| In order to pass this class you must read the syllabus and submit the form on the bottom of this page. |
Professor: Dr. Albert Meier
Office Hours: Room 219 TCNW, T 8:30-9:30 or by appt.
Phone number: 502-745-4856
email: albert.meier@wku.edu
Address: Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576
Text: McPhee, J. 1990. The Control of Nature. Noonday Press.
Course Goals and Benefits: This course will provide an introduction to environmental science, an interdisciplinary study of the interactions of humans, other organisms, and the physical environment.
Course policies
Attendance: It is extremely important that you
attend lectures. It has been my experience that students who miss lectures
typically do not do well. Coming into a lecture late is distracting to
others; please be on time. If you need to miss a quiz or exam because of
sickness or a family emergency, you MUST call me prior to the test
to explain your absence and arrange for a make-up time. If you cannot reach
me, call the department secretaries (502-745-3696) or send me an email
message. If you do not call me before the test but you have a legitimate
excuse, you may make-up the exam but you will be penalized 10% for each
day (including the test day) you delay contacting me. All tests must be
made up within one week of the scheduled test date. After that point they
become zeros (0). No make-up tests will be given without a legitimate excuse!
"Students with disabilities who require accommodations
(academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course
must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter
Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please DO NOT
request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without
a letter of
accommodation from the Office for Student Disability
Services."
Class: Some of the notes for the class are available to you and I will expect that you will have read both the notes and the text assignment before you come to class.
I will review the material, but I plan to spend some of the class period discussing the material with you. Part of your grade will depend on your participation in class discussions! Obviously, if you are absent you will have failed to participate.
Grading: There will be a total of 400 points possible in this course, consisting of 3 75 point tests, 1 100 point final exam, 50 points for extra environmental experiences, and 20 points for quizzes. For this class, an A= 360 or higher, B= 320-360, C= 280-320, D= 240-280, F=<240. If you find a mathematical error in calculating your grade on a test, let me know after class and I will make the change immediately. If you disagree with how I graded a question, submit your test and a brief, written explanation detailing the merits of your answer and why the selected items should be re-graded. Be as specific as possible!! All requests for re-grading must be submitted within one week of the return of your test; grades become "final" after that point.
Tests, exams and quizzes
Your tests will be cumulative. You will have the entire period to complete a test. The format will be a mix of multiple choice, short answer and discussion/analysis questions.
Test dates:
| Exam 1 | 17 Sept. |
| Exam 2 | 22 Oct. |
| Exam 3 | 19 Nov. |
| Final | 10 Dec. 1pm-3pm |
TEST DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!!!
The final will be comprehensive in that you will be expected
to use the material covered up to that point to answer the questions. Unannounced
quizzes may be given at any time during the semester.
Important Dates:
15 Oct.-Last day to drop a class with a "W".
Monday, 10 Dec.-1:00-3:00 pm-Final exam
Text Readings
Test 1 Atchafalaya
Test 2 Cooling the Lava
Test 3 Los Angeles Against the Mountains
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