Covenant Day School
APES
(Advanced Placement Environmental Science)
Syllabus:
2012-2013
Miss
O’Quinn – Room 204
Website
– www.cdsenvscience.blogspot.com
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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