BIOL-121 Environmental Science Laboratory

Credits 2 / 4 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into ACRD 080. Co-requisite: BIOL-120
Laboratory course to explore topics in environmental science including energy soil water air food biodiversity and habitat conservation. Application of biological physical and chemical principles to analysis of natural resources and the impact of humans on the environment.

Course Outcomes
1. Identify the standard units of measure in the metric system. Measure length, volume, mass, temperature, and time using the metric system 2. Use a compound microscope to observe microscopic organisms and structures. Make a wet mount slide 3. List the types of energy. Relate the conversion of energy from one type to another. Relate temperature to heat capacity 4. List the types of matter. Relate conservation of matter to chemical reactions. 5. Identify difference between a mixture and solution. Utilize different measurements to determine a concentration of substances in a solution. 6. Explain acids and bases. Measure the pH of various solutions. 7. Identify different biomes based on vegetation, latitude, and altitude. Use a dichotomous key to identify different plants associated with each biome 8. Identify different sampling techniques to estimate population size. Use mark-recapture to estimate population size. 9. Model the distribution of water on earth. Identify the composition of water in different regions and map out movement of water between different areas. 10. Identify the use of carbon dioxide by plants and the production of carbon dioxide by respiration and combustion. 11. Identify how different conditions affect composting and decomposition. 12. Identify the different types of fossil fuels and the energy equivalent of each in BTU’s. 13. Analyze water from several sources using a chemical kit. Determine which source would meet environmental standards for different water use. 14. Analyze soil from several sources using a chemical kit. Determine which source would be the best for different agricultural products 15. Identify different food resources in the typical American diet. Compare the protein and caloric value to other MDC’s and LDC’s. 16. Inventory solid waste production. Determine the total amount of trash produced in one week and the relative amounts of different materials in the trash. Identify techniques used to separate solid waste for centralized recycling. 17. Observe the relationship between air pollution and combustion. Observe the difference between air pollutants from the combustion of natural and synthetic materials. 18. Determine the acidity of various water samples from the community. Observe the relationship between sample acidity and deposition. Discuss methods used to alter the pH of the water samples. 19. Identify some sources of carbon dioxide and explain global warming from the greenhouse effect. 20. Identify economic issues associated with the environment. Describe the relationship economics play in environmental policy. 21. Identify your state and federal legislators. Draft a letter to your elected official conveying your views on an environmental issue. 22. Survey environmental attitudes of the local population and compare it to national responses.