RENR 375 Print-Friendly Version of Syllabus
Conservation of Natural Resources
FALL 2009
Professor
Ronald Kaiser
156 Francis Hall
Phone 845-5303
E-mail: rkaiser@tamu.edu
Office hours: Tue/ Th 10:30-Noon
Prakash Khedun
212 Teague Bldg
Email: pkhedun@neo.tamu.edu
Office hours: TBA
William (Bill) Smith
251 Francis Hall
Email: wesmith@gmail.com
Office hours: TBA
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to:
(1) Identify basic economic, legal, political, social and ecological principles related to environmental resource management.
(2) Apply these principles in the allocation, protection and management of environmental resources.
(3) Identify and evaluate alternatives to proposed environmental resource management decisions.
COURSE FORMAT
The class is taught following a lecture and discussion format. Students should be familiar with the material to be covered during a class session and be prepared to discuss it in class. Power point presentations will be posted on the class website.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
Text: Miller, Living in the Environment, 15th Ed. Wadsworth, Inc. 2007.
Course Reader: NOTES & QUOTES on University and Nagle St., College Station
GRADING
Course grades will be based on the following:
(1) Exam #1 - - - Sept 24, 100 points
(2) Exam #2 - - - October 22, 100 points
(3) Exam #3 - - - Nov 19, 100 points
(4) Comprehensive Final - - - Dec 11, 100 points
TOTAL = 400 points
Grading Scale
The following scale will be used to determine your final grade:
A= 90-100 % of total possible points
B= 80-89 % of total possible points
C= 70-79 % of total possible points
D= 60-69 % of total possible points
F= 59 % or less of total possible points.
Exams
Exams will be multiple choice. The final exam will be comprehensive. Scantrons will be provided. You may bring a one page (double sided 81/2 x 11) crib sheet to the exam.
Bonus Quizzes
A number of unannounced bonus quizzes will be given during the semester to determine how well you are grasping the topics discussed in class and in the readings. A total of 25 bonus points may be earned from these quizzes.
Scholastic Dishonesty
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”
Please see the Honor Code at http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor
Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and the professor will take the strongest possible sanctions. Students should consult the University regulations for the penalties and procedures in scholastic dishonesty cases.
Class Attendance
It is your responsibility to attend class and to complete all assignments. There is a strong correlation between good grades and attendance. Student grades generally suffer from poor attendance.
Missing an Exam
Absences from exams will be authorized for reasons deemed sufficient by the professor, or the University, based on the University regulations. You are responsible for providing, in a timely manner, evidence to substantiate the reason for any absence. When an absence is excused you will have an opportunity to make up the exam. If you are going to miss an exam, please contact me via e-mail ahead of the designated exam time – even if it is an excused absence.
Individual Disabling Conditions
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environmental that provides for reasonable accommodations for their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Cain Hall, RM B118 or call 845-1637.
Extra Credit Work
Extra credit work will not be accepted.
WEB SITE
The syllabus, important exam dates and power point presentations are posted on a class website. You can access the course website through: http://www.tamu.edu/rakwater/
Click on the Teaching Category to reach RENR 375.
COURSE OUTLINE–Fall 2009
DATE READINGS
PART I. CONCEPTS
Sept 1 Introduction/ Sustainability concepts Chapter 1
Sept 3 Historical Development Supplement 5 (Textbook)
Sept 8 Legal System & Resources Outside reader
Sept 10 Economics & Resources Chapter 24
PART II. CLIMATE CHANGE
Sept 15 Climate Change: the science pages 101-105/ Chapter 20
Sept 17 Climate change: physical consequences Lecture power point
Sept 22 Climate change: biological consequences Lecture power point
Sept 24 Exam # 1
PART III. BIODIVERSITY
Sept 29 Sustainability and threats Lecture power point
Oct 1 Aquatic and marine biodiversity Chapter 12
Oct 6 Species specific approaches Chapter 11
Oct 8 Ecosystems approaches Chapter 10
Oct 13 Ecotourism Lecture power point
Oct 15 National parks, refuges and preserves pp 21—215, 600-602
Oct 20 Texas biodiversity Outside Reader
Oct 22 Exam #2
PART IV. WATER RESOURCES
Oct 27 Water concepts and issues Chapter 14
Oct 29 Water management options Chapter 14
Nov 3 Texas water uses, sources and challenges Outside Reader
Nov 5 Water use & conservation in College Station Lecture power point
Nov 10 Water allocation rules Outside reader
Nov 12 Water pollution sources and regulations Chapter 21
Nov 17 Tour College Station wastewater plant
Nov 19 Exam #3
PART V. WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING
Nov 24 Solid waste and disposal Chapter 22
Nov 26 Thanksgiving
Dec 1 Recycling in College Station & TAMU Lecture power point
PART VI. ENERGY SOURCES AND USES
Dec 3 U.S. energy resources, uses Chapter 16
Dec 8 Developing an energy plan Chapter 17
Dec 9-10 Reading days
Dec 11 FINAL EXAM, 12:30-2:30 |
