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Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES)
Mr. Shannon
Course Description:
The AP Environmental Science Course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester introductory college course in
environmental science. The course will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies
required to understand the interrelationships within the natural world, and to identify and analyze environmental
problems. Students will also evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative
solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Students will use previous experiences in chemistry, biology, and
physical science to classify, analyze, and evaluate these environmental issues that challenge humans within the
framework of social, historic, and economic parameters.
Class Schedule:
This class meets five of the six-day cycle. One class period meets in a block (2 mods) and will be devoted to hands-on
laboratory experiences, field work, field trips, or testing. Many labs will require a full written report.
Student Evaluation:
Grades in the class are based upon laboratory work, quizzes, tests, homework, and journal writing. Tests consist of
multiple choice questions and free response essays. Tests are scored in a similar fashion to the AP test; with the multiple
choice section worth 60% and free response essays are worth 40%.
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A scrap book/journal will be maintained throughout the year. It will include a current event article with
summary and reflection for each week. It will also include case studies found within the book and elsewhere.
Most labs are “informal” and do not require a full lab report. Approximately one lab per quarter will require a
full write-up.
There will also be at least one project assigned each semester. One is an individual project and one is a small
group project.
I will maintain a website for the class. Many things will also be posted on the shared directory at school. The site will
include lecture notes, assignments, other handouts, and important Links
The quarter grade is calculated based on the following criteria:
 Tests and quizzes are weighted at 60%
 Lab reports and projects are weighted at 25%
 Homework, Journal, and other assignments are weighted at 15%
Grade Scale:
A
93-100%
B
83-89%
C
73-79%
D
63-69%
A90-92%
B80-82%
C70-72%
D60-62%
F
Text Book:
Living In The Environment; 16th edition; G. Tyler Miller/Scott Spoolman. Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning
Student-Supplied Materials
Lecture Notebook
Journal/Scrapbook
3 packs of 4” x 6” index cards
0-59%
Course Outline
Unit 1
2 weeks
Chapter 1: Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability
Topics
Sustainability
Ecological Footprints
Causes of Environmental Problems
Principles of Sustainability
Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy and Systems
Topics
What is Science?
Definitions and Behavior of Matter
Definitions and Types of Energy
Behaviors of Systems
Unit 2
3 weeks
Chapter 3: Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Topics
What Is Ecology?
Ecosystem Components
Energy and Matter Within An Ecosystem
Chapter 4: Biodiversity and Evolution
Topics
What is Biodiversity?
Evolution and Natural Selection
Geological and Climate Effects
Human Activity, Speciation, Extinction
Chapter 5: Biodiversity, Species Interaction, Population Control
Topics
Species Interaction
Competition and Population Control
Adaptation and Succession
Unit 3
3 weeks
Chapter 7: Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Topics
Factors Influencing Climate
Climate and Biome Locations
Human Effects on Ecosystems
Chapter 10: Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach
Topics
Threats To Forest Ecosystems
Managing and Sustaining Forests
Managing and Sustaining Grasslands
The Ecosystem Approach
Chapter 9: Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach
Topics
Humans’ Role In Premature Extinction
Protecting Wild Species From Extinction
Unit 4
Chapter 8: Aquatic Biodiversity
Topics
Nature of Aquatic Systems
Marine Systems: Importance and Human Impact
Freshwater Ecosystems: Importance and Human Impact
Chapter 11: Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
Topics
Major Threats To Aquatic Biodiversity
Protecting and Maintaining Marine Biodiversity
Protecting and Maintaining Wetlands
Protecting and Maintaining Freshwater Lakes and Rivers
3 weeks
Unit 5
3 weeks
Chapter 14: Geology and Nonrenewable Minerals
Topics
Geological Processes
Rock Cycle
Mineral Resources
Depletion and Sustainability of Minerals; Mining
Chapter 12: Food, Soil, and Pest Management
Topics
Food Security and Production
Environmental Problems and Food Production
Protecting Crops From Pests
Sustainable Food Production
Unit 6
2 weeks
Chapter 6: The Human Population and Its Impact
Topics
Cultural Carrying Capacity
Factors Influencing Population Size
Age Structure of a Population
Slowing Population Growth
Unit 7
3 weeks
Chapter 15: Nonrenewable Energy
Topics
Energy Sources
Oil
Natural Gas
Coal
Nuclear
Chapter 16: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources
Topics
Efficiency and Cutting Waste
Solar Energy
Hydroelectric
Wind
Biomass
Geothermal
Unit 8
Chapter 17: Environmental Hazards and Human Health
Topics
Major Health Hazards
Biological Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Perceiving and Avoiding Risk
Chapter 21: Solid and Hazardous Waste
Topics
Problems Associated With Solid and Hazardous Waste
Reusing and Recycling
Burning and Burying Solid Waste
Dealing With Hazardous Waste
Sustainable Low0Waste Society
Chapter 22: Sustainable Cities
Topics
Major Urban Population Trends
Urban Resources and Environmental Problems
Transportation As An Urban issue
Urban Land Use Planning
3 weeks
Unit 9
3 weeks
Chapter 13: Water Resources
Topics
Usable Water
Ground Water
Dams
Desalination
Sustainability of Water Use
Flooding
Chapter 20: Water Pollution
Topics
Causes and Effects
Stream and Lake Pollution
Ground Water Pollution
Ocean Pollution
Unit 10
3 weeks
Chapter 18: Air Pollution
Topics
Nature of the Atmosphere
Indoor and Outdoor Pollution
Acid Deposition
Health Effects and Dealing with Air Pollution
Chapter 19: Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
Topics
Future Climate Scenarios
Effects of Global Atmospheric Warming
Slowing Climate Change
Causes and Effects of Ozone Depletion
Unit 11
2 weeks
Chapter 23: Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
Topics
Economics and the Biosphere
Putting Values On Environmental Issues
Reducing Poverty
Making the Transition
Chapter 24, Politics, Environment and Sustainability
Topics
The Role of Government
Environmental Policy and Law
Environmental Groups
Global Environmental Security
Chapter 25: Environmental World Views, Ethics, and Sustainability
Topics
Environmental World Views
The Role of Education
Living Sustainably
Unit 12
1 week
Review for AP Exam (Exam Date Monday, May 6, 2013)
Other Assignments, Etc:
 Reading and written assignments from the book are not listed in the above outline. They will be assigned with
each chapter covered.
