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SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Course Description: AP Environmental Science is an applied science taught at a college level. This course is a combination of many sciences such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, Ecology, Economics, Political Science and Mathematics. The course will cover all current information regarding Environmental issues today and the information from your textbook. In order to be successful in this course you must have completed a High school level Biology and Chemistry and have succeeded in both courses. This course is very different than other regular AP Courses because it is an applied science meaning there will be many hands on activities and laboratories you will conduct and all knowledge learned in this course can be applied and relevant to your everyday lives. Instructor: Marilia Martinez Email: [email protected] Text book: Living in the Environment AP * Edition Seventeenth edition Authors: G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman ISBN-­‐13: 978-­‐0538-­‐49383-­‐3 ISBN-­‐10: 0-­‐538-­‐49383-­‐6 Home Learning: Students will be assigned home learning assignments on a daily basis. There will be chapter review handouts assigned per chapter. The questions on these handouts will be answered in complete sentences typed on a separate sheet of paper. Students are expected to complete and turn in work in a timely manner. No late work will be accepted without an excuse absence slip. Laboratory: Class time will also be dedicated to conduct laboratories. Due to time constraints because of our 8-­‐block schedule we will be conducting additional laboratory sessions after school on Thursdays as per our tentative schedule. These lab sessions are Mandatory NOT OPTIONAL! SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Laboratory Report Requirements: Pre Labs are required before any student can begin any in class laboratory. Pre-­‐lab requirements are below: • Name and Date. The students name and date should be printed in the upper left hand corner of your laboratory notebook. • Title: The Pre-­‐lab must have a title in the top center of the lab report. The title must briefly describe what is being investigated. • Introduction/ Purpose: The introduction must summarize the purpose of the lab in 2 to 3 sentences. • Procedure: Students must re-­‐write procedures in their own words and use exact measurements and equipment as the lab manual instructs. They may be written as steps (bulleted or numbered.) • Pre-­‐Lab Questions: These questions will be provided to the student prior to the lab. Student must answer the questions before starting the lab. Students must use their resources available to answer the questions in its entirety. • Data Tables: Data tables must be pre-­‐constructed in your lab reports to collect data during the lab. Students may not spend class/lab time drawing tables. Post Lab requirements • The final lab report should include all of the previous requirements and the additional following: • Calculations and graphs: All calculations including all the steps must be included as part of your lab report. When necessary one must create graphs to show relationships of variables tested. Graphs must be labeled accordingly(title, axis, units and keys.) • Conclusion: Students must write a complete conclusion that includes analysis of the results. Discussion of results from other groups must be included when indicated to do so. They must be well written using correct terms and ideas accurately. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus •
Post lab questions: All labs have are accompanied by a post lab question section that must be completed when lab reports are to be turned in to class. Course Outline: 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) SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus B. Human Population 1. Human population dynamics (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition; age-­‐structure diagrams) 2. Population size (Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies) 3. Impacts of population growth (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction) IV. Land and Water Use (10–15%) A. Agriculture 1. Feeding a growing population (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture) 2. 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 1. Urban land development (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization) 2. Transportation infrastructure (Federal highway system; canals and channels; Roadless areas; ecosystem impacts) 3. Public and federal lands (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands) 4. Land conservation options (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration) 5. 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) SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10–15%) A. Energy Concepts (Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics) B. Energy Consumption 1. History (Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis) 2. Present global energy use 3. 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) E. Hydroelectric Power (Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts) F. Energy Conservation (Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit) G. Renewable Energy (Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-­‐scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages) VI. Pollution (25–30%) A. Pollution Types 1. 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) 2. Noise pollution (Sources; effects; control measures) 3. 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) 4. Solid waste SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus (Types; disposal; reduction) B. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health 1. Hazards to human health (Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-­‐response relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks) 2. 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) VII. 