EVPP 110

EVPP 110
"Ecosphere: Environmental Science I"

Fall Semester 2002

GMU

Instructor: Dr. Kim Largen

Sec 001: MW 9:00am-10:15am

Agenda 8/26/02

Introduction

Distribution & review of syllabus

administrative details

course overview

Intro to environmental science (ch. 1)

Introduction

Instructor: Dr. Kim Largen

Education

Undergraduate

BS - University of Virginia

Double Major: Biology, Environmental Science

Graduate

MS Program - University of Georgia - Incomplete

Plant Pathology

MS - George Mason University

Environmental Biology

PhD - George Mason University

Environmental Science and Public Policy

Introduction

Instructor : Dr. Kim Largen

Employment Experience - Non-Teaching

US Peace Corps (1982)
Agricultural Extension Agent
US Forest Service (summers during college)
Biological Aide - Forest Pathology
Prince William County (since 1983)
Gypsy Moth & Mosquito Control Branch Chief

Introduction

Employment Experience - Teaching

NVCC (since 1991)
Biology 101 and 102 labs and lectures
GMU (fall 2001)
Biology 103/104 lectures
Environmental science 110/111 lecture & lab
Plant taxonomy lab
Ecology lab
UMUC (spring 2002)
Global environmental change (on-line course)

Administrative Details

Facility

Class Format

Course Syllabus

lecture

laboratory

Preparing for Class

Course Overview

Administrative Details

Facility

Restroom Locations

Fire Safety

Classroom evacuation routes
fire exits
posted evacuation plan
Passable aisles
store personal belongings under seats

Administrative Details

Class Format

Time

MW 9:00am-10:15am

full class period, no break

Labs, either Thur or Fri

Agenda

Lecture

mostly lecture

answer a few questions

Administrative Details

EVPP 110 websites

instructor’s website

http://mason.gmu.edu/~klargen

course website

http://mason.gmu.edu/~rcjones/110home.htm

will contain same information

or will be linked

will contain syllabus, study guide, practice questions, etc.

will be used as needed to distribute additional information

Administrative Details

Class Conduct Expectations

Conduct that interferes with students’ or instructor’s ability to hear and focus on lecture cannot be tolerated

arrive on time

stay until end of class

if arriving late or leaving early, minimize the disruption you cause

turn off cell phones and pagers

no audible use of cell phones or music players

no conversations with fellow students

Course Syllabus

Course goals

designed as a two-semester lab science sequence

fulfills the general education requirements for B.A. students in the College of Arts and Science and other schools and colleges

EVPP 110 is the first semester of the sequence, EVPP 111 is second semester

Course Syllabus

Course goals

will study the components and interactions that make up the natural systems of our home planet, earth

with particular attention to the part of the Earth that is home to humans and other life forms

Course Syllabus

Course goals

course will teach basic concepts in

biological

chemical

physical

and earth sciences

in an integrated format

through a combination of lecture, laboratory, and field exercises

lab syllabus will be presented and discussed in lab meetings

Course Syllabus

Course goals

Students completing the course are expected to

demonstrate an understanding of

basic components of the natural world

basic laws of natural systems

how they interact to produce the natural phenomena of planet Earth

gain an appreciation of

complexity of natural systems

linkages which can complicate human efforts to manage the environment

Course Syllabus

Course goals

Students completing the course are expected to

recognize & be able to apply basic scientific concepts such as

hypothesis, experimentation, observation, substantiation, proof, prediction

evaluate scientific information and draw appropriate inferences and conclusions from it
distinguish between
issues subject to scientific analysis
those appropriate to other modes of inquiry

Course Syllabus

Course Instructors

Dr. Kim Largen

teaching lecture, lab section 202
DK 3036
703-993--1033
klargen@gmu.edu

Danielle Derwin

graduate assistant
teaching lab sections 201, 203, 204
contact info will be presented in lab

Course Syllabus

Textbooks and Supplies

Lecture

Environment, 3rd Edition, by Raven & Berg

Laboratory

EVPP 110 Lab Manual, copied packet available in bookstore for purchase

if not ready prior to first lab, individual exercises will be distributed in lab

Course Syllabus

Attendance

attend every lab and lecture

arrive on time and remain until end of class

students are responsible for being aware of all information and announcements presented in class whether present or not

lab absences result in a zero for that week

Course Syllabus

Grading

Overall course grade = 400 possible points

75% from lecture (300 points)

25% from lab (100 points)

