Here is an overview of different types of assignments in the course. You can find detailed directions and grading rubrics in your Canvas course site.
The SmartBook exercises are on McGraw-Hill Connect. They are accessible on laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Smartbook combines your eBook with questions to test your understanding of key concepts and pinpoint the topics you need to focus on.
SmartBook is a tool that guides each student individually through the textbook, asking you questions to assess your understanding of concepts as you go. You will repeatedly be asked questions until you show an understanding of each concept. You are graded for completion. Once you have answered all questions correctly you will earn a 100% for the assignment. This assignment is both a good way to gain an understanding of the key concepts in the course, but also goes a long way to keep your class grade up. Please note that you should read the entire chapter, not just the highlighted parts, to do well on your exams.
The journal assignment for this course is a way for you to learn about environmental alternatives by modifying your own lifestyle. It is a weekly exercise in which you reduce your impact on the environment by changing the way you live from day to day Your daily activities allow you to achieve a gradual but definitive change in your regular habits and the journal serves to both provide you with a way to reflect on what you done and let your instructor know what you have been doing.
You will choose at least three different ways in which you are interested in changing your habits. For each category, the rules are clearly defined, such as turning down the heat/AC or eliminating the use of the car. You will work on all of your chosen three areas of the assignment each week. The project becomes more rigorous half-way through the project and you will have to meet the requirements more frequently.
A discussion board is a “space” where students can delve further into course content. It offers individuals room to explore topics, issues, and/or questions. The discussion board:
Participation in discussion boards is not optional and your contribution will be graded. You will be evaluated primarily on your grasp of the subject, your quality of writing, and your timeliness.
Labs are designed to reinforce the material you have studied during each week and provide a practical application of the concepts covered. Lab participation is mandatory to pass this course. Some campuses may require that you attend in-person labs in addition to the online lab. You must provide an ID when attending these labs. Check the course schedule and/or announcements from your instructor for details.
You will create a video presentation about a topic in environmental science of interest to you using Canvas Studio or Zoom. The presentation should be about 4-5 minutes long.
You are responsible for finding and using reliable resources. The Environmental Science Research Guide from the NOVA librarians can help you find high quality research sources. The NOVA Library offers help in-person, via Zoom, by phone, through email, via chat, and from online guides. Your instructor is also available if you have any questions about the requirements of the assignment or your chosen topic.
There are four exams in the course. They are proctored assessments and should be taken via Respondus Lockdown Browser + Monitor. The purpose of these exams is to verify your identity and test your knowledge of the course concepts. Each exam is closed-book and timed and allows one attempt only. You must earn at least 60% across all exams to pass this course, regardless of your scores on other graded activities. Please find the information on how to take a proctored assessment in the Taking Proctored Assessments section below.