Geography G315 (Environmental Conservation) Spring Semester, 2004
Instructor: Dr. S. IsiorhoOffice: SB 236 Phone: 481-6254
MW (4:30-5:45 p.m., SB 209)
Office Hours M (1:50 - 2:50 p.m.) W (10:00 - Noon)
E-mail  isiorho@ipfw.edu Fax 773-913-0962


Course Description: This course deals with the environmental impact of global population growth, natural resources utilization, and pollution. Current problems relating to energy consumption, farming practices, water use, resource development and deforestation will be examined from geologic and ecological perspectives. Strategies designed to avert predicted global catastrophe will be examined to determine success potential. Students should be able to use the internet as a resource.

Textbook: Environment by Raven & Berg 3rd Edition ( www.harcourtcollege.com/lifesci/env3 )
You may also use any of these text as resources
Environmental Science by Karen Arm 2nd ed. 
Environmental Science by Turk and Turk. 4th ed.
Introduction to Environmental Studies by Turk. 3rd ed.
Living in the Environment by G. Miller. 4th ed.
Environmental Science by Chiras. 2nd ed.
The Environment by ReVelle and ReVelle. 3rd ed.

Note: The textbook only serves as a resource. You should use other sources, including the internet.

Field trip: A one half day trip (a Saturday to be determined) is required.

Grading: Class participation (5%), readings/reports (25%), two exams (25%), class (group) project (10), a Term project (30%) (10 typed pages due April 23) and presentation of project results (April 26 & 28) will account for 5% of the final grade. You must use PowerPoint or any other electronic media approved by your instructor for your presentation. No final exam.

(Grading scale 90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D)

"If you have or acquire a disability and would like to find out what special services and accommodations may be available to you, contact Services for Students with Disabilities in WU 118 & 218 (481-6657, voice/TTY)"


Tentative Schedule:

Humans in the Environment (Changing Environment; Environmental Problems) Part One ( Aral Sea Example or the wandering Lake in China)
A crowded World (Understanding Population (demographic studies site) growth & Problems of Overpopulation) Part Three
Water Editorial for class discussion. Is Poverty the main Problem? (The hunger project website )

Exam I

The search for Energy (Fossil Fuels, Nuclear energy, renewable energy and conservation) Part Four
Alternative energy website .  US Dept of Energy website
Our Precious resources (water, soils, minerals...) Part Five
'Making water work harder' ( Http://www.StevensPublishing .... click on Nov 01', then look for the article)
Environmental Protection Magazine is also a good resource for environmental news/articles. Use it to search for articles.

Exam II

Environmental Concerns (air pollution, global atmospheric changes, water pollution, pesticides, solid/hazardous wastes) Part Six Landslides Worldwatch Institue   What about car tires? (click on Dec 01' and then 'Waste tire recycling: Where the rubber meets the road and then 'full text')   Brown Field Primer (Oct. 01')
CNN on Missouri River                        USGS Water Science for Schools website
NASA Natural Hazards web site. You must visit this site:)
        Cost benefit analysis for pollution prevention
The above topics may be covered by March 17, leaving you with approximately five weeks to work on your project.

Emphasis will be on human impact on the environment.


Your Project Report is due April 23, 2004, & you must follow this format.
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Methods or Approach
Results or data
Discussions
Conclusion(s)
Acknowledgement  (if any)
References

Spring Break:  March 8 - 15

Reading Assignments  Most articles are in PDF format)
1. Write one page report per article on any three given articles. Reports are due before class January 31, 2004 by email.
    a ) The Underfed and Overfed by G. Gardner and B. Halweil. World Watch July/August 2000, p 24-35
    b ) How Economist Have Misjudged Global Warming by R. U. Ayres. World Watch Sept/Oct. 2001, p 12-25
    c ) Population and Consumption.What we know, What we need to know by R. W. Kates. Environment 01/02
            20th Edition. Article 6, p44-51
    d ) Crossing the Threshold: Early signs of an environmental awakening by L. R. Brown. in  Environment 01/02
            20th Edition. Article 4, p30-39 (World Watch March/April 1999)

2. Write one page report per article on any three of the given articles send to me by email February 18, 2004 before class time.
    a ) The energy we overlook by R. U. Ayres, World Watch Nov/Dec 2001, p 30-39.
    b ) Relating agriculture land uses to in-stream stormwater quality by McFarland and Hauck, 1999.
         Journal of Environmental Quality 1999, 28:836-844
    c ) Golf and groundwater quality
    e) Responding to Global challenge Plan B: Rescuing a Planet under Stress & a Civilization in Trouble by
              Lester Brown. (2003)
    d)  Rising to the Challenge    What can we do?

3. Write a half page review of one article per continent (total of two pages), from any four continents from this webpage   and write a one page report on the last article on 'Wetlands in NE Allen County, Indiana'.
        Due by email March 17, 2004  before class time.

Use the bulletin board for posting questions,aswering questions posted on the bulletin and sharing any other features related tothe class on the Bulletin Board

New Additions
  Sand Dune becoming a National Preserve
Carrying Capacity article in Journal of Africa Today (vol 48, no 1 Spring 2001)
White House and wetland             Geology/Soil and drought ( Congo River )        Dredging Hudson River
 Environmental Literacy Sites             Constructed wetlands            Miammi River            IKE (Improving Kids' Environment)
Cholera a sign of Endevelopment UN/CDC       Earth from Space ( several images)         FtWayne CSO
Population & Energy (2001 paper)
Updated November 06, 2004