RoyC.KetchamHigh School – Mr. ManzoAdvanced Placement Environmental Science: 2013-14
Contact: Course Number S687Credits: 1Rank Weight: 1.15
Office: 298-5100 Ext. 31126Text: Environment 7th ed.; Raven, Berg, & Hassenzahl. 2010
Classroom: 295Prerequisites: >85 Regents Biology; >85 Regents Earth Science;
Chemistry preferred or concurrent
2013-14 Course Description & Syllabus
Course Description: Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES) is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The course effectively combines components of earth science, biology, chemistry, ecology, and environmental ethics as they apply to the study of our environment, including natural and man-made processes that effect global change. Since colleges and universities offer environmental science from a wide variety of departments (geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, geography) different emphases can be placed on various topics. This course is designed to combine these various disciplines with emphasis placed on scientific principles and analysis, and includes a critical laboratory component. While environmental issues are considered primarily from a scientific view point, the sociological and political perspective is also considered. Ultimately, this course is intended to enable students to undertake a more advanced study of topics in environmental science as first-year college students, and to become more competent proponents for environmental sustainability. Critical thinking and writing skills will be stressed throughout the course.
Required Textbook: Environment7th ed.; Raven, Berg, & Hassenzahl. 2010.
*Note: We may incorporate other texts and required readings at times.
Other Required Materials: Notebook, two 3-ring binders, subscription to a local newspaper and/or environmental publication, scientific calculator.
Prerequisites: Students are screened for this course primarily because it is a college level introductory course in environmental science. Students should have completed courses in earth science and biologyat a minimum, and preferably chemistryprior to taking this course. It is expected that students enrolled in the course maintain a rigorous pace of reading and turning in assignments on time. Late work will not be accepted for any reason without prior approval, and will be seriously reduced in point value. Poor attendance, inappropriate conduct, or academic irresponsibility will result in the student’s removal from the course. All students enrolled in this course are expected to sign up for and take the AP Environmental Science exam. The fee for this year’s exam is $91. Students who do not sign up for the AP Exam by the deadline will be automatically re-registered for a non-AP level course in environmental studies, which will be reflected on transcripts sent to colleges.
AP Environmental Science Exam:The exam is onMonday, May 5th, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. and is composed of two parts:
Part 1 is 100 multiple choice items (60 points)
Part 2 is four “free response” questions (10 points each)
- These questions may be document based, and/or may require data analysis, synthesis and evaluation of environmental topics. Students may have to develop essays, outlines, graphs, lab experiments, and/or perform calculations related to any issue presented.
- NOTE: This year’s AP exams are scheduled earlier than usual, and the AP Environmental Science exam is the first one being given, so our pace will be adjusted accordingly!
Final Exam: A final exam will be given to all students during the final week of classes. The format and number of questions will be announced before the exam, but will likely consist of 100-150 multiple choice questions and a free response essay section.
Required Assignments:
- Current events: Each student must research current environmental topics that are covered in newspapers, journals, periodicals, etc. at the rate of approximately one per week. Students will maintain a portfolio of articles, including the original or copy and date of their findings. In addition, students will present their findings to the class once or twice per quarter (4 - 8 times during the school year). A grading rubric and list of expectations will be handed out separately for this. One day each week will be dedicated to presentation and class discussion of current environmental topics.
- Researchpapers/projects: Several research papers will be completed by each student throughout the course. Each project will have it’s own specific set of requirements and grading criteria. After the AP exam, students will have the option of completing a course final research project or, if arrangements can be made, conduct environmental science lessons for WCSD 4th graders at one or more of our elementary schools. Details about this activity will emerge later.
- Field Labs: Occasionally, there will be the need to conduct field studies including both on campus and off-campus locations. Transportation will be provided by the school on the basis of availability and prior approval. Short trips may involve carpooling which require special permission for travel with classmates. Permission slips for each field trip must be turned in no later than the day before the scheduled event. These events are required and all students are expected to attend each one. Your performance and conduct are rated on each excursion.
- Reading & Quarterly Assignments: As noted, keeping up with reading assignments is critical to your understanding of class lectures and allows you to contribute positively and meaningfully during class. It will become apparent if you have not read prior to our class discussions, which will negatively impact your participation grade.
Grading: Each quarter (10 weeks), your grade will be determined by the quality of your classwork, homework assignments, tests, quizzes, current events assignment, laboratory investigations, and various other items, including class participation. Though subject to change, the following percentages will likely be applied to your work:
Tests & Quizzes: 40% Current Events: 15% Labs/Homework/Class Assignments: 45%
Note: Class participation will be part of your score on both individual and group assignments. Also, a separate participation grade is typically included with your test average.
Your final grade in AP Environmental Science will be determined as follows:
Quarterly Grades: 90 % Final Research Project = 10 %
Contact Information:
Should you need additional help, or have questions regarding any aspect of the course, you may reach me in the following ways:
Office: (Room 295) 298-5100 ext. 31126
Email:
Main office: notes may be left with the secretary to be placed in my mailbox.
Course Syllabus:
- Note: The syllabus is intended as a general guide and is subject to change based upon school activities, current events, equipment availability, and field trip scheduling. Further, not all daily assignments and additional reading is included in the syllabus.
