Covenant Day School
Honors Environmental Science
Syllabus: 2012-2013
Miss O’Quinn – Room 204
Website – www.cdsenvscience.blogspot.com
Welcome to Honors ES! 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.
Course Philosophy:
Environmental science (ES) is an interdisciplinary
field, encompassing both natural and social sciences. Specifically, ES is the study of how humans
affect and interact with the living and nonliving environment. 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 of God’s creation. The topics covered in the first semester
include population dynamics, energy flow, nutrient cycles, major ecosystems,
and natural resource use and sustainability.
In the second semester, the course focuses on major environmental issues
such as water resources and management, water and air pollution, fossil fuel
use and global warming, biodiversity, and habitat destruction. The course is designed in order that the
student will develop a better understanding of the ecological principles that
govern our planet, and be able to make informed decisions concerning its
resources.
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
Major content areas:
ü
Matter and energy
ü
Ecology (ecosystems and food webs)
ü
Climate, weather, biomes
ü
Geology (non-renewable resources)
ü
Creationism, evolution, and biodiversity
ü
Population dynamics
ü
The human population
ü
Sustainable cities
ü
Agriculture and food production
ü
Energy resources (renewable and non-renewable)
ü
Air and water pollution
ü
Solid and hazardous wastes
ü
Climate change and ozone loss
ü
Environmental societal issues
Grading:
Your grade will be broken down as follows:
Tests
and projects: 45%
Quizzes,
current events, and labs: 35%
Homework
and classwork: 20%
**Note
– Weightier homework assignments may be counted as quizzes from time to time.
Tests, Current Event Articles, Labs, and Special Projects
Tests: Two to
three tests will be given each quarter.
A cumulative exam will also be given at the end of each semester.
Current Events: You will be compiling a
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 three to four 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: One special project will be
assigned each quarter. You will be given
several weeks notice on special projects.
Notebooks: You will be required to keep a notebook (1 inch 3-RING binder) in environmental science this
year. I will collect and check notebooks
once per quarter. (More information to
follow)
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 inch
binder
ü 3
dividers. (Handouts; Test/Quizzes;
Current Events)
ü College-ruled
notebook paper
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