Environmental and Population Biology (BIO 200)

Spring 2013

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Cynthia Tant
OFFICE: Snygg 13A; Phone: 312-2469
EMAIL: cynthia.tant@oswego.edu
MEETING TIMES: M/W: 5:20-6:40, Campus Center 231
OFFICE HOURS: M/W: 2:00-3:00, T: 1:00-3:00, or by appointment

Course Description: A course involving the relationship between humans and the global
environment, the crisis of human numbers, population structure, the limits of the earth, problems
associated with resources of food, materials, and energy, pollution, the precarious habitat,
biodiversity, population controls, and ethical concerns.

Course Objectives:
1) To provide a general understanding of ecological concepts and processes.
2) To understand population dynamics and the effects of human population growth on
resource use.
3) To understand the scientific basis of environmental problems.
4) To provide tools and skills for understanding and analyzing environmental problems.
5) To introduce solutions for environmental problems and strategies for a more sustainable
global environment.

Communication: I may send course announcements or reminders by email, so be sure to check
your SUNY Oswego email account regularly. In addition, e-mail is the most reliable way to
reach me outside of office hours. Various resources will also be provided through the ANGEL
course page.

Assigned readings: Because this course addresses issues that are currently evolving, no
textbook is required. Instead, assigned readings from current books, academic journals, web
sites, magazines, and newspapers will be provided on the ANGEL course page throughout the
semester. Reading assignments are mandatory, and any information provided in the readings,
whether discussed in class or not, may appear on exams. Readings for each week will be
announced in class the previous Wednesday.

Student Participation and Attendance: You play a vital role in this class and are expected to
attend each class meeting. Active participation in this course includes, but is not restricted to
interaction in the lectures, discussions, and activities. When you are absent, you detract from
your teammates' learning. Thus, just as in the workplace, you have an obligation to appear every
day, on time. If your final average falls on the boundary between two letter grades, then effort,
attendance, improvement, and participation may be taken into account in determining your final
grade.

Missed exams/assignments: Make-up exams or assignments are rarely granted and require
documentation providing the cause of the absence. Only excused absences, such as illness or

2
death in the family will be considered. The student must contact the instructor within 48 hours of
the missed exam or assignment in order to be considered for a make-up.

Electronic devices and disruptive behavior: Please refrain from using electronic devices,
particularly cell phones, during class for any purpose other than the topic being discussed. A lack
of courtesy is very apparent to the instructor and your classmates. College policy permits
removal of disruptive students from class. Disruptive behavior includes (but is not limited to):
talking with other students; inappropriate use of electronic devices (for example, watching
videos, chatting, sending or receiving e-mail, playing games, listening to music, talking or
texting on cell phones); making loud or inappropriate comments; frequent late arrival; and
packing up books and belongings before the instructor finishes the lecture.

Intellectual Integrity: SUNY Oswego is committed to Intellectual Integrity, and any infraction
of this policy, including bot not limited to cheating and plagiarism, will be pursued. The full
policy can be found at http://www.oswego.edu/integrity.

Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability and need any academic accommodations
for this course, please be sure that you have made your requests for such accommodations to the
Office of Disability Services at 315-312-3358 or DSS@oswego.edu. Following registration and
preferably within the first two weeks of class, it is your responsibility to provide documentation
to me in order to be provided appropriate academic accommodations. Without documentation, no
additional accommodations can be provided to you.

Assessment of final grade:
2 lecture exams (25% each) 50%
News article presentation 5%
News article research paper 10%
Additional assignments 10%
Class participation 5%
Comprehensive final exam 20%

Grading scale: A= 100-90%
B= 89-80%
C= 79-70%
D= 69-60%
E= 59-0%



3
Tentative lecture schedule (subject to change)
Day Topic
Jan 28 Course Introduction
Jan 30 Environmental Ethics and Discussion of Leopolds The Land Ethic

Feb 4 Environmental History and Tragedy of the Commons
Feb 6 Ecological Cycles and Energetics

Feb 11 Biodiversity
Feb 13 Ecosystem Goods and Services

Feb 18 Population Ecology
Feb 20 Human Population: History Dynamics

Feb 25 Population, Consumption and Environmental Impacts/ Life Cycle Analysis
Feb 27 Food and Agriculture

Mar 4 Review of Documentary Food, Inc.
Mar 6 Food and Agriculture

Mar 11 Discussion and Debate I: Is genetic engineering the answer to hunger?
Mar 13 Exam I

Mar 18-22 Spring break

Mar 25 Energy: Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas
Mar 27 Discussion and Debate II: Is hydraulic fracturing a safe way to obtain natural gas?

Apr 1 Energy: Hydraulic Fracturing
Apr 3 Alternative Sources of Energy

Apr 8 Alternative Sources of Energy
Apr 10 Air Quality and Sources of Pollution

Apr 15 Water Resources: Quality and Quantity
Apr 17 Quest (no class meeting)

Apr 22 Water Resources: Quality and Quantity
Apr 24 Exam II

Apr 29 Water Pollution
May 1 Climate Change

May 6 Sustainable Solutions
May 8 Sustainable Solutions

FINAL EXAM: Monday, May 13
th
, 5:20-7:20