1. EES 112: Introduction to eNvironmental Science
Instructor: Dr. Suresh Muthukrishnan
Class Times: MWF 9:30 - 10:20 AM; Lab: 2:30 - 5:30 PM Wednesdays
Office: 119F Townes Science Center Phone: 294 - 3361
Office Hours: Open Door policy - just drop in any time I am in my office or make an appointment.
Course Description and Goals:
The major objectives of this course are to explore planet Earth and understand how human activity impacts
the Earth system. At this point in Earth’s history, humans are now the single greatest environmental force on the
planet. Humans literally dominate the Earth system. How extensive is this domination? The data should surprise you
and may open your eyes to environmental problems facing society today and hopefully enlighten you to solutions to
protecting our environment. The course will consist of a blend of in-class discussions, problem analysis, and
homework/lab exercises.
It is beyond the scope of this class to cover all environmental topics or to cover all solutions to the problems we
discuss. The main purpose of this course is to help you understand the complex issues, think logically using facts and
figures to make informed decisions, and to provoke you to ask thoughtful questions related to various issues.
However, the specific learning objectives are centered on you, such that you:
(1) Become knowledgeable about the major global environmental challenges we face
(2) Understand the fundamental biophysical processes that govern environmental systems
(3) Become familiar with the connections and feedbacks between earth systems and human activities
(4) Realize how environmental science relates to your everyday life and society as a whole
(5) Become a better steward of the earth
(6) Have an increased capacity to integrate information on and communicate about environmental issues
(7) Learn how to critically analyze scientific data, interpret results, and draw reasonable conclusions.
Textbook:
There is no explicit textbook for this course. Instead I will be providing you with all the reading materials
electronically (via the class Moodle site and other means). It is essential and absolutely necessary for you to have
read the assigned material BEFORE coming to class so that we can have an informed, thoughtful, and
engaging discussion on these topics! Come to class prepared and ready to discuss and ask questions! There will
be simple quiz at the beginning of the class on reading assignments.
Classroom Policies:
(1) Attendance: Attendance is MANDATORY! More than three unexcused absences can result in the loss of one
letter grade on your final grade (for example from B+ to B). Social engagements will not be counted as an
excused absence. It is the responsibility of the student to present evidence of illness or any other acceptable
reason for missing class. If you have a special situation which will require you to miss several classes, you should
talk with me as soon as possible so that we can deal with your absence before the end of the term. Attendance will
be taken daily. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and pick up any materials
(assignments, handouts, etc.) distributed during class.
(2) In-class and out-of-class learning: I expect you to come to class prepared! It will be necessary to have read the
assigned readings and have thought about the reading BEFORE coming to class. You will be responsible for
the information covered in the assigned readings for the exams.
(3) Late Assignments: During the course of the term you will be receiving a number of out of class assignments. The
due date will be clearly specified for each exercise. All work will be due by 5 pm on the date specified. I will
NOT accept late work. A grade of “0” will be recorded for anything received after the due date/time.
(4) Makeup Work: If you miss an exam, lab, or assignment, you will be allowed to make up the work only if you are
able to provide evidence for your absence along with a letter from the dean confirming it. Otherwise a grade of
“0” will be recorded.
(5) Recording: Use of laptops or recording devices are NOT permitted in class. Recording of classroom discussions
or lectures in any format by any means is NOT permitted. We will be using iPad in this class and use of iPad’s
for anything other than permitted class activities is not acceptable.
(6) Communication: Use of cell phone, texting, chatting, and any social media interaction through smart devises

2. (including your iPad) during class/lab times is prohibited. Violation will result in one whole letter grade penalty
each time. Repeat violations will result in fail grade.
(7) Plagiarism in any form or magnitude will not be tolerated and will result in fail grade for the course and
reporting to the dean. Any writing assignment will be submitted through turnitin system on moodle. This system
will analyze your writing and provide feedback on originality of your work. Read Furman’s academic integrity
handbook to understand what is expected of you. When in doubt, clarify it with me rather than making
assumptions.
Course Evaluation: My evaluation of you will be based on a combination of exams, assignments, labs, and projects.
The breakdown of the grading and the grading scheme are as follows (expressed as a % of the total grade):
Tests (3 x 20%) - 60 %
Final Exam - 20 %
Labs / Assignments - 20 %
Exams: There will be three tests over the course of the term as well as a cumulative final. All three tests will be
conducted during the lab period to give you ample time to complete the exam. The tests will cover the content
discussed in class, labs, assignments, videos, and the assigned readings. I will discuss the test format a few days
before each test. The dates for the tests are:
Exam #1 – February 5th
Exam #2 – March 5th
Exam #3 – April 2nd
Final Exam Monday, May 7th
@ 8.30 am
Assignments / Labs: Over the course of the term there will be a number of lab exercises and out of class assignments
that will allow you to apply your new knowledge, to utilize your understanding to analyze environmental issues.
