Department of Environmental Science and Management

Course Name:
Introduction to Environmental Science Lab
Course Code
ENV 107L, Sec 22-24, 49-51
& Section No:
Semester: Spring 2023

INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

1. Instructor: Dr Md Monirul Islam

2. Office Room SAC 723

3. Office Hours: Place: SAC 723

Time: 10.10-11.30 am; and Before and after each class (RA)

4. Phone 01716363505

5. Email Address: [email protected]

6. Department: Department of Environmental Science and Management

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Course Prerequisite(s) Env 107

Course Credit 1
Course Description This is an introductory environmental science laboratory course designed for
undergraduate students who do not necessarily have any background knowledge in
Environmental Science. This course aims to provide those students with the basic
knowledge in scientific methods and applied scientific techniques required to
analyze different environmental issue related to our daily life and understand the
approaches and the parameters used by environmental scientists for identification.

Course Objectives The objectives of this course are to provide practical knowledge to the students on
the environmental components and factors. They will be introduced with scientific
methods of solving problems, laboratory safety issue and different laboratory
instruments. Students will have hands on experience and perform laboratory work
to identify and analyze different environmental samples (soil, water, plants and
animals) related to environmental pollution and degradation. They will also learn
how to measure ecological and carbon footprint and how to calculate personal
energy usage.

Students Learning Students will understand the importance of environmental factors that are affecting
Outcomes our everyday life. This course may enlighten them about some of the
environmental problems and their solutions.

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK(S)

Extensive lectures will be given on every topic followed by real life examples. Summary of the lectures will be
available through lecture modules. Students are highly encouraged to take notes carefully. The lectures will be
highly interactive. Cases will be analyzed in class discussion encouraging students to participate and share their
ideas regarding case problems.

Course Contents
Classroom Lab Series
Class 1
Basic understanding on the environment and scientific method
Class 2
Water
Class 3 Demonstration of water and liquid sample analysis and water
conservation
Class 4
Polluted water sample analysis
Class 5
Air quality
Class 6
Quiz. Global warming
Class 7
Soil properties
Class 8
Ecology and Ecosystem
Class 9
Identification of flora and fauna
Class 10
Conservation of Energy Resources
Class 11
Revisions
Class 12
Final exam and submission of all lab reports
This is a tentative list of topics. Updates might be made as the semester progresses.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME

Grading tool Points
Attendance and class participation 20%
Lab Reports/ Assignment 30%
Quiz 20%
Final 30%
Total 100%
This is a tentative breakdown.

COURSE RELATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENT

 All students should have access to personal computers preferably with Windows/Mac Operating
Systems installed.
 Students should have personal computers with Microsoft Office 2010 or above.

EXAM FORMAT

Format of Quiz
Number of quiz- 1
Syllabus – Lecture Series will be notified during the Class Session
Total Points – 20
Duration: 15-20 minutes
 Objective Questions Only (Short Questions, MCQs, True/False, Matching, Fill in the Blanks)
This is a tentative breakdown

Format of Final Exam

Syllabus – Lecture Series will be notified during the Class Session
Total Points – 30
Duration – 50-80 minutes

 Subjective questions with a combination of short and broad questions – 20 pts

 Lab work and Objective Type (MCQs, True/False, Matching, Fill in the Blanks) – 10 pts

This is a tentative breakdown

Other Resources

PPT Slides, Notes, and Case Articles: Available to students on the course website
Other Reference Materials: Instructor will provide in class as needed.

Class Performance: Every student is expected to attend every class. However, just attending the class will not
earn class performance points. Students have to actively participate during discussion sessions to earn
participation points. Students are also required to finish all in-class assignments/lab reports to earn class
performance points.

Class attendance and participation marks

% present Marks (20)

Less than 50% 0
50-60% with very good class participation 10
61-70% very good class participation 12
71-80% very good class participation 16
More than 80% very good class participation 20
100% (no late in any class) very good class participation 20 + 1 (bonus)

Academic Sincerity: Academic sincerity will be monitored through attentiveness, punctuality, assessments
and response of the students in the class. Lecture notes will be provided in the form of PowerPoint
presentations but students are strongly advised to take notes during class and follow the textbook. Students are
asked to switch off their cellular phones during lecture time.

Exam Notice: Exam days will be announced in class a week ahead. If a student misses that class, it is his/her
responsibility to consult with the course instructor or classmates and know the exam dates and syllabus.
Please be informed that being absent in the previous class and not knowing the exam date will not be accepted
as a valid excuse. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism will be met with immediate penalties including
exclusion from exams, course and notifying the proctor for disciplinary action.

Due Date Policy: Every individual assignment/ report/ term paper/presentation/poster is due on the exact due
date. Failure to meet deadline will cause you to lose significant points.

Classroom Rules of Conduct

 Cell phones must be switched off or in silent mode.
 Cell phones will not be allowed during exam.
 Laptops are allowed if situation requires.
 Show respect to your course instructor and to your peers.
 Do not miss deadlines. All your hard work could mean nothing if you are not serious about due dates.
 Cheating in any form will result in a “Fail” grade.
Grading Scale
NSU standard grading scale will be followed.
Numerical Scores Letter Grade Grade Points (Per Credit)
93 and above A Excellent 4.0
90 - 92 A- 3.7
87 - 89 B+ 3.3
83 - 86 B Good 3.0
80 - 82 B- 2.7
77 - 79 C+ 2.3
73 - 76 C Average 2.0
70 - 72 C- 1.7
67 - 69 D+ 1.3
60 - 66 D Poor 1.0
Below 60 F* Failure 0.0
I** Incomplete 0.0
W** Withdrawal 0.0
R** Retaken 0.0

Students with Special Needs

North South University will provide educational opportunities that ensure fair, appropriate and reasonable
accommodation to students who have disabilities/special needs that may affect their ability to participate in
course activities or meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their
instructors to ensure that their needs are met. The University through its Special Need section will exert all
efforts to accommodate special needs.

Final Comments
Please understand that your instructor is here to help you, to be with you, and to walk you through the difficult
steps as long as you co-operate. Instructor of this course will be available for all of you. Feel free to stop by
when something bothers you and we will try our level best to help you out. You may contact me through email,
SMS, phone or by making an appointment in addition to the office hours mentioned in this outline.

 After most classes you need to prepare a Lab report based on that class. There are specific dates for
submission of the lab reports. You must need to submit within that specific date (this date will be taken
into account to mark); I will check, sign and give them back to you. You need to bind all the lab reports
together (use environment friendly binding – avoid plastic, instead use simple stapler pin or string), add
a cover page clearly mentioning your name, ID, course details and declaration. On the final exam day
you must need to submit all the reports before the exam starts.
 Students of one section are not allowed to attend the class or exam in another section as the assessment
process may be different.
 For lab reports you are not allowed to copy from others – not even the cover page. You must need to
write on your own. All the reports need to be hand written by yourself. However, for preparing
graph(s) from data you may use computer.
 No make-up is possible.

All the best!