Florida Ecosystems

Valencia College – Winter Park Campus
CRN 17133– Fall 2005

LOCATIONS:

CREDIT: 3 credit hours

You will be parking in Lot G and entering the park through the Education or Sea Harbor Gate. Make sure that your SeaWorld parking pass is clearly displayed on your dashboard. It is IMPERATIVE that you arrive on time for every class. The Sea Harbor Gate stays locked at all times. Once we enter the park as a class, there will be no way for you to enter the park on your own should you arrive late. We will be spending much of our time in the park. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. Umbrellas, hats, sunglasses, and water bottles are all encouraged. Class will not be cancelled due to inclement weather. Please be prepared for the possibility of encountering large crowds while in the park.

PROFESSORS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A general course designed primarily for those students not majoring in biology. The course includes a study of how energy flows through food chains and nutrient cycles, the specific interrelationships within biological communities, the various biomes of the world, and the effect of water and air pollution on the environment. Students will also learn about the wildlife of Florida and their roles in the ecosystem through an interactive learning experience at SeaWorld Adventure Park. This is a three-credit-hour, semester-long course condensed into five weeks. As a result, you will be expected to spend more time in class (approximately 10 hours per week) and out of class reviewing and studying course material.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. You will learn basic concepts in Florida ecology and will be able to apply these concepts in your daily life.
2. You will recognize the interdependence of the disciplines of biology, physical science, and social science in your study of selected topics.

VALENCIA STUDENT CORE COMPETENCIES:

These core competencies are complex abilities that are essential to lifelong success and which must be developed over a lifetime. They enable students and faculty to set learning goals and then to assess that learning. Ultimately, these competencies aid students in taking responsibility for their own education. A description of these competencies follows, but a more detailed description of the Valencia’s student core competencies can be found at the following website: http://faculty.valencia.cc.fl.us/association/corecomp.htm

COMPETENCIES OF A VALENCIA GRADUATE:

While the implementation of explicit Valencia Graduate Competencies will be detailed at the end of each topic, it will be stated below how Valencia Graduate Competencies may be met throughout the entire course.

I. Think Critically:

1-7, 9: As a topic is presented, the approach may focus on some or all of these competencies. Critical thinking is an inherent part of environmental studies. The professor presents information or data and then has students analyze, synthesize and evaluate it in the context of the critical thinking criteria.

II. Read, Listen, Write and Speak Effectively:

1-5, 8: Will be demonstrated in class discussions and presentations, test questions, papers, and projects.

III. Understand and Use Quantitative Information:

3: Graphs and charts will present data. Students will be required in class to express their implications.

IV. Clarify Personal Strengths, Values and Goals in Relation to Cultural Values:

1-4: Where applicable, personal and cultural aspects of material will be discussed and integrated.

V. Recognize the Value of Physical and Mental Health:

 1-4: The interdependence of mind/body and the physical and biotic environment is central to biology. Many topics in this course deal with these issues.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

All course work and papers submitted must be your own original work. Plagiarism and/or other forms of academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade for the class. If you are unclear as to the exact definition of plagiarism, please consult Valencia’s Student Handbook or a dictionary for an explanation.

Academic Honesty – Valencia Policy

SCHEDULE:

EVALUATION:

The percentage breakdown and VCC grading scale are as follows:

We welcome your attendance at each of the three Saturday sessions and the four Thursday sessions. It is most important that you are present for each session. The format of this class is structured in such a way that attendance is mandatory. Please give careful consideration to your options the first day of class. Please be advised that regular attendance and punctuality are essential for your success. It is imperative that you contact the appropriate instructor to report any missed class time. Missed class time will not be excused if you do not receive a verbal confirmation from the instructor PRIOR to your absence. An excused absence will still count against you in the attendance and punctuality portion of your grade. You will be allowed to make-up course material (i.e. activity, test), but you will not have the opportunity to make-up class time at SeaWorld. Your instructors reserve the right to drop you from the class for excessive absenteeism (more than 4 hours of missed class time).

You will be in class a total of forty hours. For each hour you are not in attendance, points will be deducted from your grade. If you are absent for any fraction of an hour, this time will be rounded up to one full hour. Following are some examples of how the attendance/punctuality portion (15%) of your grade will be determined:

You will have two tests on Oceanography and two tests on the wildlife of Florida. Both test 2’s are NOT cumulative. The oceanography tests are multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank; the biology tests will be primarily short answer and diagrammatic identification. SeaWorld class assignments may include the completion of activity sheets and possibly quizzes.

Student Code of Classroom Conduct - Valencia Policy

EDUCATION PROGRAM FEE:

A $35.00 education program fee is due on the first night of class (September 8). Please pay with personal check made payable to SeaWorld Adventure Park. Please provide your current address and driver’s license number. Students who do not pay the education program fee will have their VCC account placed on hold and will be unable to get their final grade or register for future courses until the fee is paid.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

Students receive a “W” or withdrawal from the course if the student request is processed by the deadline, September 23, 2005. The withdrawal can be done via ATLAS, but do it early in the event you have any computer-related challenges and need to come in person before the office closes. After the specified deadline, students who process a request to withdraw after the deadline will receive either a WP (withdraw passing – based upon the last date of attendance) or a WF (withdraw failing – based upon the last date of attendance). Please refer to the College catalog for more details.

INSTRUCTORS’ NOTES:

Come prepared for class and have your materials ready before class begins. Keep in mind that this course has been condensed into 5 weeks and may require additional effort to maximize your experience. Tardiness is not permitted. General announcements are often made at the beginning of each class period. You are responsible for inquiring about announcements in the event that you are late for class. As a courtesy to the instructors and fellow classmates, please refrain from individual conversations during instruction. Talking during a test will be considered cheating and will result in a 0% on the test. Any student that misses a scheduled make-up exam will be given a zero for that test. No food or drinks are allowed in class. We are primarily concerned with your intellectual development and your personal growth. Our job is to create a positive learning environment. Your job is to take responsibility for your own learning. Remember, the student is responsible for making up any missed assignments and contacting the instructors prior to an anticipated absence. Otherwise, those absences will be considered unexcused. We have high expectations for your achievement in this course. Please do not hesitate to approach us with any questions or concerns, academic or otherwise. Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a letter from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the professor, preferably within the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities (Winter Park Campus, Room 203, Phone: 407-582-6887). We ask that you follow college policy relating to children on campus. Please make arrangements for childcare outside of classrooms or labs. Please make note of evacuation route from your Valencia classroom in case of an emergency. Interpret all audible alarms as valid and act accordingly.

APPOINTMENTS WITH THE PROFESSOR:

If necessary, appointments can be made by contacting the professors by E-mail or telephone. The appropriate contact information has been provided on page one of this syllabus. Normally, David Schindler is most available during weekday mornings.

DISCLAIMER:

The above information as well as the course schedule is subject to written or verbal change at the discretion of the professor.