ESR 320W ... Environmental Systems I ... Fall 2000

Where: SB2, rm 108, Portland State University
Lecture: TR 0800-0950
Lab: R 1200-1550

Instructor: Dr. Alan Yeakley (503-725-8040; yeakley@pdx.edu; office hrs: T 10-11 and H 10-11)
Lecture Text: White et al., 1992, Environmental Systems
Lab Text: Brower et al., 1998, Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology

Description. Introduction to the structure and function of environmental systems, with an emphasis on physical processes and environmental system dynamics. Includes a laboratory section using quantitative techniques for conceptualizing and analyzing atmospheric and hydrologic processes. Primary field laboratory work is conducted in a forested watershed in the Tualatin Mountains north of Portland.

Writing Emphasis. ESR 320W is a writing intensive course, with at least 30% of the grading based on written work. It qualifies as a replacement for WR 323.

Grade distribution. Lab: 40%; Homework: 20%; Midterm: 20%; Final: 20%.

General notes. Exams will be taken during the designated class periods, and will be open book, open note. Unavoidable conflicts with labs or exams must be worked out in advance, and the reason for missing an exam or lab must be acceptable to the instructor. Late penalties will be assessed at 2% deduction for each weekday late.

Laboratory. Laboratory will meet each Thurs 12:00-3:50 p.m., in a room TBA. Computer oriented labs will be conducted in the PC lab, while field oriented labs will generally involve transporting students to field sites in the Portland area. For the first lab, bring only paper and pencil. For the PC labs, bring two blank 3.5" floppy disks (IBM format only). For field labs, bring appropriate outdoor gear, including hiking shoes/boots, workgloves and raingear.

• Field lab notebook. Beginning with Lab 2, each student will maintain a fieldbook for all lab sessions throughout the course. Instructions on filling out the fieldbook will be distributed prior to the second lab.
• Lab report deadlines. Lab report deadlines are given above. Up to one lab period may be missed due to external circumstances; however, permission must be granted in advance of the lab meeting time.
• Lab grading. The lab grade will consist of: (1) active participation (= active participation + field notebook evaluation) 16.7% (2) Lab reports 16.7% each.