Download AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2014

AP Environmental Science Syllabus
2014-15
Instructor: Mr. Zachary Rhodenizer
Primary Textbook:
Miller, Jr., G. Tyler. 2007. Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections and
Solutions (15th Edition). Canada: Thomson Leaning, Inc.
Additional Resources:
Silent Spring; by Rachel Carson
The Diversity of Life; by Edward O. Wilson
Energy: Its Use and the Environment by Roger A. Hinrichs and Merlin H. Kleinbach
Film, We All Live Downstream
Film, The Burial Ground
OSHA Standards for the General Industry 2007, 29 CFR Part 1910.
CFR Title 40: Protection of Environment
Laboratory Texts:
Molnar, William. 2005. Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science. New
Jersey: Peoples Education.
Standard Methods of the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th Edition
EPA SW-846 Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods
AP Environmental Science Course Description & Prerequisites
AP Environmental Science is a very challenging subject that combines Earth Science,
Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, and public policy. Students will investigate the history of
environmental science and human impact on environmental systems.
Topics covered will include, but not be limited to, earth systems and resources, the living world,
biological and chemical cycles, population dynamics, land and water use, energy resources and
consumption, pollution and global change.
The APES classroom is comprised of approximately 20-25 sophomores, juniors and seniors. The
class meets for 90-minutes every other day for four 9-week periods for a total of 36 weeks.
Additional afternoon and weekend field work will be required as needed. Each student is
expected to take the AP exam in May 2011.
According to policy, the only course pre-requisite for AP Environmental Science is the
satisfactory completion of Biology. However, the APES student must possess strong analytical
and mathematical skills. Course materials and work will include not only mathematical modeling
and analysis of environmental data, but also reading and analyzing textbook and outside source
materials including environmental legislation, position papers and government reports.
AP Environmental Science can be taken concurrently with Advanced Chemistry.
Advanced Chemistry must be completed before moving on to higher courses (Physics,
Anatomy & Physiology I/II and AP Biology). APES is a weighted course and students can earn
up to 4 college credit hours if they pass the AP exam with a score of 3 or above.
Laboratory and Field Work
Laboratory experiments will utilize ASTM Standard Methods and EPA methodologies for
Solid Waste, Drinking Water and Waste Water analysis; OSHA methodologies from 29
CFR Part 1910 for toxicological and exposure analysis; and current EPA methodologies for the
examination of air pollutants both industrial and indoor. Water samples will be collected from
local creeks and streams following EPA protocols for sample collection and preservation.
Course Timeline:
Topic
Labs and Activities
Classroom introduction and Safety



Environmental Problems, their causes and
sustainability

What is Envir. Science

Evolution of Environmental Sci

College Board Class structure

Environmental
Problems/causes/sustainability

History of EPA and regulations

Environmental Hierarchy (State v Federal)

Legislation v Enforcement
The scientific process






Chapter
Week 1
Week 1
Ch. 1
Week 1-2
Ch. 2
Discuss Silent spring
Film “The Burial Ground”
Lab: Footprint activitystudents calculate their
effect on earth’s ecological
balance
Lab: calc. exponential
growth and sustainability


Scientific method,
measurements, and
calculations
Six Sigma approach to
problem solving
Lab: Statapult
Lab: experimental design


Activity: Identifying matter
Lab: energy
Week 2
Ch. 2




Field lab: soil borings
Speaker from USGS
Lab 2: plate techtonics
Lab 9-10: soil analysis and
salinization
Week 3
N/A

Matter and Energy

What is matter?

What is energy?

How do we use energy?
Earth systems and Resources

Structure and composition of earth
o Plate tectonics
o Chemical weathering
o Earthquakes
o atmosphere
Class rules and Lab safety
Lab safety quiz
APES Pre-test
Timeline
Earth Systems and Resources

Climate and weather
o Tornados, hurricanes, etc
o Climate shifts and changes

Living Systems: Ecosystems

Communities and ecosystems

Energy flow (biogeochemical cycles)

Living World: Evolution and Biodiversity

Evolution

Geologic Processes

Speciation and Extinction
Living World: Terrestrial Biodiversity

Biomes

Human
Living Worlds: Aquatic Biodiversity

Aquatic Environments
Living Worlds: Community

Community Structure

Ecological Succession

Species Interaction

Ecological Sustainability & Stability
Population: Population Ecology

Population dynamics

Thomas Malthus

Growth Curves, etc.

