Download Syllabus - Lemon Bay High School

Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES) Course Syllabus
Lemon Bay High School
Andrea Green
2016-2017
Textbook: Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman (Seventeenth Edition)
Supplemental Material: Fast Track to a 5: Preparing for the AP Environmental Science Examination by David Hong and Karen Lionberger
Course Description
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the
inter-relationships 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 and preventing them.
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. There are several unifying themes included in the
study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of AP Environmental Science:
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Science is a process.
Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
Humans alter natural systems.
Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
How will my grade be earned?
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Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, and FRQs) 70%
Labs and Projects 30%
Semester grades will be calculated based on percentages earned instead of using the Charlotte County grading matrix.
Supplies
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1” Three Ring Binder
Dividers (optional)
Pencils
Notebook Paper
Course Overview
Semester 1
Weeks
Chapter(s)
Unit Name & Topics
Activities
1-4
Chapters 1, 2
Supplements 1,
2, 3, & 4
Introduction to Environmental Science & Basic Chemistry
Environmental Systems and Interactions
Inorganic, Organic, Biochemistry, & Nuclear Chemistry
5-9
Chapters 7, 8,
11, 12, & 13
Supplement 5
10-13
Chapters 3, 4, 5,
&9
14
Chapter 6
15-18
Chapters 10 &
22
Supplement 6
Earth Systems and Resources
Earth Science Concepts: Geologic time scale, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons;
solar intensity and latitude,
The Atmosphere: Composition; structure; climate and weather; atmospheric circulation and the
Coriolis Effect; atmospheric-ocean interactions; El Nino.
Global Water Resources and Use: Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural,
industrial, and domestic use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation.
Soil and Soil Dynamics: Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties;
main soil types; erosion and other soil problems; soil conservation.
The Living World
Ecosystem Structure: Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions
among species; keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and
aquatic biomes.
Energy Flow: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological
pyramids.
Ecosystem Diversity: Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services.
Natural Ecosystem Change: Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession.
Natural Biogeochemical Cycles: Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of
matter.
Population
Population Biology Concepts: Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies;
survivorship.
Human Populations: Human population dynamics; population size; impacts of population
growth.
Land and Water Use
Agriculture: Feeding a growing population; controlling pests.
Forestry: Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national
forests.
Rangelands: Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal
rangelands.
Other Land Use: Urban land development; transportation infrastructure; public and federal
lands; land conservation options; sustainable land-use options.
Mining: Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties.
Fishing: Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties.
Global Economics: Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and
treaties.
Ecological Footprint Activity
Environmental History of the US Timeline Project
Tragedy of the Commons/Intro. to Env. Problems Lab
Periodic Table Activity
Acid/Base/Salt Lab
Half-Life of a Radioactive Element Lab
Exploring Soils: Chemical Composition Lab
Soil Formation, Properties, & Productivity Lab
Chemical and Physical Weathering Lab
International Food Fair
Owl Pellet Comparison Lab (NW vs. SE)
Natural Selection Lab
Predator Prey Relationships Lab
Carrying Capacity Activity
Population Dynamics and Biotic Potential Lab
Human Population and Age Structure Project
Survivorship Activity
Population Ecology Lab
Habitat: The Choice is Yours Project
Impacts of Fire Activity
Reading River Sediments (Mining) Lab
Reading Topographic Maps Activity
Exploring Physical Properties of Minerals Lab
Fishing in the Commons Activity
Semester 2
Weeks
Chapter(s)
Unit Name & Topics
Activities
1-3
Chapters 14, 15,
& 16
Hidden Energy Use Activity
Energy Practice Problems
Alternative Energy Project
4-9
Chapters 17, 18,
19, 20, & 21
10-12
Chapters 23, 24,
& 25
Energy Resources and Consumption
Energy Concepts: Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics.
Energy Consumption: History; present global energy use; future energy needs.
Fossil Fuel Resources and Use: Formation of coal, oil, & natural gas; extraction/purification
methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages and
disadvantages of sources.
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.
Hydroelectric Power: Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts.
Energy Conservation: Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit.
Renewable Energy: Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy;
small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental
advantages/disadvantages.
Pollution
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.
Noise Pollution: Sources; effects; control measures.
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.
Solid Waste: Types; disposal; reduction.
Hazards to Human Health: Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; doseresponse relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks.
Hazardous Chemicals in the Environment: Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal;
cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws.
Economic Impacts: Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability.
Global Change
Stratospheric Ozone: Formation of stratospheric ozone; UV radiation; causes of ozone
depletion; strategies for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties.
Global Warming: Greenhouses gases and greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences;
reducing climate change; relevant laws and treaties.
Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat loss; overuse; introduced species; endangered and extinct species;
maintenance through conservation; relevant laws and treaties.
Exam Review, APES Exam, & Projects
APES Exam is Monday, May 1, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.
13-18
Acid Deposition Lab
Deposition of Sediments Lab
Well, What Are We Drinking? Lab
Marine and Fresh Water Comparison Lab
Toxicology Lab
Bioassays, LC50, and Monitoring Environmental Toxins Lab
Ocean Acidification Lab
Endangered & Extinct Species Project
Stream Ecology/Health Lab
United Nations Environmental Issues Project
Saturday Sessions
There are 5 high level, inquiry based labs that are part of the curriculum for this course. Due to the nature of these labs, completion requires significantly more
time than the 45 minute class period. Please plan to meet on the following Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend a Saturday lab,
you MUST notify me ahead of time with a letter from a parent/guardian explaining why. You will then be given “fake data” in order to complete the lab analysis.
The sixth Saturday will be used to administer an APES Mock/Practice Exam. On this Saturday, please plan to attend until 1:00 p.m.
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September 17: Exploring Soils: Composition, Properties, Formation, and Productivity
October 15: Predator-Prey Relationships
February 4: Acid Deposition
February 18: Bioassays, LC50, and Monitoring Environmental Toxins
March 25: Ocean Acidification
April 22: APES Mock Exam
May 13: United Nations Environmental Issues Project Presentations
Extra Help Sessions
If at any time during the course of this class you feel you need extra help, please plan to attend weekly help sessions. Help sessions will take place every
Wednesday from 2:00 pm. – 4:00 p.m.
Test Repair Opportunities
Test repair will be offered and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. Test repairs must be completed within 1 week of receiving graded test.
Test repair must be completed in class before, during, or after school. Students will earn 1/3 of a point for each corrected answer which will be added to the raw
score.