Environmental Science 510

Environmental Science 510

Advanced Environmental Sciences and Policy

Instructor: Dr. Bill Retzlaff

Office: SL 3331A

Office Hours: by appointment

Phone: 650-2728

Course Content:

One of the most interesting and important aspects of public and scientific debates on risk assessment and risk management is the difficulty of using scientific methods to provide firm knowledge about risk. Quite often it is not possible to fully test the potential hazardous consequences of a new chemical or a new technology under laboratory conditions. As a consequence, the risk of using new technologies and chemicals is assessed during use in everyday life. We will consider the ambiguous nature of policy decisions regarding risk and the factors that drive risk assessment and management. In this ambiguity, politics often intersects with science to create environmental policy dilemmas.

Course Objectives:

To increase awareness and understanding of environmental science and policy.

To enhance critical thinking skills regarding science and policy decisions.

To increase understanding of the intersection between science and policy.

To enhance skill in seeking information on the Internet and in the popular press.

To improve written and oral communication skills.

Textbook and Reading Materials:

The required textbook for this course is Environmental Science by Nebel and Wright (8^th edition - Learning System Edition). Additionally articles and information from journals, popular press, and downloaded from the Internet by students and the instructor will constitute required reading and course materials. Exams may use information from these reading/software sources to form the basis for test questions.

Class Schedule:

6:30-7:20 Lecture presentation

7:20-7:30 Break

7:30-8:20 Lecture presentation

8:20-8:30 Break

8:30-9:30 Student directed science and policy analysis laboratory

Class Exams:

There will be 1 in-class exam and a comprehensive final in ENVS 510.

Material presented in class lectures, laboratory exercises, and required readings will form the basis for exam questions. Exams will be composed of multiple choice, short essay, and short answer questions, which will require an understanding of lecture and reading material and result in presentation/application of this knowledge in new situations.

The in-class exams will be held when scheduled on the syllabus. If you miss the class period when the exam is proctored because of a medical or non-medical emergency , you may schedule a make-up exam before the next class period with the instructor by following the procedure documented below.

Class Assignments:

Each student will write two critical discussion papers on assigned topics (following guidelines). Each of these will be a critical review of a manuscript that will be designated by the instructor in which each student will identify the hypothesis and logic involved in the decision making process. Each paper will be required to be 4 pages in length excluding a bibliography if necessary. The instructor will stop reading at 4 pages — be concise!

Each student will be expected to choose a popular press or Internet article, critique the article in writing (following guidelines), and lead a 25-minute discussion in class. Students will sign up in the second lecture for class dates for oral presentation. The topic can be scientific, policy, or risk assessment and the discussion must focus on the intersection of science and politics in the article.

Each student will be expected to participate in a science and policy debate - no exceptions. Your instructor will assign the subject and divide you up into three groups - scientist, policymaker, and stakeholder. You will be expected to participate with your colleagues, turning in a notebook documenting your position on the topic and debating the science and policy intersection of the chosen topic (following guidelines ).

Rescheduling a Missed Exam or Presentation:

If you miss an exam, or your 25-minute presentation for medical reasons, please give the instructor a written statement signed by an attending physician. Documented medical excuses will enable you to retake the exam and reschedule your presentation. If you missed an exam, or your presentation for a non-medical emergency, submit to the instructor the appropriate written documentation of the emergency. If the instructor decides it was a real emergency you will be allowed to retake the exam or reschedule your presentation. Any other absence during an exam period or your presentation will result in a ‘0' for that exam/presentation.

All class assignments are due on the assigned date. Assignments will not be accepted late - you will receive a ‘0’ for your assignment.

If you miss the debate, you will receive a zero for that portion of the class assignment.

Academic Misconduct:

Cheating (using unauthorized materials, information, or study guides), plagiarism (submitting others work as if it was your own), falsification of records, unauthorized possession of examinations, intimidation and any other unacceptable action WILL be determined to be academic misconduct according to SIUE policy. Aiding others in any such acts or attempts to engage in such acts is included.

Plagiarism and cheating will not be permitted and will be dealt with according to University Policy.

Attendance:

Regular prompt attendance is required for success in this course. Although I won't be taking roll, if you miss several class periods you will not do well on the exams and assignments in this course. If you miss a lecture, come see me to get a copy of the notes and come ask me about the material if something is not clear.

Disability Support Services:

If any student has special needs they can contact the SIUE Office of Disability Support Services for assistance.

Grading System:

Paper1 50 points

Paper2 50 points

Exam 1 100 points

Comprehensive final exam 150 points

Oral presentation (class discussion) 50 points

Debate (plus notebook) 100 points

TOTAL POINTS 500 points

Note: This syllabus and schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. All changes will be announced in class.

Course Topics and Schedule

Class #1

Overview of the course. The environment and policy: a messy intersection of science and politics. Dr. Retzlaff will introduce the course, the course objectives, and course assignments.

Class #2

Sustainability, Stewardship, and Sound Science

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 1.

Economics, Public Policy, and the Environment

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 23.

Class #3

Sustainability, Stewardship, and Sound Science

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 1.

Economics, Public Policy, and the Environment

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 23.

PAPER #1 - ASSIGNED

Class #4

Environmental Hazards and Human Health

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 16.

Class #5

Hazardous Chemicals: Pollution and Prevention

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 20.

PAPER #1 - DUE

Class #6

Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 9.

Class #7

Water: Pollution and Prevention

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 18.

PAPER #2 - ASSIGNED

Class #8

FIRST EXAM

DEBATE Assignments

Class #9

Municipal Solid Waste: Disposal and Recovery

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 19.

Class #10

Pests and Pest Control

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 17.

PAPER #2 - DUE

Class #11

The Atmosphere: Climate, Climate Change, and Ozone Depletion

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 21.

Class #12

Atmospheric Pollution

Read Nebel and Wright, chapter 22.

Debate Notebook Due

Class #13

Energy

Read Nebel and Wright, chapters 13,14,15

Class #14

HOLIDAY

Class #15

Science and Policy Debate

Class #16 - Class starts at 7:30 PM!

Synopsis of the course. The environment and policy: a messy intersection of science and politics. Dr. Retzlaff will review the course, the course objectives, class themes, and statistical concepts.

Finals Week FINAL EXAM