BI 118 - Environmental Science

1. Use cell theory to distinguish prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells and understand how lifeforms composed of these cells play a vital role in maintaining our environment. (GELO3)
2. Use atomic molecular theory to explain the properties of water and the relevance of water to earth’s biodiversity. (GELO3)
3. Use the laws of thermodynamics to discern relevant and irrelevant information when evaluating energy transfer within ecological pyramids as well as renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. (GELO1)
4. Apply biological decomposition theory to explain the role of biological decomposition in biogeochemical cycles. (GELO1)
5. Apply the theory of evolution to discern the rates of natural species extinction from anthropogenic species extinction. (GELO1)
6. Use the theory of natural selection and the competitive exclusion theory to develop hypotheses around ecological and biological diversity and use examples to verify predictions and develop conclusions. (GELO3)
7. Apply theory and scientific principles learned in this course to hypothesize about hazardous scenarios related to geology facing the human population in the near future. (GELO1)
8. Use chemosynthesis theory to explain how photosynthesis contributed to the earth’s atmosphere. (GELO1) 
9. Understand the basic principles of ecology and environmental issues that apply to air, land, and water issues on a global scale. (GELO1)
10. Use ecosystem theory to explain the complex relationship between decomposers, predators, prey, and the plant community. (GELO3)
11. Use ecosystem theory to understand the impacts of human activity on natural ecosystems. (GELO1)
12. Use population growth theory to understand the effects that over 7 billion humans can have on the earth’s climate. (GELO1)
13. Apply photosynthesis and cellular respiration theory to carbon cycling. (GELO3)
14. Evaluate strategies, technologies, and methods for sustainable management of environmental systems and for the restoration of degraded environments. (GELO1)
15. Understand the interdisciplinary context of environmental issues that integrate science, humanist, and social perspectives. (GELO1)
16. Consider the context, costs, benefits and consequences of potential solutions to problems or issues. (GELO1)
17. Identify ethical dilemmas associated with environmental, social, or cultural issues. (GELO1)
18. Recognize how politics and management have environmental consequences.(GELO1)

A. Biology, the nature of science and scientific design

B. Brief history of environmentalism

C. Survey of modern environmentalism

1. Global distribution of resource use

2. Sustainability

II. Survey of the principles of ecology: matter, energy, and life  

A. Principles of matter and energy

B. Thermodynamics and energy transfer

C. Chemical reactions

D. Overview of pH

E. Organic and inorganic compounds

F. Characteristics of cells

1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

G. Characteristics of water and its importance to life

H. Energy for life on earth

1. Reactants and products of photosynthesis

2. Energy and matter in the environment

a. Open and closed systems

I. Food chains, food webs, and trophic levels

1. Ecological pyramids

2. Biogeochemical cycles

III. Characteristics of populations, communities, and species interaction - Survey of the earth’s biodiversity

A. Evolution: natural selection and adaptation

1. Pesticide and antibiotic resistance

B. Taxonomic naming system

C. Ecological niche

D. Species interactions

1. Symbiosis

a. Commensalism, parasitism, mutualism, competition & predation

2. Defensive mechanisms

3. Keystone species

E. Population dynamics

1. Population growth

2. Boom and bust population cycles

3. Growth to a stable population

4. Limiting factors

5. K-adapted and r-adapted species

F. Community properties

1. Productivity

2. Abundance and diversity

G. Community structure

1. Edges and boundaries

2. Communities in transition

3. Ecological succession

4. Introduced species and community change

IV. Human populations - Human population history

A. Impacts of technology on human population

B. Human demography

1. Fertility and birth rates

2. Mortality and death rates

3. Life span and life expectancy

C. Demographic transition

1. Development and population

D. Survey of family planning and fertility control

1. Current birth control methods

E. The future of human populations

V. Characteristics of biomes - Survey of terrestrial biomes

A. Survey of freshwater ecosystems

1. Lakes

2. Wetlands

3. Streams and rivers

B. Survey of marine ecosystems

1. Open oceans

2. Coastal

C. Survey of earths biodiversity

1. Biodiversity hot spots

2. Human benefits from biodiversity

3. Threats to biodiversity

a. Natural causes of extinction

b. Human caused reductions in biodiversity

4. Protecting biodiversity

VI. Food and agriculture - Global trends in food and hunger

A. Survey of the food we eat

B. Characteristics of soil, soil use and soil loss

C. Agricultural inputs

D. Sustainable farming strategies

VII. Air: climate and pollution - The atmosphere and climate

1. Energy and the “Greenhouse Effect”

2. Ocean currents and redistribution of heat

3. Air pollution and health

A. Climate change over time

1. Ice cores as evidence of change

2. Natural climatic change

3. Anthropogenic climate change

B. Solutions to climate change

VIII. Water: resources and pollution - Water resources

1. Groundwater storage

2. Surface water and atmospheric moisture

3. Water-rich and water-poor countries

A. Water scarcity

1. Drought, climate, and water shortages

B. Water conservation and management

C. Water pollutants

1. Point sources and nonpoint sources

2. Biological pollution

3. Nutrient loading

4. Inorganic and organic pollutants

5. Ocean pollution

D. Water treatment and remediation

1. The Clean Water Act

IX. Environmental geology and earth resources - Minerals and rocks

1. Weathering and sedimentation

A. Environmental effects of resource extraction

X. Energy resources

A. Nuclear power and hydropower

B. Wind and solar energy

C. Biomass and geothermal energy

D. Future of energy

XI. Survey of solid and hazardous waste - Waste disposal methods

A. Reducing waste

                  B. Hazardous and toxic wastes

XII. Economics and urbanization - The effects of urban sprawl

      A. Urban planning

                  B. Sustainable development

      C. Green business and green design

XIII. Environmental policy and sustainability - Environmental policy and science

A. International policies

1. Major international agreements

B. Actions for individuals to influence environmental policy and sustainability

C. The challenges of sustainable development

Online/Hybrid Component of Course

Lecture: 30-80%

Facilitated Discussion: 10-40%

Mediated Instruction: 30-90%

Group Work: 0-30%

Other: 0-10%

Inclusion of common final exam questions as determined by full time faculty teaching BI 118.

Unit and final exams in a face to face lecture, online lecture, hybrid lecture or laboratory course may not be administered in a take-home format but shall be administered in the classroom or in a supervised assessment facility (e.g., GRCC Assessment/Testing Center) or with Respondus Lockdown Browser that verifies student identification.

Bonus/Extra Credit: May only be given in the lecture portion of the course and may not exceed 2% of the total possible points in the course.

Student Grading

    -    Unit exams: 55-65%

    -    Presentations/projects: 0-10%

    -    Assignments and online tutorial/homework: 0-35%

    -    Final exam emphasising major course themes: 10-25%

    -    Service learning: 0-10%