Course Info: NS-0195
| Course | NS-0195 Pollution and Our Environment |
| Long Title | Pollution and Our Environment |
| Term | 2015F |
| Note(s) |
Satisfies Distribution Textbook information |
| Meeting Info | Cole Science CenterüCole Science Center 101ü2-CHEM on T,THüTH from 12:30-1:50ü2:00-4:30 |
| Faculty | Dulasiri Amarasiriwardena |
| Capacity | 13 |
| Available | 3 |
| Waitlist | 0 |
| Distribution(s) |
Physical and Biological Sciences |
| Cumulative Skill(s) | Quantitative Skills Writing and Research |
| Additional Info | In this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. |
| Description | This course was an introduction to the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of pollution problems in our environment. The class began with an introduction to environmental degradation and pollution, ecology, natural resource use, and a consideration of human impact on the Earth. Considerable time was spent learning about chemical and physical aspects of water quality, air pollution, and input and output control methods of water pollution and air emissions. Several current environmental topics including acid rain, ozone layer depletion, indoor radon, and the greenhouse effect were also addressed in the class. The remainder of the semester was devoted to discussion of hazardous wastes and environmental concerns in developing nations. The class met for two one-hour and twenty-minute lecture/discussion sessions and a three-hour laboratory session or field study each week. Considerable time was spent gaining hands-on experience in environmental monitoring methods. Students' major research projects included a water quality study of two reservoirs located on the northern slopes of Hadley and the measurement of indoor radon levels in campus buildings. Students completed a short paper on a backyard environmental issue, an oral presentation/discussion of a primary research article, three problem sets, and two major project reports on their field/lab work. The final assignment was to research a topic of interest using primary scientific literature, write it up, and give an oral presentation to the class. Students used Environment: The Science behind the Stories (5th edition) by Jay Withgott and Matthew Laposata and primary and secondary literature sources on different environmental topics. The students in the class represented a broad range of ability, interest, scientific background, and preparation. Students were expected to engage in scientific inquiries and look at them in broader context, to gain a clear sense of the scientific process, and to develop quantitative, oral, and written communication skills. Evaluations are based on class participation, completion of assigned readings, project reports, and the final paper and oral presentation. |