MSCI-271P Ecology for Architects: Syllabus

Course description:

Architects build structures that serve as environments for organisms: human beings. Therefore, it is crucial that architects understand the ways in which organisms interact with the environment and other organisms. This course will investigate topics in Ecology that will enable students to think more broadly about what it means to design living and working spaces.

Instructor information:

Dr. Damon A. Chaky
Associate Professor, Department of Math and Science

URL: http://pratt.edu/~dchaky
E-mail: dchaky@pratt.edu
Phone: 718-636-3762
    x 3762 from the Brooklyn campus

Office: ARC Lower Level G-43
Office Hours:
    TBA for Spring 2010

E-mail is the best (and preferred) way to reach me for a question or to schedule an appointment outside of class.

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Class meeting time:

TBA for Spring 2010

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Course goals:

By taking this course, you will...

• acquire an "ecological literacy" about how the natural world works
• develop an understanding of how scientific methods are used to construct ecological knowledge
• become familiar with some of the major ecological challenges facing the Earth today, and the important research which needs to be done to address these concerns
• develop a deeper understanding of how human development impacts ecological communities and systems
• become familiar with the ecological justification for sustainable practice in building and design

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Learning objectives:

By the end of this course, you should be able to...

• understand and describe the major ideas of natural selection, population and community ecology, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainability
• describe and debate some of the major ecological issues relating to the current and future human condition, e.g. ecosystem services, agricultural systems, water resources, the management of reserves, and the growth of cities
• identify and describe specific ways in which natural or anthropogenic activity might influence terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
• describe and assess the ecological impact of the use and development of alternative energy technologies
• describe how environmental health may be impacted by toxic materials, and describe what factors contribute to toxicity
• address issues of ecological concern using qualitative and quantitative arguments
• describe the ecological basis of "green" movements in design and architecture

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Course content:

Consult the course website for the readings that accompany each week's material. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings and some assignment materials.

Remember: There will be a short quiz at the beginning of class each week!

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Course requirements:

Textbooks, readings, and materials:

• You do not have to purchase any reading material for this course. All required readings will be available through the course website on Pratt's Learning Management System.
   
  Course readings will include book chapters, articles from peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science, Nature), mass-market science periodicals (e.g. Scientific American, National Geographic Magaazine), and recent articles in the popular press. These articles will be posted as PDFs to the main course site. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings.
   
  
• An optional, recommended text Enger, E. D. and Smith, B. F., (2006) Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships, Eleventh Edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, 488 pgs. ISBN 0073304476 is available for purchase in the PrattStore or online at your favorite retailer. Consider purchasing this if you'd like to explore further. It is NOT required to purchase this book.
• There will be a small fee and subway fare associated with a self-guided trip to the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.

Projects(s), paper(s), assignment(s):

• Weekly readings (available on the website) are to be read BEFORE coming to class.
• There will be a short quiz at the BEGINNING of class each week to test your understanding of the readings AND the previous week's material.
• Participation is heavily weighted in this course. All students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion at every class meeting.
• A midterm reflection paper or project; Expectations and assessment guidelines will be posted on the course website in advance of the due date.
• A trip report for a visit to AMNH is due April 7th for Section 2, April 8th for Section 4.
• A Final paper/project is due in Week 14 (April 28th for Section 2, April 29th for Section 4).
• A comprehensive final exam will be given in class on Week 15 (May 5th for Section 2, May 6th for Section 4).

Assessment and Grading:

• 15% Weekly quizzes
• 5% Museum trip report
• 20% Participation
• 20% Midterm reflection paper/project
• 20% Final paper/project
• 20% Final exam

There are NO opportunities for extra credit.

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Policies:

• Students must adhere to all Institute-wide policies listed in the Bulletin under "Community Standards" and which include policies on attendance, academic integrity, plagiarism, computer, and network use. Please see http://www.pratt.edu/policies (click on Judicial Procedures) for policies and procedures for handling academic conduct issues.
• Those who require special accommodations for disabilities must obtain clearance from the Office of Disability Services at the beginning of the semester. Please contact Mai McDonald, Disability Services Coordinator, in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Main Building, Lower Level: 718-636-3711. See http://www.pratt.edu/disabilityservices/ for more information
• On-time attendance at each class meeting is expected. Partial attendance, i.e. lateness or early departure, will each count as one-half an absence if not excused in advance.
• Three absences will lower the final letter grade in the course by one full grade, four absences by two grades, and five absences will result in failure. If all absences are excused by Health and Counseling Services, special arrangements will be made.
• Students MAY attend another of my sections if cleared with me at least one week in advance for a VALID reason. Valid reasons include crits, shows or class trips related to other Pratt courses. Arrangements must be made one full week in advance, and must be accompanied by an advisor or dean-provided note.
• Students MAY NOT attend a later section FOR CREDIT if they have missed their assigned section due to a non-excused reason.
• Medical emergencies do not have to be cleared in advance; However, for the absence to be excused, a note from Health Services or your doctor must be provided at the next class meeting.
• It is expected that students will check the course website to download readings, check guidelines for assignments, and check course announcements. To protect copyright, you will need to authenticate with a username and password to gain access to readings and some assignment materials.
• It is expected that students will obtain a Pratt e-mail address and check this mailbox for official course communication.
• Late assignments will be reduced by one full grade per each day late. Late assignments will only be accepted at the discretion of the instructor (i.e., in very unusual circumstances and/or arranged well in advance).

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