ESRM 100 Frequently-Asked Questions

Question: How do I get added to the ESRM 100 email distribution list, which is absolutely required for the course?

Answer: Instead of giving out numerous handouts, and having the chance that you might miss something important, all class announcements will be distributed by email.  When you register for the class, your UW email address will be automatically added to the ESRM100 distribution list by the end of the day. 

To Forward UW Email to Another Account:
Some students find the UW email system cumbersome.  However, for simplicity, we require that you obtain a UW email account.  If you wish to use another account to receive your UW email (for example, a Hotmail  account), you must forward your UW email to that account.  To do this, log into MyUW with your NetID, find the Email section on the main page, and click on "Email Forwarding."  Then:
 
1. Highlight the circle for "Forward my incoming UW email to a different email address."
2. Type in your FULL email address for your non-UW account (ex: student@hotmail.com).
3. Click the "Next" button to send your updated information.  If your changes were successfully implemented, you will receive a message that says "Forwarding successfully completed."

Look for emails from us during the first week of classes.  If you receive emails addressed to either esc110email@u.washington.edu, you are on the list.  Do not reply directly to these messages.  Only the instructors and TA's are authorized to use the distribution list, so any message you send to the addresses listed above will be bounced back to you and not received by us.  If you need to send the TA's a message or ask a question, use envir110@u.washington.edu.

To Obtain a UW Email Address:
If you did not have a UW account prior to registering for our class, simply go to the UW Computing and Communications web site for obtaining a UWNetID at: https://uwnetid.washington.edu/newid/ and follow the instructions.   To test your new UW email account, go the Student MyUW web page and log in with your new NetID.  If it works, you should enter a web site with your quarter's class schedule at the top.   You can also check your new email account via the WebPine system.  You cannot post to the ESRM 100 list, nor can anyone except the instructor and TA's. You should not receive anything not directly related to the course.

If you are not receiving emails, you may not be on the list.  In this case, you need to contact us at envir110@u.washington.edu quickly, as you might miss an important announcement.

To View Previous Emails:
We cannot archive the emails for this class, so make sure and SAVE all emails you receive from us for this course.   

Question: Where is the syllabus?

Answer: The syllabus is posted at:

http://soilslab.cfr.washington.edu/esrm100/2010winter/ESRM_100_Syllabus_2010w.pdf

The syllabus has all due dates posted on it, so you should check it out if you have a question.  The calendar also includes due dates and field trip dates.  If there is a change in plans, both will reflect those changes.  If you do not meet a due date, by all means, do the requirement as soon as possible and post, publish, or otherwise finish it. Please check your assignments to make sure they have been posted correctly. The calendar also lists all due dates for the class in chronological order. 


Question: Can I get writing credit for ESRM 100?

Answer: The requirements for getting a "W" are more formal than they used to be.  These requirements are listed at: http://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/advising/ged/gedw.html.

You must make arrangements with one of the instructors to complete the extra work required to meet the W-course criteria. We require that you ask to do this before the end of the fifth week of class. For example, a 10-page paper is not sufficient to meet the W-course criteria; but a 10-page paper which is graded by the professor and then rewritten by you and resubmitted does meet the W criteria.  We require 10-15 (12 point font, double spaced) pages of graded, out-of-class writing.  At least one review and revision is required. A 10 page paper may come from your project writing, but please separate your work from other group members' writings.  Do not plagiarize work of your other group members.  This course will post as a W on your transcript and counts toward the additional-writing requirement if you do the extra work and are granted credit.  

You’ll have to make sure to meet those listed requirements and send to one of the instructors an email  during the quarter. We'll determine if you did meet the requirements and add a “W” to your grade. This will give you additional writing credit.  

Question: How do I send an email to the help account?

Answer: Send questions to envir110@u.washington.edu.  This is the first place to ask a question about ESRM 100 material and requirements. All instructors and TA's will try and answer the question quickly and accurately.  If you type in a short description of the problem in the subject line, this can also help us to prioritize answering.

Since we receive a considerable amount of spam, it will be difficult to deal with emails that don't come from your UW account.

Question: How do I send an email to Dan or Darlene? 

Answer: Send email to dvogt@u.washington.edu or zabow@u.washington.edu from a UW email account. This is for grading questions, personal questions, questions about TA's and other students, and anything you don't feel comfortable to send to a TA.  Don't worry about hurting our feelings or the possibility of reprisal.  We welcome constructive complaints as a way of improving the course and don't hold grudges. 

