Northeastern State University

College of Business and Technology

Department of Industry

Tahlequah, OK



INSTRUCTOR:


Dr. Michael D. Turner, Associate Professor. Office: PA B9C.

Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 MWF and 11:00-12:00 a.m. MTWThF; and by appointment at other times.

Telephone: 918-456-5511 ext. 2970.

FAX: 918-458-9651

E-mail: turne003@nsuok.edu



COURSE TITLE AND NUMBER:                                                CLASS DAYS & TIME:

 

ENVM 3043 - Environmental Contaminants                                     12:00 - 12:50 p.m. MWF



PREREQUISITES:


            NONE



CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

 Sources, significance and fates of organic and inorganic contaminants found in the terrestrial, atmospheric and subsurface environments.



COURSE PURPOSE:


            Students will investigate contaminant sources including both natural and man-made sources. Human health and environmental effects will be evaluated for numerous individual chemicals as well as several classes of pollutants. Students will understand the typical fates of contaminants, including absorption, adsorption, biodegradation, photodegradation, bioaccumulation, dispersion and long-range transport.





 


EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:


            Students will be expected to achieve the following objectives:

 

            1.         Identify sources, describe the environmental fates and discuss human health and environmental effects for the following classes of contaminants:

 

                        A.        Metals

                        B.        Anions

                        C.        Hydrocarbons

                        D.        Polychlorinated Biphenyls

                        E.        Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins

                        F.        Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans

                        G.        Polybrominated Biphenyls

                        H.        Insecticides

                        I.         Herbicides

                        J.         Rodenticides

                        K.        Detergents

                        L.        Chlorophenols

                        M.       Organometallic Compounds

                        N.        Radioactive Isotopes

                        O.        Gaseous Pollutants

 

            2.         Identify typical environmental contaminants for a given industry and collect data to characterize those contaminants.



INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

 

Textbook (Required): Walker, C.H., Hopkin, S. P., Sibly, R. M., and D. B. Peakall, Principles of Ecotoxicology, 2nd Ed., Taylor and Francis, New York, 2001.

 


INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:


The expected course outcomes will be realized through a variety of instructional strategies to complement students’ life experiences. Those strategies include, but are not limited to, the following: expository-discussion, demonstration, inquiry, and group activities.








TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF INSTRUCTION

 

            WEEK           TOPIC

 

Week 1Major Classes of Pollutants I

            Week 2           Major Classes of Pollutants II

            Week 3           Ecosystem Entry and Long-Range Movement

            Week 4           Fates of Metals and Radioactive Isotopes

            Week 5           Fates of Organic Pollutants

            Week 6           Biochemical Effects of Pollutants

            Week 7           Physiological Effects of Pollutants

            Week 8           Environmental Effects of Pollutants

            Week 9           Case Study – TBD

            Week 10         Case Study – TBD

            Week 11         Case Study – TBD

            Week 12         Case Study – TBD

Week 13         Case Study – TBD

Week 14         Case Study – TBD

Week 15         Case Study – TBD

Week 16         Final Exam

 

NOTE: Most case studies will be based on EPA Sector Notebooks that can be found at http://es.epa.gov/oeca/sector/index.html.



STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES: (Attendance/Punctuality)


Consistent and punctual attendance is both expected and required for your successful completion of the course. Absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Death or grave illness in the family, childbirth, impassable roads are of course beyond our control. Decisions to celebrate anniversaries, for example, or attend concerts, go on hunting safaris, or participate in a variety of extra-curricular affairs are not. Students will be expected to make up any work missed as a result of absence, whether or not the absence was justified. Unannounced Pop Quizzes may not be made up. Excessive absences and will reduce the final grade for the course.



ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:


Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date indicated when the assignment is given. After the assignment due date, work will be accepted up to one week late with a corresponding grade reduction of one letter grade. Reading assignments are considered preparation for the lecture period. The student is responsible for all material assigned even if not discussed in class. Quizzes over assignments may be given without prior announcement.





STUDENT EVALUATION:


Grades will be based upon formal written examinations, case studies, meaningful class discussion/participation and the final exam.


 

                        Written Examinations (3 @ 100 points each)             300 points

                        Case Studies                                                               100 points

                        Class Participation                                                      100 points

                        Final Exam                                                                 200 points

 

                        Total Course Points                                                  700 points

 

1.         Your final grade will be based on your overall course average as follows:

 

                                                90 - 100%       A

                                                80 - 89%         B

                                                70 - 79%         C

                                                60 - 69%         D

                                                < 60%             F

 

2.         The final examination will be administered at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2003.

 

3.         Students are advised that the last date during the semester when they may drop a course with an automatic "W" will be Friday, November 7, 2003. If you decide to drop after this date, the grade of "W" will be assigned if your grade is a "D" or higher on the date you drop the course; otherwise an "F" will be assigned.

 

4.         Students may visit with the professor about their performance during normally scheduled office hours and by appointment.



ADA COMPLIANCE:


If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations, please advise the instructor of such disability at the first class attended.



INCLEMENT WEATHER / DISASTER POLICY:


            The following are basic premises for the inclement weather policy at Northeastern State University:

 

            1.         Classes are expected to be held if at all possible.

            2.         It is the student's responsibility to receive the information when weather is questionable.

            3.         Neither students nor faculty are expected to risk life or limb.

            4.         Faculty members are obligated to hold classes if the University is not closed, unless the faculty member is unable to get to campus.

 

   Policy:          During times of inclement weather, decisions concerning day classes will be made by 6:00 a.m. in order for the media to be notified and for students to receive the announcement before they leave home. Decisions concerning night classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.

 

The following media will be notified regarding closing of the campus:

 

                        Radio Stations:                                             Television Stations:

 

                        KRMG 740 AM         Tulsa                           KJRH Channel 2        Tulsa

                        KAYI 107 FM            Tulsa                           KOTV Channel 6       Tulsa

                        KTLQ 1350 AM         Tahlequah                   KTUL Channel 8        Tulsa

                        KEOK 102 FM           Tahlequah                   KFSM Channel 5       Fort Smith

                        KBIX 1490 AM         Muskogee                   Cable Channel 96       Tahlequah

                        KMMY 97 FM           Muskogee

                        KVOO 1170 AM        Tulsa

 

The automated attendant message on 918-456-5511 will be modified to include information concerning campus operations during inclement weather.