Prerequisites: ENVS 110 and CHEM 100 or 110

Text: The Earth System (Kump, Kasting and Crane)

Course Grading:

3 One Hour Exams, each worth 20% of the final grade

Final Exam (Cumulative), will be worth 25% of the final grade

Attendance: 15% of grade

The final exam will be OPTIONAL. If you are satisfied with the grades you have earned on your first three exams, you may opt to use the average of those exams as your final exam grade. Letter grades will be assigned at the end of the semester, based on a curved distribution. I will give you an idea of your APPROXIMATE letter grades for each exam, but remember, the final grade is based on a curve for the FINAL GRADES.

Attendance will be taken on random days throughout the semester. The grade for attendance will be based on these days and these days only.

Academic Integrity and Dishonesty

The student academic conduct policies detailed in the WMU Student Code will be enforced in this course. You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate (pp. 271-272) [Graduate (pp. 24-26)] Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.

Objectives & Outcomes

This course presents an overview of the fundamental physical, biological and geochemical processes governing the movement of energy and matter in the environment, and the constraints imposed by these natural systems on human activities. Topics include the properties and use of energy resources, the chemistry of natural and polluted waters, acid rain, ozone depletion, and global climate change.

Students taking this course will develop holistic and quantitative working knowledge of physical and biogeochemical processes operating in the ≥environment≤, and how anthropogenic factors impact these complex natural systems. Emphasis will be placed on fundamental chemical, biological and geological forces and reactions governing the cycles of matter and energy that dominate the biogeochemosphere, including specific examples of human activities that have resulted in significant perturbations to those systems and cycles.

Topics and Reading Assignments:

Note: I will not necessarily remind you of the readings in class, it is your responsibility to keep up with the readings on this syllabus! If you do not have a strong background in the sciences, I urge you to read material BEFORE it is discussed in lecture, so that you can ask me about anything you donπt understand. Reread the material and look over your notes again to study for the exams. Remember, the general ≥rule of thumb≤ is that you should spend at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour of lecture, to truly master the material.

Week 1:

Introduction, Critical Thinking. Lecture 1 PDF Lecture 1 BW PDF

Rd: Handout: Sagan, Demon-Haunted World

Lomborg Critiques:

www. ucsusa.org/global_environment/archive/page.cfm?pageID=533

Week 2:

Origin of the Earth, Rare Earth Hypothesis. Lecture 2 PDF Lecture 2 BW PDF

Rd: The Earth System Chapter 1, (2), 8 (pgs. 152-159)

Geologic Time Machine! www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.html

Handout: Ward and Brownlee, Rare Earth

Week 3:

Plate Tectonics Lecture 3 PDF Lecture 3 BW PDF

Rd: The Earth System Chapter 6

Week 4:

Oceans. Lecture 4 PDF Lecture 4 BW PDF

Atmosphere. Lecture 5 PDF Lecture 5 BW PDF

Rd: The Earth System, Chapters (3), (4)

Week 5:

February 1: EXAM 1

Hydrologic Cycle. Lecture 6 PDF Lecture 6 BW PDF

Rd: water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ/2003/circ1262

The Earth System, Chapter 5

NOTE: There is a typo in my edition of The Earth System, pg. 88, where the symbols for per cent (%) and per mil (⁰/₀₀) look the same! 1% = 10 ⁰/₀₀

Week 6:

Evolution of Atmosphere, Life Lecture 7 PDF Lecture 7 BW PDF

Rd: The Earth System, Chapter 9

Week 7:

Nitrogen Cycle Lecture 8 PDF Lecture 8 BW PDF

Rd: Chapter 8 (pgs. 159-171)

Nitrogen Cycle Handout

www.eps.harvard.edu/people/faculty/hoffman/snowball_paper.html

Week 8:

Sulfur Cycle Lecture 9 PDF Lecture 9 BW PDF

Rd: Sulfur Cycle Handout

Eutrophication Handout