BIO 110W - Environmental Science

1. The student will participate in the process of science.
   1. make observations
   2. design experiments
   3. conduct experiments
   4. formulate and test hypotheses
   5. collect data
   6. analyze data
   7. draw conclusions
   8. report results
   9. explain the evaluation and revision process of science
2. The student will work collaboratively with classmates.
   1. participate in laboratory experiments with 1-3 classmates
   2. share the work load of small group activities
   3. share the responsibility of acquiring, cleaning and putting away laboratory equipment
   4. share ideas and respectfully receive the ideas of classmates
3. The student will demonstrate the competent use of common instruments and technology used in environmental investigation.
   1. use microscopes to view objects
   2. use computers to help manage and analyze data
   3. use the metric system and typical devices to measure mass, length, volume, and temperature
   4. follow directions provided with various kinds of scientific equipment
   5. use a pH meter
   6. use chemical tests and indicators to measure concentrations of specific chemicals
4. The student will be able to competently communicate about environmental topics
   1. read critically
   2. write effectively
   3. listen actively
   4. speak effectively
   5. develop and interpret graphs and flow charts
5. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to think critically
   1. integrate concepts
   2. solve problems
   3. draw logical conclusions
   4. make predictions based on evidence
   5. identify trends and patterns
   6. distinguish between simple correlation and cause-and-effect
6. The student will be able to describe the complexity and interrelatedness of environmental problems.
   1. State examples of how social, political, and economic issues are a part of environmental problems.
   2. Explain why acceptable solutions to environmental problems are not often easy to achieve.
   3. Explain why environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of study.
   4. Cite examples or case studies that demonstrate that individuals view environmental problems from different perspectives.
   5. Discuss the local, regional, and global scope of environmental issues.
   6. Give examples of how core environmental issues differ in different parts of the world.
7. The student shall be able to describe the role ethics and morals play in determining environmental action at individual, corporate and societal levels.
   1. Differentiate between ethics and morals.
   2. Explain the connection between material wealth and resource exploitation.
   3. Describe how industry exploits resources and consumes energy to produce goods.
   4. Explain how corporate behavior is determined.
   5. Recognize the tremendous power that corporations wield because of their size.
   6. Explain why government action is needed to force all companies to meet environmental standards.
   7. Describe the general attitude of society toward the environment.
   8. Explain the relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation.
   9. List three conflicting attitudes toward nature.
   10. Debate issues involving environmental justice.
   11. Discuss factors that influence moral and ethical choices at societal, corporate, individual, and global levels.
8. The student will be able to apply basic chemistry and energy principles to environmental problems.
   1. Describe the structure of atoms in terms of specific subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, and electrons).
   2. Recognize that different elements have different atomic structures.
   3. Recognize that isotopes of the same element differ in the number of neutrons present.
   4. Recognize that atoms may be combined and held together by chemical bonds to produce molecules.
   5. Explain that rearranging chemical bonds results in a chemical reaction and that this is associated with energy changes.
   6. Relate states of matter to the amount of kinetic energy contained in the molecules.
   7. Explain the laws of thermodynamics.
   8. Provide examples of high quality