Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

College of Science
Department of Biology
Course Title : Environmental Science

Course Code : GEED 20103

Course Credit : 3 units (3 hours of Lecture)

Course Description : Basic ecological, physical, social and political principles and concepts of environmental science and the use of scientific method
in the formulation of analytical framework to understand and judge environmental issues arising from the relation between humans
and the natural world.

Institutional Learning Outcomes Programs Outcomes Course Objectives

1. Creative and Critical Thinking
2. Effective Communication
3. Strong Service Orientation
4. Passion to Life-Long Learning
5. Sense of Nationalism and Global
Responsiveness
6. Community Engagement
7. Adeptness in the Responsible Use of
Technology
Develop a critical and analytical mind in dealing with The prime objective of the course is to introduce
different biological theories and their application. students to environmental science as an
interdisciplinary discipline and develop an
Articulate scientific knowledge and innovation in the understanding of the role of ecology in environment
field of practice by exhibiting technical writing and oral and natural resource management.
communication skills.
Specifically, at the end of the semester, the student
Build a strong culture of passion for continuous learning should be able to:
and servant hood by incorporating such values in every
course of the program. 1. Identify and explain scientific concepts and
principles in ecology and environmental
Advocate a strong sense of nationalism and global science;
responsiveness in various areas and activities in biology. 2. Describe the role of scientific method in
solving environmental problems and issues;
Create and regularly conduct extension programs and 3. Discuss different ethical values, and political
services benefiting identified marginalized sectors and processes that underlie environmental issues
industry partners. and problems;
4. Enumerate the earth’s main types of resources
Demonstrate knowledge and laboratory skills using state and explain how can they be depleted or
of the art equipment and breakthrough researches that degraded;
benefits humanity and the environment. 5. Define and explain linkage among human
population growth, economic growth,
 8. High Level of Leadership and Organizational
Skills
9. Sense of Personal and Professional Ethics
Practice strong ethical considerations, leadership, and economic development, and globalization;
efficiency in every area of research and academics. 6. Familiarize contemporary environmental
problems, their causes and interconnections;
and
7. Explain the concept of environmentally
sustainable development.

