G315Syllabus2002

Geography G315 (Environmental Conservation) Spring Semester, 2006

Instructor: Dr. S. IsiorhoOffice: SB 236 Phone: 481-6254

MW (4:30-5:45 p.m., SB 209)

Office Hours T& R (3:00 - 3:55 p.m.)

E-mail isiorho@ipfw.edu

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. Class participation through debate is strongly encouraged. Students should be able to use the internet as a resource.
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Objectives: Provide students with a basic understanding of geological foundations of environmental science.
                      Provide an understanding of environmental issues at local, regional, and global scales.
                      Improve student's skills in analyzing data pertaining to environmental issues and in drawing informed conclusions regarding issues.
                      Discuss and debate issues in environmental conservation that are relevant to the state of Indiana.

Textbook: NONE
You may use any of these textbooks 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.
Environment by Raven & Berg 3rd Edition

Note: You may purchase any of the above listed textbooks. You should use other sources, including the internet.

NOTE: ALL CORRESPONDENCE MUST BE THROUGH WEBCT VISTA

Field trip: A one half day trip (a Saturday to be determined) is required
(Possible dates March 18, 25, & April 1). Please reserve these days for the half day field trip.

Grading: Class participation (5%), readings/reports/problem sets (27%), two exams (25%), class (group) project (3%), a Term project (30%) (10 double space typed pages due April 18) and "professional" presentation of project results (April 18, 25 & 27) will account for 10% 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:

1. Principles & Concepts
Humans in the Environment
(Changing Environment; Environmental Problems)
(Aral Sea Example or the wandering Lake in China)
Different views on climate change "On Truth, Fact, Values, Climate Change, and Doughnuts."....."Climate change" another view...this will serve as a debate topic.

2. A crowded World (Population)
(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)

Carrying Capacity article in Journal of Africa Today (vol 48, no 1 Spring 2001)

Sustainability and carrying capacity
Sustainability overpopulation and Water

The state of the world population 2001

UNESCO Water site

Exam One ...Take home...will be available Feb. 2, 2006 and the answers (sent through WebCT) are due Feb. 9, 2006.

3. The search for Energy
(Fossil Fuels, Nuclear energy, renewable energy and conservation)

The Energy Resources Program (Facts...coal, oil/gas,environment & health, publications, etc.)
Alternative energy website.
Birds are caught in the middle (altermnative enegry proves deadly for birds FoxNews.com) Dec. 23, 2003
US Dept of Energy website
Nuclear Power notes from Walter Pitman
Origin of Hydrocarbons notes from Walter Pitman

4. Our Precious resources
(water, soils, minerals...)

'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.
Green Lawn..any problem with that?

Exam II will be made available about a week before it's due (March 16, 2006).

5. 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:)

Water and health 2004-05 Per Gleick
Waterborne diseases outbreaks in the United States problem Set using Table 13 ....... due March 30, 2006. (5%)
Cost benefit analysis for pollution prevention
On Truth, Fact, Values, Climate Change, and Doughnuts
Climate change another view?

The above topics may be covered by March 16, leaving you with approximately four weeks to work on your project.

Emphasis will be on human impact on the environment.

Your Project Report is due 6:00 p.m. April 18, 2006.

Your report must follow this format.
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Methods or Approach
Results or data
Discussions
Conclusion(s)
Acknowledgement (if any)
References

Note:
I will need 4-weekly (once a week) updates concerning your research project.
Presentation starts on April 18.

Spring Break: March 6 - 11

Reading Assignments (Most articles are in PDF format)
Reading assignment is an intergral part of this course. For it to be another resource, you should choose any three articles (refereed article) apart from those listed below to review. The articles should be related to your proposed class project. Write a one-page summary for each article along with a copy of each article. Each summary must include your view of the article. All together, you should have a total of ten pages for the reading assignments.

NOTE: All reports, including tests must be submitted through WebCT and always have your name and topic as part of the name of your file (e.g. isiorhoreportwtg)…not following this simple rule will cost you points.

1. Write one page report per article on any three given articles. Reports are due before class January 31, 2006 through WebCT 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 your reports to me by email before class time on Feb. 16, 2006.
    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

    d) Responding to Global challenge Plan B: Rescuing a Planet under Stress & a Civilization in Trouble by
              Lester Brown. (2003)
    e) Rising to the Challenge    What can we do?

3. Write a one page review of "Entering a New World" by Lester Brown. Due by email March 16, 2006 before class time.

4. Write a one page report each on any three peer reviewed articles (hard copies of articles must be submitted to me in class) you are selecting for your literature review for your proposed class project. Due March 23, 2006.

Bonus paper...a one page report on Drinking-Water Nitrate and Health Recent Findings and Research Needs....Another site for the same article ..due March 30, 2006.

Use the bulletin board for posting questions,aswering questions posted on the bulletin and sharing any other features related to the class on the Discussion board of WebCT

Let me know if any link is no longer hot (linkable)
New Additions ( Check this section periodically as I will be adding some interesting links, relevant to this class)
Sand Dune becoming a National Preserve

White House and wetland             Geology/Soil and drought ( Congo River )
Constructed wetland                   IKE (Improving Kids' Environment)
Cholera a sign of Endevelopment UN/CDC       Earth from Space ( several images)
Population & Energy (2001 paper)
Soil Erosion

Landslide after heavy rain in Peru ( S. America).
Environmental Conservation journal website      Global Environmental Conservation Panda      UMass Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation
Environemtal Conservations organizations

Human appropriation for freshwater supply

Global population and Water: access and sustainability

Socioeconomic Baseline Data

Basic Math Skills required from Columbia Univeristy

Teflon found in drinking water Jan. 12, 2006

Goose poop...:) enjoy

Hurricanes and our coastlines GulfCoast ecosystem

Groundwater Foundation Membership

Biomes and other Ecological Zones .... maybe useful for one of your test questions.

Global climate pattern Animations Functions of Wetlands

A good reading/reflection on teachers/global warming...enjoy

Updated January 10, 2006

Power Point Slides for the class