Download AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Course Outline
Instructor:
Miss Buck, [email protected]
Room:
B113
Required Texts: Living in the Environment (18th edition), G. Tyler Miller
Course Description: AP Environmental Science provides an investigative approach to the interrelationships
of the natural world through the study of the fundamental concepts, principles, and methodologies of
environmental science, with an emphasis on inquiry and critical thinking skills including problem solving and
experimental investigations. Topics of study include Earth systems and resources, ecosystems and energy
flow, population biology, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, agriculture,
conservation and global change. Laboratory work, field studies, field trips, and case studies are an integral
component of this course. The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one
semester, introductory college course in environmental science.
AP Exam:
May 2nd, 2016 (100 multiple choice and 4 free-response questions: no calculators allowed)
Required Class Materials: 3-Ring Binder, pencils, lab notebook (provided by science department), current
events notebook (provided by science department)
Suggested
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Organization for your class binder: Create tabs in your binder for each of the following topics
Syllabus, course information, exam tips
Guiding Questions & Chapter Outlines
Lab Handouts
Activities
Case Studies and Video Summaries
Projects/Research
Chapter Reviews
If you don’t think the suggested binder organization above will work for you, you might consider creating
tabs for each unit (topics listed below)
Course Topic Outline:
Unit I: Introduction to Environmental Science
 Chapter 1: Environmental Problems, Their Causes, & Sustainability
 Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy, & Systems
Unit II: Ecology
 Chapter 3: Ecosystems
Unit III: The Origin of the Earth’s Biodiversity
 Chapter 4: Biodiversity & Evolution
Unit IV: The Distribution of Life on Earth
 Chapter 5: Biodiversity, Species Interactions, & Population Control
 Chapter 6: The Human Population & Its Impact
 Chapter 7: Climate & Biodiversity
 Chapter 8: Aquatic Biodiversity
Unit V: Sustaining Biodiversity
 Chapter 9: Saving Species & Ecosystem Services
 Chapter 10: Saving Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services
 Chapter 11: Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
Unit VI: Sustaining Natural Resources
 Chapter 12: Food Production & the Environment
Unit VII: Water and Water Resources
 Chapter 13: Water Resources
 Chapter 20: Water Pollution
Unit VIII: Air Pollution
 Chapter 18: Air Pollution
 Chapter 19: Climate Disruption
Unit IX: Nonrenewable and Renewable Energy Resources
 Chapter 14: Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
 Chapter 15: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
 Chapter 16: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Unit X: Toxicology and Human Health
 Chapter 17: Environmental Hazards and Human Health
Unit XI: Solid and Hazardous Waste
 Chapter 21: Solid and Hazardous Waste
Unit XII: Economics, Politics, and Environmental Issues
 Chapter 22: Urbanization and Sustainability
 Chapter 23: Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
 Chapter 24: Urbanization and Sustainability
 Chapter 25: Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability
Investigations (Labs and Activities):
 Labs will be a component of each unit. Remember to keep a neat, detailed lab notebook. This lab
notebook will help in reviewing concepts for tests and exams.
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There will be some hands-on activities that do not require use of lab equipment or chemicals. These
activities should still be included in your lab notebook, as they demonstrate applications of course
content.
Case studies will be discussed in every unit. Some case studies will require completion of research,
projects, or presentations.
Other research projects will be done periodically throughout the year. Remember to keep
documentation of all projects and labs for review and for college credit approval.
Chapter/Unit Reviews:
 Before each chapter or unit test you will need to complete given review problems and possibly other
review materials given to you.
 We will not have entire class periods to spend on a review, but we will review concepts on a regular
basis in class. You can always see me before or after school to review individually or in groups. I
recommend that you form your own study groups for review also!
Quizzes and Tests:
 Quizzes will be taken periodically throughout each chapter and sometimes at the end of most
chapters.
 At the end of each unit there will be an exam.
 You may be required to do test corrections after exams. Test correction sheets will be provided. For
each multiple choice question you get incorrect you will need to explain why each of the incorrect
responses is incorrect (you will be given the correct answers after completing the test). The test
corrections will be worth homework points. You will have one week to complete test corrections.
Ongoing Assignments:
 Current Events - Use the article summary template from the summer assignment to complete
summaries for a current event related to each unit we are studying. Specific due dates will be given
during each unit. The articles must be current! For some chapters, links may be provided for you. You
are not obligated to use them.
 Environmental Legislation Project- You will research an assigned environmental regulation or act, and
then share your findings with the class.
Weekly and Moodle Assignments:
 Textbook Guiding Questions: For each chapter there will be guiding questions given to you. These
questions are important for you to answer as you read the chapter, and BEFORE notes are given in
class. Expect to read at least a few sections of the textbook each day. When reading the textbook,
make sure to pay extra attention to figures and diagrams in the textbook. There will not be enough
class time to lecture on all the textbook information. Reading the text is important!
 You will be required to complete or print materials from Moodle (class website) for each unit.
Academic Integrity: It is left to the discretion of the teacher to impose a grade-based consequence for
students who violate the Academic Integrity and Cheating Policy. This policy is found in the student handbook.
Parents will be notified when any incident of academic integrity occurs.
Student Accountability Contract
I understand and accept the rigor, pacing, course expectations and grading policies in this class. I have also
reviewed the Course Outline. I understand that much of my learning will take place outside of the class
period. Most of the class time is structured around labs, demonstrations and discussions. I understand I am
expected to also prepare for exams outside of class.
The APES Exam is scheduled for
Monday, May 2nd at 8:00 AM.
Student’s Name _________________________ (please print)
Student Signature
Date
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date