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Course Outline: Environmental Biology 2485B Winter 2020 Course Information Class lectures: Day/Time: Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-2:30pm Location: AHB-1R40 Course website: OWL Tutorials: th Tutorials for ALL sections (002-013) begin the week of January 12 Sections Day Time Location 002, 008 Tu 11:30 am–1:30 pm UCC-63 003, 009 Tu 2:30 pm–4:30 pm STVH-2166 004, 010 W 11:30 am–1:30 pm BGS-1056 005, 011 W 2:30 pm–4:30 pm PAB-106 006, 012 Th 11:30 am–1:30 pm STVH-2166 007, 013 Th 2:30 pm–4:30 pm STVH-3166 Pre- or co-requisite: Either Biology 1001A or Biology 1201A and either Biology 1002B or Biology 1202B or Integrated Science 1001X. NOTE: You may not receive credit if you lack a pre‐requisite or have taken an anti‐requisite course. “Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you will be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.” UWO Senate Regulations Course Description and Objectives: Calendar Course Description: Basic principles of environmental biology, human ecology, ecosystem structure and function. Human population growth and its impact on soil, water, energy, agriculture and natural populations of plants and animals. Environmental problems created by resource exploitation and possible solutions. Course Objectives 1. To develop a basic scientific understanding of important current environmental issues from a biological point of view. In this course you will hear, read about and discuss some of the most important environmental topics of our time, including: Human population growth, Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Water resources, Energy resources 2. To gather information from multiple source types to develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and to learn to critically evaluate the content of these sources. The process of locating, understanding, and evaluating information from professional scientific sources and sources intended for the general public will be a recurrent theme in this course. You will receive guidance on how to learn from different types of sources and practice on your own and with feedback. Learning Outcomes Contact Information Instructor Coordinator Name Christie Stewart Irene Krajnyk Office location NCB 206, 207 NCB 301E Office hours By appointment – Tues., Weds, Thurs. only By appointment Email cstewa26@uwo.ca ikrajnyk@uwo.ca TAs: • Libesha Anparasan lanparas@uwo.ca • Madelaine Anderson mande22@uwo.ca • Jeff Martin rmarti88@uwo.ca • Sam Rycroft srycroft@uwo.ca • Lauren Witterick lwitteri@uwo.ca • Vinod Shankar vshanka2@uwo.ca Email Policy 1. Use your Western email account ONLY when contacting your professor, the coordinator or TAs. We will not respond to emails that do not come from a “uwo” account 2. Check your Western email account regularly as this is the email contact that will be used us. Not checking your UWO account in not a valid excuse for missing essential communication. Don’t let your account go over quota as you may miss an important message. The missing of critical information due to your failure to check OWL or email cannot be used as a basis for appeal. 3. It is important that you include “2485B" plus your lab section number in the subject of any emails that you send. This will help us sort through the many emails received every day and respond as quickly as possible. 4. I will not reply to emails that request information that has already been provided (e.g. on OWL or in the syllabus). If you truly cannot find information after looking, you can post the question on OWL in the discussion board. Also, if you have questions about course content, I prefer that you book an appointment to see me during in my office so that I can be sure that you have understood my response. 5. Generally, all emails will be responded to within 3-business days (not including holidays). Emails will *usually* be addressed during regular work hours (9–5). We may choose, at our discretion, to respond outside these hours, depending on availability. Texts Textbook (Recommended): Miller, G.T., Hackett, D., and Wolfe, C. E. 2017. Living in the Environment. Fourth Canadian Edition. Nelson Education Ltd. Toronto Canada *The exams are based on lecture materials and lecture materials are based partially on course textbook. The textbook used in previous years (J Withgott, M Laposata, B Murck. 2017. Environment: the Science Behind the Stories. Third Canadian Edition. Pearson Canada. Toronto, Canada) is also acceptable for general content, but specific content will be taken from the text above. Assessments Assessment Breakdown: Course Element* Assessment Weight Exams – 60% Midterm Exam 25% Final Exam 35% Tutorials – 40% Quizzes 10% (five at @ 2% each) Group reports and presentations 30% (five @ 6% each) Total 100% There may be opportunities for bonus participation marks in the OWL discussion board. Bonus marks will be added to your final exam grade. *Details of tutorials and presentation assignment provided below. The weight of any missed component will be added to the final exam. See below on policies related to missed course assessments. Examinations: Format of exams. The exams will cover material from class lectures, assigned readings and tutorials. All exams will consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short answer questions. The exact number of questions in each exam will be announced in class. The use of electronic devices and calculators during exams is prohibited. Computer-marked multiple-choice exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating. Mid-term Exam: Saturday, February 29th 2:00–4:00 PM. Location TBA Makeup Midterm Exam: Thursday, March 5, 6:00–8:00 PM. Location TBA • Coverage: The exam will cover material presented in lectures before approximately Feb 20th, the Human Population and Terrestrial Biodiversity tutorials including its assigned readings. • Reviewing your exams: You will be notified in lecture when the exam has been marked and grades tabulated. Grades will be posted on OWL. You will have the opportunity review the correct answers after the exam is graded. If you encounter a grading error or you wish to appeal a mark on a question please contact Dr. Stewart by March 21, 2020. Please note that a grade appeal will result in a complete re-grade of the exam by Dr. Stewart (excluding multiple choice questions). Final Exam: April 2020. Date, Time and Location TBD by Registrar’s office. • Coverage: The exam will cover material presented in lectures, assigned readings and tutorials from the entire course. Material not covered by the midterm exam will be given greater weight than material which has already been examined once. Tentative Lecture Schedule *(subject to change) NOTE: Attendance at all tutorials is mandatory. Week Lecture subjects Tutorial Jan. 7-9 Introduction, Human population and None Environmental Problems Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Introductory tutorial: All Jan. 14–16 sections (see schedule below for times) Jan. 21–23 Matter and Energy in Ecosystems Human Population Sections 002-007 Jan. 28–30 Changes in Ecosystems Human Population Sections 008-013 Feb. 4–6 Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity Terrestrial Biodiversity Sections 002-007 Feb. 11–13 Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity Terrestrial Biodiversity Sections 008-013 Feb. 18-20 Reading Week Feb. 25-27 Aquatic Biodiversity Midterm —Saturday, Aquatic Biodiversity February 29, 2:00–4:00 PM Sections 002-007 Human Impacts on the Environment: case studies Aquatic Biodiversity Mar. 3–5 in terrestrial and aquatic systems Makeup Sections 008-013 Midterm - Thursday, March 5; 6:00–8:00 PM Mar. 10–12 Case studies cont'd Water Resources Sections 002-007 Mar. 17–19 Case studies cont'd Water Resources Sections 008-013 Mar. 24–26 Sustaining Biodiversity and Conservation Biodiversity and Conservation Sections 002-007
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