AP Environmental Science 2013-2014 Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Ziegler
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2:45-3:45
e-mail:
Phone: 973-835-1900 x701
Room 212
Course Description
AP Environmental Sciencecombines ideas and information from Earth science, biology and chemistry, as well as from the social science fields of economics and political science. Topics of study include Earth systems and resources, ecosystems, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, global changes, and environmental ethics, economics and policy.
Laboratory, field and internet-based research and investigations are comparable to contemporary research, investigations and problem-solving techniques. Students analyze environmental problems, evaluate risks, collect and evaluate data, and investigate complex issues and solutions to prevent, resolve or mitigate environmental problems. Field investigations, field trips and problem-solving activities will focus on in-depth analysis of environmental topics and issues.
THE EXAM
The AP Environmental Exam will be administered on Monday, May 5, 2014. This exam is 3 hours in length and consists of 2 parts: a multiple choice section comprised of 100 questions and forming 60% of the grade, and a free response section comprised of 4 open-ended questions and forming 40% of the grade. The exam is designed to yield average scores of 50% of the maximum possible scores for both types of questions. No penalty is given for a wrong answer on the multiple choice section of the exam.
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 number of questions taken from each major topic is reflected in the percentage of the course as designated below:
- Earth Systems & Resources- 10-15%
- The Living World- 10-15%
- Population- 10-15%
- Land & Water Use- 10-15%
- Energy Resources & Consumption- 10-15%
- Pollution- 25-30%
- Global Change- 10-15%
The free response 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 coherent essays. There are three types of free response questions: data analysis (1 question), document-based (1 question), and synthesis and evaluation (2 questions).
THE USE OF CALCULATORS IS NOT ALLOWED ON EITHER SECTION OF THE EXAM.
AP CENTRAL INFORMATION
Located at
COURSE MATERIALS
Text (must be covered at all times):
Withgott, Jay and Scott Brennan. Environment – The Science behind the Stories, 2nd Edition, New York: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. 2007.
Other reading materials will be provided or recommended as needed
Optional: Five Steps to a Five (for 2014), or some other AP Review Book
Supplies:
Lab composition notebook/journal to be left in the classroom
3-ring binder and loose leaf paper for handouts, notes, etc.
Pen and/or pencil
Calculator
PARTICIPATIION
You are expected to participate in all class sessions and assignments. Assigned readings and exercises must be completed before the due date. You are expected to participate fully in labs, field work, and other exercises, whether individual or team-based.
EXPECTATIONS
- Show respect for everyone in the class – listen, be prepared, be positive, be on time (lates begin at the late bell).
2.Textbooks must be covered at all times.
3.Bring 3-ring binder (and lose-leaf paper), textbook, a pencil and a pen to class every day.
4.Passes are given out for emergencies. Be aware that every time you ask for a pass to leave the classroom, you disrupt the other students, so choose your emergencies carefully.
- All work is due when assigned, and will be accepted no later than the Friday it was due. Assignments are found on the board or on my faculty web page. You can access mu webpage through the Lakeland website.
- Cheating is unacceptable. You may share ideas during discussion periods, confer with your partner during labs, work on gathering information with your classmates, HOWEVER, all answers must be in your own words. Anyone suspected of cheating will be monitored closely and if found cheating, will receive a zero for the assignment (homework, lab, project, quiz or test). The person that permitted the cheating will also receive a zero for the assignment. Your parents will also be informed of the incident. Please refer to the district policy regarding academic dishonesty.
- It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed if you are absent-
- Get class notes from someone in class and see me.
- Make up missed work as soon as possible.
- For a missed test or quiz, be prepared to take a missed test or quiz the day you return to class. Tests are announced about one week in advance, as a result, no excuses will be accepted as to why you are unable to make up a test or quiz when you return.
- When absent, you have the number of days you were absent to make up the missed work.
SAFETY
Fire Exit: follow the arrow above or near the door.
Note the location of the eyewash, fire extinguisher and fire blanket.
Food – including gum and drinks is prohibited in class, unless teacher approved or supplied.
Report any injuries to me immediately.
Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
ASSESSMENTS
Tests:
Each major unit will be assessed with a one hour exam. The exam will consist of about 40 multiple choice questions and one or two free response questions.
Quizzes:
Each topic will be assessed with a 20 minute quiz. The format will vary according to the topic.
Home/Class Assignments and Projects:
Assignments will include home assignments, team and individual projects and research, journal entries, reading and written assignments. All work is expected to meet professional standards. Submitted work must be neat, accurate, well-organized and on-time. No late work will be accepted
Laboratory Investigations:
Laboratory and field investigations are designed to complement the lecture portion of the course by providing opportunities to learn about the environment through first-hand observation, testing concepts and principles introduced in class, exploring specific issues and problems in greater depth, and gaining an awareness of the importance of confounding variables which exist outside the laboratory. Investigations will be diverse and will include indoor and laboratory activities. The labs are designed to challenge students critically observe environmental systems, develop and conduct well-designed experiments, utilize appropriate techniques and instrumentation, analyze and interpret data including appropriate statistical and graphical presentations, think analytically and apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems, make conclusions and evaluate their quality and validity, propose further questions for study, and communicate accurately and meaningfully about observations and conclusions.
