Course Outline for Environmental Science 15
Agroecology

Effective: Fall 2016
SLO Rev: 02/01/2017

Catalog Description:

ENSC 15 - Agroecology

3.00 Units

Principles of the ecology of sustainable food systems. The environmental impact of agriculture, types of agriculture, soil science, plant structure, reproduction, development and growth and plants' interactions with other organisms. The interactions of culture, human population growth, and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems Designed for non-majors in environmental science.
CB03: TOP Code 0301.00 - Environmental Science
Course Grading: Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Activity 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Laboratory 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clinical 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Exp (Non-Paid) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Exp (Paid) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. apply the principles and philosophies of science;
  2. identify abiotic factors that affect agrosystems and describe matter and energy transformations by autotrophy and heterotrophy in food webs;
  3. identify levels of organization, analyze interactions and changes that occur among organisms and the environment at the population, community and ecosystem levels;
  4. identify structures of plants; and investigate how they obtain, manipulate, and utilize materials and energy for growth, maintenance, reproduction and development;
  5. describe the interactions of culture, human population growth and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Course Content:

Lecture:

  1. Introduction to Agroecology
  2. Levels of Organization and Emergent Properties
  3. Basic Chemistry
  4. Abiotic Factors and Biogeochemical Cycles
  5. Soil
  6. Compost, Vermiculture and Mulch
  7. Water Resources
  8. Temperature and Climate
  9. Light, Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
  10. Energy Flow in Ecosystems
  11. Systematics
  12. Plant Structure
  13. Plant Reproduction, Growth and Development
  14. Animals in Agrosystems
  15. Pests
  16. Pollinators
  17. Fungi and Other Pathogens
  18. Grains
  19. Gourd Family
  20. Nightshade Family
  21. Leaf vegetables
  22. Fruit trees and berries
  23. Root vegetables
  24. Genetic Modification and Biodiversity
  25. Ecological Succession
  26. Transition to Sustainability
  27. Converting to Ecologically Based Management
  28. Agroecology and Society
  29. Community and Culture in Agroecology
  30. Sustainable Food Systems and Urban Agriculture

 

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Online Assignments
  3. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  4. Distance Education

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Chemistry review. (Review properties of and changes in matter, energy flow in ecosystems, processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration and biogeochemical cycles.)
  2. Genetic engineering review. (Examine the structure of nucleic acids; describe replication, transcription and translation; discuss mutations, gene splicing and pros and cons of genetic engineering of food.)
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Class Work
  2. Exams/Tests
  3. Quizzes
  4. Online Assignments
  5. Class Participation
  6. Final Examination or Project
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Students will describe the structures, functions and interactions of abiotic factors and organisms at all levels of organization in agroecosystems.
  2. Students will express their understanding of agroecological concepts by verbal, written and graphic/illustrative means.
  3. Students will describe the interactions of culture, human population growth and major environmental challenges in the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Gliessman, Stephen (2015). Agroeclolgy: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems (Third). CRC Press.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Principles of ecology of sustainable food systems.

Discipline:
Ecology*, or Geography*, or Biological Sciences*