AP Environmental Science Syllabus.doc.docx



AP Environmental Science (APES) SyllabusStephanie C. Hopkins, Alvin High School, Rm A211schopkins@Conference Period: 10:15-11:05amTutorials: Mon-Fri 7-7:15am and Thursdays 3-4pmWelcome to APES! Although many environmental topics have a social science component, this class is truly an upper-level laboratory science class. We will be investigating many fields of science and you will be engaged in asking and answering questions, collecting information, and drawing logical conclusions, solving problems, and relaying your thoughts and knowledge in a technical style of writing. APES is a college level course that studies the interrelationships between Earth processes, how we, our planet, and the other life on it interact, and how best to sustainably move into the future with the environmental issues we face today.Upon successful completion of this course, you should be successful on the Advanced Placement Environmental Science exam in May and then receive college credit.Textbook: Living in the Environment, 17th ed. by Miller, G.T. and S. Spoolman (Cengage Learning 2012). Other Resources: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, labs, periodicals, readings/case studies, newspapers, and the internet. **Silent Spring and The Sixth Extinction are REQUIRED readings.Grading: The grading scale per 9 week grading period is as follows:50% Tests and Major Grades30% Labs/Lab Write-ups20% Daily Work (homework, in-class work, quizzes)Late Work/Make-up Work: Refer to the AP Policy and the Student Handbook. My Expectations for You: Be in class every dayMaintain an Interactive Notebook, including Cornell NotesMaintain a Current Events Binder per semester (1 ? inch binder)Keep this at home!Will include the article and YOUR summary WITH your OPINION in 250 wordsMaintain a Lab Notebook for your lab write-upsComplete both required readings (see above) and assigned questionsUphold our Social ContractStudy at least 15 minutes every dayComplete all work on timeThink on your own/make decisions on your ownAttend AP tutorials, AP Nights, and AP Super SaturdaysTake the APES AP Exam in MayCourse Outline:TopicDurationEarth SystemEvolution of present earth systemGeologic time scaleBiological evolution and extinctionsEarthquakes & volcanoesPlate Tectonics and the rock cycle3 weeksTerrestrial EcologyPopulation dynamicsCommunities and nichesTerrestrial biomesEnergy flow and pyramidsBiogeochemical cyclesEnergy flow concepts3 weeksAquatic EcologyFreshwater biomesWater chemistrySurface and groundwater issuesSaltwater biomesConservation3 weeksHuman PopulationsHuman population sizes & distributionDistribution and fertility ratesGrowth rate and doubling timesDemographic transitionsAge structure diagrams3 weeksBiodiversitySpecies diversity and related descriptorsPreservation, remediation, mitigation, restorationHabitat lossAlien, endangered, and extinct speciesForests and deforestationFishing techniques and overfishingEconomic impacts and managementRelated legislation3 weeksNonrenewable Resources and EnergyEnergy forms, units and conversionsHistory and global energy useMiningFossil fuel resources and useNuclear energyRenewable energyEnergy conservationEconomic impacts and decisionsRelated legislation4 weeksMeteorology & ClimatologyAtmospheric structure and chemistyStratospheric ozone and ozone depletionSeasons,solar intensity and latitudeAtmospheric and oceanic circulationWeatherENSOClimate ChangeRelated legislation3 weeksAir PollutionClassifications of air pollutionSourcesand chemistryHuman health risksAcid depositionEconomic impactsClean Air Act and other related legislation 2 weeksWater PollutionSources and chemistrySurface and groundwater issuesCultural EutrophicationOcean pollutionWater purificationSewage treatmentHuman health risksEconomic impactsClean Water Act and related legislation2 weeksToxicology and Human HealthRisks and HazardsBioaccumulation and biomagnificationTypes of pesticidesCost and benefits of pesticide useIntegrated Pest ManagementSolid waste disposal and reductionHazardous wasteRelated legislation3 weeksSoil and Land UseSoil formation and compositionPhysical and chemical properties of soilSoil types and food productionFood production and land useErosion and other soil degradation problemsForestry and rangeland managementRelated legislation3 weeksLabs and ActivitiesPresent Earth SystemGeologic Time Scale labRadioactive Decay activityRock cycle and mineral deposit formation labTerrestrial EcologyTragedy of the Commons LabAnalysis of a Local Ecosystem LabCommunity Structure LabPopulation Characteristics GraphingTerrestrial Ecology Field StudyAquatic EcologyWater Quality Parameters LabEcoColumnsWeb assignment on water managementWater, Water Everywhere activityAquatic field studyHuman PopulationsWorld Population LabCreate histogram labToo Many People ActivityComparing the populations in China and IndiaBiodiversity Determining Population Size labIsland Biogeography LabLoss of Biodiversity presentationsSpecies Diversity LabNonrenewable Resources and Energy ResourcesMining images activityTypes of coal, oil shale, activitySolar panel labCookie Mining labRenewable and Alternative Energy projectsEnergy calculationsEnergy Audit ProjectMeteorologyAtmosphere chalk drawingsMt. Pinatubo LabDifferential Heating LabClimographsWeather LabAir and Water PollutionIndoor Air Pollution LabOzone and vehicular exhaust labEutrophication labOil slick labOrganic wastes and DO labSewage Treatment plant field trip (?)Water Treatment field trip (?)Toxicology and Human Health Risk LabPesticide label labBioaccumulation and biomagnification labGarbology LabLandfill field tripSoil and Land UseSoil sampling lab - texture, permeability, chemistryFood and Land Use LabSustainable Eating Lab***REQUIRED READINGS***To be posted on Google Classroom1st SemesterSilent Spring by Rachel CarsonPurchase by August 31, 2015Reading Due dates:Introduction Sept. 4Chp. 1 & 2 Sept. 11Chp. 3 Sept. 18Chp. 4 Sept. 25Chp. 5 Oct. 2Chp. 6 Oct. 9Chp. 7 Oct. 16Chp. 8 & 9 Oct. 23Chp. 10 & 11 Oct. 30Chp,. 12 Nov. 6Chp. 13 Nov. 13Chp. 14 & 15 Nov. 20Chp. 16 Dec. 4Chp. 17 Dec. 112nd SemesterThe Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth KolbertPurchase by January 11, 2016PrologueChp. 1 Chp. 2Chp. 3Chp. 4Chp. 5Chp. 6Chp. 7Chp. 8Chp. 9Chp. 10Chp. 11Chp. 12Chp. 13 ................
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