COURSE SYLLABUS
ENVP 155
ELEMENTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Spring 2007
Course Description: This course is an introduction to environmental science for environmental protection majors in the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences. It is an accepted Cluster C course in the Liberal Studies Program and also fits Objective 2 (Math Skills and Scientific Inquiry) and Objective 4 (Issues of Contemporary Society) in the new General Education Curriculum (GEC). The course provides an overview of many topics in environmental science with particular emphasis on current environmental issues and problems. We discuss land, water, and air resources, and scientific principles dealing with matter, energy, nutrients, ecosystems, and humans. We also explore ecological, societal, political, and economic concepts as they pertain to natural environments and man’s impact on the earth’s resources. We investigate our own perceptions of environmental integrity and rethink our own involvement in pollution activities. Mathematical exercises provide the skills to help understand significant environmental problems.
Course Objectives: The student after taking this class should 
1) understand the earth’s land, water, and air resources, and ecosystem processes;
2) understand interactions between environmental protection and the use and conservation of natural resources;
3) evaluate options for protecting and conserving natural environments;
4) identify current environmental problems;
5) use mathematical concepts to investigate solutions.
Instructor : Dr. Jeff Skousen, Professor of Soil Science
1106 Agricultural Sciences, 293-6256, jskousen@wvu.edu
1. Format: Lecture and discussion, MWF, 10-10:50 pm.
2. Text: Miller, G.T. 2006. Environmental Science. Eleventh Edition. Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, CA.
Course Notes are available from NextPrint, across from Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse.
3. Additional Information and Exercises will be distributed as handouts during the semester.
4. Lecture Exams: Three exams will be given during regular class periods and a comprehensive final exam will be
given during finals week. Exams will be composed of short answer, math problems, and essay questions.
Exams will be given on: February 2, March 2, March 23, and Final May 4, 11-1 pm.
Ten quizzes will be given during the semester.
5. Field Trips : At least two one-half day field trips or field exercises will be held in March and April. Students will
be required to attend and participate, and write field trip reports. Students not attending field trips will be
required to do an additional assignment (like a report, etc.) on a subject related to this course. All field
trips require proof of medical insurance.
6. Grading: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; <60 = F.
Hour Exams = 40%; Final Exam = 20%; Field Trip Reports = 10%; Ten Quizzes = 10%; Problems = 20%.
7. This syllabus is only a guideline for the student’s convenience. The lecture schedule is approximate and an effort will be made to follow it. All topics may not be covered, depending on current events. This syllabus does not constitute a contract between the student and any faculty member, administrative unit, or representative of WVU.
2007 LECTURE OUTLINE |
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Section 1: Humans and Nature |
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| January 8 | Introduction to the Course | Chapter 1 | Exercise 1 |
| 10 | Population Growth and Sustainability | Exercise 2 | |
| 12 | Cultural Stages | Exercise 3 | |
| 15 | Holiday | ||
| 17 | Environmental Viewpoints | Chapter 18 | Exercise 4 |
| Section 2: Energy and Ecosystems | |||
| 19 | Science and Matter | Chapter 2 | Exercise 5 |
| 22 | Statistics, Role of the Media | ||
| 24 | Energy | Chapter 13 | Exercise 6 |
| 26 | Nuclear Reactions | Exercise 7 | |
| 29 | Ecosystems | Chapter 3 | Exercise 8 |
| 31 | Population and Species Ecology | Chapter 6 | |
| February 2 | EXAM 1 | ||
| 5 | Biomes | Chapter 5 | Exercise 9 |
| 7 | Aquatic Ecosystems | Exercise 10 | |
| 9 | Wetlands | Exercise 11 | |
| 12 | Ecosystem Response | Chapter 4 | Exercise 12 |
| 14 | Evolution | Exercise 13 | |
| 16 | Community Succession | Chapter 6 | Exercise 14 |
| Section 3: Human Populations, Environmental Regulations and Risk | |||
| 19 | Human Populations | Chapter 7 | Exercise 15 |
| 21 | Economic Systems | Chapter 18 | Exercise 16 |
| 23 | Political Systems (mid-semester) | ||
| 26 | Risk | Chapter 14 | |
| 28 | Toxicology | ||
| March 2 | EXAM 2 | ||
| Section 4: Resources and Resource Management | |||
| 5 | Outdoor Air Pollution | Chapter 15 | Exercise 17 |
| 7 | Acid Deposition | ||
| 9 | Indoor Air Pollution | ||
| 12 | Radon | ||
| 14 | Climate | Chapter 16 | |
| 16 | Greenhouse Gases | Exercise 18 | |
| 19 | Global Warming (last day to drop) | ||
| 21 | Ozone Depletion | ||
| 23 | EXAM 3 | ||
| 26 | Spring Break | ||
| 28 | Spring Break | ||
| 30 | Spring Break | ||
| April 2 | Rocks and Minerals | Chapter 12 | Exercise 19 |
| 4 | Mining and Reclamation | ||
| 6 | Holiday | ||
| 9 | Soil Properties | ||
| 11 | Cancel(Acid Mine Drainage Symposium) | ||
| 13 | Soil Conservation and Reclamation | ||
| 16 | Soil and Land Degradation | Chapter 10 | |
| 18 | Land Reclamation and Ecosystem Restoration | ||
| 20 | Water Properties | Chapter 11 | Exercise 20 |
| 23 | Water Supply & Pollution | ||
| 25 | Solid and Hazardous Wastes | Chapter 17 | Exercise 21 |
| 27 | Environmental Problems, What will you do?!! | ||
| May 4 | Friday, 11-1 pm FINAL EXAM | ||