ES101G:
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
Upon successful completion of this course…
1. The student will be able to discuss basic ecological principles and major environmental issues relevant
to humans around the world.
2. The student will be able to explain the relationship between self to the biological and physical
environment.
3. The student will be able to outline the relationship of environmental science to other disciplines and its
relevance to human affairs.
4. The student will be able to analyze and discuss current issues in the media relevant to environmental
science.
Withgott, J, Laposata, M. 2024. Essential Environment: The Science behind the stories, 7th Edition. Pearson, Boston, MA. Mastering Environmental Science Access Code for Essential Environment, 7 th edition.
Course Goals:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic ecological principles and major environmental issues relevant to humans around the world
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of self to the biological and physical environment
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of environmental science to other disciplines and its relevance to human affairs
4. Using library resources, demonstrate an understanding of current issues in the media relevant to environmental science
General Education Global Awareness Goals:
As a “G” course, with reference to Wilmington College’s mission, vision, core values, and queries, (and as appropriate to discipline and topic) students will gain a greater understanding of:
1. the perspectives of cultures other than their own;
2. global issues, especially as they relate to peace, social justice, and/or ecology;
3. and their roles as engaged members of an interconnected global community.
Note: The course content may be modified as required, at the professor’s discretion (e.g. change of pace, change in chapter readings, change in laboratory exercises, etc.). Such changes will be announced in class and posted on the course website.
| Week | Date | Topic | Reading | Labatory Activities |
| 1 | T, Jan 14 R, Jan 16 | Intro to course Environmental science | Ch. 1 | NO LAB |
| 2 | T, Jan 21 R, Jan 23 | Elements Energy flow | Ch. 2 | |
| 3 | T, Jan 28 R, Jan 30 | Evolution Population growth | Ch. 3 | Ecological Footprints |
| 4 | T, Feb 4 R, Feb 6 | Species interactions Biomes | Ch. 4 | Fort Ancient Field Trip |
| 5 | T, Feb 11 R, Feb 13 | Human populations EXAM 1 | Ch. 6 | How to Use the Library |
| 6 | T, Feb 18 R, Feb 20 | Environmental economics Environmental policy | Ch. 5 | Environmental Toxicology |
| 7 | T, Feb 25 R, Feb 27 | Environmental health Water systems | Ch. 10 Ch. 12 | Wastewater Treatment Plant Field Trip |
| 8 | T, March 4 R, March 6 | Water pollution Air pollution | Ch. 13 | Pfiesteria and water quality |
| 9 | March 10-14 | SPRING BREAK | ||
| 10 | T, March 18 R, March 20 | Climate change EXAM 2 | Ch. 14 | Climate Change |
| 11 | T, March 25 R, March 27 | Geology and mining Nonrenewable energy | Ch. 11 Ch. 15 | Electric Cars |
| 12 | T, April 1 R, April 3 | Renewable energy Future of energy | Ch. 16 | Renewable Energy |
| 13 | T, April 8 R, April 10 | Waste management Urban environments | Ch. 17 Ch. 18 | Landfill Field Trip |
| 14 | T, April 15 R, April 17 | EXAM 3 Food and soil | Ch. 7 | Invasive Species Service Learning Field Trip |
| 15 | T, April 22 R, April 24 | Sustainable agriculture Biodiversity | Ch. 8 | Cincinnati Zoo Field Trip |
| 16 | T, April 29 R, May 1 | Conservation biology Forests and parks | Ch. 9 | Agriculture Field Trip |
Grading System Grades will be based on: | |
| 3 exams, 100 points each | 300 |
| Final comprehensive exam | 150 |
| Human ecology journal | 150 |
| Lab attendance and class participation | 75 |
| Learning exercises and other assignments | 125 |
| Online homework | 200 |
| Total Possible Points: | 1000 |
Points earned will be added and grades will be assigned based on the scale below. Do not expect any "curving" of grades in this course. From the Wilmington College Faculty Handbook: “It is the policy of Wilmington College to strive to fairness in grading and avoid grade inflation. Faculty are encouraged to regard ‘C-‘ as a satisfactory grade, which means the student is meeting College standards, and will treat it as such in talking with students. The grade of ‘A’ on the other hand, should mean outstanding achievement, with a grade of ‘B’ in between. The grade ‘D’ represents minimally acceptable achievement, and the grade ‘F’ indicates failure.”
