AP Environmental Science Syllabus s2

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Mrs. M. Rivera Room 330 5th period conference (2:45-4:15) e-mail: [email protected] Course Description:

Welcome to AP Environmental Science (APES)! This is a survey course that will address many topics in Environmental Science. We will cover major environmental topics such as biodiversity, global warming, energy, the atmosphere, water, soil, human populations and waste. Because this course is Environmental SCIENCE and not Environmental Studies, it will have a large laboratory and field investigation component. This allows students to learn about the environment through first hand observation. It is my hope that you will come out of the class with a better understanding and appreciation for the world around you. Textbook: Environmental Science for AP by Friedland and Relyea. (New York, NY. Freeman and Company, 2012). Other Books: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson First Along the River by Benjamin Kline Materials: Binder Pen/pencil Dividers Composition Book Grades: Exams 50% Labs and Free Response Questions 30% Daily Work/Homework/Quizzes 20%

It is essential that you complete and turn in all assignments on time. Late work will not be accepted.

Tests: All tests in this class will be timed. This is to prepare you for the AP Exam. Tests will be multiple choice and free response. It is my responsibility as an AP teacher to prepare students for the AP Exam. There will be a practice exam in April to help make sure you are ready.

AP EXAM DATE: Monday, May 1, 2017 Topic Labs Duration Terrestrial Ecology  Population dynamics Tragedy of the Commons  Communities and niches EcoColumn  Terrestrial biomes Community Structure 3 weeks  Energy flow and Terrestrial Ecology Field Study pyramids  Biogeochemical cycles  Energy concepts Third Rock from the sun  Geologic time scale Earthquake activity Virtual earthquake 2 weeks  Plate tectonics Rock cycle and formation  Earthquakes & volcanoes activity  Rock cycle Aquatic Ecology  Eutrophication Estimating populations of  Freshwater biomes Daphnia  Surface and groundwater Web assignment on water 2 weeks issues management  Conservation Water, water everywhere Aquatic field study Human Populations  Human population sizes World Population Lab & distribution Histogram Lab  Distribution and fertility Too Many People Activity rates Comparing the populations in  Growth rate and doubling China and India 4 weeks times Videos- “World in the Balance”  Demographic transitions and “The People Bomb”  Age structure diagrams Biodiversity  Species diversity Wanted Poster Project  Preservation, remediation, mitigation, restoration  Habitat loss  Exotic species  Endangered and extinct species 2 weeks  Deforestation  Economic impacts and decisions Soil  Formation and Soil texture lab composition Soil permeability lab  Physical and chemical Soil chemical lab properties Soil bulk density and structure 2 weeks  Soil types lab  Erosion and other soil problems  Conservation  Forestry and Rangeland

Nonrenewable Resources and Energy  Energy forms, units and Solar panel lab conversions Cookie lab  History and global energy Renewable Energy poster use assignment  Mining Research on nuclear energy 3 Weeks  Fossil fuel resources and Video- “Chernobyl Heart” use  Nuclear energy  Renewable energy  Energy conservation  Economic impacts and decisions Water  Pollution Organic waste and its effect on  Sources, causes and dissolved oxygen effects Fish lab- Nuclear energy and its  Surface and groundwater effect on the environment issues Sewage treatment lab  Cultural Eutrophication Field trip to sewage treatment 2 weeks  Water purification plant (Pending approval)  Sewage treatment  Human health risks  Clean Water Act and other laws

Air  Air pollution Air pollution lab- Sulfur and  Smog Nitrogen dioxides  Acid deposition Volcano activity  Indoor air pollutants  Clean Air Act and other 2 ½ weeks laws  Human health risks  Stratospheric ozone and ozone depletion  Global warming  Economic impacts Pesticides  Types of pesticides Pesticide label lab  Cost and benefits of Toxicity of herbicides lab pesticide use Earthworm and pesticide lab 2 ½ weeks  Integrated Pest Management  Relevant Laws Meteorology  Seasons Doppler effect activity  Solar intensity and Which gets hotter land or water latitude lab  ENSO 2 weeks  Weather and climate  Atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect Marine Ecology  Saltwater Kelp research  Ocean circulation Great Barrier Reef brochure  Global problems activity 2 weeks  Fishing techniques  Overfishing  Relevant laws and treaties Waste Management  Solid waste disposal and Landfill and composting reduction research  Hazard chemicals and Field trip to the landfill (Pending 2 weeks wastes approval)