ADVANCED PLACEMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COURSE SYLLABUS

DeKalb School of the Arts

Teacher(s) Mr. Kent Wargowsky / Phone Number: (678) 676-2502
Room Number: 316 / Email:
School Year: 2013- 2014 / Tutorial Days: Tue./Thurs. or by appointment
Textbook: Environmental Science
Botkin & Keller (6th Edition) / Tutorial Hours: 3:20-4:00 pm
(please sign up a day in advance so I can prepare)
Textbook Price: replacement cost / Tutorial Location: Rm. 316

Course Description:

In AP Environmental Science, students will explore scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world and identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made. They will evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and examine alternate solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Students will be engaged in the processes of science while exploring the real world applications of the environment knowledge. Students will be reading, writing, and exploring. Projects, labs, and field trips will increase decision-making skills and increase knowledge of environmental issues. (College Board Advanced Placement Program)

Course Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry

GPS Standards: Students, as well as, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the state website for a detailed list of objectives and performance indicators of mastery: http://www.georgiastandards.org/

UNIT

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TOPIC

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ACTIVITIES/LABS

1 / Environmental Science Overview
Key Themes in
Environmental Science
Science as a Way of Knowing
The Big Picture: Systems and Change
The Science of Calculation
The Scientific Method / APES Diagnostic Test
Environmental Thinkers
Activity: The Lorax (Video) & Truax (Text)
Survey of Environmental Laws
Lab: Ecological Footprint
Activity: Basic Concepts and Tools
Calculation and Critical Thinking
Lab: Irradiated seeds
Covering pages 1-54
Test: Environmental Science Basics (Chapters 1, 2 and 3)
2 / Fundamentals of Ecology
Ecosystem Management
Biodiversity (Evolution)
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biological Productivity and
Energy Flow / Lab: Abiotic Factors in Brine Shrimp
Video: The Jungle
Activity: Natural Selection
Lab: Biodiversity in Leaf Litter
Video: Prehistoric Life / Palentology
Lab: Design a Bird
Field Trip: The Atlanta Zoo
Lab : Energy from yeast
Project: Environmental Legislature
Covering pages 55-138 and 163-176
Test: Ecology Basics (Chapters 6, 7, 5 and 9)
3 / Ecosystems
Biogeography
Ecological Restoration
Wildlife, Fisheries and
Endangered Species / Project: Biomes Analysis
Activity: Climatograms
Project: Endangered Animal Research
Videos: Hidden Congo / Arctic Kingdom
Covering pages 139-162, 177-193, and 261-290

Test: Ecosystems (Chapters 8, 10, and 14)

4 /

Population Studies

Human Population and
the Environment
Environmental Health, Pollution, and Toxicology

Natural Disasters and

Catastrophes / Activity: Power of the Pyramids
Video: Primal Instinct
Lab: Something Fishy
Activity: Disease Museum
Lab: LD 50 of Herbal Tea (Brine Shrimp)
Videos: Ebola / World in the Balance
Speaker: Center for Disease Control
Lab: Histograms
Covering pages 55-74, and 291-344

Test: Populations (Chapters 4, 15, and 16)

5 / Agriculture
Producing Enough Food for the World
Effects of Agriculture on the Environment / Project: Foods Our Bodies Need
Videos: Cane Toads & Chicken (Unnatural History)
Activity: Modern Genetics
Covering pages 194-260

Test: Agriculture (Chapters 11 and 12)

6 / Land Use and Geology
Forests, Parks, and Landscapes
Dollars and Environmental Sense
Urban Environments
Minerals and the Environment / Lab: Tragedy of the Commons
Project: Land Use Planning
Lab: Soil Investigation
Activity: Plate Tectonics
Internet Lab: Mineral Mania
Lab: Rocks & Minerals
Covering pages
Test: Land Use and Management (Chapter 13, 28, 29, and 30)
7 / Energy Today and Tomorrow
Energy: Some Basics
Fossil Fuels
Alternative Energy
Nuclear Energy / Activity: Fossil Fuels
Project: Energy Consumption
Lab: Wastewater Treatment
Activity: Recycle City (Internet)
Project: Nuclear Energy Details /Video: Minutes to Meltdown – Nova
Covering pages 345-431

Test: Energy Resources (Chapters 17, 18, 19, and 20)

8 / Aquatic Ecology
Water Supply, Use and Management
Water Pollution and Treatment / Field Trip /Lab: Water Quality/ Aquatic Sampling
Activity: Water Drops / Video: Pond & River
Lab: Salinization / Video: Lake Tanganyika
Guest Speaker: Water Treatment Manager
Covering pages 432-491

Test: Aquatic Ecology (Chapters 21 and 22)

9 / Atmospheric Change
The Atmosphere, Climate, and
Global Warming
Ozone Depletion / Video: What’s up with the Weather? -- Nova
Lab: Global Warming
Covering pages 492-522 and 570-587

Test: Atmospheric Changes (Chapter 23 and 26)

10 / Pollution and Waste Management
Air Pollution
Indoor Air Pollution
Waste Management / Lab: Measuring Albedo
Activity: Acid Rain / pH Testing
Lab: Vehicle Particulate Collection
Project: Economics of Recycling / Activity: Urban Crisis
Covering pages 523-569 and 644-668
Test: Pollution Summary (Chapters 24, 25, and 29)

Grade Scale Area Percentage Grading Scale

Classwork / Notebook 10% A 90-100

Laboratory / Research 20% B 80-89

Quizzes / Activities / Projects 25% C 71-79

Unit Tests 30% D 70

Final Exam 15% F 69 and below

Required Materials:

§  2 inch three ring binder / package of college rule notebook paper

§  Pen/Pencil (assignments must be completed in blue or black ink or pencil)

§  No Calculators! Not on exams; not in class!

§  Colored Pencils / highlighter

§  3 glue sticks / 2 packets of 3 by 5 inch Index cards (lined)

§  No Cell Phones, iPods or Other Listening Devises Allowed! (Confiscated / Main Office)

Classroom Expectations:

·  Students are expected to come to class on time with all materials.

·  Students will take a hands-on approach to lab.

·  We will use the textbook regularly, so independent reading habits must be developed.

·  Students should be able to write short, precise, coherent essays and demonstrate proper problem-solving techniques.

·  Disruptive behavior and numerous absences & tardiness will destroy opportunities for success.

Late Assignments:

Late work will receive a 10% deduction for each class period it is not submitted.

Work received 3 or more class periods after its due date will not be accepted (zero credit).

Make-up Policy:

With an excused absence, make up work is expected within one week of returning to school.

Make up work is not allowed in the case of unexcused absences.

If makeup work is not received within the time allotted the student will receive a zero.

Arrange to make up tests, quizzes and labs after school.

A failure to schedule make up times will result in a zero.

Re-do Policy:

Re-Submission is contingent upon the discretion of the instructor.

Cheating:

If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero on that work.

Parents/ guardians will be notified.

Print Student Name: ______

Student Signature: ______Date: ______

Print Parent Name: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______