COURSE SYLLABUS Course Number: ES-10

Title: Introduction to Environmental Science, Laboratory Department: Environmental Science School: School of Science & Engineering nd Semester: 2 semester School Year: 2011-2012 Instructor: Ms. Deborah M. Villa
A. COURSE DESCRIPTION. This is a 3-unit lecture course (complemented with a laboratory course) that deals with topics essential to the study of the environment. It combines the interdisciplinary knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and other sciences to provide a practical understanding of the various environmental problems facing the world today. B. COURSE OBJECTIVES. This course aims to provide opportunities for students to: 1. gain familiarity with the scientific, technological and socioeconomic aspects of local and global environmental problems; 2. enhance critical and analytical skills for evaluating environmental issues and problems; and 3. develop skills in stand-formulation and lifestyle-integration based on environmentally sound practices. C. COURSE OUTLINE. Lecture and discussion will discuss the following: 1. Introduction to the course 6. 2. Ecology 7. 3. Biodiversity 8. 4. Population 9. 5. Energy 10. D. TIMEFRAME.
WEEK I. 1-2 TOPIC OUTLINE Introduction A. Objectives and Methodology of the Course B. Why Study the Environment? (Chapter 1) II. 2-5 The Natural Environment A. The Way the Natural World Works (Chapter 2) B. The State of Philippine Biodiversity (Chapter 3) III. Worlds Resources A. Understanding Population (Chapter 4) 6-11 B. Energy: An Indispensable Resource (Chapter 5) 1 EXAM

Air and atmosphere Water Soil Solid waste Environmental management

IV.

Human Impact on the Environment A. Everyones Downwind (Chapter 6) B. No Water, No Life (Chapter 7) 2

12-14

C. Soil- A Resource Beneath Our Feet (Chapter 8) D. Resource RecoveryBegins with Me (Chapter 9)

15-17 18

V. Managing the Environment (Chapter 10)

FINALS WEEK: 21-24 March 2012

E. REQUIRED READING. ES10 textbook: Introduction to Environmental Science: Managing Resources for Sustainability. Edited by E.Q. Espiritu, 2005. Office of Research and Publications, Ateneo de Manila University.

F. COURSE REQUIREMENTS. Exams, assignments, group projects, and participation are the basic requirements of the course. These are detailed below. Three Long Exams and a Final Exam: There will be three major exams during the course of the semester. The coverage of each is as presented in the above table. There will also be a comprehensive, departmental Final Exam at the end of the semester. A pre-final grade of B qualifies one for the exemption from the Final Exam. Take home assignments. Students will be given take home assignments from time to time within the semester. The output will be evaluated according to content (thoroughness and depth of information), research effort and strategy (resourcefulness and creativity). Term Project: Students will undertake a group research work on a current and local environmental issue. The output will be evaluated according to content, originality and potential contribution (relevance to your course or, in general, the needs of the times), research effort and strategy. See Attachment 1 for details of the Term Project. Short Group Presentations: Short group presentations will be assigned throughout the semester. The output will be determined according to content, research strategy and creativity. See Attachment 2 for details of the Short Group Presentations. Class Participation: Each ones contribution to the classroom learning experience is considered valuable and will spell the fruitfulness of the semester. Therefore, everyone is expected to attend and actively participate in the class discussions and activities. G. GRADING SYSTEM Criteria: 3 Long Exams Take home assignments Special Term Project Short Group Presentations Final Exam Participation TOTAL % 25 10 25 20 10 10 100 Grade Equivalent: 92-100 87-91 83-86 79-82 72-78 60-71 <60 A B+ B C+ C D F

H. CLASSROOM POLICIES. Attendance: The maximum allowable number of cuts in this course is 9 class hours (or 6 days), whether excused or not. Beyond this limit you will be given a final grade of W. Those who come after attendance has been checked are left responsible in informing the teacher of his/her tardiness, or else, the record will remain as a cut. Two instances of tardiness is considered one cut. Compliance with Requirements: There will be no make-up given for missed exercises. Make-up exams require a note from your doctor and/or parents explaining why you were not able to take the exam. Note that make-up exams will be harder than the exam given on the original scheduled date. Late submissions of requirements will not be entertained. Students are expected to provide or prepare for all equipment needed during their oral presentations in class. Classroom Decorum: You are expected to follow standard regulations for behavior inside the classroom that is, respect, courtesy and consideration for others. Cellular phone use is not allowed during the class period. Sit-ins are also not allowed in this class. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary penalties (Code of Discipline Part III, Section E, Student Manual, 2002 ed). Class Beadle: The class beadle will be a helpful assistant to the Instructor. He or she will be given responsibilities in the class over the semester. Some expected regular tasks to be done in the classroom includes the following: liaise between the faculty and the class to disseminate/collect information, assist in attendance checking, and keep the classroom in order before and after the class (ADMU Faculty Manual, 2002 edition, p. 23). Cheating, Plagiarism and Fabrication: Again, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. See Student Guide to the Code of Academic Integrity of the Loyola Schools (http://aisisonline.ateneo.edu/cmsadmin/docs/The_LS_Code_of_Academic_Integrity_Student_Guide.pdf). I. CONSULTATION HOURS. By appointment.