Course Syllabus

Grading

Lecture grade = 300 points

based entirely on exams

three exams worth 100 points each

multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, matching, short answer

the third exam is giving during time schedule for "final"

but it is just non-cumulative third exam

Course Syllabus

Grading

Laboratory grade = 100 points

based on

weekly lab write-ups/assignments

current issue project/presentation

lab instructor will address details

Course Syllabus

Grading

Scale

10 percent grading scale will be used
if the college dictates the use of the + and - system, it will be implemented
and described in detail on website

Course Syllabus

Cancelled Classes

call 703-993-1000 for official notification of cancelled classes

if an exam is scheduled for a day on which classes are cancelled (due to weather or any other reason), the exam will be given during the next scheduled class

Course Syllabus

Honor Code

students are expected to read and adhere to GMU Honor Code

copying data, falsifying data, cheating on exams and quizzes are considered violations of the Honor Code

Course Syllabus

Lecture Schedule (syllabus page 3)

provides topics to be covered each week and the required reading associated with these topics

most required reading comes from textbook
some required reading will come from internet
especially for topics not covered at all or not covered well in text

provides exam dates

9/30 - exam 1
11/4 - exam 2
12/16 - exam 3

Course Syllabus

Laboratory syllabus

Lab schedule

Labs begin week of 8/26

Thur, 1:30pm, Instructor - Largen

Thur, 4:30pm, Instructor - Derwin

Fri, 10:30am, Instructor - Derwin

Fri, 1:30pm, Instructor - Derwin

must take lab and lecture

Administrative Details

Course Syllabus

Course Schedule

Class meets

8/26 through 12/4

Non-Instructional Days

9/2 - Labor Day
10/14 - Fall Break (Columbus Day)
11/27 - Thanksgiving (Wednesday)

NOTE: Mon classes meet on Tue 10/15

Administrative Details

Preparing for Class

read assigned portions of textbook and internet sites
read pertinent unit objectives
outline each chapter
complete review questions at end of each chapter
use study guides
ask for help when needed

Administrative Details

Preparing for Class

having trouble?

the Counseling Center offers a variety of sessions that might help
academic counseling
stress management
relaxation
improving concentration
exam strategies

Administrative Details

Course Overview

What is environmental science?

interdisciplinary nature of this science
why we need to study environmental science

human impacts on the environment

goals of environmental science

How do we address environmental problems?

scientific analysis of environmental problems

scientific method

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Matter & energy

structure of matter

atoms

elements

periodic table

molecules and compounds

chemical reactions

Administrative Details

Course Overview

matter & energy

types of energy
states of matter
laws of thermodynamics

Administrative Details

Course Overview

life

properties of life
cell theory
origin of life
fueling life
photosynthesis
cellular respiration

Administrative Details

Course Overview

life

levels of organization of life
cell
tissue
organ
organism
population
community
ecosystem

Administrative Details

Course Overview

life

categorizing life
basics of taxonomy
kingdoms of life
major characteristics

Administrative Details

Course Overview

physical environment

solar radiation

atmosphere

composition of the layers
circulation patterns

global ocean

circulation patterns

interaction of ocean with atmosphere

El Nino

Administrative Details

Course Overview

weather and climate

weather parameters

examples of sever weather

climate

factors that determine climate
temperature
precipitation
climatic zones

Administrative Details

Course Overview

interplanetary processes

plate tectonics
volcanoes
earthquakes

biogeochemical cycles

how chemical elements cycle
major biogeochemical cycles
carbon , nitrogen, phosphorous, hydrologic cycle

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Major biomes

tundra, taiga, temperate rain forest, temperate deciduous, forest, grasslands, chaparral, deserts, savanna, tropical rain forest
role of climate in determining biome
characteristics of each biome

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Principles of population ecology

how populations change size
factors that affect population size

density-dependent factors
density-independent factors

how populations change over time
natural selection
evolution

Administrative Details

Course Overview

human population

history of its growth
current size
factors contributing to accelerated growth
age structure & population pyramids
as an environmental problem
human population explosion
population, resources & the environment

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Communities

biological communities
interactions among organisms
predation, symbiosis, competition
ecological niche
competition
species diversity
community change over time
succession

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Ecosystems

definition
flow of energy through ecosystems
trophic levels

producers, consumers, decomposers

ecological pyramids

examples of major ecosystems (to be revisited in detail in EVPP 111)

Administrative Details

Course Overview

Energy sources and consumption

fossil fuels
nuclear energy
renewable energy & conservation