Summer 2010

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Instructor - Neal D. Mundahl
Office - Pasteur 250
Telephone - (507) 457-5695
e-mail - nmundahl@winona.edu
Office Hours - After class each day

Text - Environmental Science -13th edition by G. Tyler Miller, Jr. & Scott Spoolman

Goal and Objectives - The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how the natural environment functions, how and why human society has affected the environment, and why sustainable living is becoming more common around the world. By the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:

1) explain the basic structure and functioning of the natural world,

2) determine the effects of human activities on ecosystems,

3) propose methods for maintaining or restoring threatened environments, and

4) evaluate trade-offs occurring among our biological, social, political, and economic worlds.

Evaluation -
Three exams of equal value - 300 points total (exam questions will be from lectures, assigned readings, videos, and current events)
Weekly news summaries - 100 points
Short paper - 50 points

Total for course - 450 points

Grading -
You should earn the following number of points to be assured of a given grade: A (90% of 450) = 405, B (80% of 450) = 360, C (70% of 450) = 315, D (60% of 450) = 270.

Student Absence -
Students absent on exam dates will be allowed to take a make-up exam only if their absence is officially excused according to WSU policies. Absences due to illness will require a note from a physician or the WSU Health Service before a make-up exam can be taken. Make-up exam format may differ from that of the regular exam.

Academic Dishonesty -
I follow a "zero tolerance" policy. Any student guilty of cheating on any course assignment or exam will fail the course. Period.

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