Professor: Greg Thurmon

Office: Sted 230

Office Hours: 9am MTWRF

Other times by appt.

Class Meeting: M 12:15/ T 3-4:30/ R 3-4:30

Classroom: Sted 203

 

        Home:   660-815-4425

E-mail:gthurmon@centralmethodist.edu

Mission

Central Methodist University prepares students to make a difference in the world by emphasizing academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership, and social responsibility.

Creed

The Central Methodist University Community believes in:

¨ Seeking knowledge, truth, and wisdom;

¨ Valuing freedom, honesty, civility, and diversity;

¨ Living a life of service and leadership;

¨ Taking responsibility for ourselves and the communities in which we live.

Values

Central Methodist University affirms its Wesleyan heritage and its unique place as the only United Methodist-related University in Missouri. The location of its original campus in a small, historic, rural community provides an opportunity for students to live and to learn in a safe setting. The University values its strong liberal arts tradition, providing a foundation for excellent professional programs. CMU and its outreach activities foster an environment in which a diverse student body can develop intellectually, socially, and spiritually. University life emphasizes honesty, integrity, civility, and a strong sense of personal responsibility as integral elements of character and leadership. Central Methodist University nurtures a spirit of community and caring among students, faculty, and staff.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY Academic honesty requires that each person accept the obligation to be truthful in all academic endeavors. To help members of the community understand the implications of academic honesty, the College provides the following explanation of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is any conduct which has either as its intent or its effect (independent of intent) the false representation of a student’s academic performance. For additional information and university policy, please refer to the CMU Catalogue, posted on the website. CLAS catalog (pp. 44-45) or the CGES catalog (pp. 41-42) for the University's Academic Conduct policy statement.

Any academic misconduct will result in zero for that grade, second occurrence- Failure

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY Central Methodist University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability in its recruitment and admission of students. The University's educational programs, activities, financial aid, loan, and scholarship programs are made available to all qualified students without regard to race, color, sexual preference, religion, sex, national origin, age, or federally defined disability. The University complies with all federal and state non-discrimination requirements.

Course Description: This course will provide a coverage of:

1 Coral history

2 Coral biology

3 Reef building corals

4 Symbiotic Interactions

5 Corals and Climate Change

6 Consequences of Climate Change and Environmental Stress

7 Coral Restoration Proceedures

8 Monitoring Coral Restoration

Attendance is crucial to your success in this course.  Expect that there will be points obtained every day of class.  This can only be made up if the absence was for a recognized CMU event or illness.  The later will take proof i.e. letter from CMU health office.

 

Course Objectives:

1. To gain appreciation for the tremendous diversity of corals of the Meso-American reef.

2. To identify the anatomy, physiology, taxonomy of reef building corals.

3. To briefly summarize and compare the symbionts of coral.

4. To briefly summarize the major impacts that coral reefs are currently under.

5. To be able to identify coral specimens from our lab using taxonomic measures.

6. To develop methods that will benefit coral in this climate change period.

7. To learn the methods and techniques involved in Coral Reef Restoration.

8. To develop monitoring methods that will help track coral restoration into the future and prepare us to make modifications in procedures as the need arises.

 

Grades:

            Grades will be based on the following criteria:

                        There will be at least three tests during the semester.

                        There will be almost daily quizzes.

                        There will be a presentation to science seminar and Board of Trustee's.

                        There will be a final group project that outlines coral restoration.

There will be no allowance for missed class quizzes or work if not officially excused through CMU.

 

Grading Scale:

                        100-90 A

                        89-80 B

                        79-70 C

                        69-60 D

                        Below 60 F

Final:          TBA