GRADING POLICY/PROCEDURE
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Grades are based upon the following:
Tests – 50%
Labs/ Projects– 30%
Quizzes– 10%
Home/Class Work– 10%
Course grades will be calculated as follows:
Semester 1– 40%
Semester 2– 40%
Midterm– 10%
Final– 10%
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Please refer to the district policy for final exam exemption for those students taking the AP Exam in May.
COURSE SCHEDULE
In general, lecture/discussion will be followed by labs and/or activities. Most likely, there will be one day of lecture followed by one or 2 days of activities. You are responsible for all material – I will stress highlights, you must fill in the details.
Please note the attached schedule (it CAN and WILL most likely change as the course progresses). You will come to class prepared with the chapter assignments thoroughly read and the applicable questions at the end of the chapter completed (Testing Your Comprehension, Seeking Solutions, Interpreting Graphs and Data, and Calculating Ecological Footprints).
UNIT 1 – Earth Systems & Resources (approximately 10 days)
DATES / TOPIC/READINGS/LABS/ACTIVITIES/QUIZZES/TESTSTBD / An Introduction to Environmental Science (Chapter 1)
Readings:
- Read Chapter 1 (outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions
- “Tragedy of the Commons” article
- “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race” article
- Tragedy of the Commons Lab
- Quantification of Environmental Problems
TBD /
Earth Science Concepts (Chapter 7, Appendix D)
Readings:- Read Chapter 7 pages 206-209, Appendix D (outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions (Testing Your Comprehension #9 & 10)
- Plate Tectonics Investigation
- The Rock Cycle, Rocks and Soil
TBD / The Atmosphere (Chapter 17)
Readings:
- Read Chapter 17 (outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions
- Coriolis Effect and Atmospheric Circulation Lab
- Angle of Insolation Lab
- Specific Heat & Climate
TBD / Global Water Resources & Use (Ch 15, Ch 16)
Readings:
- Read Chapter 15 pages 433-451(outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions (Testing Your Comprehension #1-5, Seeking Solutions #1, 2, 4, 5, Interpreting Graphs and Data #1-3, Calculating Ecological Footprints #1-3)
- Read Chapter 16 pages 466-472 (outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions (Testing Your Comprehension #1 & 2, Seeking Solutions #1)
- National and Local Water Use
- Water Loss Drop by Drop
TBD / Soil and Soil Dynamics (Chapter 9)
Readings:
- Read Chapter 9 (outline or flash cards) & end of chapter questions
- Soil Analysis
- Testing Soil Productivity
TBD / UNIT 1 TEST – Earth Systems & Resources
UNIT 2 – The Living World (approximately 9 days)
TBD / Ecosystem Structure – biologic populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes (Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 7)Quiz – 10/15
*NOTE: NO SCHOOL MONDAY, 10/8
TBD / Energy Flow – photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids (Ch 4, Ch 6, Ch 7)
Quiz – TBD
TBD / Ecosystem Diversity – biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services (Ch2, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch11)
Quiz – TBD
TBD / Natural Ecosystem Change – climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession (Ch 6, Ch 18)
Quiz – TBD
TBD / Natural Biogeochemical Cycles – carbon; nitrogen; phosphorus; sulfur; water; conservation of matter (Ch 4, Ch 7)
No Quiz this Section
TBD / UNIT 2 TEST – The Living World
Investigations (to be determined):
- Effects of Radiation on Seed Germination and Growth (Molnar)
- Soil Salinization: An Experimental Design (Molnar)
- Net Primary Productivity (Molnar)
- Predator-Prey Simulation (Molnar)
- Eating at a Lower Trophic Level (Molnar)
- Population Growth in Lemna minor (Carolina)
- Stream Water Quality and Macroinvertebrate Population Comparison (Molnar)
UNIT 3 – Population (approximately 8 days)
TBD / Population Biology Concepts – population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship (Ch 5)Quiz - TBD
TBD / Human Population
- Human Population Dynamics – historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition; age structure diagrams (Ch 1, Ch 8)
- Population Size – strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies (Ch 8)
TBD / Impacts of Population Growth – hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction (Ch 8, Ch 10)
No Quiz this Section
TBD / UNIT 3 TEST – Population
Investigations (to be determined):
1
- Predator Prey Simulation (Molnar)
- World Population Growth (Molnar)
- Doubling Time in Exponential Growth (Molnar)
- Global Population Trends (Molnar)
- Population Distribution and Survivorship (Molnar)
- Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (Molnar)
1
UNIT 4 – Land & Water Use (approximately 9 days)
TBD / Agriculture- Feeding a Growing Population – human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture (Ch 9, Ch 10, C h 12)
- Controlling Pests – types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant laws (Ch 10, Ch 14)
TBD / Forestry – tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests (Ch 12)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Rangelands – overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands (Ch 9, Ch 12)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Other Land Use
