Advanced Placement Environmental Science

Mr. Blackmon-

Room 708

Text:

Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller Jr. and Scott E. Spoolman, 16th edition, 2008, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

Other Resources:

In addition to the textbook, we will draw information from supplemental environmental science textbooks, lab manuals, periodicals, readings/case studies, and the Internet.

Course Information:

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike many other introductory-level college science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments including geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry and geography. This course will follow the NC Standard Course of Study:( The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is 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 or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, yet it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study(SC11). There are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science.

  1. Science is a process.
  2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
  3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
  4. Humans alter natural systems.
  5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
  6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.

The AP Environmental Science course is an excellent option for any interested student who has completed at least two years of high school laboratory science – one year of life science and one year of physical science. Due to the quantitative analysis that is required in the course, students should also have taken at least one year of algebra. Also desirable is a course in earth science. For these reasons, AP Environmental Science is usually taken in the junior or senior year. Because it is designed to be a course in environmental science rather than environmental studies, the AP Environmental Science course includes a strong laboratory and field investigation component which will average to one hour per week (SC17). The goal of this component is to compliment the classroom portion of the course by allowing the students to learn about the environment through firsthand observation.

The AP Environmental Science Exam is three hours long and is divided equally in time between a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section, which contains 60 percent of the final grade, consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that are designed to cover the breadth of the students’ knowledge and understanding of environmental science. The free-response section emphasizes the application of principles in greater depth. Four free-response questions are included, which consist of 40 percent of the final grade: 1 data-set question, 1 document-based question and 2 synthesis and evaluation questions. The use of calculators is NOT allowed on the exam. All students taking AP classes are encouraged to take the AP exam in that subject area. The AP Environmental Science exam is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11 (8 a.m.). Classroom tests administered throughout the school year will be based on the format and difficulty of past AP exams

TOPIC OUTLINE

  1. Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%)
  2. Earth Science Concepts
  3. Thee Atmosphere
  4. Global Water Resources and Use
  5. Soil and Soil Dynamics(SC1 and SC2)
  6. The Living World (10-15%)
  7. Ecosystem Structure
  8. Energy Flow
  9. Ecosystem Diversity
  10. Natural Ecosystem Change
  11. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles(SC3)
  12. Population (10-15%)
  13. Population Biology Concepts
  14. Human Population(SC4)
  15. Land and Water Use (10-15%)
  16. Agriculture
  17. Forestry
  18. Rangelands
  19. Other Land Use
  1. Mining
  2. Fishing
  3. Global Economics(SC5 & SC6)
  1. Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%)
  2. Energy Concepts
  3. Energy Consumption
  4. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
  5. Nuclear Energy
  6. Hydroelectric Power
  7. Energy Conservation
  8. Renewable Energy(SC7 & SC8)
  9. Pollution (25-30%)
  10. Pollution Types
  11. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
  12. Economic Impacts(SC9)
  13. Global Change (10-15%)
  14. Stratospheric Ozone
  15. Global Warming
  16. Loss of Biodiversity(SC10)

Labs:

LAB 1: Exponential Growth Lab

LAB 2: Tragedy of The Commons(SC15)

LAB 3: Food Chain Mini Lab

LAB 4: Cat in Borneo

LAB 5: Eating At A Lower Trophic Level

LAB 6: Natural Selection Game

LAB 7: Specific Heat & Climate

LAB 8: Predation

LAB 12: Carrying Capacity + Graphing (SC12)

LAB 9: Moose & Wolves of Isle Royale

LAB 10: Estimating Population Size with Mathematical Calculations and Statistics (SC14)

LAB 11: Biodiversity in the Library

LAB 13: Growth Rates

LAB 14: Power of the Pyramid

LAB 15: Doubling Time

LAB 19: LD-50 Brine Shrimp(SC16)

LAB 16: Personal Solid Waste Collection and Analyses(SC13)

LAB 17: Auto Trucks & Tires (Quick Activity)

LAB 18: Recycle City (Computer Lab)

Classroom Information:

Materials: 3-ring binder with notebook paper & several dividers, marble composition notebook, pencils/pens, colored pencils and a calculator.

Textbook: Each student will be assigned a textbook. Please protect your textbook. (We appreciate if you do not use adhesive book sleeves!)

  • Text: Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. Pacific Grove,
    CA: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning.
  • OPTIONAL Barron’s “How to Prepare for the AP Environmental Science Exam”. Keep this, or any other review guide, in mind as a possible

resource for this course.

Grades:

ScaleA 100-90% Assignments fall into one of these categories and are weighted accordingly:

B 90-80% A.P.E.S.

C 80-74% 70% Tests, Projects and Formal Lab Reports

D 73-70% 25% Labs/Activities, Quizzes, and Classwork

F Below 70% 5% Homework and Classwork

Make-Up Assignments: It is our expectation that it is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed assignments. If class is missed for an excused reason, students should contact their teacher concerning what they missed. If the student is absent one day, they will have one day to complete missing assignments…two absences will have two days to make up missing assignments…and so forth. Extended absences will be considered on an individual basis. All students have the opportunity to make up missing assignments. In the case of unexcused absences, all WCPSS policies and school guidelines will be followed. Due to equipment and time constraints, some activities may be difficult to make up. If you miss an activity, you may be given a modified assignment as an alternative; however, you are still responsible for information covered in the activity.

Late Assignments: Late assignments are reduced 7% for each day late until graded class sets are returned…up to a maximum of 35%.

Attendance: Attendance is essential for success in this course. Advance notice will be given for activities, projects, and tests. If an activity or project is due or test scheduled on the day you are absent, you are expected to hand in the assignment or take the test on the day that you return to class. Extended absences will be considered on an individual basis.

Communication: Email: ; Phone: 770.542.8589

Education: B.S. Ecology-The University of Georgia

B.S. Biology-The University of Georgia

M.S. Ecology-The University of Georgia

Availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays after school (1st semester) or by appointment. Before school during 2nd semester as I coach.

Safety: Students must sign and follow the safety contracts explained in class and must keep a copy of the student contract in their science binder. Any student not adhering to safety guidelines will be asked to leave the classroom and will lose credit. Parents will be asked to sign the safety contract. It is important to remember our expectations… No food, No gum, No drinks, No electronic devices…it is a safety issue!

Restroom: Each student will be expected to utilize the hall pass system. Must wait after the first 10 minutes of class.

Expectations: Be present and on time.

Be prepared for and engaged in learning.

Be a person of character.