Hellendag AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2010-2011 SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

AP Environmental Science combines ideas and information from biology, chemistry and earth sciences, as well as the social science fields of economics and political science. Topics of study include water, energy, air and chemical cycles and systems, soil and biome processes, population and land development dynamics, human history and influences, community and ecosystem processes, natural resource exploitation and impacts, environmental economics and policy, and future choices.

Laboratory, field and internet-based research and investigations are emphasized to familiarize students with contemporary research, investigative and problem-solving techniques. Students analyze environmental problems, evaluate risks, collect data, prepare assessments, and investigate complex issues and solutions to prevent, resolve or mitigate environmental problems. Extensive field investigations, field trips and problem-solving exercises will focus on in-depth analysis of specific environmental topics and issues.

Topic / Duration / Chapters In Withgott
Intro to Environmental Science
(biology, chemistry, & energy review) / 2 weeks / 2-4
The Living World I: Natural Selection / 2 weeks / 5
The Living World II: Ecosystems / 2 weeks / 6, 11
The Living World III: Systems / 2 weeks / 7
Human Populations / 3 weeks / 8
Soils, Food, & Agriculture / 3 weeks / 9-10, 14
Land & Water Use / 2 weeks / 11, 12, 13
Environmental Health & Toxicitity / 3 weeks / 14, 22
Atmospheric Science, Air Pollution, & Global Change / 4 weeks / 17-18
Energy & Resource Consumption / 3 weeks / 19-21
Freshwater & Marine Resources / 3 weeks / 15-16
Sustainable Solutions / 2 weeks
APES test / May 2, 2011
Your World Environmental Project / 2 weeks
Art & The Environment / 2 weeks

THE EXAM

The A.P. Environmental Science Exam created by the College Board and Educational Testing Service will be administered on May 2, 2011. This exam is three hours in length and consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section comprised of 100 questions and forming 60% of the grade, and a free response section comprised of four free-response questions and forming 40% of the grade. 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 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 a coherent essay. There are three types of free response questions: data analysis, document based, and synthesis and evaluation.

MATERIALS

-  3 Ring Notebook (at least 2 inches)

-  1 1 inch 3 Ring notebook and Sheet protectors (for current events scrapbook)

-  Dividers

-  Loose leaf paper (college ruled)

-  Spiral notebook (optional for notes)

-  3 packs of index cards

-  pen and/or pencil

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions and assignments. You should complete assigned reading and exercises before the date they are due, and you are expected to participate fully in labs, fieldwork, and other exercises, whether they be individual or team-based. See student handbook for school attendance policy.

CLASS RULES

This course is equivalent to a college level course, and you are expected to act as an adult at all times, whether in class, in the lab, or on a field trip. Disruption of class activities in any way will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary referrals as necessary. Cell phones must be kept turned off during school hours or they will be confiscated. Hall passes are available to make essential trips to the restroom, but overuse of this privilege will result in its termination. I expect all students to be responsible and courteous at all times.

General Policies

1.  Make Up Policy- Make-up work must be turned in based on the guidelines found in the student handbook. If you were present the day the assignment was given, but absent the day it was due, the assignment is due the first day you return. The same is true to tests and projects. Missing a review day before the test does not excuse you from taking the test.

2.  EC- It is your responsibility to obtain classwork. All work must be turned in immediately after you return to class.

3.  Transfer Students- Students transferring in and out of my class have to take responsibility for all assignments and work. The only way to succeed is to do work on your own time. Assignments will be posted on iClass and I expect you to come prepared to class. Being too busy is NOT A GOOD EXCUSE!

4.  Dress for Success- Tuesday is dress for success day.

5.  Cheating & Plagerism- I do not expect cheating or plagiarism from any of you. If you do it I WILL catch you. You will receive a zero and I will contact your parent. If it happens again I will write a referral.

6.  How to Be Successful-
àCome prepared (work completed, supplies, & mentally ready to work)
àBe respectful (to yourself, classmates, my stuff, and me)
àWork Safely
àNo cell phones (I will take them and send them to SISD Police)
àiPods & mp3 players only when allowed
àBring your computer EVERYDAY.

7.  Consequences-
Warning, Warning, Warning, Parent contact, Referral

ASSIGNMENTS

Class Assignments:

Class assignments will include daily home assignments, team projects and research, reading and written work. Scientists and environmental professionals are expected to present their work products in a timely, neat, accurate and well-organized fashion, and you are expected to do the same in this course. Work must be submitted on the day it is due, or 10% will be deducted for each day late. Any assignments not turned in within two school (no class) days will receive a zero.

Laboratories:

Laboratory and field investigations are designed to complement the lecture/activity portion of the course by providing opportunities to learn about the environment through firsthand observations, to test concepts and principles which have been introduced in class, to explore specific issues and problems in greater depth, and to gain an awareness of the importance of confounding variables which exist in the real world. Investigations will be diverse and will include indoor laboratory activities, outdoor activities, as well as field experience outside the confines of the campus. The labs are designed to invite students to think critically, to observe environmental systems, to develop and conduct well designed experiments, to utilize appropriate techniques and instrumentation, to analyze and interpret data, to present data orally and in the form of statistical and graphical presentations, to apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems, to form conclusions and to propose further study. Formal lab reports are required and must be kept throughout the year (there availability may influence whether or not you receive college credit)

Current Events:

Students will be assigned a Current Events Scrapbook at the beginning of the year. This project will last until the test and is meant to prepare students for the APES exam. Four environmental current events and analysis are due each month.

3x5 card quizzes will be given many times in each unit. Each one will count as a class grade. At the end of the six weeks, these quizzes will be averaged for a test grade. Alternatively, the final quiz may count as a test grade (You should have improved during the unit).

EXAMS & GRADING


Students will be evaluated through performance on unit exams (see pacing guide), chapter quizzes on the reading assigned as homework, laboratory investigations and lab reports, the APES notebook, current events, group projects, and writing assignments.

Grade Components: 20% Classwork & 80% Tests per six weeks

I have read the AP Environmental Science syllabus and understand all of its provisions.

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Student Signature/ Date

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Parent/Guardian Signature/ Date

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