Fall 2022 - EVSC 395 D100
Special Topics in Environmental Science (3)
Class Number: 7973
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2022
Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Anna Hippmann
ahippman@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A specific topic within the field of Environment not examined in depth in regular courses. This course will provide students with understanding, perspective and experience in emerging and important areas of environment. Variable units: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course provides an introduction to various aspects of plastic pollution in the ocean. Topics covered include differences in ocean environments, concepts in ocean physics (waves, currents), the chemistry of plastics (sources, manufacturing, disposal, recycling, degradation in the environment), effects of plastics in the environment (organismal to ecosystem level), challenges to detect and quantify plastic pollution, state of the ocean at this point and projected into the future, possible solutions (mechanical, social, political) and pitfalls.
Prerequisites: EVSC 100 and one of BISC 101, CHEM 120, CHEM 121, PHYS 101 or PHYS 120.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Articulate scientific, political, social, and economic contexts regarding
- Sources of and reasons for continued plastic pollution
- Impacts of plastic pollution
- Pros and cons of possible solutions to decrease plastic pollution
- Effectively communicate in both written and oral form
- Synthesize information from multiple sources
Grading
- Short Homework Assignments 5%
- Short Current Affairs Presentation 5%
- Participation 10%
- 2 DMAP Assignments 15%
- Quizzes 20%
- Midterm 20%
- Final Exam 25%
REQUIREMENTS:
Course details, goals, and grading are subject to change and will be finalized in September 2022.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
None. Weekly readings will be assigned and made available on Canvas.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html