AGOG 404/AGOG 530/ABIO 501 (will be AGOG 506)
Introduction to Environmental Studies
Instructor:
Dr. M.
Calef
Phone: 591-8563
Office: AS 208, Dept. of Geography & Planning
Email: mcalef@albany.edu
Class meeting time: Tu & Th 1:15 to 2:35pm, room AS 14 (basement)
Text book: Botkin and Keller, Environmental Science: Earth as a living planet, Fifth Edition (2005), John Wiley and Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-48816-X.
Course Grade: Midterm (35%), Final (35%), and homework, attendance & class participation (30%)
Scope of the Course
Environmental Studies explores current headline issues such as environmental degradation, human population explosion, energy crisis, global climate change, and ozone depletion. This class is geared towards geography and biology graduate students who want to learn more about current environmental issues by providing the underlying scientific facts, challenges, conflicts, and solutions. Since the beginning of industrialization, human activities have tremendously impacted the environment to the point where environmental degradation and exploitation are now affecting human health, quality of life and long term survival of the human race. This course encourages students to think critically by placing large emphasis on class participation and discussions on several controversial issues. The combination of a firm foundation of scientific knowledge and exposure to the key environmental issues of our time enables students to make their own decisions regarding their lifestyle choices and the environment.
Approximate Syllabus
|
Month |
Date |
Topic |
Chapter |
|
September |
5 |
Introduction to Environmental Sciences, Vitousek.pdf |
1, 2 |
|
September |
7 |
The large picture |
3 |
|
September |
12 |
Human Population |
4 |
|
September |
14 |
Biogeochemical Cycles, Ecosystems |
5, 6 |
|
September |
19 |
Biological Diversity |
7 |
|
September |
21 |
Biogeography, Preserving biodiversity discussion |
8 |
|
September |
26 |
Energy, Succession, Restoration |
9, 10 |
|
September |
28 |
Food for the World |
11 |
|
October |
3 |
-- no class --- |
11, 12 |
|
October |
5 |
Agriculture, Hardin’s Life boat discussion |
12 |
|
October |
10 |
Landscapes,
Wildlife |
13, 14 |
|
October |
12 |
Environmental Health |
15 |
|
October |
17 |
MIDTERM midterm05.pdf |
|
|
October |
19 |
NO CLASS -- Human Ecology Conference |
|
|
October |
24 |
NO CLASS -- Eid ul Fitr Break |
|
|
October |
26 |
Energy |
16 |
|
October |
31 |
Fossil Fuels |
17 |
|
November |
2 |
Nuclear Energy |
19 |
|
November |
7 |
Alternative Energy |
18 |
|
November |
9 |
Water |
20 |
|
November |
14 |
Water Pollution, Waste Management |
21, 29 |
|
November |
16 |
Climate and Global Climate Change |
22 |
|
November |
21 |
Climate and Global Climate Change |
22 |
|
November |
23 |
NO CLASS -- Thanksgiving Break |
|
|
November |
28 |
Air Pollution |
23 |
|
November |
30 |
Ozone Depletion |
25 |
|
December |
5 |
Economics |
27 |
|
December |
7 |
Urban Environment |
28 |
|
December |
12 |
Sustainability |
30 |
|
December |
21 |
10:30 am – 12:30 pm Final Final05.pdf |
|