Download APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science)

Covenant Day School
APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science)
Syllabus: 2010-2011
Miss O’Quinn – Room 204
Email – [email protected]
Website – www.oquinn.wordpress.com
Welcome to APES! Everything we do, from drinking a cup of coffee to driving our cars, has an environmental
impact. This course will take an in-depth look at how you as a citizen of planet earth have rights and
responsibilities to the world resources. It is my hope that you leave this class a changed person. We will use
scientific principles to understand the interrelations of the natural world and the impact of humans on natural
systems. We will evaluate the risks and economic realities associated with environmental problems while working
towards analysis of potential solutions.
This is an AP course and will require that you are a dedicated learner. The AP exam is comprehensive and
rigorous. The course will rely on heavily on activities and field studies to illustrate the general topics of the course.
Hence, you must take the textbook and other readings assignments seriously so, as a group, we can discuss the
many topics.
Course Philosophy:
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental
science. The course is broadly interdisciplinary, covering topics in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics,
sociology, political science, economics, and ethics. Major themes throughout the year will be God’s omnipotence
and creativity as Creator and Sustainer of Life, as well as man’s responsibility to be stewards over God’s creation.
The goal of the course is the same as that described in the Course Description for AP Environmental Science: “to
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 humanmade, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for
resolving and/or preventing them.” A student must sit for the AP exam in order to receive the additional quality
point over and above the Honors level course.
By the very nature of the topics and their relevance to current events, this course appeals to a wide diversity of
students with wide ranging interests such as: nature, science, law, economics, computers, and literature. This
diversity lends itself to interesting discussions and presentation of scientific topics and concepts.
Class Verse:
“He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers rulers or authorities; all things were
created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
Colossians 1:15-17
Grading
Your grade will be broken down as follows:
Tests, projects, and notebook: 50%
Quizzes, current events, and labs: 30%
Homework and classwork: 20%
**Note – Weightier homework assignments may be counted as quizzes from time to time.
Tests, Current Event Articles, Labs, and Special Projects
Tests: Approximately three tests will be given each quarter. A cumulative exam will also be given at the end of
first semester.
Current Events: You will be compiling an APES Current Events Scrapbook throughout the year. Your scrapbook will
be collected and graded approximately twice per quarter. Your articles must be either newspaper articles or
magazine articles, and they must be HARDCOPIES. No Internet articles! We will be using the CE’s from time to
time for class discussions. (More information to follow – this will be on the SERVER)
Labs: Typically you will be in groups of two to three for each lab, depending on available materials and work load.
Selected labs will require a formal lab write-up to be turned in. (Lab write-up guidelines to follow – this will also be
on the SERVER)
Special Projects: Group and individual projects will be assigned at various points throughout the year.
NOTEBOOKS: You will be required to keep a notebook (3-RING binder) in APES this year. I will collect and check
notebooks once per quarter. (More information to follow)
College Board Website:
www.apcentral.collegeboard.com
Once here, go to “The Courses” tab on the top left menu. Then select “course descriptions” and then
select environmental science. This will (should) automatically download a pdf file containing a wealth of
information concerning APES.
Expectations:
 Be on time, ready for class. Come prepared with binder, book, and laptop.
o Participation expected in all aspects of class – discussion, lecture, lab
 No food or drink (water is ok)
 Disruptions will not be tolerated
 Be respectful of other people and their opinions
Policies:
 Do NOT turn on your laptop until I have given you permission to do so.
 Absences: It is YOUR responsibility to find out about and turn in any assignments missed due to absences.
You have two school days for each one missed to turn in any missed work. Be sure to request handouts
that may have been issued the day(s) you were absent, and ask a classmate for any notes taken.
 Daily Homework assignments will not be accepted for a grade after the class period that they were due.
 Lab write-ups/Long-term assignments/Projects may be accepted after the due date with a 10 point
penalty for each school day it is late. (Up to 5 days)
 If you have difficulties with any particular topic being covered, please let me know so that we can
schedule a time to go back over the material.
 When working in groups it is imperative that all group members are actively involved in completing the
assignment. On activities that last longer than a single class period, it is important that each member
comes prepared with necessary material needed for that day.
**Primary Text: Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, by G. Tyler Miller**
The following is a brief breakdown of the topics that will be covered in this course. This outline may be
amended as the year progresses.
Topic
Chapters
Time Period
Introduction to ES. (What is it? Why study it?)
Environmental Issues: their causes and sustainability.
1
2-3 days
Developing vs. Developed Countries
1
1-2 days
Environmental Worldview and Ethics
1/2
1-2 days
Major Human Cultural Changes
Environmental History
2
2-3 days
Unit I: HUMANS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
Unit II: THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. Interdependence of Earth’s Systems: Fundamental Principles and Concepts
The nature of science/Scientific method
Matter and energy flow
3
12-14 days
Ecology, ecosystems, and food webs
(nutrient cycles)
4
10-12 days
Climate, weather, biomes
6/7
9-10 days
Geology: The Dynamic Earth
Non-renewable resources
16
8 days
Evolution and Biodiversity
5
4-5 days
Population dynamics
9
4-5 days
Community ecology (species interactions)
8
4-5 days
Human population: Growth, demography
10
8 days
Sustainable Cities
25
4-5 days
Agriculture and food production
14
4 days
Soils and their preservation
4/14
6 days
The pesticide dilemma
23
2 days
Unit III: A CROWDED WORLD. Population Dynamics
Unit IV: OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES.
Water: A fragile resources
15
10 days
Non-renewable energy – Fossil fuels
17
6 days
Nuclear energy
17
2 days
Renewable energy
18
8 days
Air pollution
20
7 days
Global atmospheric changes
21
8 days
Water and soil pollution
22
8 days
Solid and hazardous waste
24
6 days
Toxicology and human health
19
5 days
Preserving earth’s biological diversity
11/12
4 days
Land resources and conservation
11
4 days
Economics
26
2-3
Politics
27
2-3
Unit V: THE SEARCH FOR ENERGY
Unit VI: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND CONCERNS
Unit VI: Environment and Society
May _____  AP Environmental Exam
Student Agreement and Contact Information
Student Agreement:
I have read the course syllabus for AP Environmental Science and agree to support and
follow the policies and expectations.
______________________________________
______________________________________
(Student signature)
(Parent signature)
Contact Information:
I will be creating an AP Environmental Science e-mail distribution list that will be used to
transmit information to the class from time to time. Please also include a parent email
address. Thank you!
_____________________________________
(Student email)
______________________________________
(Parent email)