Introduction to Environmental Sciences
Spring 2014 (3 credits, Section 1)

Catalog Statement: Essential principles of environmental sciences; comprehensive and fundamental understanding of sound science, stewardship, and sustainability in environmental sciences; interactions and relations between humans and earth; an up-to-date look at today’s global, national, and regional environmental issues.

Instructor: Dr. Crystal N. Johnson [in 2283 Energy, Coast, and Environment (ECE) Bldg, 225-578-9422, cnjohnson@lsu.edu (email is the best way to contact me)]. Office hours are any time by appointment.

TAs: Rachel Krech (rkrech1@tigers.lsu.edu) and Lauren Navarre (lnavar9@tigers.lsu.edu)

Course Meeting: Hours: Tue., Thu., 4:30 – 5:50 PM; Location: Room #9, Lockett Hall

General Education Credit: This course is available for General Education credit in the
Natural Sciences, as a Life Sciences course.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1) Demonstrate knowledge of a broad survey in the discipline, including underlying principles that govern the natural world.
2) Demonstrate the ability to design and test a hypothesis by experimentation or other appropriate techniques.
3) Demonstrate an ability to relate the field of study to other fields in the Natural Sciences.
4) Demonstrate the ability to use inductive and deductive reasoning to understand scientific phenomena.

Text: Richard T. Wright, “Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future” 12th Ed. (Supplementary Readings: Readings and news items that pertain to this course will be provided periodically.)

Grading and Exams:

1. Exam I 25% (100 points)
2. Exam II 25% (100 points)
3. Exam III 25% (100 points)
4. Final Exam (cumulative) 25% (100 points)

Grading scale: A≥89.50%, B=79.50-89.49%, C=69.50-79.49%, D=59.50-69.49%,