 Long-term field studies/projects/ community service will be assigned to students at the beginning of the school
year.
 Journal/Scrapbook: Students keep a journal/scrapbook of current environmental issues. They must find a
newspaper or magazine article related to anything environmental. The article is to be included in the book as
well as a short written review and discussion of the specific issue’s personal impact. During the school year, two
articles per month will be required. Time will be spent discussing the articles. Students will have the opportunity
to choose one article of particular interest and make a class presentation.
Case Studies:
Case studies are very important in the study of environmental science. These are included as part of the textbook
reading writing assignments. Students will be assigned case studies and prepare a short presentation concerning the
importance of the case.
Field Trips:
One day field trip to include: City of Nevin State Fish Hatchery, City of Madison waste water treatment plant, and Dane
County landfill
Other possible field trip(s): Madison Gas & Electric power plant, Forest Products Laboratory
The Exam
The A.P. Environmental Science Exam created by the College Board and Educational Testing Service will be administered
on May 6, 2013. 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 freeresponse 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.
Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions and assignments. You should complete assigned reading
and exercises before the date they are due, and you are expected to participate fully in labs, fieldwork, and other
exercises, whether they be individual or team-based. See student handbook for school attendance policy.
Class Rules
This course is equivalent to a college level course, and you are expected to act as an adult at all times, whether in class,
in the lab, or on a field trip. Disruption of class activities in any way will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary
referrals as necessary. Cell phones must be kept turned off during school hours or they will be confiscated. I expect all
students to be responsible and courteous at all times.
General Policies
1. Make Up Policy- Make-up work must be turned in upon your return to class. If you were present the day the
assignment was given, but absent the day it was due, the assignment is due the first day you return. The same is
true to tests and projects. Missing a review day before the test does not excuse you from taking the test.
2. EC- It is your responsibility to obtain class-work. All work must be turned in immediately after you return to class.
3. Cheating & Plagiarism- I do not expect cheating or plagiarism from any of you. You will receive a zero and I will
contact your parent.
4. How to Be SuccessfulCome prepared (work completed, supplies, & mentally ready to work)
Be respectful (to yourself, classmates, classroom stuff, and me)
Work Safely
Participate, ask questions, be happy and positive, enjoy life
Assignments
Class Assignments:
Class assignments will include daily home assignments, team projects and research, reading and written work.
Scientists and environmental professionals are expected to present their work products in a timely, neat,
accurate and well-organized fashion, and you are expected to do the same in this course. Work must be
submitted on the day it is due (at the beginning of class), or 10% will be deducted for each day late. Any
assignments not turned in within two school (no class) days will receive a zero.
Laboratories:
Laboratory and field investigations are designed to complement the lecture/activity portion of the course by
providing opportunities to learn about the environment through firsthand observations, to test concepts and
principles which have been introduced in class, to explore specific issues and problems in greater depth, and to
gain an awareness of the importance of confounding variables which exist in the real world. Investigations will
be diverse and will include indoor laboratory activities, outdoor activities, as well as field experience outside the
confines of the campus. The labs are designed to invite students to think critically, to observe environmental
systems, to develop and conduct well designed experiments, to utilize appropriate techniques and
instrumentation, to analyze and interpret data, to present data orally and in the form of statistical and graphical
presentations, to apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems, to form conclusions and to propose
further study. Formal lab reports are required and must be kept throughout the year (there availability may
influence whether or not you receive college credit)
Current Events:
Students will be assigned a Current Events Scrapbook at the beginning of the year. This project will last until the
test and is meant to prepare students for the APES exam. Four environmental current events and analysis are due
each month.