Description:

Environmental Science seeks to describe problems and solutions associated with human use of natural resources. Students will study the major physical and biological processes that govern the complex interactions in natural ecosystems. Major course topics include human population growth, resource use and pollution. Practical solutions aimed at sustainability will be identified and examined. This is an introductory, nonscience-major survey course. 3 hrs./wk. BIOL 131 students must be currently enrolled in BIOL 130 or have successfully completed BIOL 130 within the last three years. This course may be offered as a Learning Communities (LCOM) section, see current credit schedule for LCOM details.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. List the major environmental problems.
2. Explain basic science principles which relate to environmental problem solving.
3. Describe past and present human population growth in terms of growth curves and demography.
4. Identify factors which influence population growth.
5. Describe the resources available on the surface of the earth and the alternative ways of using them.
6. Describe the types and causes of pollution.
7. List the components of a sustainable future.
8. List solutions to pollution problems under the headings of legal, technological and individual behavioral changes.
9. Describe the impacts of differing ethical economic and political viewpoints on environmental problem solving.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction and Historical Concerns
   A. Define environmental science.
   B. Trace the development of attitudes toward natural resources in the
United States.
   C. Describe conflicting world views.
   D. Describe the interactions among human population growth, resource
use and pollution.

II. Principles of Science
   A. List the ecological levels of the hierarchy of matter.
   B. List and describe the five physical characteristics of the biosphere
which allow life to exist on Earth.
   C. Describe the biomes east and west of Kansas City with respect to
limiting factors and vegetation.
   D. List the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
   E. Compare and contrast photosynthesis and cell respiration.
   F. State the Principle of Competitive Exclusion and the Law of
Tolerances.
   G. State the Law of Conservation of Matter and the two Laws of
Thermodynamics.
   H. Describe the application of the Law of Conservation of Matter and
the two Laws of Thermodynamics to ecosystems.
   I. Describe factors which lead to ecosystem stability.
   J. Describe nutrient cycling and the specific of two cycles.

III. Human Population
   A. Define demography and demographic factors including crude birth
rate, crude death rate, doubling time, natural rate of increase/decrease,
total fertility rate, replacement fertility rate, population profiles,
marriage age, infant mortality rate, literacy, population density and
GNP/capita.
   B. Given the crude birth and death rates of a country, calculate the
natural rate of increase/decrease as a percent and the doubling time in
years.
   C. List demographic factors which are used to judge quality of life in
different countries.
   D. Describe what the different demographic factors tell about a
population.
   E. Compare and contrast demographic factors between less developed
countries and more developed countries.
   F. Describe the historical growth of the world’s human population.
   G. Contrast historical and future human population growth between more
developed countries and less developed countries.
   H. List arguments in favor of and against controlling human population
growth.
   I. Describe the four stages of a demographic transition.
   J. Describe the influence of the availability of family planning on
human population growth.
   K. Describe factors which are effective in reducing fertility.

IV. Resources
   A. Water Resources
      1. Describe the hydrologic or water cycle.
      2. Describe the local water cycle in Johnson County, Kansas.
      3. Describe the general drinking water treatment process including
coagulation and sedimentation, filtration and disinfection.
      4. List 5-10 ways to personally use less water.
      5. Describe concerns about the overuse of ground water and surface
water.
   B. Soil, Agriculture and Pesticides
      1. Briefly trace the development of agriculture.
      2. Compare and contrast agribusiness, subsistence farming and
sustainable agriculture.
      3. Describe the concerns of animal farming.
      4. List methods to increase food production.
      5. List and describe five physical characteristics of soil.
      6. Describe methods of controlling soil erosion.
      7. Describe federal policies aimed at managing United States
agriculture.
   C. Energy
      1. Trace the history of energy use in the United States.
      2. List five sources used in the United Stated and give the percent
of the current energy.
      3. Connect sources of energy in the United States to end uses.
      4. List and describe possible energy futures for the United States
including fossil fuels, conservation, nuclear and nonrenewables.
   D. Biological Diversity
      1. List the benefits of species diversity.
      2. List factors causing species decline.
      3. Describe methods to protect and conserve species.
   E. Minerals
      1. Describe the environmental impact of mining and processing
minerals.
      2. Draw a depletion curve for a non-renewable resource and describe
how to extend the curve.
      3. Describe the United States’ situation with respect to mineral
supply.
      4. List minerals found in Kansas.
   F. Public Lands
      1. State the amount and location of public lands in the United
States.
      2. Describe current management philosophies and practices with
respect to public lands.
      3. Describe ecosystems as natural resources and as natural capital.
      4. Describe areas of concern in the national parks, wilderness
areas, wildlife refuges, national forests and Bureau of Land Management
areas.
      5. Describe land use planning and relate it to local cities.
      6. Describe the cycle of decay in a city.
      7. List characteristics of a sustainable city.

V. Pollution
   A. Describe attitudes toward pollution in the United States.
   B. Contrast pollution control with pollution prevention.
      1. Water
         a. Describe the process of eutrophication.
         b. List long-term strategies to combat eutrophication.
         c. Describe the wastewater treatment process, specifically which
processes remove which pollutants.
         d. List major federal laws related to water pollution.
      2. Air
         a. List and give the sources of primary and secondary air
pollutants.
         b. List the general impacts of air pollution.
         c. Describe the major components and impact of the Clear Air Act
of 1970 and Amendments of 1977 an 1990.
         d. Give examples of control strategies to reduce air pollution.
         e. Describe the problem, cause, impact and possible solutions for
acid deposition, global climate change or ozone depletion.
      3. Hazardous Chemicals
         a. Define and give examples of hazardous materials.
         b. List the major sources of hazardous materials.
         c. List the results of mismanagement of hazardous materials.
         d. State the major goal with respect to hazardous chemicals of
the following federal laws:
            1. Superfund - 1980
            2. Resources Conservation and Recovery Act - 1976
            3. Underground Storage Tank
            4. DOT Regulations
            5. “Right-To-Know”
            6. Toxic Substances Control Act
      4. Municipal Solid Waste
         a. List and describe methods of disposal used in the United
States.
         b. List the components of Municipal Solid Waste.

VI. Society
   A. Describe the public policy life cycle using an environmental
example.
   B. Contrast pollution control using a market vs. a regulatory
approach.
   C. Briefly describe cost-benefit analysis.
   D. List the four steps in risk analysis.
   E. Describe components of an environmental ethic.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Tests over lecture, reading material, films, discussions, etc. =
70-90% of grade
   
Discussions, assignments, quizzes, and in-class projects  = 10-30% of
grade

Computer Literacy Expectations: Students will need basic word processing
and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises
and projects.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.