Download File - APES

AP Environmental Science Syllabus
Albany High School 2015-2016
Instructor: Mr. Lawrence Bizzarro
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mrbizapes.weebly.com
Room: 327
Required Texts
Environmental Science for AP, by Friedlnad and Relyea.
Course Description
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.
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several
major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. These include
the facts that science is a process, science is a method of learning more about the world, energy conversions underlie all ecological
processes, the Earth itself is one interconnected system, humans alter natural systems, and human survival depends on developing
practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
The Exam
The A.P. Environmental Science Exam created by the College Board and Educational Testing Service will be administered on May 2,
2016. This exam is three hours in length and consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section comprised of 100 questions and forming
60% of the grade, and a free response section comprised of four free-response questions and forming 40% of the grade. The
multiple choice section is designed to cover the breadth of your knowledge and understanding of environmental science and
includes thought provoking problems and questions based on fundamental ideas from environmental science as well as questions
based on the recall of basic facts and major concepts. The free-response section emphasizes the application of principles in greater
depth; you will need to organize answers to broad questions, demonstrating reasoning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to
synthesize material from several sources into a coherent essay. There are three types of free response questions: data analysis,
document based, and synthesis and evaluation. Cost of the exam is approximately $80.00.
Format / Activities / Homework
This class will involve hands-on activities, group work, discussions/debates, lectures, readings, and independent work. Students will
complete presentations, projects, labs, journals, papers, and more.
Grading Percentages
50% Tests and Quizzes
30% Classroom and Homework Alignments
20% Labs
Materials Needed
Textbook
Spiral Notebook
Scientific Calculator
Pen or Pencil
Lab Fee $5
Topic Outline
The following outline of major topics serves to describe the scope of the AP Environmental Science course and exam. The order of
topics in the outline holds no special significance, since there are many different sequences in which the topics can be appropriately
addressed in the course. The percentage after each major topic heading shows the approximate proportion of multiple-choice
questions on the exam that pertain to that heading; thus, the percentage also indicates the relative emphasis that should be placed
on the topics in the course.
I.
Earth Systems and Resources (10–15%)
a. Earth Science Concepts - (Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons;
Solar intensity and latitude)
b. The Atmosphere - (Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis Effect;
atmosphere–ocean interactions; ENSO)
c. Global Water Resources and Use - (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic
use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation)
d. Soil and Soil Dynamics - (Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types;
erosion and other soil problems; soil conservation)
II.
The Living World (10–15%)
a. Ecosystem Structure - (Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species;
keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes)
b. Energy Flow - (Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids)
c. Ecosystem Diversity - (Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services)
d. Natural Ecosystem Change - (Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession)
e. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles - (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter)
III.
Population (10–15%)
a. Population Biology Concepts - (Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship)
b. Human Population
i. Human population dynamics - (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and
doubling times; demographic transition; age-structure diagrams)
ii. Population size - (Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies)
iii. Impacts of population growth - (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction)
IV.
Land and Water Use (10–15%)
a. Agriculture
i. Feeding a growing population - (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution;
genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture)
ii. Controlling pests - (Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management;
relevant laws)
b. Forestry - (Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests)
c. Rangelands - (Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands)
d. Other Land Use
i. Urban land development - (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization)
ii. Transportation infrastructure - (Federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem
impacts)
iii. Public and federal lands - (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests;
wetlands)
iv. Land conservation options - (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration)
v. Sustainable land-use strategies
e. Mining - (Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties)
f. Fishing - (Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties)
g. Global Economics - (Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties)
V.
Energy Resources and Consumption (10–15%)
a. Energy Concepts - (Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics)
b. Energy Consumption
i. History - (Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis)
ii. Present global energy use
iii. Future energy needs
c. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use - (Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods;
world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources)
d. Nuclear Energy - (Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental
advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion)
a. Hydroelectric Power - (Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts)
b. Energy Conservation - (Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit)
VI.
c.
VII.
VIII.
Renewable Energy - (Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale
hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages)
Pollution (25–30%)
a. Pollution Types
i. Air pollution - (Sources—primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid
deposition—causes and effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution;
remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant laws)
ii. Noise pollution - (Sources; effects; control measures)
iii. 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)
iv. Solid waste - (Types; disposal; reduction)
b. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
i. Hazards to human health - (Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-response
relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks)
ii. Hazardous chemicals in the environment - (Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous
waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws)
c. Economic Impacts - (Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability)
Global Change (10–15%)
a. 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)
b. Global Warming - (Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming;
reducing climate change; relevant laws and treaties)
c. Loss of Biodiversity
i. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species
ii. Maintenance through conservation
iii. Relevant laws and treaties
Classroom Expectations
It is expected that common sense will suffice, but just in case...
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Every student will be respectful to every other person in this class, as well as the physical classroom itself. As high school
students, we should know what this means.
Every student will be responsible for their own actions and every student will put maximum effort into making their
educational experience positive. Make happy high school memories, not ones you will regret!
Every student will be safe by following the laboratory rules. We don’t need any students catching on fire.
All homework will be due when class starts to avoid interruptions. Any homework turned in afterwards will be considered
late and receive half credit. Copied work will result in a zero for both parties.
All students will participate in classroom activities and discussions. It’s the cool thing to do.
You will practice academic honesty. Cheaters never prosper.
All students will be to class on time. If you are late to class, make sure you have a pass.
You will be prepared for every class. You will not be allowed to go to your locker during class time. Don’t bother asking!
Behavior will always be appropriate. We will assume you will all be angels, but if you happen to get a detention and you fail
to serve it, a yellow card will be written
You will not pack up early as it is both rude and a distraction.
You will be in your seat with your notebook out and a writing utensil ready at the beginning of class.
You will find out what you missed if you are absent. Check my website and/or talk to myself or another student in the class.
You will follow the student handbook at all times. No phones or IPODs allowed, even if it is mom texting!
Additional bags/books/purses must go on the floor. No hiding cell phones on your laps or behind walls you constructed on
your desk.
Please read, sign, and return this page.
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this course.
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