week 1 (1/18-1/20)
Introduction xi-xii, 1-4, 16-22, 75-77
Week 2 (1/23-1/27) Principles of ecology 26, 36-45, Chpt. 3 Issue 1 Wed: Urban conservation 343 Week 3 (1/30-2/3) Biodiversity Chpt. 5 Issue 2 Wed: Value of ecosystem services 330-331, 334-335
Week 4 (2/6-2/10) Habitat destruction & fragmentation 111-112, 67-68 Design of nature reserves 141-144 Issue 3 Wed: Deer overpopulation Issue 4 Wed: Farmland preservation
Week 5 (2/13-2/17) Problems of small population size, conservation genetics Issue 5 Wed: The Endangered Species Act 118-120 Invasive species 70, 112-114 Week 6 (2/22-2/24; no class 2/20 – Presidents’ Day) Issue 6 Wed: GM foods 166-168, 150 Harvesting populations 115-116, 157, 333
Week 7 (2/27-3/3) Issue 7 Mon: Overfishing Issue 8 Mon: Aquaculture Establishment of new populations, restoration ecology 139 Week 8 (3/6-3/10) Issue 9 Mon: Captive breeding Midterm Exam Wednesday 3/8
Spring Break
Week 9 (3/20-3/24) Issue 10 Mon: Conservation medicine 176-182 Pollution 182-192, 163-164, 213-226, 241-256 Week 10 (3/27-3/31) Film “Pork Power” 156-157 Issue 11 Mon: Green industry & agriculture 328-329, 337-338, 170 Global climate change 199-201, 205-213
Week 11 (4/3-4/7) Issue 12 Mon: Global warming Issue 13 Mon: Water resources 230, 236-240 Energy sources 266-269, Chpt. 12
Week 12 (4/10; no classes 4/12-4/14 – Passover & Easter) Issue 14 Mon: The energy crisis Week 13 (4/17-4/21) Issue 15 Mon: Alternative energy sources Waste disposal Chpt. 13 Week 14 (4/24-4/28) Issue 16 Mon: Recycling 270-271, 313-318 Issue 17 Mon: Nuclear waste storage 260, 287-288 Sewage treatment plant field trip Wed 252-254Week 15 (5/1)
Review, discussion of term papers Term paper due Monday 5/1 Final Exam Monday, May 8, 3:00-6:00
|