Download advanced placement environmental science course syllabus

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
COURSE SYLLABUS
TEXT BOOKS:
G. Tyler Miller, Living in the Environment, Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning, 12th ed.
William Molnar, AP Environmental Science Laboratory Investigations
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
AP Environmental Science is a year long course designed to be the equivalent of a one
semester, introductory college course in environmental science.
The goal of the AP environmental science course as described by the College Board, “ 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 and/or preventing them.”
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different
areas of study including biology, chemistry, earth science, social sciences, and politics.
There will be a strong laboratory and field study component to this course. Students will be
expected to participate in some activities outside of the normal classroom hours. Experiences both
in the laboratory and in the field provide students with unique opportunities to explore how
classroom learned concepts apply to the “ real world” .
COURSE THEMES:
The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental
Science course:
1) Science is a process
a. Science is the method of learning more about the world.
b. Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2) Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes
a. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere.
b. As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable.
3) The Earth itself is one interconnected system
a. Natural systems change over time and space.
b. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
4) Humans alter natural systems
a. Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years
b. Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate
and scale of their impact on the environment.
5) Environmental problems have a cultural and social context
a. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the
development of solutions.
6) Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems
a. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required.
b. Management of common resources is essential.
METHODS:
Students enrolled in AP environmental science should expect a rigorous, involved, and
interactive course of study. As this is an elected course, it is expected that all students enrolled are
agreeing to participate in all aspects of the course to their fullest extent.
AP environmental science employs a variety of classroom methods including lectures and
notes, laboratory investigations, field investigations, student written and oral research projects,
class discussions, group work, and active student participation.
COURSE PLAN:
UNIT 1: 6 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
II. A Ecosystem Structure
II.B Energy Flow
II.E Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
IV. G Global Economics
V.A. Energy Concepts
VI.C Economic Impacts
 CH 1 & 2: Environmental Issues Overview, Sustainability&
Environmental History
 CH 3: Science as a Process, Systems, Matter & Energy
 CH 4: Ecosystem dynamics & Components
 Brine Shrimp Survival Student Designed Lab
 Quadrant Study: Shannon Weiner Biodiversity index
 Tragedy of The Commons Simulation
 Article: Jarod Diamond, “ The Worst Mistake in the History
of the Human Race”
 Video: The Lorax
 Article: Robert D. Bullard, “ Environmental Justice for All”
 Project: Profile of a Significant Figure in Environmental
History
 Problem Solving Worksheet: Energy Conversions
Calculations
 Problem Solving Worksheet: How much Space do we
need?
 Class Activity: Cats over Borneo sequencing of events
 Class Activity: Carbon Cycle Game
UNIT 2: 3 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
II.C Ecosystem Diversity
II.D Natural Ecosystem Change
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LABS:
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
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CH 5: Evolution and Biodiversity
CH 6: Biogeography: Climate, Biomes & Terrestrial
Biodiversity
CH7: Aquatic Biodiversity
Island Biogeography & Evolution
Climatograms
Specific Heat & Climate
Video: Evolution, PBS- (various segments)
Video: Beneath the Atlantic Ocean
Project: Aquatic Life Zones of the World research & power
point presentations
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Field Trip: Zoo Atlanta
Video: Chasing El Nino
UNIT 3: 4 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
II.A. Ecosystem Structure
III.A Population Biology Concepts
III.B Human Population
 CH 8: Community Ecology
 CH9: Population Dynamics, Carrying Capacity, &
Conservation Biology
 CH 11: Human Population Dynamics
 Cemetery Study
 Isle Royal Population Study
 Something’ s Fishy Mark-Recapture Population Study
 Global Population Trends
 Project: Exotic Species Most Wanted Poster
 Worksheet: Ecological Succession
 Worksheet: Capture/Recapture worksheet
 Article: Garrett Hardin: “ Moral Implications of Cultural
Carrying Capacity”
 Worksheet: Age Sex distribution diagrams
UNIT 4: 4 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
I.A. Earth Science Concepts
I.D. Soil and Soil Dynamics
IV.A Agriculture
IV.C Rangelands
IV. F Fishing
 CH 10, Geology: Processes, Hazards, and Soils
 CH 12, Food Resources
 CH 20, Pest Management
 Physical analysis of soils
 Chemical analysis of Soils
 Ecological Footprint calculation based on food
consumption
 Field Trip: East Lake Commons Organic “ gaia” Farm
 Video: Harvest of Fear
 Research Project: Commercial Fishing Techniques
brochure
 Online Video: The Meatrix Series
**********************SEMESTER BREAK***********************
UNIT 5: 5 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
I.C. Global Water Resources and Use
V.E Hydroelectric power
VI.A Pollution Types: Water Pollution
VI.B Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
VI.C Economic Impacts
 CH 16: Risk, Toxicology & Human Health
 CH 13: Water Resources
 CH 19: Water pollution
 CH 21 Solid & Hazardous Waste
 LD 50 Toxicity testing
 Lead testing
 National and Local Water Use Calculations
 Water Quality Testing, from lake Clara Mear
 Tap Water Quality Testing Self Designed Experiment
 Energy & Recycling Calculations
 Guest Speaker: Environmental Geologist
 Field Trip: Atlanta Water works
 Field Trip: Waste water treatment facility
 Project: Journey of Trash
 Worksheet: Water loss drop by drop
 Webquest: Water Diversions
UNIT 6: 3 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
IV.E Mining
V.B Energy Consumption
V.C Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
V.D Nuclear Energy
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
V.E Hydroelectric power
V.F Energy Conservation
V.G Renewable Energy
 CH 14: Nonrenewable Mineral & Energy Resources
 CH 15: Energy Efficiency & renewable energy
 Mining Simulation using Chocolate Chip Cookies
 Energy Resource Comparison
 Carbon Footprint Calculation
 Homework Survey: Personal Energy Use Audit
 Demonstration: Solar Cooker
 Research Project Power Point: Alternative Sources
 Class work: Energy Conversions Problems Worksheets
UNIT 7: 3 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
I.B. The Atmosphere
VI.A Pollution Types: Air Pollution
VII.A Stratospheric Ozone
VII.B Global Warming
 CH 17: Air & Air pollution
 CH 18 Climate Change & Ozone Loss
 CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning
 Measuring Particulate Air Pollution
 Effects of Acid Rain on Plant Germination
 Global Climate Change Analyses
 Video: An Inconvenient Truth
 Project: Air pollutant Brochure
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
IV.B Forestry
IV. D Other Land Use
VII.C Loss of Biodiversity
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
UNIT 8: 4 WEEKS
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
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CH 22: Sustaining Wild species
CH 23: Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
CH 24: Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
CH 25: Sustainable Cities
Research project: Nation Park Management
Local Land Use Debate
Endangered species power point presentation
Land Use laws
UNIT 9: 2 WEEKS
College Board Course
Description Curriculum
requirement
IV. G Global Economics
VI.C Economic Impacts
VII. C Loss of Biodiversity: Laws and Treaties
Required Reading:
Text Book Topics & Chapters
Labs
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Fieldtrips, videos, Readings
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CH 26: Economics & The Environment
CH 27: Politics & the Environment
CH 28: Environmental Ethics
n/a
Political Activism Letter
Environmental Awareness Public Service Announcements