Many of these exercises will involve some quantitative analysis, which even math-phobic folks should be able to
handle! You will be expected to spend good bit of time outside of the class working on these. There is also a
reflective writing component associated with each lab for this class.
Project: The class project will give you an opportunity to explore a topic of interest more in depth. The specific
nature, objectives, expectations, and requirements of this project will be discussed later in the term.
Grading & Scale
> 93 % A
90 – 93 % A-
87 – 90 % B+
83 – 87 % B
80 – 83 % B-
77 – 80 % C+
73 – 77 % C
70 – 73 % C-
67 – 70 % D+
63 – 67 % D
60 – 63 % D
I wish for you all to get an A in this class – however, realize that it will require motivation, hard work, dedication, and
full commitment towards that goal. Set aside your doubts and give your best.
Students with Special Needs: If a student with a disability desires an accommodation, it is the student’s
responsibility to identify him or herself as having a disability and to make a formal request for appropriate
accommodations. The Disabilities Services Coordinator at Furman is Gina Parris.
Academic Dishonesty: Integrity gives the educational enterprise its legitimacy. Honesty, respect, and personal
responsibility are principles that guide academic life at Furman, in and out of the classroom. Academic misconduct in
any form (plagiarism, cheating, inappropriate collaboration, and other efforts to gain an unfair academic advantage)
threatens the values of the campus community and will have severe consequences, such as failure in the course and/or
suspension or dismissal from the university. Please familiarize yourself with Furman’s Academic Integrity and
Plagiarism policies available at http://www.furman.edu/integrity/index.htm

3. Date Day Topic Reading assignments Lab / Assignments
13 Jan M Introduction Course information and syllabus, How to Read a Journal Article
15 Jan W Planetary Boundaries
1) Rockstrom et al. 2009 “A Safe Operating Space for Humanity”, 2) Rockstrom
and Karlberg, 2010 "The Quadruple Squeeze", Watch: Rockstrom’s “Ted” Talk
"The Great Squeeze"
(reflective writing)
17 Jan F
Human
Transformation of the
Planet
(1) Karieva et al. 2007 “Domesticated Nature” (2) Steffen et al. 2007 “The
Anthropocene” Watch: “Welcome to the Anthropocene”
20 Jan M
22 Jan W
Human Population
Dynamics
(1) Estimating Populations Assignment” Watch: (1) “How Did We Get So Big So
Fast” and (2) “The Miniature Earth Project”
Population problems &
Discussions
24 Jan F
Human Population
Growth
(1) Bloom 2011 “7 Billion and Counting” Watch: “7 Billion People”
27 Jan M Carrying capacity
1) UNEP 2012 “One Planet, How Many People” Watch: "How may people can
live on planet Earth?"
29 Jan W Anthromes
Ellis and Ramankutty 2008 “Putting People in the Map: Anthropogenic Biomes of
the World, Watch: “Human Influence on Ecology Mapped”
The Ecological Footprint
Calculation and Discussion
31 Jan F Land Transformation
(1) Foley et al 2005 “Global Consequences of Land Use”, Watch: (1) Global Land
Cover Change and (2) The Past 100 Years of Human Development
3 Feb M Agro ecosystems
(1) Ramankutty et al. 2002 “People on the Land” , Watch: Jon Foley Ted Talk “The
Other Inconvenient Truth”
5 Feb W The Green Revolution (1) Friedland 2012 “Green Revolution”, Watch: “The Green Revolution” Test 1
7 Feb F
Impacts of Agro
ecosystems
(1) Tilman et al 2001 “Forecasting Agriculturally Driven Global Environmental
Change”, (2) Greenpeace “Dead Zones”
10 Feb M
Genetically Modified
Food
(1) Whitman 2000 “Genetically Modified Foods” (2) Pennisi 2010 “Sowing the
Seeds for the Ideal Crop”, Watch: (1) Food Biotechnology and (2) Genetically
Engineered Crops
Assign: Meat and Fish Data
Analysis
12 Feb W Meat
(1) Worldwatch 2004 – “Meat: Now It’s Not Personal”Watch: (1) Hidden Cost of
Burgers and (2) The Meatrix
Greenbrier Farms
(reflective writing)
14 Feb F Fisheries
(1) Pauly 2008 – “Global Fisheries: A Brief Review” , Watch: (1) Global Fishing
Stocks and (2) Project Ocean
17 Feb M Sustainable Fisheries
Pauly et al. 2002 – “Towards Sustainability in World Fisheries”, Check Out: South
