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A.P. Environmental Science Syllabus The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships 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 or preventing them. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course: 1) Science is a process. 2) Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. 3) The Earth itself is one interconnected system. 4) Humans alter natural systems. 5) Environmental problems have a cultural and social context. 6) Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. The AP Exam The AP Environmental Science Exam is three hours long and is divided equally in time between a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section, which constitutes 60 percent of the final grade, consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that are designed to cover the breadth of the students’ knowledge and understanding of environmental science. The number of multiple-choice questions taken from each major topic is reflected in the percentage of the course as designated in the topic outline. The free response section emphasizes the application of principles in greater depth. Four freeresponse questions are included in this section, which constitutes 40 percent of the final grade: 1 dataset question, 1 document-based question, and 2 synthesis and evaluation questions. The use of calculators is not allowed on either section of the exam. The above information is from: AP Environmental Science Teacher’s Guide. Copyright 2003 by the College Entrance Examination Board. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Lab and Field Work Laboratory and Field work is critical for student understanding and mastery of AP Environmental Science (APES) concepts, and the labs we will perform to learn about different topics are listed in the syllabus next to the topic. Scientific technical skills that are expected to be mastered are explained below and noted in the syllabus. 1) The course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world and the curriculum draws upon various scientific disciplines. Focus is on student-designed inquiry labs and rigorous experiments that draw upon various methodologies in life and earth science. Labs and activities with a SM denote a lab with a heavy focus on experimental design or scientific methodology. 2) The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting information and experimental data, including mathematical calculations. This component is addressed in labs that analyze student experimental data, as well as real-world data sets, and is denoted by a DS. 1 3) Some activities address specific mathematical calculations used in the field of environmental science, such as population doubling time or energy calculations. Labs with specific environmental calculations are denoted EC. 4) Field work is a significant portion of this class, as it is important to actually do environmental science in the natural environment. If a lab includes a field work component (meaning we do science outside around campus or on a field trip) a FW is denoted in the syllabus. 5) The course teaches students how to identify and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate the ecological and human health risks associated with these problems, and to critically examine various solutions for resolving or preventing them. Case studies and Socratic seminars are integrated in the units throughout the year to focus on developing these skills. Grading and Late Work Policies Grading Policy Unit Tests 50% Labs 25% Quizzes 15% Homework/Classwork 10% Unit Tests All unit tests will mimic the AP environmental exam as closely as possible, meaning there will always be a multiple choice and essay portion, and may contain cumulative questions. Additionally, each unit test will have a practical lab station, so it is important to understand what is happening in lab as you may be asked to perform a procedure again on a test. Students will be given a test review before all tests. If a student fails a test, they have five days to make corrections on the multiple choice portion of the test to raise their score to a maximum of a 70. Student Supplies Needed for APES 1) Pens/Pencils – no work in red or pink ink will be accepted 2) Binder (to hold class notes and assignments) 3) Composition notebook – for learning portfolio work 4) Supplies for general class use: _________________________________________________ 2 Unit 1: Abiotic Factors of the Environment: Rocks, Water, and Climate August 23-September 9 Major Topic Intro to Environmental Science Geology Climate Climate Variation Water Sub topics geologic time scale, plate tectonics, earth quakes, volcanism, rock cycle solar intensity and latitude, weather and climate, seasons Ocean circulation, atmosphere-ocean interactions Corresponding Course Topic Outline Section I. A and D I. A I. B and C freshwater/saltwater, I. C agricultural, industrial, domestic use, conservation, global problems, surface/groundwater issues, water cycle Reading/Chapter Associated Lab Activity/Experience Intro chapter from Hot, Flat and Crowded by Friedman Socratic seminar Mod 24: Mineral Resources and Geology pg 261-273 Rock Cycle demo and activity Mod 9: Unequal Heating of the Earth pg 105 – 109 Online climate/solar intensity/latitude activity with climatograms. DS Mod 10: Air Currents pg 110-116 Aral Sea Disaster DS Mod 11: Ocean Currents pg 117120 Mod 26: Availability of Water pg 295-310 Water quality