Download Syllabus - AP Environmental Science: Ms. Williams

AP Environmental Science Syllabus
Instructor: Danielle Williams
E.A. Laney High School
2700 N. College Rd/
Wilmington, NC 28405
910.350.2089
[email protected]
williamsapes.weebly.com
Course Description
The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester,
introductory college course in environmental science, through which students engage with
the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the
interrelationships of the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze
natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with
these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. APES is interdisciplinary, embracing topics
from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography. (Source: AP Central)
Description of Incoming Students
Students should have taken Earth Science, Biology, and a physical science. Students should already have a background in the scientific
method and the skills to write effective lab reports. The topics in AP Environmental Science do not lend themselves to short term
memorization of facts. Students should expect the emphasis of the course to be focused on the complex understanding of systems and
processes.
Textbook and Supplies Needed
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Environmental Science for AP, 2nd Edition, Friedland and Relyea.
Composition Notebook
3 prong folder with pockets
Headphones
4 Glue Sticks
1 Stylus
Course Expectations
1) Complete daily homework assignments (including online assignments)
2) Come prepared every day with their textbook and notebook
3) Check email daily
4) Work collaboratively with other students
Long Term Assignments
Students should expect to complete long term labs, projects, and assignments
Digital Environmental Journal: Students will respond to a writing prompt which corresponds to each unit from the course
Classroom Rules
1) Cellphones: Cellphones should not be visible without the permission of the instructor.
2) Tardies: After acquiring 2 tardies the student will be required to serve an after school detention.
3) Avoid inappropriate behavior including: use of profanity, verbal abuse of peer or staff, violation of dress code, talking at
inappropriate times, sleeping or not working in class, failure to bring appropriate materials to class, skipping, and cheating.
Course Grades
 Tests & Quizzes 60%
 Homework 20%
 Presentations, Lab Reports, Journals 15%
 Class Participation 5%
 Late Work Policy= certain homework assignments can be turned in one day late for half credit. Labs, Journals, and
Projects will not be accepted late. Make Up Work Policy= Students are responsible for collecting make up work.
AP Exam Preparation
The three hour long exam will be divided equally between a multiple choice and a free response section. The multiple choice section
consists of 100 questions and constitutes 60% of the final exam grade. The free response section comprises 40% of the exam final grade.
Parent Name:_____________________________________________Signature_______________________________
Student Name: ____________________________________________Signature______________________________
AP Environmental Science Course Outline
UNIT 1: ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
1. Laws (Relevant laws and treaties)
UNIT 2: ECONOMICS
1. Global Economics
(Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons)
UNIT 3: POPULATION
1. Ecosystem Structure
(Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species
diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes)
2. Population Biology Concepts
(Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship)
3. Human Population
a. Human population dynamics: (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling
times; demographic transition; age-structure diagrams)
b. Population size: (Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies)
c. Impacts of population growth: (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction)
UNIT 4: ATMOSPHERE
1. Atmosphere Characteristics
Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect; atmosphere–ocean
interactions; ENSO)
2. Air pollution
(Sources - primary & secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid deposition — causes & effects;
heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act &
other relevant laws)
3. Global Warming
(Greenhouse gases & the greenhouse effect; impacts & consequences of global warming; reducing climate change;
relevant laws & treaties)
4. 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)
5. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
Hazards to human health
(Environmental risk analysis; acute & chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking & other risks)
6. Economic Impacts
(Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability)
UNIT 5: GEOLOGY
1. Earth Science Concepts
(Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons; solar intensity and latitude)
2. Soil and Soil Dynamics
(Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and other soil problems;
soil conservation)
3. Agriculture Land Use
a. Feeding a growing population: (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic
engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture)
b. Controlling pests: (Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use integrated pest management; relevant
laws)
4. Mining
(Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties)
5. Forestry Land Use
(Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests)
6. Use of Rangelands
(Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands)
7. Other Land Use
a. Urban land development: (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization)
b. Transportation infrastructure: (Federal highway system; canals & channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts)
c. Public & federal lands: (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands)
d. Land conservation options: (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration)
e. Sustainable land-use strategies
8. Solid waste
(Types; disposal; reduction)
9. Hazardous chemicals in the environment
(Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification;
relevant laws)
10. Noise pollution
(Sources; effects; control measures)
11. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
1. Hazards to human health
(Environmental risk analysis; acute & chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking & other risks)
12. Economic Impacts
(Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability)
UNIT 6: WATER
1. Global Water Resources and Use (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use;
surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation)
2. Fishing
(Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties)
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. Hazardous chemicals in the environment
(Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification;
relevant laws)
5. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
Hazards to human health: (Environmental risk analysis; acute & chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air
pollutants; smoking & other risks)
6. Economic Impacts
(Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability)
UNIT 7: ENERGY
1. Energy Concepts
(Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics)
2. Energy Consumption
a. History: (Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis)
b. Present global energy use
c. Future energy needs
3. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
(Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global demands synfuels;
environmental advantages/ disadvantages of sources)
4. Nuclear Energy
(Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental
advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation & human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion)
5. Hydroelectric Power
(Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts)
6. Energy Conservation
(Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit)
7. Renewable Energy
(Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and
tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages)
UNIT 8: ECOLOGY
1. Ecological Energy Flow
(Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids)
2. Ecosystem Diversity
(Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services)
3. Natural Ecosystem Change
(Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession)
4. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
(Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter)
5. Loss of Biodiversity
a. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species
b. Maintenance through conservation
c. Relevant laws and treaties