Download AP Environmental Science 2015-2016 Syllabus Course Overview

AP Environmental Science
2015-2016 Syllabus
Course Overview: Welcome to Advanced Placement Environmental Science. You have chosen
one of the most relevant and exciting courses offered at Chatham High School. This
multidisciplinary course incorporates earth science, biology, chemistry and physics in a
beautiful, intricate manner. We will study the natural and man-made influences on the
environment, considering the Earth as an interactive system in which humans play an important
role. The ultimate goal of this course is to prepare you for the advanced placement test. You
will be thoroughly prepared for the AP test through lab activities, research projects, readings
and straight ahead test practice.
Advanced placement courses are college level and therefore very demanding. You will need to
exercise a great deal of responsibility, time management skill, and pure dedication to be
successful in this (or any other) AP course. I can provide you with the tools and knowledge
base necessary for success in this course, however, it is up to you to take initiative and
internalize the material. I know this course will not only prepare you for a test, but equally
important, enlighten and enrich your perception of the environment so that you may respect
issues that face the only planet we have.
Time: Period 2, Period 4, and Period 6
Place: Room C201, Chatham HS Science Wing
Instructor:
Mr. James Miller email: [email protected]
Office Hours: during a common time period
Textbook:
Environmental Science for AP*,
Andrew Friedland, Rick Relyea, David Courard-Hauri.
W.H. Freeman and Company/BFW, 2012.
(ISBN-13: 978-0-7167-3849-7)
Lab Book:
Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science,
William Molnar. Peoples Publishing Group, Inc., 2005.
ISBN: 1-4138-0487-X.
A copy of the lab book will be available for your use in the classroom.
APES Exam: Monday, May 2, 2016
Course materials: textbook, notebook, folder, calculator, pencil and pen.
Classroom Etiquette:
● Phones will be stowed away before class begins following a set procedure. All
backpacks will be zipped up and left on the floor. Smartphones may not be substituted
for calculators.
● There will be group labs, assignments and projects and it is expected that everyone will
work in a cooperative and supportive manner. If there are any concerns, please see me
immediately.
● Because of the disruptive nature of students entering late to class, there will be no
tolerance for tardiness to class, and the school policy for being late will be strictly
enforced.
● No more than 3 students may leave the classroom during the class period. Electronic
devices must be left in the classroom should you have to leave the class for any reason.
● All school policies for disruptive students, plagiarism (homework and writing
assignments), and cheating will be enforced. All essays and extensive writing
assignments will be submitted to Turnitin.com
Homework:
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis, including weekly reflections submitted online.
Preparing for the AP exam must start with the first day by treating your notebook as a journal
and a review book, refining your notes each day to be sure you captured and understand the
most important concepts.
*Assignments will not be accepted late unless it is for reason stated in the student handbook,
and then the school policy for make-up work will be strictly enforced.
Assessments:
Besides projects, homework, and labs, there will be quizzes and tests designed to prepare you
for the AP exam. The model for most of the exams and tests will include 5-choice multiple
choice questions and free response questions.
Grading Policy: (this may me altered pending changes in the CHS final exam policy)
Your grade will be based on a percentage of the total points for the marking period with the
greatest number of points being for tests and quizzes. Students with at least an "A-" for the
course at the time of the final exam AND have taken the APES exam may be exempt from the
final exam. Seniors who have maintained at least an A- average and have not taken the AP
exam may also be exempt from the final exam. Seniors who participate in Student Internship
Project (SIP) will also be exempt from the exam.
Topical Outline
Unit 1. The Living World
A. Ecosystem Ecology (ch 3)
B. Evolution of Biodiversity (ch 5)
C. Population and Community Ecology (ch 6)
D. Conservation of Biodiversity (ch 18)
Unit 2. Introduction to Environmental Science
A. Introducing Environmental Science & Sustainability
B. Studying the State of our Earth (ch 1)
C. Global Economics (ch 20)
Unit 3. Energy Resources & Consumption
A. Nonrenewable Energy Sources (ch 12)
B. Achieving Energy Sustainability (ch 13)
Unit 4. Population
A. The Human Population (ch 7)
B. Human Health and Environmental Risks (ch 17)
Unit 5. Earth Systems & Resources
A. Environmental Systems (ch 2)
B. Earth Systems (ch 8)
C. Global Climates and Biomes (ch 4)
D. Global Change (ch 19)
Unit 6. Land Use
A. Land, Public & Private (ch 10)
B. Feeding the World (ch 11)
Unit 7. Pollution
A. Water Resources (ch 9)
B. Water Pollution (ch 14)
C. Air Pollution & Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (ch 15)
D. Waste Generation & Waste Disposal (ch 16)