Environmental Studies 2: Introduction to Environmental Science
Environmental Studies 2: Introduction to Environmental Science
Fall 2011 / 006 Steele Hall
MWF: 12:30 p.m.–1:35 p.m.; X-Hour: Tu 1:00p.m.–1:50p.m.
Instructor: Professor Andy Friedland 111 Steele Hall; 6-3609; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Office Hrs: W 2-3 PM, Th 1:30-2:30 PM & by appointment
TA office hours by appointment:
Justin Richardson, Grad Earth Sciences, 110 Steele; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lauren Culler, Grad Biology, 108E Life Sciences Center, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Required Readings
Environmental Science: Foundations and Applications, 1st edition, by Friedland, Relyea and Courard-Hauri. WH Freeman, 2011.
Description of Course
The purpose of this course is to present an introduction to environmental science, which is a study of patterns and processes in the natural world and how they are modified by human activity. We will examine the physical, biological, chemical and other natural sciences at a moderate level of intensity. This is an introduction to a wide variety of environmental topics, many of which you can explore in greater depth in other courses. There will be two 65-minute exams (during class time) and a final exam. Two environmental problem sets will be assigned to give hands-on experience in examining environmental issues, making calculations, and reaching conclusions. Your completion of an energy audit of a home you are familiar with will help you gain a greater understanding of the energy dynamics in a system that you already know fairly well.
Grading Total Points
2 Problem Sets 10 pts each 20 Pts
1 Energy Audit 30 pts 30
2 Hour Exams 100 pts each 200
1 Final Exam 150
400 Pts
Due dates for problem sets and the energy audit are on the following page. Problem Sets are due at 3 PM in 113 Steele Hall on their respective due dates. One point will be subtracted for every hour that an assignment is late. Problem Set help sessions will be held on the night before each due date from 5-7 PM in 008 Steele. The Energy Audit is due at 11 AM on Tuesday, November 29.
•The Academic Honor Principle applies to all Dartmouth students at all times. I recognize the importance of the Honor Principle and expect you to do so as well.
•I encourage students with disabilities, including "invisible" disabilities like chronic diseases, learning disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities to discuss with me after class or during office hours appropriate accommodations that might be helpful to them.
•I realize that some students may wish to take part in religious observances that occur during this academic term. Should a religious observance conflict with your participation in the course, please come speak with me before the end of the first week of the term to discuss appropriate accommodations.
All course material including exams from previous years and a copy of the syllabus are posted on the course Blackboard site.
ENVS 2, Fall 2011: Lecture and Reading Schedule
Ch or p. = Chapters or pages in Environmental Science by Friedland et al. If there is no reading for a given date, it means the reading from the date before is relevant to that lecture as well.
Date Description Reading
09/21 Introduction: Environmental Science & Sustainability Ch 1
09/23 Matter and Conservation of Energy Ch 2 up to p. 43
09/26 Global Change and Global Systems Ch 2 from p. 43 to end
09/28 Energy and Ecosystems Ch 3 PS #1 Due
09/30 Earth-Surface Energy Cycle Ch 4, less focus on p. 101-114
10/03 Organisms, Biodiversity and Change Ch 5, less focus on p. 128-136
10/05 Populations and Communities Ch 6, less focus on p. 160-165
10/07 Human Populations Ch 7
10/10 Humans as Drivers of Change
10/12 FIRST HOUR EXAM
10/14 Water Ch 9
10/17 Ecosystems and Disturbance p. 261-265 & 269-272
10/19 The Soil Ecosystem Ch 8, from p. 219 to end
10/21 Sustainability and Human Systems
Guest Lecture Professor Anne Kapuscinski Ch 11
10/24 Agriculture
10/26 Energy Supply and Sources Ch 12 PS #2 Due
10/28 Non-renewable Energy Systems
10/31 Renewable Energy Systems Ch 13
Guest Lecture Professor Tim Smith
11/02 Energy Connections p. 376-379
11/04 Water Pollution Ch 14
11/07 Air Pollution Ch 15
11/09 SECOND HOUR EXAM
11/11 Solid Waste and Recycling Ch 16 + p. 490-493
11/14 Global Change Mechanisms Ch 19
11/16 Habitat Loss and Climate Change Ch 18
Guest Lecture Professor Doug Bolger
11/18 Global Change and the Polar Regions
Guest Lecture Professor Ross Virginia
11/21 Human Health Ch 17
THANKSGIVING BREAK
11/28 Economics and Sustainability
Guest Lecture Professor DG Webster Ch 20
11/29 Energy Audit Due at 11 a.m.
11/30 State of the Earth
The Final Exam will be given on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 8 AM. Location TBA. Please note: It may not be possible for me to allow hour exams or the final exam to be taken at times other than the scheduled day and time; if you suspect you will have a conflict, speak to me in person by M