Environmental Science Course Syllabus

Environmental Science Course Syllabus

Holtville High School

Mr. Burrell, Instructor

(334) 569-3034

I. Course Description

·  This course will introduce students to a broad view of the biosphere and the physical parameters that affect it. Students will study a variety of topics including energy resources, environmental quality, and human practices and their effect on the environment. We will cover the basic concepts and skills in biology and chemistry in order to understand how the environment works.

II. Materials Wish List

·  Textbook $15 donation to HHS Science Lab

·  Notebook (3 ring binder) Hand Sanitizer

·  Paper (no paper with torn ends) Hand Soap

·  Pencil or Pen (Black or Blue Ink only) Paper Towels

·  Colored Pencils

·  Highlighter

·  Calculator

III. Course Contents

The following topics will be covered within the perspective semesters:

First Semester (1st & 2nd Nine weeks)

·  Introduction to Environmental Science (Science and the Environment, Tools of Environmental Science, and the Dynamic Earth)

·  Ecology (The Organization of Life, How Ecosystems Work, Biomes, and Aquatic Ecosystems)

·  Populations (Understanding Populations, The Human Population, and Biodiversity)

Second Semester (3rd & 4th Nine weeks)

·  Water, Air, and Land (Atmosphere and Climate change and Food and Agriculture)

·  Mineral and Energy Resources (Mining and Mineral resources, Renewable & Nonrenewable energy, and Waste)

·  Our Health and Our Future (The Environment & Human Health and Economics, Policy, and the Future)

IV. Course Objectives

Students will:

1. Identify the influence of human population, technology, and cultural and industrial changes on the environment.

·  Describing the relationship between carrying capacity and population size

2. Evaluate various fossil fuels for their effectiveness as energy resources.

·  Describing the formation and use of nonrenewable fossil fuels

·  Identifying by-products of the combustion of fossil fuels, including particulates, mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide

·  Identifying chemical equations associated with the combustion of fossil fuels

·  Describing benefits of abundant, affordable energy to mankind

·  Identifying effects of fossil fuel by-products on the environment, including ozone depletion; formation of acid rain, brown haze, and greenhouse gases; and concentration of particulates and heavy metals

3. Evaluate other sources of energy for their effectiveness as alternatives to fossil fuels.

·  Comparing nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions in the production of energy

·  Comparing energy production and waste output in generating nuclear energy

·  Differentiating between renewable and nonrenewable energy resources

·  Identifying local energy sources

Examples: landfill gas, wind, water, sun

·  Identifying ways the law of conservation of energy relates to fuel consumption

Examples: development of hybrid cars, construction of energy-efficient homes

4. Identify the impact of pollutants on the atmosphere.

·  Identifying layers of the atmosphere and the composition of air

·  Describing the formation of primary, secondary, and indoor air pollutants

·  Relating pollutants to smog and thermal inversions

·  Investigating the impact of air quality on the environment

·  Interpreting social, political, and economic influences on air quality

5. Describe properties of water that make it a universal solvent.

6. Identify sources of local drinking water.

·  Determining the quality of fresh water using chemical testing and bioassessment

·  Describing the use of chemicals and microorganisms in water treatment

·  Describing water conservation methods

·  Describing the process of underground water accumulation, including the formation of aquifers

·  Identifying major residential, industrial, and agricultural water consumers

·  Identifying principal uses of water

7. Identify reasons coastal waters serve as an important resource.

Examples: economic stability, biodiversity, recreation

·  Classifying biota of estuaries, marshes, tidal pools, wetlands, beaches, and inlets

·  Comparing components of marine water to components of inland bodies of water

8. Identify major contaminants in water resulting from natural phenomena, homes, industry, and agriculture.

·  Describing the eutrophication of water by industrial effluents and agricultural runoffs

·  Classifying sources of water pollution as point and nonpoint

9. Describe land-use practices that promote sustainability and economic growth.

Examples: no-till planting, crop rotation

·  Defining various types and sources of waste and their impact on the soil

Examples: types—biodegradeable, nonbiodegradeable, organic, radioactive, nonradioactive;
sources—pesticides, herbicides

·  Identifying ways to manage waste, including composting, recycling, reusing, and reclaiming

10. Describe the composition of soil profiles and soil samples of varying climates.

·  Identifying various processes and activities that promote soil formation

Examples: weathering, decomposition, deposition

·  Relating particle size to soil texture and type of sand, silt, or clay

11. Describe agents of erosion, including moving water, gravity, glaciers, and wind.

·  Describing methods for preventing soil erosion

Examples: planting vegetation, constructing terraces, providing barriers

12. Identify positive and negative effects of human activities on biodiversity.

·  Identifying endangered and extinct species locally, regionally, and worldwide

·  Identifying causes for species extinction locally, regionally, and worldwide

V. Classroom Polices

Do……………..

1.  Come to class on time. Be ready to work.

2.  Respect HHS (All students, Faculty & Staff, and Facilities).

3.  Raise your hand to be recognized.

4.  Keep the area around your desk clean.

5.  Abide by the rules of the Student Handbook & Code of Conduct Behavior.

Don’t………….

1.  Come to class late.

2.  Talk while the teacher lectures or during independent assignments.

3.  Get out of your seats or leave the classroom without permission.

4.  Eat, drink, or chew gum in class.

5.  Horseplay with others.

6.  Bring any electronic devices to class besides a calculator.

VI. Grading Policy

1.  Tests & Quizzes – Students are expected to do their best on each test. You will be notified of tests & quizzes at least 4 – 5 days in advance. Quizzes will be based from the vocabulary terms of each chapter. The day before each chapter test, there will be a review session given.

2.  Notebook – Students are expected to record all of their bell-ringer questions and notes in a 3 ring binder. At the beginning of each page of notes, there should be a typed title page. These notes will be checked and counted as a major grade. Notebooks should be neat and organized.

3.  Daily activities – Students are expected to complete daily activities before the period ends. The teacher will give each student the proper time to complete each assignment. Most daily activities are turned in at the end of the period, so it is important to use your time wisely and efficiently.

4.  Homework – Students are expected to return their homework the following day or on the date it’s due. The teacher will announce and write on the board each homework assignment. “Homework” should be written in the center and top of your paper. Late homework will receive partial credit, unless you have an excused absent.

5.  Projects – Students will be given 1 project every nine-week period. Projects will be announced weeks in advance. Projects will count as two major test grades.

6.  Labs – Students are expected to conduct lab experiments in a safe and proper manner. These experiments will be done in class or in the lab. Labs will count as a quiz grade.

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to bring a legitimate excuse to make up any missed assignments.

The following assignments will fall under either Major grades or Minor grades:

Major grades (50%) Minor grades

Tests Daily activities (15%)

Notebook check Quizzes & Labs (25%)

Projects Homework (10%)

The final grade for this course is determined by the following:

1st 9 weeks – 40% 3rd 9 weeks – 40%

2nd 9 weeks – 40% 4th 9 weeks – 40%

Midterm – 20% Final Exam – 20%

To calculate your final grade, use the following formula:

1st 9 weeks’ grade ______X 0.4 = ______/ 3rd 9 weeks’ grade ______X 0.4 = ______
2nd 9 weeks’ grade ______X 0.4 = ______/ 4th 9 weeks’ grade ______X 0.4 = ______
Midterm grade ______X 0.2 = ______/ Final Exam grade ______X 0.2 = ______
1st Semester Subtotal = ______/ 2nd Semester Subtotal = ______

___1st Semester Subtotal + 2nd Semester Subtotal___ = Final Grade

2