Any email originating from a UW account or that contains "ESRM 100" in the subject line will not be filtered into the trash and will be read and responded to.

Question: How do I send an email to one of the TA's? 

Answer:  The course email address for all TA's is: envir110@u.washington.edu.   This is the email address that will be checked daily and from which you will receive the most prompt reply.   If you would like to speak with a specific TA, you may request an appointment with that specific TA through the eschelp account.  We will forward your request directly to the TA you request.  Also, see the listed office hours and office location for each TA under TA office hours.

Question: How is ESRM 100 graded? Is a curve applied?
 
Answer: Grading is as follows:

30% for Exam 1;
30% for Exam 2;
25% Project  and
15% for the field trip and report.

The class will be graded using a bell-shaped curve. Average grade for this class is typically 3.0, but the mean will be higher if the class as a whole does exceptionally well.

Question: What is required for the class project?
 
Answer: During the first 2 weeks of class you should determine what you want to do for the class project. You have the choice of doing one of the following for your project:

Option 1:  A research report of an environmental topic.
Option 2:  Read a book on the environment from our list and write a report about it.
Option 3:  Volunteer service for an environmental organization or public agency and report your experience.

Detailed project instructions and example projects can be found here project-instructions.html. 

Question: What is required for the topic due date? 

Answer: First, you must tell us what option you've chosen for your project. If you've chosen to do a research project, you also need to tell us what the research project topic is and give a brief outline. If you choose to do a day of environmental service, you need to tell us which organization or agency you will be doing this with. This should be emailed to envir110@u.washington.edu. Refer to your syllabus for the due date.

Question: What is plagiarism and how can I avoid it?

Answer: Plagiarism, in plain and simple terms, is the stealing of someone else's words or ideas.  If you don't know what constitutes plagiarism, please visit the UW site at:

http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm#plagiarism

We love to see YOUR work, and that is certainly the best way to get the best possible grade. Your English may not be perfect (always strive to use the clearest  and best English possible), but you will still get a better grade if your work isn't perfect than if you use someone else's work. Get a friend to read your material and suggest changes. Strive to relate ideas as best you can. Using pictures and figures certainly helps, as this language is Universal.  

For help in how to avoid plagiarism on your web site:
http://depts.washington.edu/trio/train/howto/avoid/guidelines.shtml

This is one way you can check for plagiarism:
http://depts.washington.edu/trio/train/howto/avoid/index.shtml

Here are the ways suggested to avoid plagiarism problems in your project.

If you use a figure that you created, or a picture you yourself took, then credit yourself in your project.  Don’t wait to write the source of your material down later.  Do it when you have it in front of you.

If you do all of this consistently, and check the project in the same way we do, you should have no problems.

We're looking forward to seeing those beautiful, fact-filled, original and properly cited projects!

Question: What is the format of the Exams?  How can I study for Exam 1?  Exam 2?

Answer:  Exams will include 30-50 multiple-choice, true/false and/or matching questions and one short essay question.  Scantron sheets will be provided for students to take the exam.  An exam review session will be offered before each exam.

Question: What is the ESRM 100 Grade Appeal Policy?
 
Answer: Grading quizzes, exams and projects fairly is a difficult job, and we fully realize mistakes will be made.  Please make sure and check over any grades given to you and ask for clarification from one of the instructors if you have a question about your grade.

However, it is also unfair to give more credit for an assignment than is warranted by the answer given.  In ESRM 100, requesting additional points isn't a fishing expedition, so you need to demonstrate to us that you actually did answer the question better than you were graded.

The following policy applies to asking for more credit for any work done in the class:

1) You will become the "grader" for your answer.

2) Write down the SPECIFIC reason why you should receive more points on a separate sheet of paper. You should explain exactly why the grade wasn't correct, and how an answer or work was worth more credit than than you received.

3) State exactly how many points you feel the answer deserved.  We will only give that amount of points or nothing.  You could break down specific parts of the answer by points, with the total not exceeding the total number of points for that question.

4) Submit your reasoning by email with the subject heading "ESRM 100 GRADE APPEAL-your name."  We'll grade it and return an answer with our reasoning for acceptance or rejection.