NRES 467/667 Spring
2009
Regional and Global
Issues in
Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences
Course Meeting Times:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:00-2:15 in FA 301.
There will be several required field trips.
Final exam time is 12:00-2:00 on May 7th.
Instructors:
Dr. Mae Gustin
Office: FA 126
Phone: 784-4203
Email:
mgustin@cabnr.unr.edu
Office Hours: 11- 1130 Tu/Thur or by appointment.
Seth Lyman
Office: FA 119
Phone: 784-4966
Email: slyman@cabnr.unr.edu
Course description:
The objectives of the course are to synthesize information and evaluate
major current environmental issues. Lectures and readings for each topic
will encompass some background information, and relevant case studies.
Student-led discussions will round off specific topics. The goals of these
discussions are to review the topic and summarize the major issues, as well
as critically consider various aspects of the topic and introduce new ideas
and perspectives.
Prerequisites: BIOL 314, CHEM 122.
Course materials:
Given the variety of topics, there will be no single text for the course. Readings
for specific topics are listed at the end of the syllabus with this
list being added to as the semester progresses. Readings have been
selected to give a broader overview of the issues and different
perspectives. Students are encouraged to seek sources besides those
offered in class, such as journals, books, newspapers, online resources,
etc.
Information about the course, handouts, and other documents for the course
will be posted on the following web sites:
http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/gustin/nres467/default.htm
Grades will be calculated based on the following exams and
assignments:
|
Two exams |
150 points |
|
6
Written assignments |
150 points |
|
Participating in 5 discussions (10pts each) |
50 points |
|
Leading one class discussion (50 pts) |
50 points |
|
Field trip
attendance |
50 points |
|
Total Points
|
450 points |
Tests:
Tests will cover material from lectures, readings and discussions. The test
question format will be short answer and essay. Each test is worth 16.7% of
the final grade. If you have an emergency or are sick and find you may need
to miss an exam you must contact the major instructor prior to
the exam and have official documentation of the excuse.
Summaries/critiques:
Written assignments are to be handed in the class period they are due.
Most assignments will be summaries, critiques and discussions of topics
discussed in class. A good critique should include a brief summary of the
major issues presented in class and reading materials (1/3rd to ½
of the text), and then include research on additional topics associated with
the issue (at least ½ of the text). For the latter you will need to do some
research and have references for your information. Written assignments
should be 2-3 pages long (typed 1.5 pt space and with reasonable margins)
and NO LONGER. Assignments will be evaluated on the basis of (1) level of
understanding of the broad topic, (2) synthesis of major issues, and (3)
research regarding at least one aspect of the issue not covered in class.
Late assignments will not be
accepted. If you
find you will miss a class when the assignment is due you may email it to
the major instructor. In order to get credit the assignment must be received
before the class period is over when the assignment is due. It is the
student’s responsibility to make sure the instructor receives the assignment
if sent by email. Written assignments are 33% of the final grade.
Discussions:
There will be student led class discussions following select topics. A
group of students will be assigned as discussion leaders/moderators for each
topic the first week of class. The discussion should include 1) a quick
summary of major points of topic discussed (10 minutes), 2) information from
assigned reading materials and additional materials researched by the group,
and 3) a presentation of some new material, a new perspective on the topic,
or a case study related to the topic, or an alternative view may be
presented. The presentation should set the stage for discussion and pose
interesting questions for a lively exchange of ideas. Discussion leaders are
encouraged to review relevant sources and integrate them into discussion.
The introductory presentation should end with key questions to lead off the
discussion. Discussion leaders are charged with ensuring that the discussion
stays on topic, and should be prepared to revive the discussion if everyone
falls silent by bringing up new issues and questions. Leading the class
discussion accounts for 11% of the final grade so this assignment should not
be taken lightly.
Everyone in class is expected to be respectful and involved in the
discussion. Students will be judged both on quantity and quality of their
participation. Class participation during discussions counts for 11% of the
final grade. This means that students should offer ideas and comment during
the discussion. This is often hard for those that are shy however this is a
necessary life skill so consider this practice for the real world.
Field Trips:
There is one required full day field trip for this class
and an afternoon field trip. The timing of these will be discussed in class.
Graduate student
responsibility:
Graduate
students will be responsible for leading each discussion group. All the
students in the group must participate in preparation of the group
presentation, development of the ideas and discussion presented, however the
graduate students will be responsible for putting the presentation together,
making sure everyone participates in getting the presentation together and
keeping the discussion in class on track and focused.
Graduate students will need to do extra research on each
topic and provide more in depth discussion in the written assignments.
Grading scale:
|
A |
90-100% |
405-450 pts |
|
B |
80-89% |
360-404 pts |
|
C |
70-79% |
315-359 pts |
|
D |
60-69% |
270-314 pts |
|
F |
below 60% |
<
269 pts |
Academic Dishonesty:
All students are expected to maintain a high standard of intellectual
honesty. Anyone involved in academic misconduct (i.e. plagiarism, cheating)
will receive no credit for that assignment. Any repeat offense will result
in a failing grade for the class. Policies of the University of Nevada, Reno
regarding academic dishonesty can be found at www.unr.edu/stsv/acdispol.html
|
Date |
Topic |
|
|
20-Jan |
Introduction to class/Story of Stuff/population |
MG |
|
22-Jan |
Population-facts and figures |
MG |
|
27-Jan |
China and India Why do we care |
MG |
|
29-Jan |
Urbanization-trends and environmental implications |
MG |
|
3-Feb |
Population discussion |
Group Assign 1 due |
|
5-Feb |
Energy: US and Global trends |
MG |
|
10-Feb |
Fossil fuels- Oil in a crisis/carbon sequestration |
MG |
|
12-Feb |
Energy:Future of renewables |
MG |
|
17-Feb |
Energy-Nuclear future? |
MG |
|
19-Feb |
Energy discussion |
Group Assign 2 due |
|
24-Feb |
Climate change- Scientific basis |
SL |
|
26-Feb |
Climate change- Scientific basis |
SL |
|
3-Mar |
Climate change- Human-climate interactions |
SL |
|
5-Mar |
Climate change- Mitigation strategies |
SL |
|
10-Mar |
Climate discussion |
Group Assign 3 due |
|
12-Mar |
Test 1 |
|
|
14-22 Mar |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
24-Mar |
Hot topics in chemical pollution-air |
SL |
|
26-Mar |
Hot topics in chemical pollution-water |
SL |
|
31-Mar |
Hot topics in chemical pollution-waste |
SL |
|
2-Apr |
Chemical pollution- Mitigation strategies |
SL |
|
7-Apr |
Pollution discussion |
Group Assign 4 due |
|
9-Apr |
Food-Agriculture impact on the environment |
SL |
|
14-Apr |
Food- Production and impact on ecosystems |
SL |
|
16-Apr |
Mining |
MG |
|
20-Apr |
MINE FIELD TRIP |
|
|
21-Apr |
No class |
MG |
|
23-Apr |
Food discussion |
Group Assign 5 due |
|
28-Apr |
Mining |
MG |
|
30-Apr |
Mining |
MG |
|
5-May |
Mining field trip presentations and discussion |
Group Assign 6 due |
|
7-May |
Test 2 12-2 |
|
