Addresses course outcomes 2 and 3: Topic: Acid Rain
Use knowledge of biological principles to ask relevant questions about the natural world make observations and discriminate between scientific and pseudoscientific explanations.
In the third week of class, each student will be assigned to study one of the six problems - global warming, tropical deforestation, invasive species, acid rain, loss of biodiversity, and nutrient pollution. Using information at least 3 sources of information (book, magazine, journal, or reputable website), each student will complete a brief 1-2 page report (single space) to submit to the Environmental Problems. Encyclopedias such as Wikipedia only count as one reference. Cite references where appropriate within the report. The report will include information on (1) the ecological nature of the problem, (2) possible solutions, and (3) list of references. Section (3) bibliography should include author, date, title, and sufficient source information that would allow me to look it up. Reputable websites include those created by scientific organizations or major news organizations. Avoid commercial websites that are trying to sell something or advocacy websites that promote one point of view. The report should be in your own words and not include cut & paste passages from websites. The Environmental Problems Report should be submitted directly into the conference, single spaced and not as an attachment. Further details of this assignment will be posted in the third week of the course.
Environmental Problems Discussion: Each student will provide meaningful feedback on a minimum of three topics (other than assigned report topic) to the environmental problems reports by discussing the pros and cons of the solutions or suggest new solutions. Entries must be more than simple agreement/ disagreement.