- Urban Land Development – planned development; suburban sprawl, urbanization (Ch 13)
- Transportation Infrastructure – federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts (Ch 13, Ch 15)
- Public and Federal Lands – management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands (Ch 2, Ch 11, Ch 12)
- Land Conservation Options – preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration (Ch 2, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 22)
- Sustainable Land Use Strategies
TBD / Mining – mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties (Ch2, Ch 12, Ch 16, Ch 19)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Fishing – fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties (Ch 10, Ch 16)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Global Economics – globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties (Ch 1, Ch 3, Ch 23)TEST
No Quiz this Section
TBD / UNIT 4 TEST – Land & Water Use
Investigations (to be determined):
1
- Land Use Changes in Your Area (Molnar)
- Toxic Sites in Your Neighborhood (Molnar)
- Natural Areas (Molnar)
- Copper Extraction (Molnar)
- Water Diversions (Molnar)
1
UNIT 5 – Energy Resources Consumption (approximately 10 days)
TBD / Energy Concepts – energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics (Ch 4, Ch 19)Quiz - TBD
TBD / Energy Consumption
- History – Industrial Revolution, exponential growth; energy crisis (Ch 1, Ch 19, Ch 20)
- Present Global Energy Use (Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21)
- Future Energy Needs (Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21)
TBD / 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 (Ch 19, Ch 20)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / 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 (Ch 20)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Hydroelectric Power – dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts (Ch 15, Ch 20)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / REVIEW FOR MIDTERM
TBD / MIDTERM EXAM
TBD / Energy Conservation – energy efficiency; CAFÉ standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit (Ch 13, Ch 18, Ch 19)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Renewable Energy – solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages (Ch 20, Ch 21)
No Quiz this Section
2/8 / UNIT 5 TEST– Energy Resources & Consumption
Investigations (to be determined):
1
- The Moon and Tides (Molnar)
- Energy and Recycling (Molnar)
- Energy Resource Comparison (Molnar)
- Personal Energy Use Audit (Molnar)
- Solar Absorption (Molnar)
- Auto and Truck Tires and the Environment (Molnar)
1
UNIT 6 – Pollution (approximately17 days)
TBD / 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 (Ch 17, Ch 18)Quiz - TBD
TBD / Noise Pollution – sources, effects, control measures (Ch 13)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / 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 (Ch 3, Ch 7, Ch 15, Ch 16)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Solid Waste – types; disposal; reduction (Ch 22)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Hazards to Human Health – environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks (Ch 14, Ch 17)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Hazardous Chemicals in the Environment – types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws (Ch14, Ch 22)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Economic Impacts – cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability (Ch 1, CH 2, Ch 3, Ch 23)
No Quiz this Section
TBD / UNIT 6 TEST – Pollution
Investigations (to be determined):
1
- CO2 Emissions from Fossil-Fuel Burning (Molnar)
- Bioassay Experiment (Molnar)
- Water Quality Index (after Molnar)
- Particulate Air Pollution (Molnar)
- Acid Rain (Molnar)
- Solid Waste Collection (Molnar)
1
UNIT 7 – Global Change (approximately6 days)
TBD / 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 (Ch 17)Quiz - TBD
TBD / Global Warming – greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing climate change;; relevant laws and treaties (Ch 2, Ch 5, Ch 18)
Quiz - TBD
TBD / Loss of Biodiversity
- Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species (Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 11)
- Maintenance through conservation (Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 11, Ch 12)
- Relevant laws and treaties (Ch 11)
Investigations (to be determined):
- Global Warming and Atmospheric CO2 Correlation (Molnar)
- Political Activism Letter (Molnar)
- Global Climate Change (Molnar)
AP EXAM (2 days)
TBD / Review5/5 / AP EXAM
UNIT 8 – Environmental Ethics, Economy & Policy (approximately 2 days)
5/8 / Environmental Ethics & Economy (Chapter 2)5/10 / Environmental Policy (Chapter 3)
Investigations (to be determined)
UNIT 9 – Independent Research Project
TBD / Students will choose an independent project to research. The project can be a laboratory investigation, a paper or some community based project.Results will be presented to the class in June for review and comments.
Name: ______AP Environmental Science