Intro. to Chemistry and the Environment

03.108-9

I. CREDIT HOURS: 3
SEMESTER: Summer 2003
PREREQUISITE: None
LECTURE: MW 8:30-12 Noon

II. INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Salim M. Diab
OFFICE: Room 215, St. Albert
PHONE: 740 3855
HOME PHONE: 730-8302
e-mail: sdiab@stfrancis.edu
Homepage:http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/etherman.htm
Lecture Notes:http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/C&e/Lecturenotes.html

III. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a web enhanced course designed to meet the liberal education, science requirement for non majors. The course uses a textbook and follows a curriculum that was developed by the American Chemical Society for college students who are not majoring in science. The course focuses, with a broad outlook, on the great role of chemistry in everyday life. The central theme of the course is the importance of chemistry as it applies to the environment. The course is an integrated study of those questions that deal with concrete knowledge within the field of chemistry; from nuclear and atomic structure of matter to the polymerization of organic compounds, with issues of great concerns to our environment; like energy and pollution. The course will prepare students to use proper scientific language in order to communicate their ideas coherently and accurately. The course also focuses on those issues with no easy answers, or any answers at all. Issues dealing with the complexities generated from the impact of science and technology on our society. Scientific and technological "success" presents government, social institutions, and individuals with difficult questions. These questions may include economic, political, ethical, and religious dimensions to them. The course will utilize a variety of learning techniques such as: formal lecture, group discussion, audio visuals, demonstrations, browsing the internet, collaborative learning and field trips where appropriate.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. understand the language of science and its use in the scientific community.
2. understand and appreciate the rational world around us through the scientific method and its historical context.
3. gain concrete knowledges associated with environmental concerns such as: radiation, nuclear power, energy sources, air and water pollution, chemical and nuclear waste, and others.
4. gain awareness of and appreciation for the impact of society and technology on our environment.
5. gain awareness of what scientists do and their responsibility to society.
6. become an informed citizen, capable of making intelligent decisions concerning the environment.
7. analyze current solutions to environmental problems using library resources and the internet and think up alternative ones.
8. become familiar with the internet as a powerful source of information.

IV. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
1. Chemistry in Context, Applying Chemistry to Society. A Project of the American Chemical Society, W.C.Brown, 4th edition, 2003.
2. Internet Access: http://www.mhhe.com/cic

OTHER REFERENCES:
a. Inside Chemistry, by Charles Compton.
b. Chemistry: Ideas to Interpret Your Changing Environment, by Tom Hughes.
c. Chemistry, Man and Society, by Jones, Netterville, Johnston, and Wood.
d. Applied Chemistry, by W.R. Stine.
e. The Challenge of Chemistry, by Philip Horrigan. f. Profile of the Future, by Arthur Clarke.
g. The Central Science Essays on the uses of Chemistry, edited by Kauffmann and Szmant.
h. Taking Things Apart and Putting Things Together, ACS Publication.
i. Living in the Environment, by J.T. Miller, Jr., 2nd Edition.
j. Environmental Science, by J.T. Miller, Jr., 2nd Edition.
k. Environmental Science, by K. Arms.
l. Chemistry for Changing Times, J.W. Hill, 6th Edition.
m. Earth in the Balance, Ecology and the human spirit, by Al Gore.
n. Mother Earth Spirituality, Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and our World, by Ed McGaa and Eagle Man.
o. Design for a Livable Planet, How you can help clean up the environment, by Jon Naar.
p. Chemistry Industry and the Environment, by James Lowe
q. Chemistry, An Environmental perspective, by Buell and Girard
r. Chemistry in Context, a project of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
s. Waste: A Hidden Resource, a project of Keep America Beautiful (KAB)
t. World of Chemistry Essentials. by Joesten, Natterville, and Wood.

V. COURSE OUTLINE:

Chapter 1 - The Air we Breathe
Chapter 2 - Protecting the Ozone Layer

Test 1 (20% )

Chapter 3 - The Chemistry of Global Warming
Chapter 4 - Energy, Chemistry, and Society

Test 2 (20% )

Chapter 5 - The Water we Drink
Chapter 6 - Neutralizing the Threat of Acid Rain

Test 3 (20% )

Chapter 7 - The Fires of Nuclear Fission
Chapter 8 - Energy from Electron Transfer - New Energy Sources for the New Century
Chapter 9 - The World of Plastics and Polymers

Final Exam (20% ) - Over Chapters 7, 8, 9 only.

VI. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
a. Attendance is required and class discussion is encouraged. Any unexcused absences will lower your course grade.
b. Portfolio- A collection of assignments from the internet, case studies, text, journals, and newsmedia. Make sure that you document any information that you place in your portfolio. Also, Group Discussion is required at different times in the semester. The class will be arranged into small groups to discuss and debate current issues.. A group response is required for each discussion and must be handed in to the instructor for credit at the end of the class period.
c. Three tests will be given over selected chapters - see shedule above.
d. Final Exam will be over chapters 7, 8, and 9 only.
e. Academic integrity must always be preserved. Any violation will be handled according to the Guidelines in the College Catalog.

Breakdown for Grading:

                     Tests               60%
                Portfolio         20%
                Final Exam     20%
                Total Points   100%

RECOMMENDED READINGS OF SELECTED SCIENCE JOURNALS:

a. Discover
b. Sciquest
c. Scientific American
d. Environment
e. Chemtech
f. Environmental Science and Technology
g. EPA Journal

IMPORTANT NOTE:
All students with documented disabilities who need accommodations should contact your professor within the first two weeks of school and schedule an appointment with the Disabilities Coordinator.

Important Websites:
http://www.doe.gov
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.ucsusa.org
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
http://www.greenpeace.org/
http://www.anl.gov
http://www.cnie.org/
http://www.nwf.org/
http://www.acs.org

Mentorship Program:
SEE PHOTOS Ludwig Junior High ( Lockport) Students Mentorship Project - Spring 1999/Spring 2002 class.

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