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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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