Course Syllabus

ISI Website | indepst@uidaho.edu | 208-885-6641

ENVS 1010 Introduction to Environmental Science

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

3 credits

Instructor Information

 Course Instructor: Jocelyn Aycrigg

• Email: aycrigg@uidaho.edu
• Phone: 208 885-3901
• Office: Phinney 414, University of Idaho, Moscow Campus, Moscow, ID 83844-1136
• Office hours: Via Zoom or phone by appointment only
• Copy the ISI office at indepst@uidaho.edu on all communications.

I'm Dr. Jocelyn Aycrigg, your instructor for this course. I am an Associate Professor in Landscape and Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences and Affiliate Faculty in Environmental Science and Geography at the University of Idaho.  

My research interests include landscape ecology, wildlife population ecology and large landscape conservation.

Course Description

Introduction to Environmental Science is focused on the study of natural systems, human systems, and their interactions, such as pollution, energy, and global change. In Environmental Science, you will learn about ideas and issues important to your everyday life and your future, such as clean air and water. Environmental Science includes energy development issues and complex management challenges, such as extracting oil from the tar sands in Canada to clean water issues, such as in Flint, Michigan. You will learn about different viewpoints on environmental issues and will have the opportunity to interact with each other regarding your own ideas. You will learn how the environment impacts humans and how humans impact the environment.

Environmental science surrounds us in our daily lives with complex issues being debated and decided upon. So, read, listen, think, analyze, and then create your own ideas about the most effective ways to address current environmental issues and to live sustainably within our natural systems.

Course Learning Outcomes

Environmental Science will help you better understand your world and provide you with the knowledge to form you own ideas about the environment in which you want to live in the future.  During this course, you will be provided with opportunities to show what you have learned regarding: 

1. Defining and understanding environmental science and its interactions.

2. Understanding and recognizing diverse environmental perspectives.

3. Improving your understanding of complex environmental issues.

4. Understanding how social issues and policy decisions impact the environment.

5. Applying science to assess current and controversial environmental issues.

Required Materials

There is no textbook assigned to the course. For some modules and units, there will be assigned readings to be completed in preparation for a discussion or in place of a lecture.

Course Rules and Requirements

Assignment Guidelines:

• The course is organized into Modules and within each module you will have learning activities to complete. Make sure you review and learn the content in each Module before doing an assignment or quiz.
• You should spend on average, at least 2-3 hours per week for each class credit hour engaging in learning activities for this class.
• You are expected to be an active participant in learning by listening to class lectures/videos, reading course materials, completing quizzes and homework assignments, and other activities.
• I will provide feedback and address your questions in a timely manner.

Grade Information

You will be assessed based on the following learning activities:

• Introduce yourself (20 pts) = 2% of final grade
• 13 Required Quizzes, the 14^th quiz is extra credit (20 pts each: 260 total pts) = 29% of final grade
• 4 Homework assignments (100 pts each: 400 total pts) = 45% of final grade
• World View survey, take 2 times (20 pts each: 50 total pts) = 5% of final grade
• 3 Journal entries (50 pts each: 150 total pts) = 17% of final grade
• 1 Class survey (20 pts) = 2% of final grade

890 total points possible**

**There are up to 20 extra credit points possible, which can be obtained by taking Quiz 14.

Grades will be assigned on the standard University of Idaho Scale

• A: 90% - 100%
• B: 80% - 89.9%
• C: 70% - 79.9%
• D: 60% - 69.9%
• F: 50% - 59.9%

Course Policies

Plagiarism

All students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism—passing off someone else’s work as your own, without citing the source—will not be tolerated. This includes direct copying, rephrasing, and summarizing, as well as taking someone else’s idea and putting it into different words and/or improper citation of related work. This also includes using online learning support platforms, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) language models (e.g., ChatGPT). I want you to practice your critical thinking skills through completing course assignments, therefore do not incorporate any part of an AI generated response in a course assignment.

“A fundamental goal of education is to produce students who can evaluate ideas—both analysis and synthesis—and who can produce significant original thoughts. Plagiarism is simply repeating words or thoughts of other people, without adding anything new. Therefore, submitting a plagiarized paper—in addition to the wrongful conduct—does not demonstrate the level of understanding and skill that an educated person is reasonably expected to have.” (R.B. Standler. 2000. Plagiarism in colleges in USA)

“Plagiarism means using another’s work without giving credit. You must put others’ words in quotation marks and cite your source(s) and must give citations when using others’ ideas, even if those ideas are paraphrased in your own words”(Avoiding Plagiarism: Mastering the Art of Scholarship).