Unit / Topics / Textbook Reading Assignment / Labs/Activities/Additional Assignments
Introduction to APES /
- Sampling of environmental issues
- Why be an environmentalist?
- Sustainability
- Changing environment
- Intro. to Epidemiology
Current events article research and summaries (3)
Environmental History, Legislation, Laws, Ethics and Economics /
- Environmental History of the U.S.
- Major contributors to conservation & preservation in U.S.
- Important environmental legislation
- Economist’s view of environmental issues
- Overview of governmental & regulatory agencies (EPA, NYSDEC, NYSDEP, DCEMC, etc)
- Local environmental groups
Science-based environmentalism, human health and toxicology /
- Scientific methodology applied to our environment (controls, prediction, hypotheses, etc.)
- Pollution units (ppm, ppb, etc.)
- Dose-Response Assessment
- Risk Assessment (dose-response)
Toxicology Activity
Toxicity Lab
Ecological Principles /
- Ecology
- Populations, communities, ecosystems
- Energy Flow (producers, consumers, decomposers)
- Energy units, measurement, sources & sinks
- Photosynthesis
- Food webs
Owl Pellet Lab
- Succession (primary, secondary)
- Interactions (symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism, communalism, etc.)
- Predation – defensive adaptations
- Niches
- Biodiversity
- Cycling of Matter: water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous cycles
Chapter 6 (pages 104-112) / Group Visual Presentations of Nutrient Cycles
Ecosystems & Physical Environments /
- Atmosphere
- Oceans, Currents, El Nino, & Climate
- GLOBE weather center overview, data collection techniques
- CO2, CH4, stratospheric O3 levels
- CFC’s and ozone depletion (cause), UV radiation (effect)
- Oceans SST’s, currents, sea level
- Global Warming (natural vs. man-made)
- Acid Rain
- UV Radiation and Ozone
- El Nino & climate change
Lab: Climatology Factors (Parts I and II)
Lab: Tropospheric Ozone
- Geologic time scale
- Geological Processes
- Plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes
Earth’s Ecosystems Classification /
- Major Biomes (tundra, taiga, rainforests, deciduous forests, grasslands, deserts, chaparral, savanna, etc.)
- Aquatic Ecosystems (freshwater and marine ecosystems)
- Human aquatic degradation
- Hudson River Estuary Case Study
Lab: Measuring Primary Productivity
Population Principles /
- Birth Rate, Death Rate
- Carrying capacity
- Survival Curves
- Growth Curves
- Predator-prey dynamics
Overpopulation /
- Human population history
- 2002 World Population Data Sheet
- Demographics
- Cultural & economic influences
Lab: Population Studies
Resources & Energy /
- Renewable vs. Non-renewable energy
- Fossil Fuels (non-renewable)
- Oil & Gas Exploration
- Demand & Spills
Lab: Acid Mine Drainage
- Nuclear Energy
- Sustainable Energy Resources
- Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Hydro-power, Biomass, Geothermal
- Water Resources
- Biological Resources
- Minerals (formation, distribution, uses)
- Soils (soil formation, types, erosion, conservation, farming practices)
Lab: Soil – The Wealth Beneath Your Feet (pH, structure, organics, Perc. Rate, H2O retention, texture, classification & D.C. soil survey)
- Land Resources & Management
- Land Use
- Deforestation
- Food Resources
- Nutritional requirements & food production
- Sustainable farming
- Genetic manipulation of foods
Environmental Quality /
- Air Quality (major pollutants, effects of pollutants, pollution reduction efforts, EPA legislation review & update)
- Indoor vs. outdoor air quality
- Water, Thermal & Soil Pollution (drinking water, major pollutants, point & non-point sources, sampling and testing, eutrophication)
- Local Water Supply Issues
- Relevant EPA, DEC, DEP legislation review (clean water act, safe drinking water act)
Investigative Research
Lab: Pond Water D.O. & B.O.D.
Lab: Local stream quality survey
- The Pesticide Problem
- Solid Waste (types, sources, amounts)
- Hazardous Waste
- Municipal solid waste and wastewater treatment plants
Chapter 23
- Sanitary landfills & methane recovery operations overview
Global Environmental Changes & Consequences /
- Loss of biodiversity
- Clear cutting of forests
- Extinctions
- Endangered/Threatened species
- Introduced species
- Habitat destruction
NYS introduced species identification activity
Environment & Society: Trade-offs & Decision Making /
- Review of Environmental Laws & Regulations
- Economic Forces:
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Marginal costs
- Ownership and externalized costs
- Cultural & Aesthetic Considerations
- Pollution and risk assessment
- Environmental racism & ethics
Choices for the Future /
- Conservation
- Conservation easements
- Preservation
- Remediation
- Sustainability Reprise: Raven & Berg’s Nine Principles to a Sustainable Future
AP Exam Review / Practice Questions
Course Material Review
Local Environmentalism / Topics affecting mid-Hudson valley area
RCK Campus / Develop RCK Environmental “Report Card”
Develop short-term & long term goals for RCK campus
Long – Term Projects / Submittal of papers
Student presentations