| Letter grade and points | Meaning of grade (from WC Handbook) |
| A = 920-1000, A- = 900-919 | Range of outstanding achievement |
| B+ = 870-899, B = 820-869, B- = 800-819 | Range of good achievement |
| C+ = 770-799, C = 720-769, C- = 700-719 | Range of average achievement |
| D+ = 670-699, D = 600-669 | Range of below average achievement |
| F = < 600 | Inadequate achievement |
Exams and Assignments:
Exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, matching, short answer and essay. Since learning science is a cumulative endeavor, exams will test on cumulative information. However, exams will mostly focus on material learned in lecture and lab since the last exam. The final exam will be comprehensive and test on all material learned in the course. Homework and quiz questions have been assigned through the textbook course page and are to be completed throughout the semester. You will have two chances to complete each question in the homework and will receive bonus points if you are able to answer the question without relying on a hint. (You will not be penalized if you do open a hint). It is your responsibility to keep track of assignment due dates and assure that your homework is submitted on time. Be certain to leave yourself extra time in case of computer or other unavoidable problems; try not to wait until a few hours before the due date to complete online/computer assignments.
If you miss an exam, you will receive a zero on the exam; there will be no make-ups. If extreme and unavoidable circumstances occur that make you miss an exam, you must contact the professor prior to the exam by first calling the professor and then also emailing the professor. You must have documented proof of these unusual circumstances. Similarly, no late assignments will be accepted except under documented extraordinary circumstances.
News Journal: Your individual assignment is to compile a notebook of 10 current (2022-2025) newspaper or magazine articles pertaining to any ecological or environmental topic. Each article must be full length (at least 1,500 words) and must be accompanied by a commentary including what you thought about the article, how the article connects to course content and how you think the article impacts our world today. More details on this assignment are forthcoming.
Online Homework via textbook webpage (www.masteringenvironmentalscience.com): The textbook webpage contains information from each chapter, as well as supplementary study tools. This is a very good resource when trying to understand the reading of each chapter, as well as a helpful resource when studying for exams. You should read the relevant textbook chapter prior to lecture and therefore view the lecture already having a good understanding of the lecture topic for the day. The webpage will be used to do online homework, which makes up 20% of your grade. Students must use a code purchased through the textbook company to access the online quizzing. To join the class (which ensures that the grades go to the proper gradebook), use the course code cipollini14234. Students are responsible for submitting the online quizzes by each due date.
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance at the entire lab period is mandatory. You may miss only one lab period or portion thereof in the entire semester without penalty. For each lab (or portion thereof) that you miss after one absence, 15 points will be deducted from your lab attendance points, regardless of the excuse. If you miss a lab where a presentation or assignment is due, you will receive a zero for the presentation and assignment, unless you make arrangements to turn in the assignment with the professor prior to your absence.
Students are expected to actively participate in laboratory and lecture activities and will be graded on their level of participation and preparation for each class. Students are expected to exhibit appropriate classroom etiquette, including, but not limited to, listening attentively when the professor or another student is speaking, raising your hand before speaking, arriving to class on time and turning off cell phones. In addition, students are expected to clean their laboratory area and return laboratory materials to the appropriate location prior to leaving lab. Points will be deducted from participation points for inadequate participation or improper classroom/lab etiquette.
Cell phones are to be turned off during both lecture and laboratory. Cell phones should remain in a student’s pocket or bag during the entire class. Please be courteous and turn cell phones off. If there is a genuine reason you need to receive a call (e.g., awaiting an important call from a family member) let the professor know at the beginning of class.
There will be learning activities and quizzes in lecture. If you miss a class in which these unannounced activities are administered without a documented valid excuse (see below), you will not be able to make up the points and will receive a zero. Students are responsible for getting information from other students or from the professor on what material they have missed from a lecture or laboratory, whether the absence is excused or unexcused.
