ENVS 120. Watersheds:

Connecting the Mountains to the Sea

 

Coordinator: Dr. Steve Norton

Email: SNorton@centralia.edu

Office: New Science Center 318e

 

Class Format:  This class is taught as a series of 5 modules, one per week;  there are a total of four instructors for this class.  Contact information for the instructors for each module is indicated in the schedule below.  Lectures for each module are on Monday and Wednesday, from 2 to 4 in NSC 101.  Field trips are on Friday, except for module 3, July 18th, for which the field trip is on Saturday.

 

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1.       Describe the interaction of geological and hydrological processes in modifying a watershed.

2.       Describe the factors influencing the diversity of riparian and upland plant communities.

3.       Describe short-term (chemical) and long-term (biological) metrics of stream health and anthropogenic activities that degrade stream health.

4.       Explain the factors influencing the abundance of organisms inhabiting marine intertidal habitats, especially sandy and rocky habitats.

5.       Summarize the impacts of anthropogenic changes: habitat loss, hydropower and dams, hatcheries, and overharvesting on populations of local fish species

 

Course Description: This course investigates the interconnections among geology, hydrology, biological diversity, ecology, human impacts and development along local rivers from their headwaters to the ocean.  General concepts presented in lectures are illustrated during day-long weekend field trips over rough terrain. 

 

Credit:  You must be enrolled in ENVS 120 (5 credits) to receive Science Distribution Credit. 

 

Grading:  Specific assignments will vary from module to module.  Each instructor will provide you with more detailed information.  Your overall grade will be calculated from an equal weighting of your grade in each module.  The rubric for converting scores to grade points/letter grades can be found below.

 

Class web site:  We have developed / are developing a course web site on the Centralia College Moodle Server: moodle.centralia.edu.  Reading assignments, links to relevant web sites, and shared data sets will be deposited there.  To access the ENVS 120 Moodle site, you first need to establish a Moodle account and then enroll in the course [Watersheds: Connecting the Mountains to the Sea].  On the right-hand column of welcome page [moodle.centralia.edu], you will find instructions for establishing your account (username, password, email address).  Within the next 24 – 48 hours, the CC Moodle administrator will send an email to the account that you indicate when you create your account.  That email message will include a hot link;  clicking on that hot link will bring you to the welcome page of the CC Moodle server and activate your account.  Our class is the only course in the Environmental Science category.  The very first time that you try to enter the class, you will be asked for an enrolment key (proving that you do belong in the course).  The enrolment key is the word “rivers” (no quotes).  In your future visits, you will be able to connect to the course after you have logged in with your username and password.

 

Behavior:

1.       In the classroom you are expected to behave in a civilized and courteous manner.  If you do not, you will be liable for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the course.  Because of the large size of the class and the acoustics of the lecture hall, even whispered conversations can impair the ability of your classmates to hear the lectures.  If you did not understand what I said, chances are that others also did not;  if you raise your hand, I will gladly go over the point or otherwise try to clear up any confusion. 

2.       All students are expected to behave according to the Students Rights and Responsibilities Code.  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Except in areaa where you have been given explicit instructions by the instructor of a specific module, your work (especially your words) should be your own.  Violations will be brought to the Vice President of Students for punishment.

3.       Food and beverages are NOT ALLOWED in the lab room or lecture room at any time.

4.       Please turn off the ring tone on your cell phone during lecture and lab to minimize disturbance for other students.

5.       Be punctual.  If you must arrive late or leave early, let the instructor know in advance and sit near the door.  Do not leave and re-enter the classroom during lectures.

 

Attendance:

1.       You are expected to attend the lectures and the field trip;  students who do not attend the field trip and participate without prior approval of the instructor of that module will receive a failing grade for that module.

 

Other Important Notes:

1.       Students with disabilities may contact the Special Services Director to determine their eligibility for reasonable accommodation.  The director's office is located with the Counseling Center in the Students Services Building.

2.      Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protections under Title 17 of the United States Code.

3.       It is the policy of Centralia College to assure equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, VI, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Christopher C. Bailey, J.D., Vice President for Human Resources and Legal Affairs, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099, 360.736.9391, extension 285.

 

Decimal Grading Scale:

Percentage of Possible Points

Decimal Grade

Letter Grade

Percentage of Possible Points

Decimal Grade

Letter Grade

96.0-100%

4.0

A+

74

2.4

C+

95

3.9

A+

73

2.3

C+

94

3.9

A+

72

2.2

C+

93

3.8

A

71

2.1

C

92

3.8

A

70

2.0

C

91

3.7

A

69

1.9

C-

90

3.6

A-

68

1.8

C-

89

3.6

A-

67

1.7

C-

88

3.5

A-

66

1.6

C-

87

3.4

B+

65

1.5

C-

86

3.4

B+

64

1.4

D+

85

3.3

B+

63

1.3

D+

84

3.2

B+

62

1.2

D+

83

3.2

B+

61

1.1

D

82

3.1

B

60

1.0

D

81

3.1

B

59

0.9

D-

80

3.0

B

58

0.9

D-

79

2.9

B-

57

0.8

D-

78

2.8

B-

56

0.8

D-

77

2.7

B-

55

0.7

D-

76

2.6

B-

(LOWEST PASSING GRADE)

75

2.5

B-

00.0 – 54.9

0.0

F

 

ENVS 120. Watersheds: Connecting the Mountains to the Sea

Coordinator: Dr. Steve Norton, SNorton@centralia.edu

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE in Chronological Order – DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 

Module 1 [ENVS 121], Fire and Ice, Rain and Rocks – The Geology of a Watershed

Instructor: Mr. Pat Pringle, PPringle@centralia.edu

Schedule:

            Lecture: Monday, June 22, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Lecture: Wednesday, June 24, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Field Trip: Friday, June 26.  8AM to 5PM, place TBA

 

Module 2 [ENVS 122], Plants People and Watershed Health

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Carlson, LCarson@centralia.edu

Schedule:

            Lecture: Monday, July 6, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Lecture: Wednesday, July 8, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Field Trip: Friday, July 10.  8AM to 5PM, place TBA

 

Module 3 [ENVS 125], Life on the Edge: Surviving in the Marine Intertidal

Instructor: Mr. Greg Hueckel, GHueckel@centralia.edu

Schedule:

            Lecture: Monday, July 13, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Lecture: Wednesday, July 15, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Field Trip: Saturday, July 18.  Time and place TBA

 

Module 4 [ENVS 123], Let the Bugs Speak:  Biological Communities and Watersheds

Instructor: Dr. Steve Norton, SNorton@centralia.edu

Schedule:

            Lecture: Monday, July 20, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Lecture: Wednesday, July 22, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Field Trip: Friday, July 24, 8AM to 5PM, place TBA.

 

Module 5 [ENVS 127], Fishes and Rivers in the Northwest: An Introduction to the 4H’s

Instructor: Dr. Steve Norton, SNorton@centralia.edu

Schedule:

            Lecture: Monday, July 27, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Lecture: Wednesday, July 29, 2 – 4 in NSC 101

            Field Trip: Friday, July 31, 8AM to 5PM, place TBA