Download APES Syllabus (New) - South Sevier High School

AP Environmental Science
South Sevier High School
School Year: 2014
INSTRUCTOR
Scott A. Brady (M.S. in Environmental Science, B.S in Biology)
Work: (435) 527-4651 Home: (435) 527-4700
E-mail: [email protected]
School Web: http://www.southsevierhigh.org/ap-environmental-science.html
TEXTBOOK
http://www.southsevierhigh.org/uploads/1/9/8/5/19853153/apes-textbook.pdf
SUPPLIMENTARY
MATERIALS
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Env. Issues, 13th ed., by T.A. Easton, 2009-10.
AP Env. Science, 5 Steps to a 5 Study Guide, by Linda Williams, Ph.D., 2010-11.
GRADING POLICY
Grading Category
Assignments
Unit Quizzes (14)
Laboratories and Fieldwork
Group Project
Research Paper/Presentation
Term 1
20%
30%
20%
Term 2
20%
30%
20%
30%
30%
Description of Course:
AP Environmental Science is a course designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college
course in environmental science. Unlike most other introductory-level college science courses, environmental
science is offered from a wide variety of disciplines including geology, chemistry, physics, biology, geography,
engineering, political science, ethics, and philosophy. AP Environmental Science has been developed to be a
rigorous science course that stresses scientific principles and analysis and includes a detailed laboratory and
fieldwork experience.
The goal of this course is to provide you 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 using sound interdisciplinary science.
AP Environmental Science is interdisciplinary and 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. The following themes provide a foundation this course:
• Science is a process that follows specific rules that are used to solve problems.
• Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
• The Earth itself is one interconnected system of interacting systems.
• Humans alter natural systems both intentionally and unintentionally.
• Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
• Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
Outcomes
To get college credit, you must score a 3 on the AP exam (on a scale of 0-5). If you do, then this course will
give you 3 or 4 semester credit hours at all colleges and universities in the State of Utah Some colleges accept
this credit as a course called Environmental Biology or Environmental Science. You will automatically get high
school credit for this course as long as you maintain a cumulative score of 70% or better, but to get college
credit, you must score a 3 on the AP exam. There are no exceptions.
Course Fees
The course fee is a non-refundable $100 ($89 for AP Exam & $11 for Labs). Students who choose to not take
the AP Exam must still pay the $11 lab fee. If fees are not paid, then no credit is given for the course.
Prerequisites
Students must have completed one year of life science (Biology) and one year of physical science (Chemistry,
Physics, Earth Science, Geology). Agricultural Biology is not sufficient Biology preparation for this course.
Students should also have one year of algebra. Admittance is by instructor permission only.
Assignments
Depending on the material presented, the learning level and attentiveness of the class, disciplinary problems,
etc., different assignments will be given that reflect these attributes. You should expect to participate in
discussions, Internet activities, group work, debates, and homework assignments. You can expect less
“busywork” than in other courses, but you are also expected to read every assigned chapter and to complete
all assignments on time. Participating in sports or other activities does NOT excuse you from completing
assignments. If you happen to be gone on a day that we do an assignment that cannot be made up, then
accept the fact you will receive a zero on that assignment. This college class does not slow down, nor does it
wait for you to catch up. Be sure to keep up on everything and only miss class when it is necessary.
There will be four assignments that will assess your knowledge and skills in using Math, Chemistry, and
Physics in real world scenarios. You will also work on assignments that will teach you dimensional analysis,
scientific notation, balancing chemical equations, the metric system, the laws of thermodynamics, and
statistical analysis (range, mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation). You will use these skills in
each lab that we do, and this knowledge will be invaluable to you when you do the free response questions on
the APES Exam.
Quizzes
There will be an online quiz given after each of the 14 units. The quizzes are designed to help you see if you
are mastering the material presented. The quizzes will be given in class on the day after the end of a particular
unit. If you miss the day of a quiz, then you have two (2) school days to take it. If you fail to take the quiz within
the two days, then you will get a zero on that quiz. You cannot re-take quizzes.
Laboratories
There will be 12 laboratory/field investigations. Laboratory safety and technique will be addressed prior to any
laboratory work being conducted. A laboratory preparation/discussion session will be held the day before the
laboratory/field investigation. Most labs will be completed or started on Mondays in order to ensure that
everyone is in class. Each lab will have you complete a laboratory report and write-up including proper data
collection and analysis, interpreting collected data, and the correct use of the scientific method (see example
on the last page of this syllabus). All of the labs will require data collection and analysis, interpretation, and the
use of statistics and mathematics. You will also need to understand how to use Microsoft Word and Excel.
