Download Highlands High School - CherylannHayes

Rocky River H.S
AP Environmental Science
2013-2014
Instructor:
Dr. Cherylann Bourne-Hayes (980-344-0409)
[email protected]
Website: http://cherylannhayes.cmswiki.wikispaces.net
Grade: 11/12
Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Algebra I, Biology, and Chemistry
Description: AP Environmental Science is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester,
introductory college course in environmental science. The course will provide 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. The course includes a wide variety of science disciplines
including geology, biology, environmental studies, chemistry and geography.
Course Standards and Objectives:
Students will…….
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Describe various earth systems and the dynamics of the resources that are utilized.
Develop and design models of the Living World that can explain ecosystem structures,
energy flow, diversity, change and biogeochemical cycles.
Explain population biology concepts and develop strategies for sustainability by
examining case studies and national policies.
Determine the impact of various land and water uses such as agriculture, transportation,
deforestation, fishing, and mining on global economies.
Calculate energy consumption and predict future needs based on current uses and trends.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various alternative energy sources.
Describe various pollution types, sources, effects and control measures.
Explain the impacts of pollution on the Environment, Human Health, and the Economy.
Analyze atmospheric and ecological data relating to stratospheric ozone, Global
Warming and Biodiversity.
Complete laboratory and field experiences such as collecting and analyzing water
samples from a nearby stream, and/or building and maintaining a school composting area.
Field experiences will be based on number of students and available resources
Course topics/units
I. Earth Systems and Resources (10–15%)
A. Earth Science Concepts
(Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons; solar intensity and latitude)
B. The Atmosphere
(Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect;
atmosphere–ocean interactions; ENSO)
C. Global Water Resources and Use
(Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use; surface and
groundwater issues; global problems; conservation)
D. Soil and Soil Dynamics
(Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and
other soil problems; soil conservation)
II. The Living World (10–15%)
A. Ecosystem Structure
(Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone
species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes)
B. Energy Flow
(Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids)
C. Ecosystem Diversity
(Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services)
D. Natural Ecosystem Change
(Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession)
E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
(Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter)
III. Population (10–15%)
A. Population Biology Concepts
(Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship)
B. Human Population
1. Human population dynamics
(Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times;
demographic transition; age-structure diagrams)
2. Population size
(Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies)
3. Impacts of population growth
(Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction)
IV. Land and Water Use (10–15%)
A. Agriculture
1. Feeding a growing population
(Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and
crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture)
2. Controlling pests
(Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant
laws)
B. Forestry
(Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests)
C. Rangelands
(Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands)
D. Other Land Use
1. Urban land development
(Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization)
2. Transportation infrastructure
(Federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts)
3. Public and federal lands
(Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands)
4. Land conservation options
(Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration)
5. Sustainable land-use strategies
E. Mining
(Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties)
F. Fishing
(Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties)
G. Global Economics
(Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties)
V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10–15%)
A.
Energy Concepts
(Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics)
B.
Energy Consumption
1. History
(Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis)
2. Present global energy use
3. Future energy needs
C.
Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
(Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global
demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources)
D.
Nuclear Energy
(Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental
advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear
fusion)
E.
Hydroelectric Power
(Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts)
F.
Energy Conservation
(Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit)
G.
Renewable Energy
(Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric;
ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages)
VI. Pollution (25–30%)
A.
Pollution Types
1. Air pollution
(Sources — primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid
deposition — causes and effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution;
remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant laws)
2. Noise pollution
(Sources; effects; control measures)
3. Water pollution
(Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; groundwater pollution; maintaining
water quality; water purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other
relevant laws)
4. Solid waste
(Types; disposal; reduction)
B.
Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
1. Hazards to human health
(Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air
pollutants; smoking and other risks)
2. Hazardous chemicals in the environment
(Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites;
biomagnification; relevant laws)
C.
Economic Impacts
(Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability)
VII. Global Change (10–15%)
A.
Stratospheric Ozone
(Formation of stratospheric ozone; ultraviolet radiation; causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone
depletion; strategies for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties)
B.
Global Warming
(Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing
climate change; relevant laws and treaties)
C.
Loss of Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species
2. Maintenance through conservation
3. Relevant laws and treaties
Course Materials: Bring materials to class everyday!
1. 3- ring Binder with tabs to organize notes and worksheets by topic
2. notebook, pens, pencils, highlighters, etc.
4. Lab notebook (preferably the duplicate one)
Requirements: Students must participate in labs and outdoor experiences that take place during
the school day.
Text: Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, Withgott and Brennan, Pearson/Benjamin
Cummings Publisher 2007. Students will read and complete outlines for all chapters.
Students will have access to the e-textbook as well as other ancillary materials.
Grade Calculation: Grades are weighted and will be determined as follows:
Tests: 70% (at the end of every unit constructed similar to the APES exam)
Labs, homework, quizzes, projects, classwork: 30%
Late work will NOT be accepted
Class Activities
Class activities include but are not limited to labs, discussions, projects, case studies
Make-up Work: This class will meet on alternative days (A/B) for the entire year, therefore it is
imperative that you try to be present in all classes. Students who are absent are expected to talk
with other students to get information about what they missed about handouts or arranging times
to make-up labs or tests. Also check the class web-site for assignments missed.
Class Behavior and Discipline: Let’s keep it simple: RESPECT! Maintain a positive attitude,
show respect, be outgoing and helpful and we will have a lot of fun. Please be on time to class!
Depending on the incident discipline will be in the form of a warning, parent call, after school
detention, and or referral.
Classroom rules
 Enter quietly and prepare for class
 Do not talk or interrupt while the instructor or fellow classmate is speaking.
 Remain seated unless given direction to leave your seat.
 Always be respectful to the instructor, fellow classmates and materials provided for use
Consequences for breaking classroom rules (depending on the behavior this order may not be
followed)
 Warning and/ or phone call home
 Detention
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Phone call and parent conference
Referral
Classroom Computer Usage: Students may bring their own devices for use in the classroom or
use the classroom lap top computers to complete their work. Students must follow school
acceptable use policy and use them for APES work ONLY. Failure to use computers
appropriately will cause privileges to be revoked.
Tutoring
I will be available on Tuesdays and Thursday from 2:15- 3:15p.m. Please sign up in advance. If
these days do not work for you, please let me know in advance of another day that you can stay
after.
APES review
The APES exam will be given on Monday May 5, 2013. In order to prepare for the exam, I will
review in class as well as after school. After school dates will be given later in the year.