monitoring lab DS, FW Mod 27: Human Alteration of Water Availability pg 302-307 Mod 28: Human Use of Water Now and in the Future pg 308315 3 Unit 2: Abiotic Factors of the Environment: The Atmosphere and Change FLIPPED: September 13 - September 27 Major Topic Sub topics The Atmosphere Composition and structure, atmospheric circulation and the coriolis effect, ENSO formation of stratospheric ozone, UV radiation, causes of ozone depletion, effects of ozone depletion, strategies for reducing ozone depletion, relevant laws Stratospheric ozone Intro to Global Warming Global Warming Corresponding Reading/Chapter Course Topic Outline Section I. B Mod 9: Unequal Heating of the Earth pg 105 – 107 VII. A Mod 49: Stratospheric Ozone Depletion pg 538 - 541 VII. B Section from Climate Change from NWEI Mod 62: Global Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect pg 665-673 Greenhouse gases and VII. B the greenhouse effect, II. E impact and consequences of global warming, reducing climate change, relevant laws and treaties, carbon cycle Mod 63: Evidence of Global Warming pg 674 – 685 Mod 64: Consequences of Climate Change pg 686-694 Associated Lab Activity/Experience Mini-Lab – The greenhouse effect DS Socratic Seminar Mini-lab: Ocean Acidification DS Graphing historic CO2 levels SM, DS Carbon Sequestration in Texas Trees Lab – SM, DS 4 Unit 3: Biotic Factors of the Environment – Ecology FLIPPED: September 29 – October 14 Major Topic Sub topics Intro to Ecology Ecosystem Structure Energy Flow Natural Ecosystem Change Biogeochemical Cycles biological population and communities, ecological niches, interaction among species, ecosystem services Photosynthesis and cellular respiration, food webs and trophic levels, ecological pyramids Climate shifts, species movement, ecological succession. Forestry – tree plantations, oldgrowth forests, forest fires and management Nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur cycles, conservation of matter Corresponding Reading/ Course Topic Chapter Outline Section II. A-C Associated Lab Activity/Experience The effects of climate change on ecosystems SM, DS Mini-Lab: Ecosystem field walk FW II. A,C Mod 20: Community Ecology pg 204-211 II. B Mod 6: Movement of energy pg 69-78 Mini lab: Owl Pellet and biomass lab DS EC II. D Mod 8: Response to disturbances pg 91-95 Mini-Lab: Forests and tree growth SM Mod 21: Community succession pg. 212 - 216 II. E Mod 7: The movement of matter pg 79-90 Inquiry Lab: Nitrogen Fixation Lab DS, SM, EC 5 Unit 4: Species Diversity October 18 – October 31 Major Topic Sub topics Natural Selection and Evolution Natural Selection and Evolution Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity Biomes Keystone species, biodiversity, species diversity and edge effects, calculating biodiversity Loss of biodiversity, introduced species, habitat loss, overuse, pollution, endangered/extinct species, maintenance through conservation, relevant laws/treaties terrestrial and aquatic biomes Correspondin g Course Topic Outline Section II. C II. A,C VII.C Reading/Chapter Associated Lab Activity/Experience Mod 16: Speciation and the pace of evolution pg 164168 Mod 15: How evolution creates biodiversity pg 154 163 Mod 14: Biodiversity of Earth pg 149-154 Mod 60: Causes of declining biodiversity pg 641-649 Species diversity and Simpson's index DS, SM, EC, FW Mini-lab: Endangered species activity Mod 61: Conservation of biodiversity pg 650 – 658 II.A Mod 12: Terrestrial biomes pg 121 - 132 6 Unit 5: Population November 2 –November 16 Major Topic Sub topics Population Biology Population ecology, carrying capacity, reproductive strategies, survivorship Human Population – Calculations Population size and impacts of population growth Corresponding Course Topic Outline Section III. A III. B 1 Strategies for sustainability, case studies, national policies, hunger, disease, economic effects, resource use, habitat destruction III. B 2,3 Reading/Chapter Associated Lab Activity/Experience Mod 18: Abundance and distribution of populations pg 191-195 Mini Lab: Mark and Recapture population estimations EC Mod 19: Population growth models pg 196-203 Mod 22: Human population numbers pg 227 – 236 World population data histograms DS Mod 23: Economic development, consumption, and sustainability pg 237246 Worldwide disease activity DS 7 Unit 6: Energy November 18 - December 7, January 3-18 Major Topic Sub topics Energy concepts, consumption, and calculations Energy forms, power, units, conversions, laws of thermodynamics, history of energy consumption, industrial revolution, exponential growth, energy crisis, present global energy use, future needs Fossil fuel V. C resources and use, formation of coal, oil, and natural gas, extraction/purifica tion methods, world reserves and global demand, synfuels, environmental advantages/disad vantages of sources hydroelectric V. E, G power, dams, flood control, salmon, silting, other effects Renewable energy – solar energy, solar electricity, H fuel cells, Fossil Fuels Renewable: Hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass Topic Outline Section V. A, B Reading/Chapter Mod 34: Patterns of energy use pg 399 – 408 Associated Lab Activity/Experience Inquiry Activity Energy Efficient Home Design Project Mod 37: Conservation, efficiency, and renewables pg 433-439 Mod 35: Fossil fuel resources pg 409-417 Mod 38: Biomass and water pg 440 – 448 Inquiry lab: Solar flat plate collector lab FW, DS Mod 39: Solar, wind, geothermal, and hydrogen pg 449-459 8 