Field Trips:
1) Monroe Water Treatment Facility: We will go on a fieldtrip to the new state-of-the-art water treatment
facility in Monroe. You will learn how modern engineering is used to purify drinking water. You will also
see how water is used to generate electricity. A one-page write-up that summarizes the technology
and the processes of the facility will be required after the fieldtrip.
2) Sevier County Landfill: We will go on a fieldtrip to the local landfill where local operators will show you
how they recycle metals, batteries, and construction wastes. You will also see how much waste is
generated. A one-page write-up that summarizes the technology and the processes of the landfill will
be required after the fieldtrip.
3) Bingham Copper Mine: We will go on a fieldtrip to the world’s largest man-made hole in the world!
We will have a tour of the mine and how Kennecott works not only be good miners, but how they also
work very hard in caring for and protecting the environment. You will see state-of-the-art remediation
systems that help to protect the soil, water, and air of the local environment. A one-page write-up that
summarizes the technology and the processes of the facility will be required after the fieldtrip.
4) Tour of Southern Utah: In the Spring, Mr. Brady takes a large group of students from Biology,
Geology, and AP Environmental Science on an all-day fieldtrip through the National Parks of Southern
Utah. Although this is not and APES-specific trip, it is a great opportunity to enjoy the science and
nature around us. You will see the human impact on Zion’s National Park, and some of the solutions
that have been put in place. No write-up will be required for this fieldtrip.
5) Science Day and the U: We will go to the annual Science Day at the University of Utah (November).
You will have the opportunity to sign up for three classes online, based on your science interests. You
will then go to those classes to hear from professors and lecturers who are experts in their fields. You
will have a great time interacting with some 800 high school students from around the state who also
have interests in science. Please be prepared to discuss your experience in class. We will also spent
a few hours at the new Utah Museum of Natural History. No write-up will be required for this fieldtrip.
Group Project
The key to taking a science course is to learn to think and work like a scientist. To enhance the scientist within
you, you will be expected to apply the rules of the scientific method by making observations, asking questions,
forming hypotheses, conducting laboratory and/or field investigations, using data collection and analysis, and
drawing conclusions. You will work as a scientist conducting real research using a team approach. This
project will teach you to identify and analyze environmental problems, interpret information and experimental
data, evaluate the ecological and human health risks associated with these problems, conduct mathematical
and statistical calculations on collected data, and to critically examine various solutions for resolving or
preventing these problems. You will also learn to work with others in a collaborative effort to solve a problem.
These projects should be the highlight of the course. 50% of your 2nd term grade comes from the completion
of this project. The group project should be the highlight of the course. You will receive more information on
the project during the first week of the course.
Debates
There will be two in-class debates. The first will be on human population control, and the other will be on
global warming. The class will be divided into groups that will represent different views and beliefs on these
two topics. You will then have one week to research and prepare for the debate. You will be given a specific
role, and during the debate you will play that role to the best of your ability. For effect, you will “dress up” in
your role. The principal and other guests will be invited to participate.
Your Rights
In this class you have the right to:
1. A safe learning environment that is free from physical or verbal abuse, intimidation, or harassment,
including any and all forms of sexual harassment, obscenity, indecent, or inconsiderate behavior.
2. Report any and all problems or concerns to the teacher without feeling intimidated or afraid that
your grade or class standing will suffer.
3. Receive a meaningful and useful education. This means that the teacher will be well prepared,
have a variety of learning activities available, and will not waste your time and energy by giving your
meaningless busywork.
4. Have a learning environment that is free of drugs and alcohol.
5. Get all the help you need from the teacher in order to learn the subject matter. Do not be afraid to
ask the teacher for help at any time.
6. Know what your grade is at any time. Just ask.
7. Make choices and to express your own thoughts and ideas.
8. Be yourself.
Tentative Course Outline (In chronological order)
Unit
Introduction to Environmental Science
Content
Pre-test. Major themes of Environmental Science; Environmental
ethics and philosophies; major environmental problems;
developed vs. developing countries.
Nature of Science
Scientific method; Data analysis; Types of experiments; Parts of
an experiment; Basic principles of matter and energy.
Communities, Populations, and Species
Levels of organization within environment; evolution;
Interactions
classification; Relationships between different species;
Community arrangement; Patterns of population growth; Food
webs; Carbon cycle.
Land and Aquatic Ecosystems
Abiotic factors; Types of land biomes; Relationship between
climate and biome; Biodiversity and productivity of each biome.
