Professor James Sniezek BI109 - Natural Science of the Chesapeake Bay
Department of Biology
Rockville Campus, Science West Building, Room 131 Phone: 240-567-5130, Fax: 240-567-7910, Department Phone: 240-567-5124 Office Hours: E-mails and questions through discussion board. James.Sniezek@montgomerycollege.edu
WELCOME MESSAGE
Thank you for your interest in BI109. Please feel free to e-mail me with questions not answered by the following information.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. James Sniezek, Professor of Biology at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus.
Email address: james.sniezek@montgomerycollege.edu (During the course you should contact me by WebCT email or post general questions in the "module" section of the discussion board.)
Office Location: Office #131 Science West Building, Rockville Campus
Office Phone Number: 240-567-5130; Department Phone Number: 240-567-5124
Office Hours: I will be checking your emails and questions from the discussion board frequently during each week. Most online students find they do not need to meet with me face-to-face. If you would like to meet with me personally, email me so we can arrange a time to meet. You are welcome to come to see me.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary of natural and economic importance surrounded by one of the most densely populated regions of the United States. Basic principles of natural science will be learned using the Chesapeake watershed as a model. A historical perspective of the bay will be presented and contrasted with the current condition of the estuary. Students will research, discuss, and present issues influencing the Chesapeake Bay. One field trip required. (NSND)
COURSE PREREQUISITES
There are no course prerequisites. However, students must meet the assessment level requirements by being minimally eligible to register for EN 101/101A and RD 120.
TEXTBOOK
There is NO REQUIRED TEXT for this course. You may want to purchase as supplemental reading the following:
Chesapeake Bay: A Field Guide, Christopher White (ISBN 0-80733-351-8) and Life in the Chesapeake Bay, 2nd edition, Lippson & Lippson (ISBN 0-8018-5475-X).
These textbooks provide a general overview of the ecology of the Chesapeake Watershed and may help you to develop a strong basic working knowledge of the ecological issues and wildlife associated with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS
A typical week for you will include some of the following: An Internet module which will include readings and a written thought question assignment. About mid semester there will also be an online group activity that will require participation. You will also be required to take a self directed fieldtrip to an approved Chesapeake Bay educational facility.
Your course grade will be based on the following:
Introductory Post: 2 Total Points
Exams: 198 Total Points
There will be two exams, a midterm and a non-comprehensive final. Each is worth 99 points. These exams will be open book.
Written Thought Assignments and Plagiarism Quiz: 160 Total Points There are 6 writing assignments called Thought Questions. Written assignments are worth 10-40 points. You will also be required to take the plagiarism quiz available through the MC library website.
BIG Group Project: 60 Total Points
As part of your learning experience you will design a presentation to present to the BIG Conference (Bay Interest Groups). Your presentation will concern material relevant to future Chesapeake Bay usage. More information about this project will be forthcoming. This will be a group project and will be due near the end of the course. You will be assigned to a group by approximately midway through the course.
Field Experience: 40 points
Reading about the watershed is very different from experiencing the watershed. Each student is expected to independently experience the Chesapeake Bay in a way meaningful to him or her. Experiential trips must be submitted for approval prior to completion. A one to two page write-up of the experience will be required for credit.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Technological ability to access Internet, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and/or Adobe Acrobat documents and to create documents in either Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format is needed.
ON-CAMPUS REQUIREMENTS
There are no on-campus requirements. You are welcome to come to my office to discuss concerns or questions or simply to meet me!
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
None
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more detailed course information, email me and I will send you a course syllabus. I look forward to working with you.
