Garrett College

Environmental Technology

Chemistry and Quantitative Methods -- ENT 201

 

 

Instructor   

 

Peter Skylstad

            301-387-3332 (office)

            301-387-9260 (home, no calls after 10:00 P.M.)

            Office:  Advanced Technology Center -- NRWT Office

e-mail:  pskylstad@garrettcollege.edu

NRWT Homepage:  http://www.garrettcollege.edu/academics/signatures/nrwt/index.html

                       

Course Text

 

No formal text is used in this course.  Reading packets will be distributed throughout the semester.

 

Course Description 

 

This course is designed to help students master the basic principles of chemistry and the essential calculations necessary for successful completion of the Agricultural Management and Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology programs. 

 

Course Goals

 

1.  The student will be introduced to the fundamentals of chemistry.

2.  The student will develop the skills necessary to perform the calculations associated with agricultural and natural resource management applications.

3.  The student will be introduced to the basics of statistics, experimental design and analysis.

4.  The student will develop skills in word processing, spread sheet applications, data analysis packages, and data presentation. 

5.  The student will become proficient in the development and presentation of environmental data and will gain experience in project development, maintenance, and completion.

 

Attendance Policy

 

The student can significantly increase the probability of doing well in this class by attending lectures and other activities.  There will be no makeup quizzes or exams for unexcused absences.  Excused absences are as follows:  1) serious illness verified by a valid physician's excuse on office or hospital letterhead, 2) a death in the immediate family.  The instructor reserves the right to determine whether a missed quiz or exam can be taken at a later date.  Any assignment due date or quiz/exam missed because of an excused absence must be made up by the first class period following the return of the student.

 

Classroom Etiquette

 

The goal of any college classroom activity is to provide the greatest educational benefit to all students.  In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to maintain a pleasant, stimulating, and respectful atmosphere in the classroom.  Respect must be shown to others.  The instructor has the authority to dismiss a student from class for behavior deemed inappropriate, especially if said behavior is disruptive to the teaching and learning process.

Academic Dishonesty Policy

 

All students at GCC are expected to adhere to a code of academic honesty and integrity.  Violations of the "Code of Academic Honesty" include all forms of cheating, e.g., giving and/or receiving answers improperly, plagiarism, misuse of college documents and/or instruments, etc.  Students found to be in violation of the "Code of Academic Honesty" will receive an F for the course in which the violation occurred.  The student will also be withdrawn from all other courses.  Withdrawal will be followed by academic suspension for a minimum of one semester.  Additional penalties may be incurred as each violation, on an individual basis, is investigated and reviewed.

 

Grade Assessment

 

Pop Quiz (4 x 25 points each) =  100

Research Paper = 100

15 minute Oral Presentation of Research Paper = 100

Exam I = 100

Exam II = 100

_____________________________________________________

Total Points =  500

 

* Note:  All assignments must be completed to pass this course.  There is a 10 point per day penalty for late work.

 

Grade Standard Equivalents

 

A       (93 - 100%   4.0)

A-      (90 - 92%   3.7)

B+      (87 - 89%   3.3)

B        (83 - 86%   3.0)

B-      (80 - 82%   2.7)

C+      (77 - 79%   2.3)

C        (73 - 76%   2.0)

C-      (70 - 72%   1.7)

D+      (67 - 69%   1.3)

D       (63 - 66%   1.0)

D-      (60 - 62%   0.7)

F        (0 - 59%   0.0)

 

Assignment Descriptions

 

Research Paper - Each student will choose a topic of interest and develop a research project which will include both field work (if integral to project) and a literature review.  Literature reviews can include sources such as periodicals, newspapers, books, internet, scientific journals, etc.  If pertinent, students may include interviews with local environmental professionals and other concerned individuals.  You should have at least 10 sources of information (at least five must be science based, i.e., science journals/magazines) and citations must be included in the paper.  No more than three citations from the internet may be used.  Topics must be approved beforehand by the instructor and should be selected early in the semester.  The research paper will consist of at least five sections (introduction, materials/methods, results, discussion, conclusion) separated by titled subheadings, be at least six pages of text, utilize an easy to read font no larger than 12 point, and be double spaced.  It should include at least one graph and one table inserted into the text.  In addition, it should also include a reference/citation page.  This paper can be based on data gathered and/or work done in other concurrent or past classes, e.g., Soil Science, Forest Measurements, Fisheries, Wildlife Techniques, Ecology, Dendrology, etc. 

