MAT 115-011: Spring 2002

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andy Long. Office: ST 328; phone: 572-5794.

MEETING TIME: 4:50-6:05 TR, ST 248.

EXPECTED BACKGROUND: C or better in MAT 099 or placement. Placement requires having mastered the material in Algebra I and Algebra II, and a math ACT score of 18 or better.

TEXT: Environmental Issues: Measuring, Analyzing, and Evaluating, by Robert L. McConnell and Daniel C. Abel.

GRADING: There will be two tests over the course of the term (a mid-term and a final). The final will be comprehensive, in the sense that the material will build throughout the semester and we will expect you to be better at analyzing it by the end!

There will be two projects: the first will be an individual project, and the second a group project. Occasional homework assignments will also be called for. Your course grade will be determined as follows:
Homework: 20%
Project 1: 15%
Midterm: 25%
Project 2: 15%
Final: 25%
The tests will be given in class, closed book. Make-up exams will be given only under extreme circumstances.

HOMEWORK: Homework will be assigned regularly, and some assignments will be handed in for grading. In particular, each student should do the assigned reading before the class in which it is discussed.

ATTENDANCE: The student is responsible for all material assigned or discussed in class. Attendance will be taken, and may be used along with class effort (as measured by participation - asking questions, answering other students' questions, group work, etc.) to resolve borderline grades.

WITHDRAWAL: The last day to withdraw from any class with a grade of "W" is 3/22/2002. After that day it is not usually permitted.

OFFICE HOURS: TR 3:00-4:00, 6:15-7:00, 9:00-9:30. I am also available by appointment, and at random when approached nicely.

Notes:




Tentative Schedule

Tuesday Thursday
1/8:
Welcome, Intro, Excel and Plotting
1/10:
Field Trip! NKU gas leak, and GPS.
1/15:
Intro to ArcView GIS; NKU data
1/17:
Sustainability: pollution and remediation
1/22:
Further thoughts
1/24:
Basic Concepts and Tools ("Issue #0")
1/29:
Human Population Growth: Issue #1
1/31:
Coastal Growth Case Study: Issue #2
2/5:
Ecological Footprints: Issue #3
2/7:
Growth, Migration, and Fertility: Issue #4
2/12:
US Population Issues
2/14:
Individual Project Presentations
2/19:
Sprawl: Issue #5
2/21:
Sprawl Case Study: Issue #6
2/26:
Cincinnati-Specific sprawl issues
2/28:
Ditto
3/5:
Review for Midterm
3/7:
Midterm
Spring Break!
3/19:
Global Climate Change: Issue #18
3/21:
Consequence - Coral Reefs: Issue #24
3/26:
Renewable Energy: Issue #16
3/28:
More on Global Climate Change
4/2:
Ditto
4/4:
Toxics: Lead, Issue #25
4/9:
Mercury: Issue #26
4/11:
Project Preparation Day
4/16:
Organochlorines: Issue #27
4/18:
Group Project Presentations (Groups 1 and 4)
4/23:
Group Project Presentations (Groups 2, 3, and 5)
4/25:
Review for Final/Evaluations

5/2:
Final (4:30-6:30pm)

You should read the "issue" assigned by the date indicated, as it will be discussed on that day.

Website maintained by Andy Long. Comments appreciated.