Nuclear biomass, wind energy, small scale hydroelectric, ocean waves and tidal energy, geothermal, environmental advantages and disadvantages Nuclear fission V. D process, nuclear fuel, electricity production, nuclear reactor types, environmental advantages/disad vantages, safety issues, radiation and human health, radioactive wastes, nuclear fusion Mod 36: Nuclear Energy Resources pg 418-425 Nuclear Socratic Seminar 9 Unit 7: Pollution I FLIPPED: January 20-Feburary 7 Major Topic Intro to Pollution Water Pollution Air Pollution Indoor Air Quality and Noise Pollution Sub topics Topic Outline Section Reading/Chapter Selected articles on fracking Water pollution types, sources, causes and effects, cultural eutrophication, ground water pollution, maintaining water quality, water purification, sewage treatment/septic systems, Clean Water Act and relevant laws Air pollution primary and secondary sources, major air pollutants, measurement units, smog, acid deposition – causes and effects, heat islands and temperature inversions, remediation and reduction strategies, Clean Air Act and other relevant laws Indoor air pollution, noise pollution, sources, effects, control measures VI. A 3 VI. A 1 Mod 41: Wastewater from humans and livestock pg 483490 Mod 42: Heavy metals and other chemicals pg 491 – 497 Mod 43: Oil pollution pg 498501 Mod 44: Non chemical water pollution pg 502-505 Mod 45: Water pollution laws pg 506 – 509 Mod 46: Major air pollutants and their sources pg 519-526 Associated Lab Activity/Experience Socratic Seminar Inquiry lab: Bioassay experiment for acid rain DS, SM, EC Air pollution lab – NOx/Sox, Ozone testing DS, SM Mod 47: Photochemical smog and acid rain pg 527-532 Mod 48: Pollution control measures pg 533-537 VI. A 1, 2 Mod 50: Indoor air pollution pg 542-545 Mini lab: Indoor air quality of the home DS, SM Case study: Radon 10 Unit 8: Pollution II February 9- February 28 Major Topic Intro to Pollution Toxicology Hazardous waste cleanup and bioremediation Toxicology and hazards to human health Risk assessment/ Economic costs/benefit analysis Sub topics Corresponding Reading/Chapter Course Topic Outline Section VI. B Chapter from Silent Spring by Rachel Carson VI. B2 Mod 54: Hazardous waste pg 575 – 578 hazardous chemicals in the environment, types of hazardous waste, treatment/disposa l of hazardous waste, cleanup of contaminated sites biomagnifications, relevant laws hazards to human VI. B1 health, environmental risk analysis, acute and chronic effects, doseresponse relationships, air pollutants, smoking risk cost-benefit VI. C analysis, externalities, marginal costs, sustainability Mod 56: Human disease pg 591 – 600 Associated Lab Activity/Experience Socratic Seminar Toxicology and Disease student videos LD-50 Bioassay ab: SM, DS, EC Mod 57: Toxicology and chemical risks pg 601 – 610 Mod 58: Risk analysis pg 612617 Mini lab: Testing toys for lead SM, EC 11 Unit 9: Sustainability and Land Use For Food March 2 - March 27 Major Topic Sub topics Global Economics Globalization, world bank, relevant laws and treaties Fishing fishing techniques, IV. F overfishing, aquaculture, relevant laws and treaties, tragedy of the commons soil and soil dynamics, I. D soil formation and composition, physical and chemical properties, main soil types, erosion and other soil problems, soil conservation Feeding a growing IV. A population, human nutritional requirements, types of agriculture, green revolution, genetic engineering and crop production, deforestation, irrigation, sustainable agriculture, controlling pests, types of pesticides, costs and benefits of pesticide use, integrated pest management, relevant laws Soil Agriculture Topic Outline Section IV. G Reading/Chapter Associated Lab Activity/Experience Mod 65: Sustainability and economics pg 703-710 Pg 372 – 373, 381-382 Tragedy of the commons fishing simulation DS, EC Mod 33: Alternatives to industrial farming pg 374 – 378 Soil Testing Labs DS,SM,FW Mod 31: Human nutritional needs pg 359 – 362 Inquiry Lab: Compost DS, EC Mod 32: Modern large-scale farming methods pg 363-373 Optional Saturday field trip Austin Farmer’s Market 12 Unit 10: Sustainability and Other Land Use (aka Land Use II) March 29 – April 18 Major Topic Sub topics Mining mineral formation, extraction, global reserves, relevant laws and treaties Solid wastes; disposal, types, reduction Solid Waste Urban land development and transportation Public and Federal Lands Rangelands urban land development, planned development, suburban sprawl, urbanization, transportation infrastructure, federal highway system, canals and channels, road less areas, ecosystem impacts public and federal lands, management, wilderness areas, national parks, wildlife refuges, forests, wetlands, land conservation, preservation, remediation, mitigation, restoration, sustainable land-use strategies overgrazing, deforestation, desertification, rangeland management, federal rangelands Course Topic Outline Section IV. E Reading/ Chapter Associated Lab Activity/Experience Module 24: Weathering and soil science pg 282-286 Mining Cookie Lab DS, SM, EC VI. A4 Module 52: The three R’s and composting pg 561-567 Inquiry Lab: Compost Analysis IV. D 1,2 Module 53: Landfills and incineration pg 568-574 Module 30: Land management practices pg 338-343 IV. D 3,4,5 Module 29: Land use concepts and classification pg 331-337 IV. C Module 30: Land management practices pg 338-343 Lab: Google Earth Activity and Urban Sprawl DS, EC Forest tree growth mini-lab 13 14