Download AP Environmental Science 2014-2015 Syllabus Course Overview

AP Environmental Science
2014-2015 Syllabus
Course Overview: The Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES) course is designed to be the
equivalent of an introductory college course in environmental science. The goal is to provide you with the
scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies necessary to understand the interrelationships of the
natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the
relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or
preventing them. AP Environmental Science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from
different areas of study including earth science, biology, chemistry, and geography. Experience has shown
that the most successful students in AP courses are those who are well prepared, highly motivated, and
have the ability to integrate their thoughts when analyzing issues.
Time:
(Holzer) Period 2, Period 4, and Period 7
(Miller) Period 3 and Period 6
Place:
(Holzer) Room C137, Chatham HS Science Wing
(Miller) Room C201, Chatham HS Science Wing
Instructor:
Miss M. Holzer email: [email protected]
Mr. J. 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 4, 2015
Course materials: textbook, notebook, folder, calculator, pencil and pen.
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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.
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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 a plethora of 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:
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. Introduction to Environmental Science
A. Introducing Environmental Science & Sustainability
B. Studying the State of our Earth (ch 1)
C. Global Economics (ch 20)
Unit 2. Energy Resources & Consumption
A. Nonrenewable Energy Sources (ch 12)
B. Achieving Energy Sustainability (ch 13)
Unit 3. Population
A. The Human Population (ch 7)
B. Human Health and Environmental Risks (ch 17)
Unit 4. Earth Systems & Resources
A. Environmental Systems (ch 2)
B. Earth Systems (ch 8)
C. Global Change (ch 19)
D. Water Resources (ch 9)
Unit 5. Land & Water Use
A. Land, Public & Private (ch 10)
B. Feeding the World (ch 11)
Unit 6. Pollution
A. Water Pollution (ch 14)
B. Air Pollution & Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (ch 15)
C. Waste Generation & Waste Disposal (ch 16)
Unit 7. The Living World
A. Ecosystems Ecology (ch 3)
B. Global Climates and Biomes (ch 4)
C. Evolution of Biodiversity (ch 5)
D. Conservation of Biodiversity (ch 18)
E. Population and Community Ecology (ch 6)