 

 

15 minute oral presentation - Each student will prepare an oral report based on their research paper.  At a minimum, presentations should include the following sections:  1) introduction, 2) materials and methods, 3) results, 4) discussion, and 5) conclusion.  The introduction should lay the foundation for the topic to be presented, including historical background.  The materials and methods section should describe how the data were gathered and the tools used.  The results section should delineate the data in a coherent form.  The discussion section should focus on the most meaningful elements of the results.  The conclusion should tie everything together and address possible future trends or goals.  Each student should adhere strictly to the 15 minute time limit and expect a two minute question/answer session to follow the presentation (total of 17 minutes).  Visual aids (slides, transparencies, handouts, PowerPoint, etc.) are required.          

 

Example of Critique of  ENT 201 Oral Presentation

 

Presenter's Name: 

Date:

Title: 

                                               

Style

Voice

Visual Aids

Subject Knowledge

Time Mgmt.

 

 

 

 

 

/15

/15

/15

/40

/15

 

 

 

 

 

□ body language

□ facial expression

□ animation

□ eye contact

□ relaxed factor

□ tone

□ volume

□ inflection

□ enunciation

□ pace

□ easy to read

□ professional

□ images quality

□ technical prowess

□ organization

□ background info

□ expert factor

□ sure of oneself

□ organization

□ question/answer

START:_______
FINISH:_______

 

 

TOTAL: ______

 

 

 

 

One point deduction for each minute over/under time limit.

 

Score for Oral Presentation:       /100            % = ______

 

* Examples of and Suggestions for Research Paper Topics:

 

Water quality factors (temp, pH, nitrates, phosphates, etc.) and aquatic species abundance/diversity

CO2, other greenhouse gases, and global warming

Elevational gradients and species diversity

Productivity gradients and species diversity

Disturbance gradients and species diversity

Management practices and wildlife populations

Soil types and plant species abundance/diversity

Aspect and community structure

Slope and community structure

Meadow Mountain Data from Spring 2002

North Branch of the Potomac Wetlands Project Data

The Glades Project  (see Kevin)

NSWO Data

 

* Make sure that whatever subject you choose has sufficient quantitative data available.

 

* It is a very good idea to seek help from the "writing lab" in GC's English department before you submit your final draft!  Utilizing the lab can significantly improve your grammar, syntax, organization, and grade!

 

* Remember, do not plagiarize as it will result in automatic failure!  Beware...new software has been developed that searches the Internet looking for commonalities between research papers and websites!  Always give credit where credit is due!     

 

 

 

Course Schedule (subject to change)

 

9-10            Introduction / Orientation

 

9-17            Introduction to Statistics, Experimental Design and Analysis

 

9-24            Introduction to Statistics, Experimental Design and Analysis

 

10-1             Computer Applications and Data Presentation

 

10-8            Computer Applications and Data Presentation

 

10-15           * Exam I   (exam will be followed by lecture/lab)

 

10-22          Basic Chemistry

 

10-29          Basic Chemistry

 

11-5             Basic Chemistry

 

11-12            Basic Chemistry - Units of Measurement and Conversions

 

11-19            Guided Research Project

 

11-26           Guided Research Project   (11-27 Thanksgiving begins!)

 

12-3            Presentation of Research Project

 

12-10           * Exam II  (final)

         

                  

 

* Remember --- There will be four pop quizzes over the course of the semester.  Each will be based on the assigned reading for that day and could include material from previous lectures.  It will pay to keep current on all reading assignments!