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 1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species 2. Maintenance through conservation 3. Relevant laws and treaties First Nine Weeks Date Topic and Outline Aug 19-­‐ Aug 23 Course introduction Energy Resources and Chapter covered Ch 1 Class work/ Labs Assessments Intro to Environmental overview Endangered planet mini quiz SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus consumption Sustainability Land conservation Options Aug 27 Sep 3-­‐ Sep 10 Sep 12-­‐ Sep 18 Sep 20 Sep 24-­‐ Oct 4 Oct 8-­‐ Oct 14 Oct 16-­‐ Oct 18 Oct 22-­‐ Oct 24 Economic Impacts Global Economics Energy Resources and consumption Matter and Energy Resources Chemistry Review Principles of ecology Energy flow through ecosystems Biodiversity Biomagnification Loss of Biodiversity Sustaining Biodiversity Population Dynamics Human Population and its impact Water Resources Water Pollution Ch 1 Cats of Borneo activity Endangered planet Video Hand out/ Tragedy of the commons lab Ch 1 Quiz Ch 3 Energy use activity Energy Audit Chemistry review worksheet Ch 2 Ch 3.3 Energy hand out Biomass transfer lab (butterfly) Ch 4 and Biodiversity Lab Ch 5 Ch 2 Quiz Chemistry review quiz Ch 3 quiz Ch 4 and 5 Quiz Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 13 Ch 20 Biodiversity Handout Ch 9 and Ch 10 Quiz Population Handout Population growth in Lemna minor population Water quality lab Detergents and Fertilizers as Pollutants (impacts on algae growth) Ch 5&6 Quiz Chapter covered Class work/ Homework Assessments Semester Exam (Multiple Choice and free response) Cumulative exam Second Nine Weeks Date Topic and Outline SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Oct 29-­‐ Nov 14 Nov 18 Nov 26 Dec 2-­‐ Dec 10 Dec 12-­‐ Dec 18 Dec 20-­‐ Jan 9 Jan 13 January 15 Water in South Florida Aquatic Ecosystems Fishing (IV. F) Loss of Biodiversity (VII. C) Solid Waste (VI. A. 4) Hazardous Chemicals in the Environment (VI.B.2) Impacts on the Environment and Human Health Food Soil and Pest Management Soil and Soil Dynamics (I.D) Pesticides -­‐ Traditional and Alternative Agriculture Environmental Geology The Lithosphere Earth Science Concepts (I.A), Mining (IV.E) Noise Pollution Ch 8 Ch 11 Water Project Quiz on Ch. 8 and 11 Ch 21 Ch 17 Hazardous waste lab Quiz on Ch. 21 & 17 Ch 12 Soil testing lab Quiz on Ch. 12 Ch 14 Geology rock lab Quiz on Ch. 14 Ch 22 Handout Quiz on Ch. 22 Possible water Treatment Plant Field trip/ Midterm Essay Exam (40% midterm grade) Midterm Objective Exam (60% midterm grade) Review For Midterm Exam Essay Exam set up like a free response question. Objective exam will be multiple choice. Midterm SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Third Nine Weeks Jan 21-­‐ Jan 31 The Atmosphere -­‐ An Overview Ch 1 8 SMOG Acid Rain Weather and Climate Air Pollution Feb 4-­‐ Feb18 Global Warming Ch 19 Deforestation (Ch 7) Climate and biodiversity Ozone Depletion Stratospheric Ozone Indoor Air Pollution Energy Resources Historical Ch 14 Overview Energy Resources and Consumption Nonrenewable Fossil Fuels – Coal Ch. 14 Nonrenewables (Petroleum, Ch. 15 Natural Gas, Synfuels) Nuclear Energy -­‐ Resources and Ch 15 Safety Sect 15.5 Renewable Resources Ch. 16 Renewables and Alternatives Feb 20-­‐ Feb 28 Mar 4-­‐ Mar 12 March 14 Mar 18-­‐ Mar 20 Acid Rain Lab Air Pollution Analysis (graphical analysis of data) CO2 Audit Ozone lab Ch 18 Quiz Complete long term energy audit Nonrenewable resources handout Ch 14 Quiz Research issues on nuclear energy in the news. Write a report on the concerning issues. Ch 14 and 15 Exam Essay on renewable resource method for manufacturing business. Semester Exam (Multiple Choice and free response) Cumulative exam Ch 19 Quiz SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Environmental Economics/ Politics Sustainable Future Other Land Use Review for AP Exam – practice essays and objective exams A.P. Exam/ Final Exam End of the year Projects and Final Exams Ch 23 Ch 24 Ch 25 Laws, policies and agency review. Environmental laws game. Ch 23, 24 and 25 quiz respectively Practice AP Exams Multiple-­‐choice and free response. Choose Environmental topic and create your own PSA supporting it. Fourth Nine Weeks Apr 1-­‐ Apr 11 Apr 15 – May 2 Tentative End of May-­‐
June Grading Policy: The grading system is based on weighted percentages. Each assignment will have a point value and weighed according to the category. (15%): Homework (Includes Mastering chemistry online assignments and other home learning assignments.) (15%): Classwork (In class assignments that are turned in for a grade, including group assignments) (20%): Laboratory (This includes lab attendance, pre-­‐lab and post lab assignments) (20%): Quizzes (This includes scheduled and pop-­‐quizzes) (30%): Chapter Tests (All cumulative exams) Presentation SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Classroom Expectations: -­‐All students must respect themselves, the teacher and each other. -­‐No disruptive behavior will be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly with a detention or referral. -­‐NO Electronic Devices of Any Kind Will be allowed during lectures, quizzes and exams. The only exception is the BYOD (bring your own device) policy during labs and group assignments. BYOD is a privilege which can be revoked if it is misused such as checking email, grades, social media, etc.. -­‐NO food, drink, or gum should be brought into the classroom. -­‐You are expected to be in class and in your assigned seat on time. -­‐Be prepared for class! This means all necessary materials must be brought to class each day (homework, pen, paper, notebook etc). -­‐The laboratory or room must be clean at the end of the period before leaving. -­‐All school rules will be followed as stated in the student handbook. -­‐All safety rules as stated in the Science Safety Agreement must be followed. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT A. P. Environmental Science Course Syllabus Please detach and return with Safety Contract by Monday, August 25 (B day) or Tuesday August 26 (A day)
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