Text:

Andrew Goudie, The Human Impact on the Natural Environment. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 4th., 1994.
 
 

References:
 
 

1. Thomas R. Detwyler and Melvin G. Marcus, Urbanization and Environment. Duxbury Press, Belmont, California. 1972.

2. Thomas R. Detwyler, Man's Impact on Environment. McGraw Hill, 1971.

3. William L. Thomas, Jr. (editor), Man's Role in Changing the Face of the Earth. University of Chicago Press. 1965.

4. Brian J. L. Berry and Frank E. Horton, Urban Environment Management. Prentice Hall International Inc., London. 1974.

5. Ian Douglas, The Urban Environment. Edward Arnold, Baltimore, Maryland. 1983.

6. Penelope ReVelle and Charles ReVelle, The Global Environment. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Boston, Massachusetts. 1992

7. David A. Castillon, Conservation of Natural Resources: A Resource Management Approach. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa. 1992.

8. William P. Cunningham and Barbara Woodworth Saigo, Environmental Science: A Global Concern. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa. 1992.

9. G. Tyler Miller, Jr. Environmental Science: Sustaining the Earth. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, California, 3rd ed., 1991.

10. G. Tyler Miller, Jr. Living in the Environment. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Belmont, California, 7th ed., 1992.

Goals and Objectives:

This is a seminar in which the students and instructor will discuss and explore the dynamic physical geography of the city, and the interaction between urbanization and environment. Specifically, the course will

1. demonstrate how man has changed the natural environment by urbanization;

2. suggest how physical features and processes influence the growth and function of cities;

3. reveal some of the feedback between man's action and environmental process; and

4. environmental analysis and environmental impact study.

Numerous examples in the Northern American cities, especially in the Memphis metropolitan area and Shelby County, are used to give insight into the complexity of the urban ecosystem.
 
 

Organizations of the course:

The course is consisted of eight hours of discussion a week (5:30 - 7:30 pm M. T. W. Th.) for four and half weeks in the first session of Summer term. Students are expected to give presentations of the reviewed literature and research findings in class. Field trips will be arranged during the semester to examine the urban impacts on the natural environment. Films and some visual aid will be used in lecture period. Guest speakers will be invited to the class to give talks on environmental related problems in the urban areas.
 
 

Requirement and grade evaluation procedure:

There will be no exams, however, the final grade of the course is based on:

1. Class participation, presentation and discussion in class (40%); and

2. Final research term paper (60%).

A good quality research term paper is required and the topic can be selected by student but approved by instructor. 

I. Introduction to Course Objectives and Scope of Study. (Library Resources)
 
 

II. Geography and Ecology - Ecosystem
 
 

III. Ecosystem and Environment
 
 

IV. Geology and Geomorphology of the City
 
 

V. Urban Climate and Air Pollution; Acid Precipitation
 
 

VI. Noise and Noise Pollution
 
 

VII. Environmental Impact on Water Quantity and Quality
 
 

VIII. Floodplain Management
 
 

IX. Soils and Soil Erosion
 
 

X. Natural Hazards in the Environment
 
 

XI. Solid Waste Management
 
 

XII. Environmental Impact Assessment

I. Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to provide the students with a practical experience of analyzing the physical environment of the (Memphis) metropolitan area, utilizing some of the methods, techniques, and concepts (knowledge) learned in the class.
 
 

II. Project Assignment

Each individual shall select his/her own topic and approved by the instructor. The selected topic is designed to study the interaction between urbanization and physical environment and environmental impact analysis within the (Memphis) metropolitan area. Suggested topics for term paper (project) are:

1. Effects of environmental limitation or hazards on urban growth.

2. Effects of urbanization on micro-climate.

3. TVA - Acid rain in Memphis.

4. A survey of floodplain land use.

5. Water supply and demand problems in urban area.

6. Potential groundwater pollution from illegal dumps and sanitary landfills.

7. Noise pollution in urban settings.

8. Air pollution problems in the urban area.

9. Effects of urbanization on water quantity (flood and drought) and quality problems.

10. Environmental Assessment of Depot Area in Memphis.

11. Solid waste management problems in the metropolitan area.

12. Environmental Effects of Transmission Power Lines (property value, health .....).

13. Earthquake Hazards in the New Madrid Seismic Zone Areas.

14. Agricultural Non-point Source Pollution in Beaver Creek Watershed and BMP.

15. Wetland in West Tennessee and East Arkansas.

16. Environmental Ethics - NIEHS project

* or any other relevant topics are acceptable.

The report or paper must include the following elements or components:

1. 250 word abstract

2. Statement of problem (purpose and goal)

3. Literature review

4. Data Sources, Methods and procedures

5. Discussion and/or analysis

6. Conclusion and/or recommendations

7. Bibliography and references

The final report should be well organized, well written, typed and double-spaced on 8.5x11" white bond paper, complete with title page, abstract, table of contents, footnotes, bibliography, tables, graphs, and appropriate maps. Text should be 8 pages in length excluding tables, graphs, and map illustrations.
 
 

V. Deadline

Research topic(s) due 

Proposal, including literature review due

Final report due

Oral presentation of the paper due
 

VI. Information sources for term project
 
 

1. U.S. Census

2. Office of Planning and Development, Memphis.

3. Current population reports, U.S. Census

4. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, County Soil Survey

5. U.S.G.S. topographic maps

1:250,000

1: 62,500

1: 24,000

6. Aerial photos and high altitude aerial photos and images

7. (Memphis) City and County Health Department

8. Chamber of Commerce

10. Department of Commerce NOAA- Weather Service Station

11. Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division

12. Field survey

*Annals - Association of American Geographers

*Professional Geographers

*Southeastern Geographers

*Geographic Review

*Physical Geography

Environment

Environment Action Bulletin

Environment and Behavior

Environment and Change

*Environment and Planning

Environment Report

Environmental and Experimental Botany

*Environmental Conservation

*Environmental Impact Assessment Review

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Environmental Periodical Bibliography

Environmental Pollution and Control

*Environmental Research

Environmental Science and Technology

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management

Journal of Environmental Quality

*Journal of Environmental Sciences

Journal of Climate and Applied Meteorology

Weather

Weatherwise

* Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

CATENA

Journal of Soil Science

Quaternary Research

Earth Surface Process

*Remote Sensing of Environment

International Journal of Remote Sensing

Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing

*Water Resources Research

National Parks

Natural Resources Journal