BIO 108 - Ecosystems and the Environment

3 credit hours - Three hours of lecture weekly; one term.
This course meets the Biological and Physical Sciences General Education Requirement.

Explore the natural functioning of Earth’s major systems: the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere and examine how human activity influences these natural systems. Examine the interrelationships among science, technology, politics and history that govern past environmental policy, and consider how these disciplines will help shape the environment of the future. Does not satisfy a lab science requirement.

Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENG 101 /ENG 101A and eligibility for any general education math.

Note: Credit is not given for both BIO 107 and BIO 108.

Course Outcomes:

Describe basic science (chemistry, physics, and biology) as it applies to contemporary environmental issues.
1. Trace the biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen, phosphate, and carbon.
2. Discuss the importance of human impacts on the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in terms of water quality, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay.
3. Discuss the importance of human impacts on the carbon cycle in terms of possible climate change.
4. Identify problems associated with the introduction of non-native species.
5. Discuss the problems to the environment and society resulting from a decreasing diversity of species.
6. Detail the reasons for decreasing biodiversity.
7. Compare and contrast different population curves in terms of biotic potential and environmental resistance and relate this to human populations.
8. List the values of natural ecosystems to human societies.
9. Compare and contrast different methods of meeting society’s energy needs in terms of economic issues, sustainability, and environmental impacts.
10. Evaluate methods of waste disposal, considering environmental impact as well as social and economic impacts.
11. Design methods to maximize use of renewable forms of energy in real life situations.
12. Define and give examples of sustainable solutions in agriculture.
13. List the effects that growing human populations have on resource availability and ecosystems.
Describe basic scientific principles common to living organisms and ecosystems.
1. Diagram how energy flows through ecosystems in a typical food web and discuss the implications the laws of thermodynamics have on this flow.
2. Discuss why the physical and chemical properties of water make it so essential to life on Earth.
3. Identify the different types of interspecies relationships common to living organisms.
4. Discuss how constant geographic and meteorological change results in adaptations of organisms and ecosystems.
5. List the properties of soil required by plants.
6. Trace the insect life cycle.
7. Relate the laws of thermodynamics to energy production and use.
Describe how political, economic, and social issues, both past and present, influence the contemporary environment.
1. Relate how sustainable solutions must take into account economic feasibility as well as ecological viability.
2. Describe the reasons for increasing human populations and methods to stop excessive growth.
3. List examples of how changing public perceptions can change environmental policy.
4. Discuss the environmental impacts of affluence.
5. Identify effects that both public and private sectors have on conservation and the environment.
6. Assess personal environmental impact in terms of water use, energy consumption, and waste production.
Interpret environmental sampling data.
1. Review literature and critically analyze data presented.
2. Analyze raw environmental data and generate graphs and diagrams to illustrate trends.
Apply the methodology of scientific investigation.
1. Analyze graphs to determine if hypotheses have been supported in experiments performed.
2. Develop a testable hypothesis from an observation.
3. Design an experiment to test a hypothesis.
4. List the steps of the scientific method.
5. Critically assess experiments to determine if they meet the criterion of sound science.