ES 1010 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: ENERGY RESOURCES AND POLLUTION 3/1½/4 LEVEL 4 -UK CREDITS: 20 (Updated Fall 2010)

Transcription

1 DEREE COLLEGE SYLLABUS FOR: ES 1010 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: ENERGY RESOURCES AND POLLUTION 3/1½/4 LEVEL 4 -UK CREDITS: 20 (Updated Fall 2010) PREREQUISITES: CATALOG DESCRIPTION: None Principles of environmental science including a discussion of non-renewable and renewable energy resources, water and air pollution, global atmospheric changes, hazardous and solid waste management. Environmental policy and management issues are also discussed, with emphasis on sustainable solutions. RATIONALE: Environmental Science: Energy Resources and Pollution is a science course with laboratories that fulfils the general education requirement in science. It is designed for students with little or no background in natural or environmental sciences and aims at giving them a more thorough understanding of major environmental issues of our days that reflect the human impact on the environment. The course provides a scientific background on issues such as energy resources, global climate change, ozone depletion, air and water pollution, hazardous chemicals and the solid waste problem. Current management practices and policies as well as options that lead toward a more sustainable future are discussed. The knowledge gained in this course may help students take more informed decisions concerning the environment in their future lives and careers. It is a required course for environmental studies majors, as it provides the background needed for more advanced courses of the program. LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, the student should: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts and principles on the following topics: non-renewable and renewable energy resources, environmental hazards and human health, air pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, water pollution, solid waste management. (Knowledge) 2. Acquire the ability to apply the concept of sustainability on the analysis of major environmental issues of contemporary societies and of their interdisciplinary nature. (Knowledge) 3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific method and how this applies to the study of environmental issues, as well as of the interdisciplinary approach needed in problem solving. (Knowledge, cognitive skills) 4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the relationship between environment and society, and of the role

2 2 of economics and politics in addressing issues of environmental sustainability. (Knowledge) 5. Develop skills for using basic methods in environmental science including the ability to acquire, process and evaluate data. (Cognitive, Practical, Transferable Skills) 6. Acquire the ability to use appropriate laboratory and field equipment competently and safely. (Practical Skills) METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING: In congruence with the learning and teaching strategy of the college, the following tools are used: Class lectures, interactive learning (class discussions, group work), video presentations, and practical problems solved in class. Exercises and primary source documents are assigned as homework and are discussed and reviewed in class Laboratory activities (including practical work and laboratory reports). CD-ROMS and Textbook Web site. Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can ask questions, see their exam paper, and/or go over lecture/lab material. Use of a blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources. ASSESSMENT: Multiple "diagnostic" tests formative (in-class or online) 0 In-class midterm examination (2-hour) - summative 30 Final examination (2-hour, comprehensive) - summative 45 Lab reports / Topics - summative 25 Reports on the lab activities-field trip /Review of a special topic and presentation in class Total of all assessments: 100 The formative tests aim to prepare students for the examinations. Students are expected to submit feedback on their performance. The lab reports test the practical component of the course (learning outcomes 5 and 5). The midterm examination tests Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 The final examination also tests Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and it is comprehensive.

3 READING LIST: Required Textbook: Recommended Textbook: SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS: 3 G. Tyler Miller Jr. and Scott Spoolman. Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, 17th Edition, 2012, Cengage. ISBN-10: ISBN-13: Richard T. Wright and Dorothy Boorse. Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future, 11th ed., Prentice Hall, ISBN-10: , ISBN-13: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint for Windows. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet WWW RESOURCES: pearsonhighered.com/educator/product/environmental- Science-Toward-a-Sustainable-Future-with- MasteringEnvironmentalScience8482/ page ecologist.org INDICATIVE CONTENT: 1. Environmental Science: An Introduction -Sustainability -Science and the Scientific Method -Matter and Energy 2. Non-renewable Energy -Energy Sources and Uses in the Past and Today - Energy from Oil - Energy from Natural Gas - Energy from Coal - Energy from Nuclear Power 3. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Energy Efficiency and How It Can Improve - Solar Energy - Water Energy - Wind Energy - Biomass Energy - Geothermal Energy - Hydrogen as a Fuel for Transportation

4 4 - The Transition to a More Sustainable Energy Future 4. Environmental Hazards and Human Health - Human Health and the Environment - Biological Hazards - Chemical Hazards - Risk Assessment 5. Air Pollution - Structure of the Atmosphere - Air Pollutants and Their Sources - Acid Deposition - Indoor Air Pollution - Impact of Air Pollutants on Human Health - Addressing Air Pollution and Acid Deposition 6. Climate Change and Ozone Depletion - Atmosphere and Climate - Global Climate Change: Causes, Consequences and Solutions - Depletion of the Ozone Layer 7. Water Pollution - Water Pollutants: Classes, Causes and Effects - Major Pollution Problems in Lakes and Streams - Groundwater and Drinking Water Pollution - Ocean Pollution - Addressing Water Pollution Problems 8. Solid and Hazardous Waste - Solid and Hazardous Waste: Problems - Solid Waste Management Options - The Importance of Reuse and Recycling - Combustion and Landfilling - Hazardous Waste Management - The Transition to a More Sustainable, Low-Waste Society 9. Economics, Politics, Environment and Sustainability - Economic Systems and the Biosphere - Use of Economic Tools in Dealing with Environmental Problems - A Transition to More Environmentally Sustainable Economies - Environmental Policy Making - Environmental Law - The Role of Environmental Groups - The Transition to More Sustainable and Just Environmental Policies LAB OUTLINE: Lab activities are performed in the laboratory or outdoors. Lab/Field Activity Topics: 1. Safety and Laboratory Rules 2. An Overview of Energy Sources and Uses in Greece and in E.U. 3. Solar Energy, Hydrogen Production and Fuel Cell Cars 4. Atmospheric Pollution in Athens: Data

5 5 5. Measuring Atmospheric Pollutants 6. Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect 7. Acids, Bases and Acid Precipitation 8. Water Quality Characteristics 9. Water Purification Methods 10. Hazardous Chemicals 11. Thermal Gradients 12. Documentary Screening: Discussion and Critical Response 13. Field Trip 14. Presentation of Topics