COURSE PLAN

Week Topic Learning Outcomes Methodology Resources Assessment

Class orientation on the course goals, 1. Familiarize course goals, - Lecture and Interactive Botkin, D.B. & E.A. Keller. Short-response or
Week objectives, and syllabus objectives & content Discussion 1998. Environmental Science: essay writing
1 2. Know the various class policies Earth as a Living Planet (2nd Two-to-three page
including grading system ed.). John Wiley & Sons Inc., synthesis paper
New York Reaction Paper
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Galang, Angelina P. 2009.
Principles of Environmental
Science in the Philippine Setting.
Anvil Publishing Inc.
A. Basic Concepts and Principles in Define and articulate some - Lecture and Interactive Hallare, A. 2001. General Ecology: Quiz
Week Ecology and Environmental Science common environmental Discussion Concepts and Selected Laboratory
2-3 1. Definition of basic terms terminologies Exercises. Busybook Distributors, Graded recitation
a. Environment Define ecology and enumerate the Sampaloc, Manila.
b. Ecology different hierarchical levels of Odum, E. 1971. Fundamentals of
• Hierarchical levels of ecology ecology. Ecology (3rd ed.). W. B. Saunders Co.,
c. Environmental science Explain and apply the scientific Philadelphia.
d. Environmentalism method. Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
2. The scientific method Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Galang, Angelina P. 2009. Principles
of Environmental Science in the
Philippine Setting. Anvil Publishing
Inc.
3. Models and systems Describe and explain the - Interactive Discussion Johnson, G. 2003. The Living World Quiz
Week a. Feedback loops components and functions of (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill Companies,
4-5 b. Time delays systems. - Reporting New York. Graded recitation
c. Synergism Mayer, J. Richard. 2001. Connections
Enumerate the different -Field discussion in Environmental Science: A Case Reaction Paper
4. Earth’s ecosystems components of ecosystems Study Approach. (International
 a. Ecosystem components Edition). McGraw-Hill Book
Abiotic components Define and articulate the law of Companies, Inc., New York.
Biotic components tolerance and principles of limiting Odum, E. 1971. Fundamentals of
- Law of tolerance factor. Ecology (3rd ed.). W. B. Saunders Co.,
- Principle of limiting factor Philadelphia.
Define and articulate the parts and Unday J. & Banzuela S. 2011.
b. Major types of ecosystems functions of the ecosystems Biological Science. MaxCor
Aquatic ecosystems Publishing House Inc.
- Freshwater systems Enumerate and define the different Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
- Saltwater systems biomes. in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Basillo, S. & Gener P. 2010.
c. Terrestrial ecosystems Biological Science. Quezon City:
- Biomes GMK Pub. House
5. Energy flow through ecosystems 1. Articulate the processes - Interactive Discussion Enger, E. & B. Smith. 1999. Quiz
Week -Photosynthesis involved in the flow of energy Environmental Science: A study of
6-7 -Primary production and trophic levels: through ecosystems. - Reporting Interrelationships. McGraw-Hill Graded recitation
. Laws of thermodynamics 2. Trace and explain how different Book Co., Singapore.
-Decomposition and waste heat forms of matter such as water, -Field discussion Florece, L., M.V. Espaldon, V. Reaction Paper
carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and Cuevas, Z. Sierra & C. Medina.
6. Biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems sulfur are transferred across the n.d.Enrm 201: Principles of Ecology.
- Water cycle different components of the University of the Philippines Open
- Carbon cycle ecosystem. University.
- Nitrogen cycle Guzman, R., & R. Guzman. 2000.
- Phosphorus cycle Environmental Education for
- Sulfur cycle Sustainable Development. Wisdom
Advocates Publishing, Quezon City,
Philippines.
Odum, E. 1971. Fundamentals of
Ecology (3rd ed.). W.B. Saunders
Co.,Philadelphia
Unday J. & Banzuela S. 2011.
Biological Science. MaxCor
Publishing House Inc.
Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Basillo, S. & Gener P. 2010.
Biological Science. Quezon City:
GMK Pub. House
Guzman. R., & R. Guzman. 2000.
Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development. Wisdom
Advocates Publishing, Quezon City
 Philippines
Miller, G Tyller, JR. 2005. Living in
the Environment: Principles,
connections and Solutions (14th ed.).
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.,
Singapore
Botkin, D.B. & E.A. Keller. 1998.
Environmental Science: Earth as a
Living Planet (2nd ed.). John Wiley &
Sons Inc., New York
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.

Week B. Community Ecology 1. Define and articulate terms in Lecture discussion, film Guzman, R., & R. Guzman. 2000. Quiz
8 1. Habitat and niche the field of community ecology. showing, field trip Environmental Education for
2. Biodiversity 2. Identify an ecological niche for exercises Sustainable Development. Wisdom Graded recitation
3. Interrelationships among plants and a particular organism. Advocates Publishing, Quezon City,
animals 3. Compute for biodiversity Philippines. Reaction Paper
4. Ecological succession indices. Miller, G. Tyller, JR. 2005. Living in
the Environment: Principles,
Connections, and Solutions (14th ed.).
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.,
Singapore.
Botkin, D.B. & E.A. Keller. 1998.
Environmental Science: Earth as a
Living Planet (2nd ed.). John Wiley &
Sons Inc., New York
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Unday J. & Banzuela S. 2011.
Biological Science. MaxCor
Publishing House Inc.
Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Basillo, S. & Gener P. 2010.
Biological Science. Quezon City:
GMK Pub. House