There are only a total of four excused absences in lecture (see above policy for lab) that can occur in the semester without penalty. All excused absences must be documented. The College accepts these four categories of excused absences:
1) Activities in which the student serves as an official representative of the College (e.g., musical performances, athletic contests, field trips)
2) Personal illness, with documentation by the College nurse or a physician. Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or in quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 are also excused and will not be penalized for not attending physical classes
3) Family or personal emergencies
4) When severe weather makes travel to campus dangerous
Should any student feel ill at any time during the semester it is important to contact the college healthcare center (wchealthcenter@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2217) immediately. They will determine if testing, isolation or quarantine are necessary. If the healthcare center or some other health authority, indicates the need to isolate or quarantine, your faculty will be notified through the Office of Academic Affairs of the dates of excused absences, once confirmed by the health center. It is, however, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact your professors immediately in order to determine how best to maintain engagement with course content and assignments during your absence. You should not attend any in-person class if you are displaying symptoms of a cold, flu or COVID19 and should be cleared by the health center before leaving isolation or quarantine.
See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments in this course must be completed independently. Do not work with any other person on an assignment unless you are explicitly permitted to do so. Students are expected to understand and adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy in the Student Handbook and will be reported to The Office of Academic Affairs if a violation occurs. If it is your first academic integrity offense at the College, you will receive a zero on the relevant assignment(s). If it is your second academic integrity offense at the College, you will receive an F in the entire course. Students with academic integrity violations may not be eligible for academic awards and honors (i.e., Academic Honors, Dean’s List/Merit List, Green Key Honor Society, Quaker Impact Award, and other Honorary Societies). Plagiarism is defined as the representation of another’s words, ideas, concepts, research or creative production without proper attribution whether intentional or unintentional. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed about what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism can occur in the submission of one’s own work or in work submitted by a group.
Examples of plagiarism include the following:
• The submission of a paper not one’s own, including turning in a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or obtained from the internet
• Copying word for word information without quotation marks
• Paraphrasing information (that is, the use of one’s own words with only minor changes to the original)
• Use of information not considered general knowledge without proper citation
• Listing of misleading or false sources on a reference page
• The use of a paper or project for one course that was previously submitted for another course, either at Wilmington or at any other institution
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and carries serious academic consequences. Violations will be recorded by the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.
When a professor discovers plagiarism, the professor will first consult with the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs in order to determine if the student is a first-time offender. For first offenses, the student will receive a zero on the assignment. For a second offense or more, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs will report the offense to the academic standards and appeal committee and gather evidence for a hearing with the student. It is possible that the student will receive a substantial reduction in grade for the course or will fail the course. Multiple instances could even lead to suspension or expulsion from Wilmington College.
There are many university, college and private websites students may consult about how to avoid plagiarism. Sites with particularly helpful suggestions can be found at:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/ http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/integrity/08/intro/index.htm
http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_preventing_plagiarism_when_writing.html
http://citationmachine.net/index2.php
Generative Artificial Intelligence: You are not permitted to use generative AI tools for any work in this course. This includes the use of popular tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Litero, ChatBot, Midjourney, GitHub Co-Pilot, as well as all other tools built on generative AI technologies. Due to the nature of this course, work can only be fairly and accurately evaluated if student writing has NOT been assisted by generative AI. Use of generative AI for assignments in this course will be considered a violation of the College’s academic integrity policies. Assigned reading and corresponding written assignments in this course are designed to develop independent skills and thoughtful perspective through reflective technical writing. Use of AI undermines that work, its purpose, and ultimately any benefit that it could provide towards students’ learning experience. Therefore, the use of any generative AI to help with any assignments will be considered cheating/plagiarism and will be graded and handled accordingly.
Third-Party Software and FERPA Policy: During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact one of your professors.
Copyright Policy: This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.
Americans with Disabilities Act: In accordance with ADA, Wilmington College provides reasonable accommodation to students with physical and mental disabilities. If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, please notify the Disability Services Director at (937) 481 – 2444, Robinson Communication Center during business hours and the professor by the end of the first class.
