AP Environmental Science Syllabus s1

AP Environmental Science – Syllabus Diane Herr, Instructor School email: [email protected] Extra Help T,W 2:15-3:30, and by apt.

Course Overview: This course follows the objectives set forth in the Course Description for AP Environmental Science (APES) which says this “course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science” that includes a laboratory and field investigation component. “The goal of the APES course is to provide the students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.”

Prerequisites: Integrated Science, Biology, and Chemistry

Primary textbook: Living in the Environment, 16th edition by G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman

Units Covered and Expected Test Schedule: (dates subject to change)

Ecology Test # 1 –-Ch 2, 3, 4, 5 - F 9/28

Water Test # 2 –-Ch 8, 11, 13, 20 - Th 10/25or M 10/29

Atmosphere Test # 3 --Ch 7, 18, 19 - T 12/4

Natural Resources Test # 4 – Ch 10, 9, 14 - Th 1/10

Energy Resources Test # 5 - Ch 15, 16, 21 - T 2/26 -

Toxicity, Pesticides & Ag Test # 6 - Ch 12, 17 - T 3/26

Politics & Economics Test # 7 - Ch 6, 22, 23, 24, 25 - F 4/26

Students are expected to take the AP Environmental Science Exam, held on Monday, May 6, 2013

Students in the 2012-2013 APES class will be REQUIRED to participate in 1 of the following structured research teams or to complete an independent research activity:  2011-2012 Envirothon- this REQUIRES 1-2 out of town, Saturday workshops in addition to after school time 1-2 times per month  Deployment and sampling of EVA plates and sampling of marine organisms through settling plates The teams will be required to meet during after school hours 2-3 times per month to collect data or practice for competitions. Participation in these activities will be reflected in quarter grades and will count heavily toward the students’4th quarter grades. Student evaluation: Grading will be based on a total point system. Marking period grades will be determined by the following: Tests: Tests are modeled after a shortened version of the AP Exam and will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. There will be approx. 2 tests per quarter up to the AP Exam.

Labs: A lab notebook will be kept by each student and collected to be graded during each test time. **Notebooks should include a table of contents at the beginning, all lab data and notes including a title of lab activity, purpose, methodology, data, discussion and conclusion, and a summary of important information from the unit. Several formal lab reports will be required. A separate handout will explain expectations for these lab reports. Other labs will be graded, but will not require formal lab reports.

Homework: Readings will be assigned from the textbook and other sources. It is expected that students will read the textbook when it is assigned, even if there is no graded assignment. Other homework assignments might include completion of work begun in class, preparation of work to be completed in class, or current events work. Although every assignment might not be graded for every student each time, students are always expected to complete the homework and be prepared for class. Assignments will be given points depending on the amount of time it takes to complete the homework.

Other Assignments: During most units, students will be required to complete and then evaluate an AP style essay question related to the unit. Other assignments will be given periodically. These might be thought of as min-projects and will be graded based on the amount of time requirement to complete them.

Research Project: As in past years, APES students are encouraged to complete independent research projects. Students will also have the choice of participating in a research opportunity coordinated with researchers at the UCONN Avery Point campus. Those students who would like to do something different, may participate in the CT Envirothon, a competition held in May- after the AP exam.

Final Exam: As per Waterford High School rules, students will be given a final exam (this is in addition to the AP test). As per the Science Department rules, seniors may be exempt from this exam if they have a 90% for the year or higher.

Cheating: Presenting anyone else’s work as your own is cheating, whether that work came from another student, a book, the Internet, or any other source. Do your own work. Copied work will receive a 0 whether you are the copier or the copee and will be submitted for administrative action. Phones may not be visible during tests or quizzes. If your phone is visible during these times you will receive 0 credit for that test or quiz. No exceptions.

Late work / Absenses: Long term assignments must be handed in on the due date regardless of absence- emailing assignments is acceptable, just be sure to get a reply that I received it. Late assignments will be penalized by 5% per day (ex.: If the assignment is worth 50 points, you will lose 2.5 points per day). A “day” is any day we are in school, regardless of whether our class meets that day or not!!! Computer failure is not an excuse for late work. It is your responsibility to give late work to me without being reminded. Extensions may be requested 48 hours in advance of due dates for extreme circumstances. Requests must be submitted in writing and do not assume I will grant the extension.

You are responsible for any material covered in class or any assignments given. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed, make it up, and turn it in. Expect to make up missed work immediately after you return. If a homework assignment was due when you were absent, you must bring it to the next class, or it will be considered late. AP Environmental Themes: (as provided by the AP program college board)

1. Science is a process - science is a method of learning more about the world - science constantly changes the way we understand the world

2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes - energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere - as energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable

3 The Earth itself is one interconnected system - natural systems change over time and space - biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances

4. Humans alter natural systems - humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years - technology & population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate & scale of their impact on the environment

5. Environmental problems have a cultural & social context - understanding the role of cultural, social & economic factors is vital to the development of solutions

6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems - a suitable combination of conservation & development is required - management of common resources is essential

AP Environmental Science Exam Topic Outline:

I. Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%) A. Earth Science Concepts B. The Atmosphere C. Global Water Resources & Use D. Soil & Soil Dynamics

II. The Living World (10-15%) A. Ecosystem Structure B. Energy Flow C. Ecosystem Diversity D. Natural Ecosystem Change E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles

III. Population (10-15%) A. Population Biology Concepts B. Human Population 1. Human population dynamics 2. Population size 3. Impacts on population growth

IV. Land and Water Use (10-15%) A. Agriculture 1. Feeding a growing population 2. Controlling pests B. Forestry C. Rangelands D. Other Land Use 1. Urban land development 2. Transportation infrastructure 3. Public & federal lands 4. Land conservation options 5. Sustainable land-use strategies E. Mining F. Fishing G. Global Economics

V. Energy Resources & Consumption (10-15%) A. Energy Concepts B. Energy Consumption 1. History 2. Present global energy use 3. Future energy needs C. Fossil Fuel Resources & Use D. Nuclear Energy E. Hydroelectric Conservation F. Energy Conservation G. Renewable Energy

VI. Pollution (25-30%) A. Pollution Types 1. Air pollution 2. Noise pollution 3. Water pollution 4. Solid waste B. Impacts on the Environment & Human Health 1. Hazards to human health 2. Hazardous chemicals in the environment C. Economic Impacts

VI. Global Change (10-15%) A. Stratospheric Ozone B. Global Warming C. Loss of Biodiversity 1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered & extinct species 2. Maintenance through conservation 3. Relevant laws & treaties

Academic Expectations Relating to this Course: 1. Communicate in Standard English for a variety of purposes. 2. Read a variety of materials for the understanding, evaluation, and synthesis of information. 3. Apply mathematical principles to organize data, draw accurate conclusions, and solve and justify problems. 4. Acquire and evaluate information in order to interpret events, issues and/or ideas, and to make informed judgments and responses. *5. Apply the principles and processes of the sciences to analyze phenomena and solve problems related to the natural world. (* this expectation is directly evaluated in this course) 6. Utilize technology to obtain, organize and communicate information and to solve problems.