SYLLABUS

BI 107 - Environmental Biology

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BI 107: Environmental Biology. (5). Lec. 4./Recitation 1. Offered all quarters.

An introductory ecological approach to understanding man's impact and dependence on the natural environment. Broad topics include ecosystems, nutrient cycles, pollution, pest management, conservation of natural resources, energy, and human population. This course is specifically designed for the student satisfying a general education requirement in natural science. Cannot be used to meet major or minor requirements in biological science. Credit will not be allowed for both BI 107 and BI 102 or BI 103. 

Prerequisites: BI 101 or BI 105 or BI 171 or SM 101 

Textbooks

BIOSPHERE 2000: Protecting Our Global Environment / Kaufman /2nd / 1996 / ISBN 0-7872-0460-9 / Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. 

Topical Outline

(Introduction)

Why Study Environmental Issues?, Ecology versus Environmentalism. 

(Ecosystem Concepts)

Ecosystems Explained, Definition, Characteristics of Ecosystems, Ecosystem Components - Biotic and Abiotic, Liebig's Law of the Minimum, Energy Flow in Ecosystems, Trophic Level Pyramids. 

(Biogeochemical Cycles)

The Carbon and Oxygen Cycles, The Nitrogen Cycle, The Phosphorus Cycle. 

(Earth's Major Ecosystems)

Ocean Ecosystems, Estuaries, Freshwater Ecosystems, Arctic tundra, Taiga, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Prairies, Desert, Chaparral, Temperate Rain Forest, Tropical Rain Forest. 

(Ecosystem Balance)

Stability, Complexity, Variability. 

(Ecosystem "Rules" - Summary) 

(Ecosystem Modifications)

(Human Population)

The Problem - Growing Numbers and Affluence, Current Population Data, History of Human Population Growth, Growth Rates, Doubling times, Current Worldwide Growth Rates and Doubling Times, Geometric Growth, Malthus' Predictions, Age Structure, Momentum, Carrying Capacity, Environmental Resistance, Population Projections for the Future, Possible Solutions, Population Control Programs, Conclusions - No Easy Answers. 

(Environmental Effects of Agriculture)

Loss of Topsoil, Clearing Unsuitable Land, Irrigation Problems, Monocultures, Pesticide Use, Artificial Fertilizer Use, Energy Inefficiency in Agriculture. 

(Expanding the Harvest)

The Green Revolution, Increasing Cropland, Harvesting the Sea, Unconventional Foods, Post-Harvest Reduction of Food Losses, Simplifying Affluent Diets and Lifestyles. 

(Land Management and Use)

Land Use Categories, Land Use Ethics. 

(Major Threats to Land)

Erosion, Desertification and Overgrazing, Poor Forestry Techniques, Surface Mining, Urban Sprawl. 

(Air Pollution)

History of Humans and Air Pollution, Amounts, Sources, Major Pollutants and their Sources, Effects of Air Pollution, Modification of Climate, Air Pollution Control, The Clean Air Act. 

(Water Pollution)

History of Humans and Water Pollution, Pollution of Groundwater, Pollution of Freshwater, Pollution of the Oceans, Sewage Treatment, The Clean Water Act. 

(Solid Waste)

History of Humans and Solid Waste, Roots of the Problem, Quantities Generated, Sources, Disposal Methods, Waste Reduction Techniques, Obstacles to Recycling, Deposit Legislation. 

(Toxic Substances)

Introduction - Carcinogens and Mutagens, Pesticides, Food Additives, Industrial Chemicals, Toxic Waste Disposal, Legislation - Superfund. 

(Energy)

History of Humans and Energy Use, Energy Crisis, Energy Use - Amounts, Categories, Current Energy Sources - Availability. 

(Environmental Costs)

Future Energy Sources - Feasibility, Environmental. 

(Costs)

Conservation. 

(Forest Practices)

Renewable versus Nonrenewable Resources, Conservation, Extent of Depletion of Forests, Major Threats to Forests Worldwide, Forestry Management-Clear vs. Selective-Cutting, History of Forest Management and the U.S. Forest. 

(Service)

Legislation - U.S. Multiple Use/Sustained Yield Act.
 

(Mining)

Area Strip mining, Contour Strip mining, Amounts of Land Involved, Advantages of Strip mining, Environmental Costs of Strip mining, Reclamation, Legislation - Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.
 

(Water Projects)

Flooding, Effectiveness of Structural Flood Control, U.S. Agencies Involved, Structural Flood Control Devices - Dams, Channelization, Diversion Projects.
 

(Introduced Species)

Ecosystem Disruptions Due to Alien Species, Accidental Introductions, Deliberate Introductions, Introduction of Aliens to Islands.
 

(Endangered Species)

History of Species Extinction, Predator Control Programs, Hunting to Extinction, Fur, Feathers, Hides, Trophies, Pollution Contributing to Extinction, Miscellaneous - Novelties, Superstition, Live Plant and Animal Trade, Habitat Destruction, Legislation - Endangered Species Act, Why Save Endangered Species?

(Preservation of Ecosystems)

Alaskan Lands Bill.

(Value of Wilderness)

(Tragedy of the Commons)

(Costs of Environmental Quality)

Benefit/Cost Analysis.

(Environmental Legislation) 

(Global 2000 Report) 

Weekly Recitation Topics

1. Introduction
2. Ecosystems
3. Population
4. Tragedy of the Commons
5. Pollution
6. Biodiversity
7. Land Use
8. Critical Thinking
9. Environmental Studies 
   
   

Evaluation

Evaluation of student performance is based on cumulative scores of a 500-point total with three major lecture exams (100 pts each); lab performance and quizzes (100 pts.); and, a comprehensive final exam (100 pts).