“Note that the intent of a plagiarist is irrelevant. It is no defense for the plagiarist to say “I forgot.” Or “It is only a rough draft.” Or “I did not know it was plagiarism.” (R.B. Standler. 2000. Plagiarism in colleges in USA)

The University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct states that:

“Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Using, by paraphrasing or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement
2. Using materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials without prior authorization by the instructor
3. Engaging in other behavior that a reasonable person would consider plagiarism

Some potentially useful websites (in addition to those cited above):

• Practicing Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism: Guide
• The 5 Types of Plagiarism | Explanations & Examples

Plagiarism is a serious issue. Do your best to avoid it. If you are uncertain about how to cite sources, or have other questions about potential cases of plagiarism, visit with your course instructor prior to handing in an assignment.

Learning Civility

In any learning environment, it is essential that you feel as free and safe as possible in your participation. It is expected that you will be treated with respect and courtesy with an understanding that you will be respectful and civil to your instructor in discussion, in action, in teaching, and in learning.

If you feel class interactions do not reflect an environment of civility and respect, you are encourage to contact ISI to discuss your concern. Additional resources for expression of concern or requesting support include the Dean of Students office and staff (208 885-6757), the UI Counseling & Testing Center’s confidential services (208 885-6716), or the UI Office of Human Rights, Access, & Inclusion (208 885-4285).

Writing Support

The Writing Center provides one-to-one tutoring and consultation for all members of the U of I community, supporting writing for any course or project, and at any stages of a writer’s process, including implementing instructor feedback into revisions, integrating sources, reading strategies, paper organization, sentence level revisions, and much more.

Contact the UI Writing Center at:

Email: writingcenter@uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-6644.

Counseling and Testing Center

The Counseling and Testing Center offers students access to a wide range of counseling services, resources, and referrals, such as testing services, outreach and consultation, and psychiatric services.

Contact the UI Counseling and Testing Center at:

Email: cmhctest@uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-6716

Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR)

The University of Idaho is committed to ensuring an accessible learning environment where course or instructional content are usable by all students and faculty. If you believe that you require disability-related academic adjustments for this class (including pregnancy-related disabilities), please contact the Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR) to discuss eligibility. A current accommodation letter from CDAR is required before any modifications, above and beyond what is otherwise available for all other students in this class, will be provided. Please be advised that disability-related academic adjustments are not retroactive. CDAR is located at the Bruce Pitman Building, Suite 127 on the University of Idaho Moscow campus.

• Email: cdar@uidaho.edu
• Phone: 208 885-6307
• CDAR Website

Inclusivity

As the instructor of this course at the University of Idaho, I acknowledge the importance of diversity and inclusion and how these attributes contribute to the promotion of a positive educational experience. It is my intent to facilitate a healthy, productive, and safe learning environment where diverse thoughts, perspectives, and experiences are welcomed, and individuals' identities (including, but not limited to: race, sex, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, religious beliefs, etc.) are valued and honored. I recognize that as an educator, it is my responsibility to take the initiative to continually learn about diverse perspectives and identities; therefore, if at any point during the course, you feel uncomfortable or concerned, I am more than willing to discuss suggestions, feedback, and anything else that might improve the general effectiveness of this course.

Student Resources

The University of Idaho provides student support to ensure a successful learning experience.

• UofI Student Resources
• SI-PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions): SI-PASS provides regularly scheduled, peer-led study sessions for difficult courses.

Library Help and Resources

The library website has many databases that will help you find relevant and reliable books, articles, images, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact a librarian for research assistance.

• UIDAHO Library website

Technology Help

The UI Help Desk provides many technology related services to UI students.

• Email: support@uidaho.edu
• Phone: 208 885-HELP (4357)
• Student Technology Center

University of Idhao Moscow Land Acknowledgement

UofI Moscow is located on the homelands of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce), Palus (Palouse) and Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) tribes. We extend gratitude to the indigenous people that call this place home, since time immemorial. UofI recognizes that it is our academic responsibility to build relationships with the indigenous people to ensure integrity of tribal voices.

Note: Instructor reserves the right to make changes as needed to course syllabus or schedule.