Carrying Capacity
Population: Human Population

Human population

Human Impact
Living Worlds: Sustainability

Terrestrial; Aquatic
Land and Water Use: Food, Soil and Pesticide
Management

Agricultural Impact

Pesticides, Herbicides and Impact

Legislation

Definitions

Uses

Bioaccumulation potential

Forestry

Rangelands

Urban Land Use

Public and Federal Land Use/Impact

Conservation

Mining

Fishing

Economics
Land and Water Use: Water

Transfer of Water

Sources of Water

· Water Loss
Week 4
Ch. 5
Week 5
Ch. 3
Week 6-7
Ch. 4
Week 8
Ch. 5
Week 8
Ch. 6



Activity: effects of climate
change and predictions
Lab: climatograms
Lab: specific heat and
climate
Lab: Describe the ecosystem
of SR
Lab: owl pellets
Lab: food chain simulation
Lab #16: Trophic Levels
The Origins of Life , Charles
Darwin
The Diversity of Life ,
Edward O. Wilson
Field Lab: stream diversity,
forest diversity,
school diversity
Lab: Diversity Study
Lab #18: Diversity Index

See Above

Lab #17: Predator-Prey
Week 9-10
Ch. 7


Lab: natural selection
Lab: population study,
census study
Week 11
Ch. 8


Activity: Census
Lab #19 - 22: World
Population Growth;
exponential growth, trends,
and distribution
Week 12
Ch. 9
Week 13
Ch. 10-12
Lab #1-9: Land Use in Your
Area Week
Lab #5: Conservation
Lab #6: Mining
Week 14-15
Ch. 13
Lab: Water Salinization
Lab: calculating personal
water usage
Lab #11: Local Water Use
Week 15-16














Ch. 14






Energy Resources: Geology

Rock Cycle

Minerals

Non-renewable Minerals
Energy Resources: Non-renewable

Natural Gas

Week 18Coal

Nuclear
Renewable Resources

Production

Use

Geothermal Energy

Hydrogen

Wind

Solar
Pollution: Human Health

Risk Assessment and Health Hazards

Toxicology

OSHA
Pollution: Air Pollution

Point Source

CAA

Attainment Areas
Pollution: Water Pollution

Water Pollution

Waste Streams

CWA
Pollution: Noise Pollution

OSHA Requirements
Pollution: Solid and Hazardous Waste

Solid Waste vs. Hazardous Waste

RCRA

Hazardous Waste

Economic Impact



Lab #13: Water Loss
Lab #14: Water Diversions
Field Experience: Water
Quality Index
Field Experience: water and
wastewater
treatment
Activity: design a better way
to treat water
Lab #1-12: The Rock Cycle
Lab #8: Recycle This!
Lab #23: Energy Resources
Comparison
Week 17
Ch. 15
Week 18
Ch. 16

Read: Energy: Its Use and
the Environment by Roger
A. Hinrichs andMerlin H.
Kleinbach
·
ISBN-10:
0030318343
·
Project:
Alternative
Energy Source
·
Activity #25:
Calculating
personal
energyusage

Lab #26: Solar Absorption

Lab: Calculating LD-50
using Ceriodaphnia

dubia

Activity: OSHA inspection
and Risk Assessment

Activity: Stack testing and
calculations

Lab: IAQ Air Monitoring

Activity: Dispersion model

Labs:
Biochemical Oxygen Demand;
Chemical
Oxygen Demand
TSS/TVSS/TDS
Nitrate/Nitrate
E. coli test
Sulfate
Phosphate

Speaker from DEQ

Activity: Migration mapping
(of pollutants)

Lab: Noise pollutions,
measuring in different areas

Field Visit: Superfund site
(SBII, Piney River or
Wheelabrator)

Lab: Build your own landfill
Week 21-22
Ch. 21
Ch. 19
Week 24-26
Ch. 21
Week 26
29 CFR
1910

Global Change

Ozone (Stratosphere)

Global Warming

Extinction

Global Economics:

Economics and Sustainability

Politics

World Ethics
AP Exam
Environmental Challenge

To build a better environment

Hazwoper Instruction
Final Exam


Lab: Calculate the savings,
impact of recycling
programs
Activity: measuring ozone
levels
Lab #33: Global Climate
Change
Lab #32: Political Activism
Week 30-31
Week 36
Ch. 24-26