Syllabus  for  Environmental Science  (Fall 2004)

Teacher:   Karl M. Chauff Office Hours:    MTWF  1300 - 1500
Office:      206 MW Optional Book:  Natural Hazzards
Phone:      977-3143                              by E. A. Keller and R. H. Blodgett
E-mail:     Chauff@eas.slu.edu  (Do not used the address published in the phone directory.)
Test Dates:       Test dates for the first three tests will be determined by class vote.  If you must miss a test, please see me as soon as possible to schedule a make-up examination.  The fourth test is given at the time and on the date scheduled for the final.
Test Material:   You will be tested only on the material covered in lecture.  The final examination is not cumulative.  Before each test you will be given a study sheet listing all of the major terms and concepts covered on the test.  Example of a previous examination are posted at : http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/KChauff/index.html.
Attendance:       If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain copies of the notes for that day.  Notes are also posted at:   http://www.eas.slu.edu/People/KChauff/index.html.
Grading: Grades are determine from the cumulative points from the four examinations using a relative grading scale derived from the cumulative scores of all students in the class.
Incomplete:       If you are unable to finish the course and wish to receive an incomplete (I), you must see me and complete the required paperwork before final grades are submitted.  Failure to do this will result in your automatically receiving either an AF (absent failure) or F in the course.  If you receive an incomplete, you will have up to one year to complete the missing work to receive a grade in the class.  After one year, the incomplete automatically becomes an F and can not be changed.
Disabilities Any student with physical or mental disabilities needs to inform me as soon as possible
Cheating/Plagiarism The University has a clear policy of discouraging and punishing cheating or plagiarism on examinations and assignments.

 

Week Topic Book Pages
1 Introduction 2 - 29
Extraterrestrial Impact Hazard  
Atoms, Ions, Chemical Compounds
Impact Hazard Mitigation 314 - 337
2 Earth’s Geologic Structure and Related Environmental Hazards
Geologic Structure of the Earth’s Interior;  
Magnetosphere - Protection from Solar Wind and Radiation
 Location of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions  
3 Volcanic Environmental Hazards- Lava, Gases, Pyroclastic Debris 68 - 101
Predicting Volcanic Eruptions and Mitigation of their Dangers
4 Earthquakes - Cause, Nature, Measuring and Prediction 30 - 67
Earthquake Hazards - Destructive Shaking, Liquefaction, Tsunami 235 - 240; 258 - 263
Buildings and Earthquakes, Mitigation of Hazards
End of Material for Test 1
5 Soil and Erosion
  Causes, Hazards, Reduction ; Land Usage, Desertification
6 Water - Streams, Flooding 102 - 139
Stream Characteristics, Channel Types, Parts of a Flood Plane  
Flooding - Causes, Measuring and Effects  
Flood Prediction and Control
7 Water - Groundwater
Occurrence, Flow, Amount, Recovery and Uses
Changes in the Water Table; Springs, Relationship to Surface Flow and Over-usage
Groundwater Pollution - Causes, Types, Recognition, Mitigation, and Prevention
8 Mass Movements (Landslides) 140 - 171
Controlling Factors, Types, Hazards and Prevention  
End of Material for Test 2
9 Subsidence, Compaction and Collapse 172 - 195
Defined, Causes, Hazards and Prevention
10 Atmospheric Hazards - Acid Rain, Global Warming? 266 - 289
Acid Rain - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Prevention, Mitigation
Global Warming? - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Prevention, Mitigation  
11 Atmospheric Hazards - Ozone Depletion, Air Pollution (Smog), Radon Gas
Ozone Depletion - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Prevention, Mitigation
Smog - Types, Causes, Hazards, Prevention, Mitigation
Radon Gas - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Mitigation
12 Atmospheric Hazards - Severe Weather: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Northeasters 196 - 223
Tornado - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Mitigation  
Hurricane - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Mitigation 232 - 234; 254 - 258
Northeasters - Defined, Causes, Hazards, Mitigation
13 Coastal Environments and Wetlands
Coastal Processes, Features, Erosion, Problems Created by Rising Sea Level 224 - 232; 240 - 254
Man Made Structures and the Coastal Environment
Wetlands - Defined, Types, Environmental Significance, Hazards and Protection
End of Material for Test 3
14 Waste Disposal and Recycling
Introduction, Types of Wastes- Biodegradable, Recyclable, Others 312 - 316
Solid Wastes, Methods of Disposal, Landfills, Hazards, Methane Recovery 317 - 323
Liquid Wastes: Nontoxic - Sewage - Outhouses, Septic Systems, Sewage Treatment 323 - 328
Toxic -  Methods of Disposal: Incineration, Injection, Storage
Radioactive Wastes - Low and High Level Wastes; Problems of Long-term Storage
15 Dangers of Contaminants in the Environment
Exposure, Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification
Population Problem - Limits of Natural Resources, Urban Concentration Factor
Managing Environmental Problems
End of Material for Final Examination

The above list is the proposed sequence in which material will be covered.  It is unlikely that we shall complete all of the material in great detail, given the time provided.

Class Notes and Files:

 

 

Environmental Science Class Syllabus

Section 1 Class Notes

Section 1 Test Review

Section 1 Study Sheet

Section 2 Class Notes

Section 2 Test Review

Section 2 Study Sheet

Section 3 Class Notes

Section 3 Test Review

Section 3 Study Sheet

Section 4 Class Notes

Section 4 Test Review

Section 4 Study Sheet