COURSE SYLLABUS

MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

COURSE: Ecology COURSE NUMBER: BIO 205

CREDIT HOURS: 3.0 LECTURE: 3.0 LABORATORY: 0.0

CONTACT HOURS: 3.0 LECTURE: 3.0 LABORATORY: 0.0

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces basic principles of population biology, ecology, and environmental science as applied to the study of the interactions between human kind and the Biosphere.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this course is to enable the student to obtain an understanding of the relationships of organisms to one another and to their environment.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Lecture: Environmental Science, Wright, 9th Edition, 2002.

OPTIONAL MATERIAL:

Environmental Science, Adams, Study Gd. 9th Edition

Lecture notes or other material designated by instructor other than required text listed on this course syllabus are considered optional.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Students will be allowed to miss twice the number of times a lecture or laboratory section meets per week.

If the lecture meets 3 times per week, 6 absences are allowed.

If the lecture meets 2 times per week, 4 absences are allowed.

If the student misses more than 10 minutes of class by either arriving late or leaving early, then the student will be counted as absent, missing fewer than 10 minutes is a tardy. Three tardies count as one absence.

Students adding courses after classes begin are responsible for work covered from the first day of classes. All classes missed are counted as absences.

When a student exceeds the maximum allowable absences, a grade of "W" will be assigned if the student is passing the course or "WF" if the student is failing after midterm. A "WF" is calculated into the grade point average as an "F."

ASSIGNMENTS AND MISSED TESTS:

Students who are absent from a class are responsible for all of the work that was done during that class period and for all assignments made during the missed class period. See your instructor for further information.

GRADING:

The final grade for this course will be determined as follows:

A (90-100) B (80-89) C (70-79) D (60-69) F (<60)

Lecture Exams: 100%

A grade of zero will be recorded for any announced exam (or assignment) which is missed.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Will be explained by the professor.

PRE-REQUISITES AND CO-REQUISITES:

Biology 205 and Biology 206, Ecology Lab, may be taken concurrently.

COURSE FIELD TRIPS (IF ANY):

To be announced...

DISABILITIES:

Students with disabilities requiring in-class accommodations should call the Counseling/Disabilities Resource Center at 738-7637 (Beltline) or 822-3505 (Airport).

The Science Department Chair, Coordinators, and faculty are here to help you. If you are having any problems in your classes, please contact the person who can help you. If we don't know you are having problems, we can't help you. Dr. Perry Carter is Department Chair and can be reached at 822-3443; Dr. Gerry Lopez is Airport Coordinator and can be reached at 822-3788; Dr. Bert Knesel is Beltline Coordinator and can be reached at 738-7660.

CHANGES:

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture and laboratory schedule as deemed necessary.

Chapters may be assigned to different exams by different instructors.

TENTATIVE WEEKLY SCHEDULE

BIO 205

WEEK	LECTURE TOPIC	CHAPTER
1	Introduction: Toward a Sustainable Future	1
	Ecosystems: What They Are	2
2	Ecosystems: How They Work	3
	Ecosystems: How They Change	4
3	The Human Population: Dimensions	5
	EXAM I	1-5
4	Population and Development	6
	Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use	7
5	Soil: Foundation for Land Ecosystems	8
	The Production and Distribution of Food	9
6	Wild Species and Biodiversity	10
	EXAM II	6-10
7	Ecosystem Capital: Use and Restoration	11
	Energy from Fossil Fuels	12
8	Energy from Nuclear Power	13
	Renewable Energy	14
9	Environmental Hazards and Human Health	15
	Exam III	11-15
10	Pests and Pest Control	16
	Water Pollution and Its Prevention	17
11	Municipal Solid Waste: Disposal and Recovery	18
	Hazardous Chemicals: Pollution and Prevention	19
12	The Atmosphere: Climate, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion	20
	EXAM IV	16-20
13	Atmospheric Pollution	21
	Economics, Public Policy, and the Environment	22
14	Sustainable Communities and Lifestyles	23

15	EXAM V (Final Week TBA)	21-23

MIDLANDS TECHNICAL COLLEGE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

CODE OF CONDUCT

Student rights and responsibilities are outlined in the Student Handbook. We are extremely proud of the quality of students in the Science Department, however, there have been occasions where disciplinary action is necessary to prevent disruptive and dishonest behavior. The following items are specific violations and consequences supported by the Science Department. Your instructor will circulate a form for your signature stating that you understand the Science Department Course Syllabus, which includes this document.

1. Any student who exhibits behavior that is disruptive to the learning process such as talking, discourtesy of faculty or fellow students to include obscene

language or gestures, or uncooperative actions will be asked to leave the classroom. The student will be counted absent for this class. Depending upon the nature of the offense or if it occurs during an exam the instructor may require that the student see the Science Coordinator, Chair of the Science Department, or the Director of Campus Life before returning to class. Campus Security will be called for any threatening or violent behavior.

2. Beepers, cell phones, personal stereos, and similar devices are not permitted in class. Permission must be obtained from the Science Coordinator or Instructor for students who are emergency personnel or where there are extenuating circumstances. Campus Security can locate a student and will interrupt a class if there is a situation that needs immediate attention.

3. Any student proven to have engaged in academic dishonesty will be given a grade of zero on the exam or assignment. This includes, but is not limited to, giving or receiving information during an exam, use of unauthorized materials during an exam or assignment, plagiarism, or changing answers after a grade has been assigned. An instructor must have reasonable proof that dishonesty has occurred. Until an incident is verified, the student will be assigned a grade of "I" for the work. Witnesses of cheating should report this immediately to the instructor. The grade will be discussed confidentially with the student. If the student denies that academic dishonesty occurred, the Chair of the Science Department or Science Coordinator will meet with the instructor and student. The instructor will be supported if departmental guidelines for handling cheating incidences were followed. However, the student is referred to the Student Handbook for the policy on filing a grievance. In any incident involving academic dishonesty, a report will be filed with the Director of Campus Life.

4. Students with complaints about instructors should follow the appropriate chain of command as outlined in the "Science Department Conflict Resolution" form. A form can be obtained from the Science Department. Signatures must be obtained at each level before the complaint will be validated. There may be some circumstances where the first contact is with the Science Coordinator who will discuss the problem with the instructor. All efforts possible will be made to resolve conflicts internally. However students should remember that matters can also be handled through the Academic Appeal/Grievance process detailed in the Student Handbook.