APES 2012-2013 Syllabus


Covenant Day School
APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science)
Syllabus:  2012-2013
Miss O’Quinn – Room 204




Welcome to APES!  Everything we do, from drinking a cup of coffee to driving our cars, has an environmental impact.  This course will take an in-depth look at how you as a citizen of planet earth have rights and responsibilities to the world resources.  It is my hope that you leave this class a changed person.  We will use scientific principles to understand the interrelations of the natural world and the impact of humans on natural systems. We will evaluate the risks and economic realities associated with environmental problems while working towards analysis of potential solutions.
                This is an AP course and will require that you are a dedicated learner.  The AP exam is comprehensive and rigorous.  The course will rely on heavily on activities and field studies to illustrate the general topics of the course. Hence, you must take the textbook and other readings assignments seriously so, as a group, we can discuss the many topics.  

Course Philosophy: 
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.  The course is broadly interdisciplinary, covering topics in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, sociology, political science, economics, and ethics.  Major themes throughout the year will be God’s omnipotence and creativity as Creator and Sustainer of Life, as well as man’s responsibility to be stewards over God’s creation. 

The goal of the course is the same as that described in the Course Description for AP Environmental Science: “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.”  A student must sit for the AP exam in order to receive the additional quality point over and above the Honors level course.

By the very nature of the topics and their relevance to current events, this course appeals to a wide diversity of students with wide ranging interests such as: nature, science, law, economics, computers, and literature.  This diversity lends itself to interesting discussions and presentation of scientific topics and concepts.

Class Verse:

“He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”                                                                                                   Colossians 1:15-17


Grading

Your grade will be broken down as follows:

                Tests & projects: 50%                                        
                Quizzes, current events, and labs: 30%
                Homework & classwork: 20%           
                                **Note – Weightier homework assignments may be counted as quizzes from time to time.




Tests, Current Event Articles, Labs, and Special Projects
Tests:  Approximately three tests will be given each quarter.  A cumulative exam will also be given at the end of first semester.
Current Events: You will be compiling an APES Current Events Scrapbook throughout the year.  Your scrapbook will be collected and graded approximately twice per quarter.  Your articles must be either newspaper articles or magazine articles, and they must be HARDCOPIES.  No Internet articles!  We will be using the CE’s from time to time for class discussions.  (More information to follow – this will be on the SERVER)
Labs:  Typically you will be in groups of two to three for each lab, depending on available materials and work load.  Selected labs will require a formal lab write-up to be turned in. (Lab write-up guidelines to follow – this will also be on the SERVER)
Special Projects: Group and individual projects will be assigned at various points throughout the year.
NOTEBOOKS:  You will be required to keep a notebook (3-RING binder) in APES this year.  I will collect and check notebooks once per quarter.  (More information to follow)




College Board Website:
                Once here, go to “The Courses” tab on the top left menu.  Then select “course descriptions” and then select environmental science.  This will (should) automatically download a pdf file containing a wealth of information concerning APES.


Expectations:
ü  Be on time, ready for class.  Come prepared with binder, book, and laptop. 
o    Participation expected in all aspects of class – discussion, lecture, lab
o    ****Class begins when the bell rings.  Be in your seat and ready to get started at that time. 
o    ****Class ends when I dismiss you; do not jump up when the bells rings!
ü  No food or drink (water is ok)
ü  Disruptions will not be tolerated
ü  Be respectful of other people and their opinions

Policies:
ü  Do NOT turn on your laptop until I have given you permission to do so.
ü  Absences: It is YOUR responsibility to find out about and turn in any assignments missed due to absences.  You have two school days for each one missed to turn in any missed work.  Be sure to request handouts that may have been issued the day(s) you were absent, and ask a classmate for any notes taken.
ü  Daily Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class.  Late work will receive a 10 point deduction per day.  After 3 days, late work will receive and F.
ü  Lab write-ups/Long-term assignments/Projects may be accepted after the due date with a 10 point penalty for each school day it is late.  (Up to 5 days)
ü  If you have difficulties with any particular topic being covered, please let me know so that we can schedule a time to go back over the material.
ü  When working in groups it is imperative that all group members are actively involved in completing the assignment.  On activities that last longer than a single class period, it is important that each member comes prepared with necessary material needed for that day.

Supplies
ü  1 ½ inch – 2 inch binder
ü  3 dividers.  (Handouts; Test/Quizzes; Current Events)
ü  College-ruled notebook paper





**Primary Text:  Environmental Science: Toward a Sustainable Future. 11th Edition.  Wright and Boorse**


The following is a brief breakdown of the topics that will be covered in this course.  This outline may be amended as the year progresses.

Topic                                                                                                                       Chapters                                Time Period


Unit I: HUMANS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

Introduction to ES.  (What is it?  Why study it?)                                             1                                              2-3 days
Environmental Issues: their causes and sustainability.
                               
Developing vs. Developed Countries                                                               1                                              1-2 days

Environmental Worldview and Ethics                                                              1/2                                          1-2 days

Major Human Cultural Changes                                                                         2                                              2-3 days
Environmental History



Unit II:  THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.   Interdependence of Earth’s Systems: Fundamental Principles and Concepts

The nature of science/Scientific method                                                        3                                              12-14 days
Matter and energy flow     

Ecology, ecosystems, and food webs                                                               4                                              10-12 days
                (nutrient cycles)

Climate, weather, biomes                                                                                   6/7                                          9-10 days

Geology: The Dynamic Earth                                                                              16                                           8 days              Non-renewable resources               

Evolution and Biodiversity                                                                                  5                                              4-5 days


Unit III: A CROWDED WORLD.  Population Dynamics

Population dynamics                                                                                           9                                              4-5 days

Community ecology (species interactions)                                                     8                                              4-5 days

Human population: Growth, demography                                                       10                                           8 days

Sustainable Cities                                                                                                 25                                           4-5 days


Unit IV: OUR PRECIOUS RESOURCES. 

Agriculture and food production                                                                      14                                           4 days

Soils and their preservation                                                                               4/14                                       6 days

The pesticide dilemma                                                                                        23                                           2 days

Water: A fragile resources                                                                                                15                                           10 days


Unit V:  THE SEARCH FOR ENERGY

Non-renewable energy – Fossil fuels                                                               17                                           6 days

Nuclear energy                                                                                                    17                                           2 days

Renewable energy                                                                                              18                                           8 days


Unit VI: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND CONCERNS

Air pollution                                                                                                          20                                           7 days

Global atmospheric changes                                                                              21                                           8 days

Water and soil pollution                                                                                     22                                           8 days

Solid and hazardous waste                                                                                 24                                           6 days

Toxicology and human health                                                                            19                                           5 days

Preserving earth’s biological diversity                                                             11/12                                     4 days

Land resources and conservation                                                                    11                                           4 days                                                                    

Unit VI: Environment and Society

Economics                                                                                                             26                                           2-3

Politics                                                                                                                   27                                           2-3

May _____, 2013 à AP Environmental Exam

















Student Agreement and Contact Information



Student Agreement:
I have read the course syllabus for AP Environmental Science and agree to support and follow the policies and expectations. 


______________________________________                                       ______________________________________
(Student signature)                                                                                                                                                   (Parent signature)






Contact Information:
I will be creating an AP Environmental Science e-mail distribution list that will be used to transmit information to the class from time to time.  Please also include a parent email address.  Thank you!


_____________________________________                                         ______________________________________
(Student email)                                                                                                                                                             (Parent email)


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