Welcome to Environmental Biology!
BIO 220/ CRN 70907
Instructor: Azalia Dillard
Contact information
Email Address: azalia_dillard@cuesta.edu
Office Location/ Hours: I am available Monday 2:30-3:30 p.m. via Zoom. The URL will be made available to you at our first class meeting and in the syllabus. Please visit ConferZoomLinks to an external site. to familiarize yourself with the program.
Instructor Contact Expectations:
- The best and fastest way to get a hold of me is via email. I will generally check my email a couple times in a day.
- I will respond generally within 24 hours. If things get busy or during holidays, I will usually respond within 48 hours.
- I will not check my email during weekends or after 5 p.m. I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours Monday to Thursday only. On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response.
Course Environment:
This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System known as “Canvas” as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, exams and the tools to receive and send course materials. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other students via the discussion forums.
Class opens / Accessing Canvas:
Prior to the start of class on Aug 17, 2020, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into the CUESTA COLLEGE HOME PAGELinks to an external site. and then clicking on the Canvas button near the top of the page or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do NOT bookmark/favorite the Canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas log-in directly.
If you are not familiar with logging into Canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.
If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after Aug 17, 2020 and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu.
Online Learning:
If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face-to-face. Much more of your time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all assignments and quizzes are submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings. Lectures will be available asynchronously, to view when and how often you would like.
IS an ONLINE CLASS RIGHT FOR YOU?
- First, go to Online Readiness ResourcesLinks to an external site. to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section!
Regular Effective Contact policy:
Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, or messaging to individuals; ZOOM; and virtual office hours. Students are required to complete their reading assignments and view lectures in a timely manner in accordance with the provided schedule. Students are required to log-in for exams and ZOOM sessions at specific times (see syllabus).
Course Description
Environmental Biology (Bio 220) is a course that will cover topics on ecological principles, biodiversity, natural capital, pollution, environmental quality, human resources, and human impacts. Sustainability is the central theme that will appear throughout this course and integrates the material in the textbook. There are no prerequisites for this course, but students should have an inquisitive nature, positive attitude, and a desire to learn through active participation. This course is designed for non-biology majors.
Transfer: CSU; UC.
Note: The lecture and laboratory are considered separate classes and are graded separately. You MUST be enrolled in the lecture to take the lab, but can take the lecture without the lab. You can take the lab separately in the future.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Describe and analyze the basics of scientific methodology and be able to construct, read, and interpret scientific tables and graphs.
- Evaluate and compare conflicting explanations and solutions of environmental issues.
- Discuss how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are involved in food chains, food webs, and nutrient cycling.
- Discuss the interaction of species diversity, ecological stability, human population growth, and human and environmental health.
Required Text & Supplies:
1) Miller & Spoolman. 2014. Sustaining the Earth. 7th-11th Edition. Thomson: Brooks/Cole.
2) Access to a Mac or PC.
3) Access to internet connection.
4) Additional supplies:
Technical Support:
Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site..
Accommodations:
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148.
College & Course Policies:
Academic Honesty Policy: You are expected to complete your own assignments, quizzes and exams via the Canvas LMS. If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing it will result in a F on the assignment, exam, quiz, and/or for the entire course. In addition to my specific course policy that you will read in the syllabus, please note that all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site.
Add / Drop Policy: All students are responsible for dropping themselves if they do not plan to complete the course. Failure to drop yourself may result in being issued a grade at the end of the term. In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops.
Waitlist Policy: Students on the waitlist will be added in the order they appear on the waitlist on the first day of class, Monday 8/17/2020. Keep a close eye on your Cuesta email and respond promptly if you are hoping to add. If space is available on the first day of class, add codes will be provided to those hoping to add. In addition, to my course specific guidelines, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site.
In this course you will learn about a range of environmental issues that are relevant in our society. Some of the topics that we will discuss in class include water shortage, pollution, climate change, renewable energy vs. non-renewable energy. Through this course you will not only be obtaining college credit, but you will understand what is happening in the world and how people are being impacted based on the life choices we all make. As you take this class, you will gain a better understanding that decisions you make every day can help or hurt our environment. My goal is for you to get inspired to make small changes in your everyday life that can help preserve our ecosystems for future generations to come! Please keep in mind that my other goal is to see each of my students succeed in this course. Have a wonderful semester!
Best wishes,
Professor Dillard
Welcome To Environmental Biology!!
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