Week
Mid-term Examination
9
 C. Population Principles and Demography
Week - General principles of population growth
10-12 a. Biotic potential
b. Exponential population growth
c. Environmental resistance
d. Ecosystem carrying capacity
- Demography: Principles governing
human populations
a. Total fertility rate
b. Rate of natural increase
c. Migration patterns and growth
rates
d. Population age structures
e. Demographic transitions
f. Environmental factors
- Case study: Population growth in China
- Future world population trends
- Cutting global population growth
Week D. Earth’s Natural Resources
13-14 - Food and soil resources
a. Green revolution agriculture
Soil erosion
Pesticide toxicity-
biomagnification and bioaccumulation
Bioengineering: Genetically
modified crops (GMOs)
b. Sustainable agriculture
- Water and air resources
- Petroleum resources/fossil fuels
- Nuclear power
- Renewable and sustainable energy
resources
1. Explain the concepts of
population and demography.
2. Define the different
demographical characteristics of a
population and explain how they
relate to each other.
1. Identify the different threats to
the Earth’s natural resources.
2. Explain and articulate the trends
and status of the different
resources of the planet.
Lecture discussion, film ENGER, E. & B. SMITH. 1999. Quiz
showing, Environmental Science: A study of
Interrelationships. McGraw-Hill Graded recitation
Book Co., Singapore.
GUZMAN, R., & R. GUZMAN.
2000. Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development. Wisdom
Advocates Publishing, Quezon City,
Philippines.
MILLER, G. TYLLER, JR. 2005.
Living in the Environment:
Principles, Connections, and
Solutions (14th ed.). Brooks/Cole
Publishing Co., Singapore.
Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Basillo, S. & Gener P. 2010.
Biological Science. Quezon City:
GMK Pub. House
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Lecture discussion, Miller, G. Tyller, JR. 2005. Living in Quiz, oral/written
reporting, film showing, the Environment: Principles, report,
role playing Connections, and Solutions (14th ed.).
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co., Class recitation
Singapore.
Smith, R.L. & T. Smith. 1998. Reaction Paper
Elements of Ecology (4th ed.). The
Benjamin/Cummings Publishing
Company, Inc., California
Yadav, M. 2003. Ecology. Discovery
Publishing House, New Delhi.
Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Basillo, S. & Gener P. 2010.
Biological Science. Quezon City:
GMK Pub. House
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
 Week E. Global and Regional Environmental
15-17 Problems: Causes, Interconnections,
and Proposed Solutions
1.Water pollution
Case study: India’s Ganges
River: Religion, poverty and health
2. Air pollution
Case study: Mexico City: Urban
air pollution
3. Solid and hazardous waste
Case studies: 1) Solid waste
production in the United States; 2)
Hazardous wastes in Bhopal, India
4. Deforestation
Case study: The Philippines
5. Biodiversity loss
Case study: Costa Rica
6. Global climate change
7. Stratospheric ozone depletion
F. The Concept of Sustainable
Development
Philippine Agenda 21
Week
18
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM
1. Have an overview of the
different environmental issues in
the present world.
2. Have an overview of the
concept of sustainable
development
Final Examination
- Lecture discussion, film Guzman, R., & R. Guzman. 2000. Quiz
showing, reporting Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development. Wisdom Class Recitation
Advocates Publishing, Quezon City,
Philippines. Reaction Paper
Medina, C., M. Zafaralla, Z. Sierra,
V. Cuevas, D. Macandog& C. Group Project
Cervancia. n.d.ENS 201: Ecosystem
Structure and Dynamics. University
of the Philippines Open University.
Phil. Council For Agriculture,
Forestry And Natural Resources
Research And Development-
Department Of Science And
Technology (PCARRD-DOST).
2000. Sustainable Development
Through Organic Agriculture. Book
series no. 170/2000. PCARRD-
DOST, Los Baños, Laguna.
Gascon M., et.al. 2004.
Fundamentals of Environmental
Science. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Unday J. & Banzuela S. 2011.
Biological Science. MaxCor
Publishing House Inc.
Penecilla et.al, 2003. Basic Concepts
in Biology. Trinitas Publishing Inc.
 Class Standing 70%

 Quizzes
 Attendance
 Recitation
 Projects/Assignments/Seatwork/Special Report

Midterm / Final Examinations 30%
100%

Midterm Grade + Final Term Grade = FINAL GRADE

2

Prepared by: Enhanced by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

COMMITTEE ON GEED 20103

Prof. Celeste L. de Leon Prof. Doris B. Gatan Prof.Firmo A. Esguerra
Facilitator Academic Program Head Branch Director

Dr. Manuel M. Muhi

Vice President for Academic Affairs