Course Content of the
Environmental Course
PSC.1515

 

page6A

 

       text: Physical Science, 7th edition                                
          by:  Bill W. Tillery

1. The Universe p.366-368, galaxies p.363-366, and the solar system Chapter-15
2. Energy (defined) p.67, forms of energy p.69-73              
3. Solar radiation p.180-182, Figure 7.3,  nuclear fission p.337-340,  nuclear fusion p.345-346   
4. Atoms p.206-209, p. 232, Elements p.86, Isotopes p.209, Compounds p. 86, 236-239, Molecules p.232
5. The Earth's atmosphere p. 518-524
6. Composition of the Troposphere
7. Hydrologic Cycle
8. Weather p.             , Climate p.                      , Heat p.                    ,  Temperature p.
9. Air Pressure p.
10. Relative Humidity p.
11. Cloud Classification p.
12. Greenhouse effect p.
13. Latent Heat of Condensation p.        , Evaporation and Condensation p.
14. Pressure zones p.                  , Figure-      , Coriolis Effect p.          , Wind p.         , 
      Convection Cells p.         , Figures                                    and the Jet Stream p.
15. Weather fronts and storms p.                                                       
16. Weather maps (weather forecasting) p. 555-556, Figure 23.8
17. Energy from the atmosphere p.77-78       
18. Pollution of the atmosphere p.78, 269, 292, 493, 522, 533-534                                    
19. The Hydrosphere p.568-578                                           
20. The Ocean Floor (Configuration) p. 586-589, Figures 24.23 and 24.24,                      
21. Pure Water vs. Ocean (salt)Water p.276-286, 578-580                        
22. Ocean waves p.581-584                                      
23. Wave refraction and breakers
24. Tides p.417-419                                                   
25. Ocean circulation (currents) 584-585                 
26. Modification of Climates by the hydrosphere p.558-560                                                                      
27. Energy from the Hydrosphere p.78, O.T.E.C. (item #8)            .
28. Pollution of the hydrosphere p.278, 573, 575-577                                  .
29. The Earth's interior p.445-448
30. Minerals p.432
31. Igneous Activity and igneous rocks p.432-435                                      
32. Sedimentary Activity and sedimentary rocks p.435-437
33. Metamorphic Activity and metamorphic rocks p.437-438                                            
34. Earthquakes (seismic waves) p.468-472, 445, Figures 18.2 and 18.5                          
35. Plate Tectonics (the introduction to chapter-19), p.462, 449-457                                             
36. Energy from the Lithosphere p.75-78
37. Pollution of the Lithosphere p.342-343 (nuclear waste)
38. Age of the Earth 
39. Time chart of the Earth(lecture)

Environmental Science, PSC.1515 is designed to introduce the student to the concepts of environmental
                                                         science, as the a study of the Earth is accomplished through various fields
                                                         of science.

 

Examinations The course commonly involves five, multiple choice examinations.  The last two exams
                        (4 and 5) may occur on the day of the final exam and the student will have the option of
                        taking both of the exams or only one of the exams.  The student is allowed to drop one
                        low examination grade, which may consists of a exam with a low grade, a missed exam
                        or test 4 or test 5 given during the week of final examinations. 

Make up examinations:  Prior notice of a problem with a given examination date may permit a student
                                         to be given a make up examination.   Students are limited to one make up          
                                         examination.

 

Quizzes:  An extra credit quiz will be given before each examination.   The quiz will occur during the
                first five minutes of the lecture that occurs before the scheduled examination.  There are no    
                make up quizzes.

Grade Determination:  The student's course grade is determined by the total number of points earned
                                       on each examination and the extra credit quizzes.  Each student is permitted to
                                       drop one, low examination grade.

 

STUDY SUGGESTIONS:  

The class lectures are the primary source of material for each examination.  The text is asupplement to the lecture and will cover most of the subjects discussed in lecture.  If for any reason you miss a class lecture, be sure to obtain a copy of the class lecture from a fellow student. To attempt a course examination without one day’s lecture notes will commonly result in a examination grade of “D or lower.   Each student will need to invest at least 2 hours of study time for each hour of course lecture.  The ratio of study time for each hour of class lecture is common to most college level courses.  If you fail to pass the first examination, it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with the professor and go over the graded examination.   Students that fail to pass the first examination and fail to recognize their study problems, generally continue to make the same mistakes on future examinations.    

 

 

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