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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

Sharon L Doty
ESRM 490
Seattle Campus

Special Topics

Individual tutorial study of topics for which there is not sufficient demand to warrant the organization of regular classes. Offered: AWSpS.

Class description

ESRM 490F will be taught in Autumn Quarter 2007. This course will focus on some of the newer uses for trees including bioenergy, phytoremediation, and carbon sequestration.

Student learning goals

The students will learn about biodiesel, biomethanol, and bioethanol as alternative fuel sources. Students will be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these fuels. Emphasis will be on bioenergy opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.

The students will learn about how trees can be used to remove a wide variety of environmental pollutants. Through the guest speakers who work at contaminated sites in the Seattle Area, the students will gain a clear understanding of the importance of remediation in our own area.

Since the exam questions and take-home quizzes are essay-style, the students will learn how to express the ideas covered in class well. Since the exams are all open-note, the student will be encouraged to write thorough notes from the lectures.

The topics discussed in this course are of broad general interest. By understanding these topics, the student will be able to actively participate in discussions outside the class.

General method of instruction

Each 90'class will be run as a 50' lecture, followed by a 10' break, and then 30' of either discussion, demonstrations, or a talk by a guest speaker.

Recommended preparation

A basic biology course such as Biology 161/162 is needed.

Class assignments and grading

There is no text book for the course but some background readings will be posted on the website. The exams will be open-note. This is a 3-credit, graded course.

2 take-home quizzes, 25 pts each 2 midterm exams, 100 pts each final exam, 100 pts participation in class discussion, 50 pts

Exams are essay-style and open-note


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Additional Information
Last Update by Sharon L Doty
Date: 04/25/2007