Course Syllabus

BIOL 1420 Environmental Biology

Course Description

Environmental biology examines the varied dimensions of environmental issues, problems and solutions in the context of the biological sciences. To understand global environmental biology issues, students will become fluent in topics including biodiversity, ecosystem function, agriculture and food production, energy systems, water, urbanization, population dynamics, air quality, and climate. The course consists of lectures, participation exercises, and the application assignments--all of which will require critical thinking and data analysis skills.

Justification

Environmental Biology (BIOL 1420) is an introductory course that provides non-life science majors with a general survey of the science of environmental biology. It is designed to fulfill Life Science General Education (GE) requirements.

This course is similar to Utah Tech's ENVS 1210; Weber's BTNY 1403; University of Utah's ENVST 2050; Utah State's ENVS 1350; and BYU's PWS 150.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will understand their role in shaping the present and future environments at the local, regional, and global levels. Students will then be invited to take action in their own homes and communities. Students will demonstrate their understanding through performance indicators such as discussions or in class activities, projects, and/or writing assignments.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will be encouraged to critically analyze, information from the news media and other sources. Students will research current environmental biology topics, with emphasis on using varied sources, and present the project in a defined format. Students will be assessed through performance indicators such as projects, homework, and/or writing and research assignments.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Environmental biology is filled with complex problems that must be addressed through an interdisciplinary lens. This course will use case studies and problem-solving exercise to practice critical thinking in the context of multiple disciplinary complex problems. Students will be assessed through performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, and/or homework.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. The field of environmental biology relies on individuals that are able to think critically and creatively. This course will use case studies and problem-solving exercise to practice critical thinking in the context of multiple disciplinary complex problems. Students will be assessed through performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, and/or homework.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Not all information available on the internet, in written form, or spoken is of equal validity. Scientific-based research, peer-reviewed journals with original experimentation, respected reviews, and constant questioning will be used for evaluating the usefulness and credibility of scientific information. Students will read and discuss key scientific literature to gain skills necessary to discern credibility of sources of scientific information. Performance indicators such as quizzes or exams, discussions or in class activities, projects or homework, writing and research assignments, and/or reading assignments will be used to assess students. Not all information available on the internet, in written form, or spoken is of equal validity. Scientific-based research, peer-reviewed journals with original experimentation, respected reviews, and constant questioning will be used for evaluating the usefulness and credibility of scientific information. Students will read and discuss key scientific literature to gain skills necessary to discern credibility of sources of scientific information. Performance indicators such as quizzes or exams, discussions or in class activities, projects or homework, writing and research assignments, and/or reading assignments will be used to assess students.
2. Demonstrate basic understanding of how organisms live, grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce.  Students will gain a fundamental understanding of biological processes to better understand how our planet functions and recognize the inter-connectedness of humans and ecosystems. Students will become aware of the influences of human population growth on organisms, communities, and ecosystems. Students will be assessed through performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, homework, and/or reading assignments.
3. Discuss the organization and flow of matter and energy through biological systems.  Environmental topics will be used as the context to study basic biological concepts. Organization and flow of matter and energy will be studied at all biological levels, from molecular to organism, population to ecosystem. Performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, homework, and/or reading assignments will offer students opportunities to display concept mastery.
4. Explain from evidence patterns of inheritance, structural unity, adaptation, and diversity of life on Earth.  Biodiversity across habitats, ecosystems, landscapes, and whole continents or oceans is founded on principles of evolution and genetics. Students will participate in hands-on activities, case studies, and problem-solving activities that require them to provide evidence for these patterns. Students will be assessed through performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, homework, and/or reading assignments.
5. Describe how the Life Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. Students will become fluent in the science of global environmental problems, movements, and solutions including biodiversity, ecosystem function, agriculture and food production, energy systems, water, urbanization, population dynamics, air quality, and climate. Students will discover how environmental quality and conservation is influenced by history, economy, and unique cultural perspectives and in turn foster and promote environmental stewardship in their communities. Comprehension will be assessed through performance indicators such as quizzes, discussions, projects, homework, writing assignments, and/or research assignments.

Course Content

This course will look at environmental issues through the lens of the biological sciences. It will include the majority of the following topics: biological principals of energy; elements and basic chemistry; biogeochemical cycles; hydrologic; carbon and nitrogen; basic genetics; evolution; natural selection; speciation; systematics and taxonomy; species interactions; predator prey cycles; symbiosis; competition; biological communities; population growth; life tables; biomes and biodiversity; conservation; population genetics; parks, zoos and nature preserves; agriculture and food; soils; biotechnology; environmental health and toxicity; climate; weather; atmosphere; greenhouse gases; air and water pollution; hazardous wastes; fossil fuels and energy sources; urbanization and sustainability; economics; planning; and policy.This class is naturally suited to teach about a variety of perspectives. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing different view points and finding middle ground. Care will be taken to bring in content from various areas (authors and perspectives).