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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIO-217Page 1 of 7 Bergen Community College Division of Mathematics, Science & Technology Department of Biology and Horticulture BIO-217 Sustainable People-Plant Relationships Course Syllabus Semester and year: Course Number: Meeting times & locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description: Our Earth’s systems, natural and human, are experiencing sudden and dramatic changes that challenge their sustainability. The principles and practices of sustainability need to be interdisciplinary so that current needs are met without compromising the needs of future generations. This course provides a fundamental knowledge of these topics and the balance of the multiple interactions. Discussions will include responsible environmental stewardship through the actions of individuals and of private and public sectors. Prerequisites: Any one college science in BIO, HRT, CHM, or PHY Course Credits: 4.0 Contact Hours/Week Equivalent: 6.0: 3 hours lecture and 3 hours laboratory General Education Course: Yes Required Lecture Textbook: None; all materials will be provided in print or online Supplementary Text: None Required Laboratory Manual: None; all materials will be provided in print or online. Supplementary Materials: You will need to provide: a class binder for handouts and notes, est. a 2.0”- 2.5” binder; colored pencils for drawings; project materials. Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course students will be able to: 1. Use the scientific method to analyze a problem and draw conclusions from the data through the acquisition of scientific knowledge. 2. Explore personal ethics relative to sustainability. 3. Identify and analyze sustainability issues from multiple perspectives. 4. Develop critical thinking skills for more sustainable alternatives. 5. Relate best practices in sustainability to their field of interest. 6. Apply best interdisciplinary practices in sustainability in consideration of agricultural, environmental, economic, and societal needs. 7. Explain real-world application of sustainable principles to a general audience. 8. Recommend and support solutions for sustainability problems in class discussions and presentations. Page 2 of 7 Assessment Criteria: a. Successful completion of exams – objective and essay sections b. Quality and completeness of laboratory assignments and any field trip assignments as recorded in a lab notebook c. Demonstrated insight, effort, and completeness of observational essays d. Active supportive participation in class discussions, presentations, projects e. Quality and effort demonstrated for oral/written/graphic projects (group and individual) Grading Policy: Students earn their grades in the course based on their performance on required work, their mastery of the material, and class participation. Exam Questions 100 pts. Lab Notebook 100 pts. Participation 30 pts. Attendance, Participation in Discussions, Tardiness, Attitude Projects 100 pts. Due as indicated for each assignment 330 pts. = 100% Letter grades are assigned as followed based on the total % of points achieved. A 89.5 – 100 B+ 86.5 – 89.4 B 79.5 – 86.4 C+ 76.5 – 79.4 C 69.5 – 76.4 D 59.5 – 69.4 F 0 – 59.4 If you have a medical condition or develop a medical condition during this semester, which prevents you from fulfilling the requirements of this course, you must notify your physician. You and your physician must decide whether it is appropriate for you to remain in this course. If the decision is to remain in this course, please obtain a letter from your physician indicating that your continued participation in this course is appropriate and present it to the Department Chair. Class Requirements: Everyone must be respectful of other classmates and the professor. o Be a good student – you are encouraged to be curious about plants and the world around you. Be self-motivated, enthusiastic about learning and become confident in your abilities. o Turn off non-class related gadgets o During class you are encouraged to ask questions of the instructor and during class discussions. Do not speak to others while the instructor or another student is talking. o Clean up after class – keep all your class materials in organized files (electronic and paper) o Attend classes and be on time. Email me, prior to class, if possible if you will be late or absent. Assignments and exams will be due as indicated for each. o If for any reason you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain and learn the material you missed. o Communication ASAP- regarding missing or late homework assignments, exams, or projects, they require proper documentation if they are to be excused. You must e-mail and/or call the instructor ASAP if you will miss or have missed any of these. *+ Page 3 of 7 *Extenuating circumstances such as medical, legal, familial, etc. can be grounds for accepting either late work or for providing make-up examinations. Documentation may be required. It is always best to communicate with the instructor as soon as possible, preferably prior to the scheduled date for the work or exam, to determine if these are acceptable. +In general, though, late work is not accepted, or if accepted, at a penalty for lateness, at the sole discretion of the instructor. Also, make-up examinations are at the sole discretion of the instructor and may be different from the original exam. The College will only rarely cancel class for bad weather. However, in the case of any unexpected circumstances that might impact our scheduled class, I will inform you by e-mail. If the situation does not permit this, an announcement will be posted online and/or on the classroom