Important Dates
Friday, January 17 – Last day to add class
Wednesday, March 26 - Last day to drop class
Thursday, April 10 - News Journals due
General Information
Important course announcements will be made in class and posted on the course pages. It is expected that you will check your emails at least once every 24 hours during the semester. A minimum of two hours of student work per week is expected for each credit hour awarded for the class. This means that students enrolled in an online 4 credit hour course over a full semester should anticipate spending at least 8 hours of work each week outside of scheduled class time to complete the requirements of the course.
Blackboard course page: Lecture notes will generally be posted on the course webpage prior to the relevant lecture. You should print out these notes prior to coming to class to use in your note-taking during lecture. These notes are not meant to replace your attendance, nor your note-taking during lecture. Many times there are important concepts covered in class that are not explicitly addressed in the notes and textbook; therefore it is important you take careful notes during class.
Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/725348610894319/): The purpose of this page is to facilitate communication between classmates and with your professor. Sign up for a Facebook account and join the group “WC Environmental Science.” Post any questions about the course or the material on the Facebook page, as chances are others in the class might have a question as well. Additionally, the professor will post important announcements on the Facebook group page. Set your notifications for the group to “Yes” to receive notifications. It is also suggested that you check the box under “Notifications” > “Settings” to receive an email notification as well to be alerted when someone posts to the Facebook group page.
You absolutely must take an active role in your learning to be successful in this course. The professor will be available by appointment during office hours and other times, through email, by phone and through the course pages to answer any questions you have concerning assignments, course content and your progress. There is one guarantee for this course; if you start off with a true commitment to do well, question the professor at every opportunity, be prepared, plan ahead, meet deadlines, and study hard, you will pass this course with no trouble.
Field Trips
There will be field trips throughout the semester. Please dress appropriately for field trips (shoes for hiking, appropriate clothing, hat, etc.). Sunscreen and water are recommended on hot days. Field trips will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions; we will go out in rain and unpleasant weather. Please arrive at the meeting location (lab or parking lot of CSA) at least 5 minutes before, as we will be leaving promptly. If you miss a ride, it will count as an absence from the lab. Every effort will be made to return by the end of the lab period, within the constraints of traffic, weather, etc. It is highly recommended that you avoid scheduling anything on your lab day immediately after class in case of unavoidable lateness.
Wilmington College Mission Statement
The purpose of Wilmington College is to educate, inspire, and prepare each student for a life of success and service.
To fulfill that purpose, Wilmington College provides a high quality undergraduate and graduate education shaped by the traditions of the liberal arts, career preparation, and the distinctive values of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). By offering academic programs, practical experience, and co-curricular activities in a variety of settings to students from diverse backgrounds, the College leads students to gain an awareness of the world, to acquire knowledge of career and vocation, and to seek truth and social justice.
In keeping with the rich heritage of the liberal arts, the College seeks to educate the whole person-intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual-in ways that foster critical thinking, reflection, the free exchange of ideas, open inquiry, tolerance, and a desire for lifelong learning. The liberal arts are integrated with career preparation to help students develop the knowledge and skills to succeed in a career or further education.
As an academic community, Wilmington College is rooted in historic Quaker values that include integrity, service, simplicity, equality, peace and social justice, and respect for all persons. These values motivate those who learn and work at Wilmington College to make positive contributions to their professions and their communities.
Semester Schedule
Below is the current semester schedule for Dr. Cipollini. The easiest and quickest way to reach your professor is to arrange an appointment during office hours. If you need to meet outside of office hours, you may also schedule an appointment (though availability is not as guaranteed). You can always contact the professor without an appointment, but the professor may be with another student, working elsewhere or otherwise unavailable; thus, it is best if you make an appointment. Questions about class can also be addressed via the course page or via email. Phone calls will be forwarded to a cell phone. Please limit phone calls to Monday to Friday between 9 and 7.
