Syed E. Hasan Professor of Geology & Chair Dept. of Geosciences University of Missouri-Kansas City

 28 th among top 50 metropolitan areas  1.8 million (2000)  2 states and 10 counties  Highest freeway lane- mile/capita  78% White; 13% Black; 5% Hispanics; 2% Asian

 An urban university  Private university (1929); became part of the state-supported University of Missouri system (1963)  13 schools/colleges; several professional (One of 26 in the nation in the range of degree programs)

 Course: Intro. to Environmental Science  200 level course; reqd. of Environmental Science/Environmental Studies majors  Offered each spring  Enrollment: 40  Pre-requisite: EnvSc 110, Understanding the Earth (five spheres; hazardous processes; resource, energy, waste, environmental health…)

 Relatively new course (5 yrs)  Course Description: Explores important environmental issues such as air and water pollution, water supply, climate change, agriculture and food supply, environmental health, ecosystem disruption, environmental management, environmental ethics, and energy resources. Topics may vary depending on current event.  Challenge: What topics to include in the syllabus?

 No syllabus given on the 1 st day of class  Students asked to suggest topics  All topics listed on the white board  Duplications eliminated  Discussions on relative importance of various topics  Select 8 out of ~16 topics based on students’ consensus  Includes a class project

Advantages  Better engaged  Feel important  Sense of ownership  Raised level of interest in the course  Results in regular attendance and participation in discussions  Learn to work in groups

 Waste issues common theme; expertise area  Always include environmental justice  Global climate change  Geology and health

MAJORS (N=152) ACADEMIC STANDING Envt’l Sc/Studies66 Humanities/SS 37 Business 26 Sciences 10 Professional 6 Undecided 7 Freshmen11% Sophomore26 Junior51 Senior30 GENDER Male48% Female52% Average Age 25.5 years

 Search library and internet resources  Write - Project report - Persuasive letter to law makers  Prepare PowerPoint presentation  Make presentation to the class

- Develop critical thinking and analysis skills - Ability to synthesize information gleaned from various sources - Sharpen writing skills - Learn to work in groups - Develop oral communication skills