Aquatic Ecosystems
Abiotic factors; Physical characteristics of different bodies of
water; Biodiversity and productivity in different layers of bodies
of water.
The Human Population
Exponential growth; Carrying capacity; Pronatalist and
antinatalistic factors within different cultures; Demographic
transition model.
Food and Agriculture
Food production from farm to store; Chemical composition of
food; Food processing and storage technology; Agricultural
technologies (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, irrigation);
Nitrogen cycle.
Global Climate Change
Greenhouse effect; Atmospheric composition; Relationship
between atmosphere and climate; Historical climate change.
Environmental Health and Toxicity
Living and nonliving causes of disease; Toxicity and its
measurements; Effect of toxins on human health.
Water Resources and Pollution
The water cycle; Sources of fresh water; Types of water
pollution; Biomagnification; Water quality legislation.
Air Resources and Pollution
Composition of air; Sources of air pollution; Effects of air
pollution; Air quality legislation.
Renewable Energy
Law of Conservation of energy; Basic power plant design; Pros
and cons of renewable energy sources.
Nonrenewable Energy
Basic power plant design; Energy extraction and processing;
Pollution directly produced by energy generation; Nuclear
fission.
Waste
Law of Conservation of Matter; the waste stream; recycling;
landfill and incineration technologies.
Major review of all chapters and concepts in preparation for the AP Exam.
AP Exam – Monday, May 5, 2014 from 8:00am. – 11:30am.
Note: The assignments, labs, debates, and movies listed in the course outline above are tentative, and
can change throughout the course due to time, school activities, and new items. Other assignments,
labs, debates, and movies may be substituted for those listed. Sometimes guest speakers are invited
to class in lieu of a movie or an assignment.
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS AT SOUTH SEVIER HIGH SCHOOL
CODE OF CONDUCT RULES
CONSEQUENCES
Tardiness
You will receive a tardy every time you are not in your seat when the bell
rings. The third tardy will cost you one hour of restitution and one hour per
tardy after that. The fifth tardy will bring about a parent meeting. The sixth
tardy will cost you 5 hours of restitution.
You will only be allowed to leave class if you have a true emergency or
called by the office. You must be in your seat when the bell rings. No
lining up by the door!
First offense – Verbal warning from the teacher.
Second offense – Goes on your record and a talk with Vice Principal.
Third offense – Goes on your record and a talk with parents and the
Principal.
First offense – Zero for the assignment.
Second offense – An “F” and removal from the class.
You will lose 5% off your participation grade for each offense. After five you
lose one full letter grade. Taking notes will either add to or reduce your
grade.
Only bottled water is allowed in the room. No other food or drink may be
brought into the classroom without permission.
You have an assigned seat. If you are not in it, then you will receive a
tardy.
If you are caught using these items in class, then they will be taken and
given to the principal and only your parents can retrieve the item(s). If
taken a second time, then you will lose the item(s) until the end of the
school year. You are required to put your cell phones in the “cell phone
box” at the front of the room.
Depending on the extremity of the words used, you will at the very least
receive a warning from the teacher. Using the “F” word will result in a
suspension.
Students shall dress in a manner that shows respect and does not cause a
distraction. School dress code will be followed without exception.
First offense – Warning from the teacher.
Second offense – Goes on your record and a talk with vice principal.
Possible fines/criminal action. Class will not be dismissed until the
classroom is clean and returned to order.
The only way to get extra credit is to take extra notes on video
presentations.
Bring your book every day. If you forget it, you may go to your locker to
get it, but you will be given a tardy. Do not bring other books or materials
to class.
All assignments and homework are due on the due date. Late work will
not be accepted. The only exception is a school- or parent-excused
absence, but work must be submitted within 3 school days.
This is against the law and will be dealt with as such.
Leaving the classroom
Disrupting class or showing disrespect to the
teacher or fellow students
Cheating
Sleeping in class, working on or reading other
material not related to class, writing letters, drawing,
visiting, etc.
Food and drink in the classroom
Seating chart
Cell phones, pagers, music players, earphones,
sunglasses, beepers, pointers, and other “toys”
Swearing – Foul, vulgar, or abusive language or
any kind
Dress code
Classroom Care: Sitting on desks, putting feet on
tables, throwing trash in drawers, sinks, or on the
floor, writing on school property, etc.
Extra Credit
Books and Materials
Homework and Assignments
Plagiarism (copying someone else’s work)
PLEASE DO NOT BE AFRAID TO COME TO MR. BRADY IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING. YOU ARE
GUARANTEED ASSISTANCE IF YOU WILL JUST MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET MR. BRADY KNOW!