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 9:15 | Available for appointment | Available for Appointment | |||
| 9:30 | |||||
| 9:45 | ES330 Marine Biology CSA 308 | ES330 Marine Biology CSA 308 | |||
| 10:00 | Office Hours by Appointment | ||||
| 10:15 | |||||
| 10:30 | |||||
| 10:45 | |||||
| 11:00 | Office Hours by Appointment | Office Hours by Appointment | |||
| 11:15 | |||||
| 11:30 | ES101G Environmental Science CSA 314 | ES101G Environmental Science CSA 314 | |||
| 11:45 | |||||
| 12:00 | |||||
| 12:15 | |||||
| 12:30 | |||||
| 12:45 | Office Hours by Appointment | Office Hours by Appointment | |||
| 1:00 | ES101G Environmental Science Lab CSA 103 | ES330 Marine Biology Lab CSA 103 | ES101G Environmental Science Lab CSA 238 | ||
| 1:15 | |||||
| 1:30 | |||||
| 1:45 | |||||
| 2:00 | |||||
| 2:15 | |||||
| 2:30 | |||||
| 2:45 | |||||
| 3:00 | |||||
| 3:15 | |||||
| 3:30 | |||||
| 3:45 |
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Academic Misconduct - Examples [10/24]
ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT
This policy is directly related to the first Testimony, which is part of the Student Code of Conduct. “I will practice personal and academic integrity.” The initial responsibility for dealing with academic misconduct lies with the individual faculty member in whose classroom or course of study the offense occurs. The responsibility includes determination of the consequences for the offense. The goal is for faculty to confront cheating and plagiarism, to teach ethical behavior, and to provide an appropriate consequence based on the nature of the incident. Faculty are encouraged to explicitly address academic misconduct and its consequences in the course syllabus.
EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
A. Examination offenses include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.Taking unauthorized materials into or out of the examination room.
2.Leaving the examination room without authorization before completing an examination.
3.Talking in the examination room without authorization.
4.Discussing the examination outside the examination room during the course of the examination.
5.Attempting to observe the work of another student.
6.Taking an examination for another person or permitting someone else to do so.
7.Collaborating improperly by discussion, joint research, or joint effort in any way expressly prohibited by the instructor. This includes using a cell phone or other device to access information from another source or another student.
8.Improper knowledge of contents of an examination - No student shall knowingly acquire unauthorized knowledge of an examination or any part of an examination, or solicit, offer, or give information about any part of an examination.
B. Student work offenses include, but are not limited to, the following, which are expressly prohibited in the absence of prior written approval of the instructor or instructors involved:
1.Resubmission of work - Submitting work which has been previously submitted for credit.
2. Plagiarism - Submitting work done wholly or partly by another, including the unattributed copying of all or parts of a published work or internet document. Using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) sources to produce work (when not expressly permitted) is also a form of plagiarism. Some instances of plagiarism are the result of ignorance rather than dishonesty. When plagiarism is encountered, the instructor should be sure that the student knows proper procedures for attributing content.
3.Prohibited sources - Consulting material or persons contrary to the directions of the instructor.
4.Improper collaboration - Engaging in any discussion, joint research, or joint effort of any kind expressly prohibited by the instructor.
5.Deception - Misrepresenting the authenticity of sources, citations, or principles in any written work.
6. Sharing work – Students who share their work with others are responsible for how that work is used. For example, if a student shares a paper with another student to help him or her understand an assignment, and that student submits the work as their own, the author of the paper shares responsibility for the plagiarism committed by the other student.
D. Other misconduct - Engaging in any other improper conduct as specified by the instructor.
E. Lying – deliberately providing false information relevant to academic matters, such as misrepresenting the inability to take an examination because of illness.
F. Disruptive or disrespectful classroom behavior – causing a disturbance in the classroom, interrupting instruction, speaking rudely or threatening students or faculty.
Class Attendance Policy |
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), Wilmington College provides access through reasonable accommodations to students with documented physical and psychological disabilities.
Students who wish to access Services need to meet with the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services and provide verification of their disability. To register with Accessibility and Disability Services, students submit an Application for Services. In addition, the student must provide the Disability Verification form accompanied by current disability documentation from a licensed professional. For more information, contact the Director of Accessibility and Disability Services at accessibility@wilmington.edu or 937.481.2444, 114 Robinson Communcation Center.