ATTACHMENT 1. Term Project The topics for the Term Project include: 1. The importance of partnering with stakeholders in managing the environment 2. One Philippine endemic and endangered plant or animal species 3. Assessing the Mining Act of 1995 (only 2 criteria) 4. The Philippines in combating climate change 5. The great debate: Reproductive Health Bill Pro 6. The great debate: Reproductive Health Bill Con 7. Implementing an Environmental User Fee: The Case of _____ 8. A Marine Protected Area in the Philippines

These are GENERAL topics. Each group is expected to choose only ONE from the above eight, claim it as theirs to me, and present to me the SPECIFIC study/issue to be tackled. Specific topics should be focused and manageable for the semester. Topics must be researchable within Metro-Manila, or else, if out of town, must be carefully detailed and discussed with me before the start of the research. All topics must be approved by me before beginning the main research. A case study approach may be used. A case study is a research method which focuses on describing qualitatively, or quantitatively, the characteristics, circumstances, and complexities of a real situation that showcases any particular environmental issue or problem. Other approaches may also be used. A project proposal describing the nature and significance of the proposed topic will be evaluated early in the semester. By mid-semester, a research draft will be required. This draft must contain an organized set of relevant information/data discussing the case study. The final report for the Special Term Project is required at the end of the semester. The project will have four components. These include: a. a written report made up of two parts: the project proposal and the discussion and recommendation parts (10% of your grade), b. an oral report (10% of your grade), and c. process documentation (5% of your grade). The details of the project are as follows. Please be guided accordingly.
ITEM Part 1. Project Proposal

Title Table of Contents Objectives Significance of the Study

Methodology Initial references used Part 2. Discussion & Recommendation Data and Discussion Proper Conclusion & Recommendations References. This section is very important. Use standard format for books, journals, articles, etc. If using worldwide web as resource, pls include the following information: (a) Name of author, editor, compiler or translator, (b) Title of article, (c) Title of internet site or name of the institution sponsoring the site, (d) Date when the student accessed the source, (e) Date of electronic publication, of the latest update, or of posting, (f) URL. Part 3. Oral Report This is a 20 minute (NO MORE THAN 20 MINUTES!) highlight of the project plus a 10 minute open forum. Presentations are expected to be

Criteria Originality & potential contribution of topic Research effort & strategy Content of discussion Organization & presentation of the written final report

% 7

Deadliest Deadline Suggested topic: Thurs10 Nov 2011 Approved topic: Thurs 17 Nov 2011 Draft research: Tues 10 Jan 2012.

Overall impact of report Mastery of responses to questions

Final report: The day of your oral report schedule in March 2012

informative, creative & effective. Please prepare for technical problems or brownouts. Part 4. Process Documentation TOTAL

See below.

5 20

Process Documentation: Mon 21 Feb 2012

Process Documentation: Each student is required to submit separately (1 page sheet of paper, one side, Arial size 12 font) his/her role, responsibility and accomplishments during the course of this semester-long research activity. The sheet/s is/are to be folded in half and stapled shut and then submitted to me. This is equivalent to 5% of the Term Project grade. It should have the following contents:
PART 1. ME My role and The activity/ies I did to accomplish responsibility/ies were: this/these were: My role and To accomplish these, I did the responsibilities during following: this semester long a. research activity b. includes c. PART 2. MY GROUPMATES Role and The general activitiy/ies to responsibility/ies: accomplish this include: 1. Groupmate A 2. Groupmate B 3. etc. The grade I give myself from 1-5 (with 5 being the highest grade) is:

The grade I give my groupmate/s (from 1-5 with 5 being the highest grade) is/are:

Schedule of Oral Report presentations are as follows: 28 Feb 2012 Topics 1 and 2 1 Mar 2012 Topics 3 and 4 6 Mar 2012 Topics 7 and 8 8 Mar 2012 Topics 5 and 6 (The great debate)

ATTACHMENT 2. Short Group Presentations The Short Group Presentations is worth 20% of your grade. Each group will present 2 topics during the course of the semester. Each presentation will be NO MORE than 10 minutes. The group is encouraged to be creative, that is, the presentation can take form of a lecture type, short film, puppet show, skit, or story-telling. We will use the syllabus and class discussions as a guide as to the exact day of presentation. The TOPICS of the Short Group Presentations are found in the table below. Students may use the ES textbook, other Environmental Science textbooks and the World Wide Web as references. Cite your sources! Deadline of submission of the two topics is on Thurs 10 Nov 2011. I will inform each group on Tues 15 Nov 2011 your final two topics.
TOPIC CHAPTER 2: THE WAY THE NATURAL WORLD WORKS Materials/Nutrient Cycling a. Carbon and Nitrogen b. Phosphorous and Water Major Biomes/Ecosystems in the World: Discussion will stem from CLIMATIC CONDITIONS of the biome/ecosystem. Include: (a) map (b) picture and (c) type of flora and fauna. a. freshwater and brackish water/estuaries b. marine ecosystems: mangroves and seagrass only c. marine ecosystems: coral reefs d. tundra, deserts and grasslands e. taiga and deciduous forests f. tropical rainforests (any examples to focus on Philippine rainforests) CHAPTER 5: ENERGY AN INDISPENSABLE RESOURCE Impacts on environment and health a. Impacts of the use of coal b. Impacts of the use of petroleum c. Impacts of the use of natural gas d. Impacts of the use of nuclear energy CHAPTER 6: EVERYONES DOWNWIND Major Air and Atmospheric Pollution a. SO2 b. suspended particulate matter c. CO d. NOX and VOCs Group No.