door. Course Content This course is intended to provide a more in-depth treatment of sustainability issues introduced in other courses. It is to complement these courses, but not replicate more than 25% of the introductory material. The focus is on two primary environments – manmade and natural. A key component is the incorporation of a wide range of perspectives and disciplines: Scientific: greening, ecology, carrying capacity, biodiversity; energy; water, groundwater, water quality; toxins; food, health; land use, natural hazards, earth systems Economic & Policy: supply chains; new services & products; government, business & trade groups Discussion of Implementation: Identification of what has, or has not, worked pros and cons of different approaches to sustainability the need for efforts to be measurable and apparent Creativity and Business Models: There is a need for innovative thinking and well-thought-out business models. Concepts: uncertainty; experimental vs. observational approaches; prediction and predictability; resilience; modeling. Special Features of the Course Use of learning technologies: Internet, PowerPoint, and other technologies as selected by the instructor. Creative expression in synthesizing and presenting is encouraged. Research, Writing and/or Examination Requirements As a General Education course, students need to complete critical thinking, ethical implications, and information literacy-based assignments. Instructors will respond to and comment on students’ writing in detail. Page 4 of 7 Course Content Schedule: Dates & schedule are tentative and are subject to change at the discretion of the professor, depending on the progress of the class. Lecture Schedule Unit Date Topic/Activity/Assignments Learning Objectives TBD TBD Individual and group project assignments will be presented as scheduled during the course 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 14 1 Introduction, the economics of sustainable vs. non - sustainable living 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14 2 Built environment - urban, suburban, LEED certification, green streets, site analysis Natural environment – air, water, soil, pollution 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 3 Fuel efficient transportation and alternative energy, their effects on natural environments 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14 4 Renewable energy sources [solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass], their effects on natural environments 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14 5 Built environment - reducing the impact of climate change Natural environment – natural ecology and life cycles 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14 6 Built environment- waste management, recycling Natural environment – composting, biochar 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 14 7 Built environment- environmental planning, energy efficient landscaping Natural environment – biomes, resilience 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14 8 Built environment- stormwater management: green roofs, permeable paving, rainwater capture Natural environment – bioswales, rain gardens, xeriscaping 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 9 Built environment - food choice and food systems Natural environment – organic agriculture, permaculture; home food production 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 10 Integrated Pest Management, prevention & control of invasive organisms 1, 2, 10, 11, 12 11 Opportunities in outdoor recreation and building support for the environment 1, 2, 10 12 Built environment – gardening and landscaping with wildlife Natural environment – increasing natural pollinator and other beneficial insect populations 1, 2, 10, 11 13 Conservation of natural resources – philosophy, practices, stewardship 1, 2, 10 Page 5 of 7 Laboratory Schedule Unit Date Topic/Activity/Assignments Learning Objectives 1 Formation of groups, project assignments, Activity: pollution lab; site analysis lab 1, 5, 13 2 Activity: Teams discussion https://mitsloan.mit.edu/actionlearning/labs/s-lab- projects.php; LEED certification discussion 1, 3, 5, 13 3 Activity: transportation efficiency lab 1, 5, 13 4 Activity: renewable energy lab projects 1, 4, 5, 13 5 Activity: climate change lab; life cycle lab 1, 5, 13 6 Activity: waste management & recycling lab; composting, compost tea &, biochar lab 1, 5, 13 7 Activity: labs, discussions, and projects overview 1, 3, 13 8 Activity: environmental planning and home landscaping projects 1, 4, 5, 13 9 Activity: biomes and biological system resilience lab 1, 5, 13 10 Activity: Stormwater management lab 1, 5, 13 11 Activity: Food choices and food production projects 1, 4, 5, 13 12 Activity: IPM (integrated pest management) lab 1, 5, 13 13 Activity: Outdoor recreation and time outside importance to mankind 1, 5, 13 14 Activity: Wildlife and pollinator lab 1, 5, 13 15 Activity: Conservation of natural resources discussions 1, 3, 13 College Policies: Student Responsibility Students will be held responsible for reading all pertinent information in college publications regarding withdrawals, course drops, college deadlines, and tuition refunds. Students are responsible for compliance with the rules and regulations as stated in college publications. Page 6 of 7 Absence of Instructor Students are expected to wait twenty minutes for a faculty member to come to class. If at the end of twenty minutes, the faculty member does not come, the students should sign an attendance sheet, which indicates the course, date, and time. A student should deliver the attendance sheet to the divisional office (A304) if between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or to the Evening Office (C107) if before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. Students cannot be penalized by faculty for not waiting longer than twenty minutes. Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair, and continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Students are responsible for their own work. Faculty and academic support services staff will take appropriate measures to discourage academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty and may be a violation of U.S. Copyright laws. Plagiarism is defined as the act of taking someone else’s words, opinions, or ideas and claiming them as one’s own. Consequences of Violations Academic Integrity A. Instructor’s Sanctions for a Violation The faculty member will determine the course of action to be followed. This may include: • Assigning a failing grade on the assignment • Assigning a lower final course grade • Failing the student in the course • Other penalties appropriate to the violation In all cases, the instructor shall notify the Vice President of Student Services of the violation and the penalty imposed. The student has the right to appeal the decision of the instructor to the appropriate department head. B. Institutional Sanctions for Violations When a violation of academic integrity has been reported regarding a student, the Vice President of Student Services may impose disciplinary penalties beyond those imposed by the course instructor, which may include suspension or dismissal from the College. The student shall have the right to a hearing before the Vice President of Student Services or a designated judicial affairs committee. Judicial procedures governing violations of academic integrity are contained in the student handbook. Class Attendance All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Eating and Drinking Eating or drinking in classrooms, lecture rooms, laboratories, gymnasium, swimming pool, or passageways is forbidden. Covered beverages only are permitted in the library. Eating and drinking are permitted in cafeteria and vending areas only. Page 7 of 7 Learning Assistance Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center The Tutoring Center, English Language Resource Center, Math Walk-In Center and Writing Center are collectively known as the Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center. The Cerullo Learning Assistance Center is in the Pitkin Education Building, in Room L-125. The telephone number is (201) 447-7489. The Learning Assistance Center, staffed with peer and professional tutors, offers free individual and group tutoring, supplemental instruction, and online tutoring for subjects offered at the College. The Center provides alternative approaches to problem solving and organizational skills. Tutors help clarify classroom lectures and textbooks and help students prepare for exams. These services build student self-confidence and reduce fear of failure. The Center is equipped with the latest technology and software, including tapes, books, review sheets, exercises, and software. Services for Students with Disabilities The Office of Specialized Services/ Deaf Services located in L-115 in the Pitkin Education Center provides accommodations and auxiliary services to students with disabilities attending Bergen Community College. Students are encouraged to submit documentation to OSS during the early stages of the admission process. The suggested deadlines for submitting documentation are as follows: August 1st for fall semesters, December 1st for spring semesters. For more information, please contact our office at 201-612-5270 or at www.bergen.edu/oss. Sidney Silverman Library Main Building, Pitkin Education Center, L-wing, 2nd Floor Paramus Library Hours: (201) 447-7131 or visit http://www.bergen.edu/library/calendar/gcal.htm Paramus Service Desk: (201) 447-7970 Meadowlands Location: 1280 Wall Street, Lyndhurst 2nd Floor Meadowlands Library Hours: http://www.bergen.edu/library/calendar/gcal.htm Meadowlands Service Desk: (201) 301-9692 www.bergen.edu/library Testing Services The Bergen Community College Office of Testing Services (OTS) is in Room S-127. OTS serves the college community by identifying, developing, procuring, administering, processing, and/or evaluating examinations, which meet a variety of administrative and instructional needs. To contact the OTS, please call (201) 447-7202. The Office of Testing Services administers makeup tests as a service for students who, for compelling and exceptional reasons, have missed a scheduled classroom examination. Students must receive prior permission from and plan with their course instructors to take these examinations, under specific conditions, in the Office of Testing Services, Room S-127. Self-Service Self-Service is a web interface that allows students to access information contained in Datatel’s Colleague, the administrative database used by Bergen Community College. Students may use Self-Service to register for classes, to pay tuition and fees, to view their class schedules, to check grades, to check on progress toward degree requirements, etc. Self-Service accounts are available for all students enrolled in credit programs. New students are strongly encouraged to attend an in-person registration or advisement session before using a Self-Service account. Eligible students without Self-Service usernames and passwords may access their Self-Service account by going to go.bergen.edu and selecting “I’m new to Self-Service.” Then, follow the on- screen directions. Check the Self-Service FAQ for answers to common questions, such as how to reset your password. Students must have a valid e-mail address on file with the College to use Self-Service.