Course Syllabus
Below is a syllabus template that includes WSU's required syllabus elements. Please complete all items highlighted in yellow.
See PDF of syllabus here.
Title of Course [Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development]
Prefix and Number [SOE 479]
Semester and Year [tbd]
Number of Credit Hours [3 (2-1)]
Prerequisites [SOE 312 OR instructor/academic advisor approval; undergraduate students must have junior or senior standing in their major to enroll.]
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information: [office location, phone, email] [tbd]
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
This course explores how the Earth and environmental sciences contribute to achieving a sustainable and resilient future, for people and the planet. Students are given the opportunity to explore major challenges of our time, such as, but not limited to, climate change; access to fresh water; the energy transition; poverty; and more, and ask questions such as, “How can the Earth and environmental sciences and the science community catalyse and contribute to sustainable development and resiliency?”, for which we will also seek answers. In this hands-on course students will debate wicked problems and learn how to work in interdisciplinary teams to identify social-ecological challenges and innovate potential solutions to them. Students can expect to gain a strong theoretical understanding of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and their relationships with the Earth and environmental sciences, as well as practical innovation skills, and practice thinking and working at the intersections of science, society, and policy.
Course Materials
Books: [The Age of Sustainable Development by Jeffrey Sachs ($44.95)
Geosciences and the Sustainable Development Goals by Joel C. Gill & Martin Smith ($79.99)]
Other Materials: [additional reading will be provided by the instructor (no cost)]
Fees: [0]
Expectations for Student Effort
[Describe how much time students should expect to invest in the course each week. Graduate courses should state: "For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside of class." Note that Global campus courses will automatically include credit hour equivalents in the syllabus.]
Time expectations: This is a 3-credit class. Students should expect to spend 1 hour 40 minutes in lectures per week. For each hour of lecture, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of outside work. Students should expect to spend 3 hours in lab per week and a minimum of 1 hour outside of lab per lab to continue and finish work.
Grading [add more lines if necessary]
[Provide information about how grades will be rounded (eg, if 89% earns a B+ and 90% earns an A-, what grade is given to a student with an 89.5?]
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
[Provide details on how attendance affects final course grades. Indicate whether and how missed exams, laboratory sessions, etc. can be made up. Sample attendance statement: “Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Missing class meetings may result in reducing the overall grade in the class.” ] Course Expectations
What I expect from you:
Come to class with a respectful, positive, and curious attitude. A successful and
fun learning experience depends on the valuable discussion between all –
professor and students. Do not be afraid to ask or answer questions. I expect
you to promote an environment that fosters the freedom for this interaction
(i.e., please give this course your attention and respect when you are in the
classroom - see policies on cellphone and laptop use below).
What you should expect from me:
I will come to class with a respectful, positive, and curious attitude. You will have
my attention and respect during the course. I will return graded assignments
and respond to emails in a timely manner. I will answer your questions to the
best of my knowledge and research those that I may not have an answer to
right away. I will ask you questions and lead discussions during lectures. I will
foster a fun and respectful learning environment in this course.
Lecture Attendance & Participation: Much of the material covered in class,
you may not find in the textbook, so it is to your benefit to attend class. In
addition, classes will consist of a combination of lectures, discussions, and
conversations. The more you participate in class, the more you will learn and
the more enjoyable the learning experience will be.
Late Assignment Policy: 10% reduction for each day late with the exception
of excused absences. In the case of excused absences, please come see me
ASAP to develop a schedule for turning in any late assignments and/or to get
make-up assignments. WSU's Academic Regulation Rule #72 (regarding student
absences) will be followed to determine if/how missed work may be made up.
Lab Attendance: If you miss more than two lab sessions (without prior
consent from me), you will not pass the class! This policy does not apply to
excused absences. WSU's Academic Regulation Rule #72 (regarding student
absences) will be followed to determine if/how missed work may be made up.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Academic integrity will be strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy (identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 504-26-010(3) and -404) will fail the course, and will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration as defined in the Standards of Conduct for Students, WAC 504-26-010(3). You need to read and understand all of the definitions of cheating: http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspxcite=504-26-010. If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask the course instructor before proceeding. If you wish to appeal a faculty member's decision relating to academic integrity, please use the form available at conduct.wsu.edu. Academic integrity will be strongly enforced in this course. Each student (or group) must turn in original work. No copying will be accepted. Note: do not use materials from previous versions of this course. This includes homework assignments and exams from former students. I will consider this cheating and a violation of academic integrity. Students who violate WSU’s Policy on Academic Integrity will fail the course and be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.