The Course

A major priority in the design of this course is the engagement of students as scientists and citizens. This is accomplished through the variety of techniques described below.

Brownfield Education Syllabus (Acrobat (PDF) 111kB Jul8 08)

Course Description

Physical processes of the environment and their interaction with human development, industrialization, and pollution. Special emphasis on environmental site assessments, brownfields, groundwater pollution, toxics, radionuclides, and human health including a reading of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and Jonathan Harr's Civil Action.

Classroom Etiquette

Every few years the behavior of several students compels me to remind the whole class of what may seem obvious to most:
a) talking during lecture is inconsiderate and disconcerting to me as well as to those trying to listen, think, and take notes;
b) it is rude to walk in front of class (between the lectern and the lecturer) after class has begun; if you come in late (after 11:00 A.M.), enter on the upper (3rd floor) level; quietly proceed to take a seat in the back (upper) half of the room;
c) and, always turn off your cell-phone and/or beeper before you enter the lecture hall or the laboratory.

Laboratory Meetings

On Wednesday, September 4th, students will select their laboratory section. September 10-14 is the first full week that students report to the laboratory in 616 Altschul. Students must report to their assigned laboratory section. Be sure to be on time because attendance is taken promptly at the beginning of class (9:10 A.M. or 1:10 P.M.) and is immediately followed by a short quiz. Deadlines for assignments will be strictly observed. Grades for late work are subject to a maximum 30% reduction at the instructor's discretion.

Changing Laboratory Sections

Students must report to their assigned laboratory section unless they have applied for and received authorization to change their section. Application to change a laboratory section may be made by phone, e-mail, or in person to either Joe Liddicoat or Diane Dittrick. Students must continue to attend their assigned laboratory section until they have been given authorization to change.

Make-Up Laboratories

No make-up laboratories (including laboratory quizzes) will be given without advance notification of at least one week before any absence due to
religious observance. Otherwise, no make-up laboratories will be given except for bonafide emergencies or illness. Except in the most unusual circumstances advance notification is required. A letter from your Academic Dean or your doctor is required before the scheduling of any make-up test. If permission to make-up a laboratory or laboratory quiz has been received, it should be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Laboratory Attendance

Failure to attend or complete the work of three laboratories will result in automatic failure for the course. Each of the first two absences from the
laboratory will result in a zero. Lateness to the laboratory by more than 10 minutes on three occasions is the equivalent of one absence.

Teaching Assistants

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are Barnard undergraduates, often Environmental Science majors, who assist the Laboratory Instructors during weekly laboratories. Under the supervision of the Laboratory Instructor they also provide assistance to students during the laboratory. Except by prior arrangement and permission of the Laboratory Instructor or Lecturer students are not to meet or discuss the course with TAs. All questions and concerns about the course should be addressed directly to the Laboratory Instructors or to the Lecturer.