Carolina’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative
19 Feb W Sustainable Agriculture
(1) Horrigan et al. 2002 “How Sustainable Agriculture Can Address the
Environmental and Human Health Harms of Industrial Agriculture”, Watch: (1)
Sustainable Farming and (2) Losing Ground
Furman Farm Visit (reflective
writing)
21 Feb F Organic Food (1) EU 2010 "Organic Food and Farming Practices”, Watch: (1) Organic Foods
24 Feb M
26 Feb W Local Food
DeWeerdt 2009 “Is Local Food Better?”, Watch: (1) Eat Here, (2) Eating Locally
and (3) Grocery Store Wars
Happy Cow Creamery Visit
(reflective writing)
28 Feb F
Forests and
Deforestation History
(1) State of World Forests 2012, Watch: (1) Importance of Trees , (2) Unchopping
a Tree
3 Mar M Deforestation
(1) Union of Concerned Scientists “Root of the Problem” and (2) Deforestation
Wiki, Watch: (1) Deforestation in the Amazon and (2) Deforestation in Africa
5 Mar W Soil
Reading: (1) The Importance of Soils, (2) Kaiser 2004 – “Wounding Earth’s Fragile
Skin”, Watch: Soils
Test 2
7 Mar F Soils Degradation (1) Montgomery 2007 – “Is Agriculture Eroding Civilization’s Foundation”
10 Mar M
12 Mar W
14 Mar F
17 Mar M
Nitrogen Cycle and
Human Health
(1) Townsent etal, 2003 Global Nitrogen Cycle and Human Health, (2) Gupta et
al 2008 Health Issues Related to N Pollution, Watch: Nitrogen Cycle
19 Mar W Phosphorus Cycle (1) Cordell et al. 2009 “The story of Phosphorus”, Watch: The Phosphorus Cycle
Tour of the "Living Machine"
(reflective writing)
Tentative Syllabus
MLK Holiday
Spring Break
Guest Lecture
Spring Break
Spring Break

4. 21 Mar F Mineral Resources
(1) 2013 Herrington, "Road Map to Mineral Supply", (2) 2013 "Expanding
boundaries of exploration", (3) Gordon et al. 2006 “Metal Stocks and
Sustainability”, Watch: How much is left
24 Mar M
Water Resources and
Water Cycle
(1) UNEP Global Water Resources Summary , Watch: (1) The Water Cycle and (2)
How Much is Left
26 Mar W Water Pollution (1) UNEP “Clearubg tge Waters”, Watch: The World Water Crisis, Wastewater
“Running Dry” (reflective
writing)
28 Mar F
Water Demand and
Decline
(1)"Groundwater: A resource in decline" (2) Smil 2008 “Water News: Bad, Good,
and Virtual”
31 Mar M Carbon Cycle
Friedland 2012 “Carbon Cycle” and (2) Reibeek 2011 – “The Carbon Cycle”
Watch: Carbon Cycle
2 Apr W Energy
(1) Friedland 2012 “Energy”, (2) Chow et al. 2003 – “Energy Resources and Global
Development”, Watch: BP Energy Review 2012
Test 3
4 Apr F Non renewable Energy (1) Friedland 2012 “Non renewable Energy”, Watch: Fossil Fuel Formation
7 Apr M Renewable Energy
(1) Tilman et al – “Beneficial Biofuels: The Food, Energy, and Environment
Trilemma” (2) Smil 2006 – “21st Century Energy: Some Sobering Thoughts” (3)
Jacobson 2009 – “A Path to Sustainable Energy”
9 Apr W AAG Live Association of American Geographers Meeting Live
Energy Crossroads / Kilowatt
Ours (reflective writing)
11 Apr F AAG Live Association of American Geographers Meeting Live
14 Apr M Climate Change
(1) Worldwatch’s “Climate Change Reference Guide” (2) Friedland 2012 “Climate
Change”, Watch: What is Climate Change?
16 Apr W Climate Change
(1) Karl et al 2003 “Modern Global Climate Change” (2) Friedland 2012 “Climate
Change”, Watch: “Climate Change is Simple”
Science Behind Climate
Change & Discussions
18 Apr F
21 Apr M
23 Apr W
Impacts of Climate
Change
(1) Walther et al 2003 – “Ecological Responses to Recent Climate Change” (2) Kerr
2007 – “Global Warming is Changing the World” (3) Hoegh Guldberg 2010 –
“Impact of Climate Change on Marine Ecosystems” (4) Hansen et al 2005 –
“Earth’s Energy Imbalance”, Watch: (1) Global Effects of Climate Change and (2)
Symphony of Science
Earth from Space How it all
comes together!
25 Apr F Biodiversity
Friedland 2012 “Biodiversity” (p.120 – 123, 495 – 500), Watch: (1) Biodiversity
and (2) How Much is Left
28 Apr M Biodiversity
(1) Friedland 2012 “Biodiversity Loss” (p. 500 – 507) and (2) Estes et al. 2011
“Trophic Downgrading of Planet Earth”
7 May W Comprehensive Final Exam (This will be a cumulative test covering all topics discussed during the semester)
Easter Break
Easter Break