GEOLOGY 380                                                                DR. LINDA B. McCOLLUM

WORLD RESOURCES AND POPULATION           Office: Science 126

WINTER 2009                                                                 359-7473, lmccollum@ewu.edu

Office Hours:  M-Th 10-11

 

            Perhaps the most fundamental concern in the earth sciences is the relationship between human populations and the earth's physical resources.  As population increases, more people are becoming concerned about the environment and the natural resources that sustain our species.  In order to obtain the necessary resources--both renewable and nonrenewable--that humans need to survive, the inevitable environmental impact must be accommodated.  Natural disasters can wreak havoc on an area, and in poor countries, can strain financial resources to the breaking point.  In this course, we will examine how different types of resources are formed, how rapidly they are being utilized and/or damaged, the interrelatedness of the global ecosystem, and the long-term consequences of the manner in which humanity uses and abuses the Earth.  This course explores the types and distribution of natural resources and relates these to the principles of their use and conservation.

 

Instructor Policy--I encourage students to ask questions during class, to come in and see me during office hours or any time that I am around.  Students always come first, and you should feel absolutely free to consult me on anything that concerns you.  All I ask is that if you make an appointment to see me, please keep it.

 

Grading and Exam Policy--The relative values of the different types of assignments are listed on the back of this page.  There will be three exams during the quarter, plus the final. 

 

Academic Integrity policy--The instructor assumes that as a student you are familiar with and understand the definitions in the Student Academic Integrity Policy in the EWU catalog.  Violations of academic integrity will be sanctioned.  Violations of academic integrity include plagiarism and cheating and any other misrepresentation of your work.  Students committing academic dishonesty will be reported to the appropriate university officials and your course grade may be 0.0.

 

Cell Phones--If you have a cell phone, beeper, or any other device that might start making noise in the middle of class, please turn it off at the beginning of each class period.

 

Tentative Weekly Schedule:

 

Week of:

 

Jan. 5               Introduction and world population

 

Jan. 12             Soils

 

Jan. 19             HOLIDAY on Monday.  Food 

 

Jan. 26             Water.  EXAM on Tuesday

 

Feb. 2              Natural Hazards:  Earthquakes, Volcanoes. 

 

Feb. 9              Natural Hazards: Tsunamis, Floods, Coastlines, Landslides.  EXAM on Wednesday

 

Feb. 16            HOLIDAY on Monday.  Global climate change. 

 

Feb. 23            Biodiversity and extinction. 

 

March 2           Energy.  EXAM on Tuesday

 

March 9           Minerals; Waste and Pollution

 

 

 

Grades:

Exams:                        50%  (Final exam on Wednesday, 8-10 am)

Research paper            30%

Class assignments       20%

 

The research paper topic and a short description of what you expect to cover must be turned in to me by January 29.  The paper will be due February 27.  If you give me a rough draft of your paper about two weeks before the due date, I will critique it and return it to you.  This improves the final paper and the grade for most students.  Points will be lost for being late on either the topic description or the final paper.