Volcano Vista High School AP Environmental Science Syllabus

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1 Volcano Vista High School AP Environmental Science Syllabus Ms. Patricia Phaneuf Classroom A120 (505) ex Office Hours: Before/after school by appointment. Course Description: AP Environmental Science is designed to be the equivalent of a 1st year college level environmental science course. It provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. This includes identifying and analyzing environmental problems both natural and human made, evaluating the relative risks associated with these problems, and examining alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The course will explore the following themes: science as a process, energy conversions in ecological processes, the Earth as an interconnected system, the effects of human activity on natural systems, the socio-cultural context of environmental problems, and developing practices to achieve sustainable systems. Topic Outline (Relevant chapters in Friedland & Relyea) (% of the course) I. Earth Systems and Resources (Chapters 1-4, 8 & 9) (10-15%) Earth science concepts, the atmosphere, global water resources/uses, soil II. The Living World (Chapters 3-6) (10-15%) Ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles III. Population (Chapters 6 & 7) (10-15%) Population biology concepts, human population dynamics IV. Land and Water Use (Chapters 8, 10, 11 & 20) (10-15%) Agriculture, forestry, mining, fishing V. Energy Resources and Consumption (Chapters 12 & 13) (10-15%) Energy concepts, fossil fuels, energy conservation and renewable energy VI. Pollution (Chapters 14-17) (25-30%) Air, noise, water, land -- impacts on the environment, health and economy VII. Global change (Chapters 15, 18 & 19) (10-15%) Stratospheric ozone, global warming, biodiversity loss Laboratory Experiences We will be going out and experiencing the environment for at least one major lab or series of labs. Numerous other lab or lab type experiences will be undertaken to enhance the scientific nature of the course and students' understanding of the environment as well as how humans impact the environment. Lab activities are listed below under Tentative Schedule of Topics with the relevant unit/chapter. Textbook Textbook: Environmental Science for AP by Friedland and Relyea Publisher: W.H. Freeman and Company ISBN #: X Copyright 2012

2 Tentative Schedule of Topics There will be 8 units and we will follow the Friedland and Relyea textbook's chapters except as noted (Chapters 18, 19 and 20). Supplemental reading/videos and labs/activities are noted. Unit 1 - Introduction Chapter 1 Studying the State of Our Earth (Topic outline I, science as a process) Lab activity Biodiversity Hotspots Activity, Ecological Footprint Lab Chapter 2 Environmental Systems (Topic outline I) Lab activity Work Power and Energy Lab, Earth Systems Analysis Lab Unit 2 The Living World Chapter 3 Ecosystem Ecology (Topic outline I and II) Lab activity Mark and recapture Method, Quadrat Method Lab Chapter 4 Global Climate and Biomes (Topic outline I and II) Lab activity To be announced Chapter 19 Global Change (Topic outline VII) Lab activities The greenhouse effect simulation Unit 3 Biological and Human Populations Chapter 6 Population and Community Ecology (Topic outline II and III) Lab activities Plot sampling, Population Simulation Chapter 7 The Human Population (Topic outline III) Lab activity World population, Human Population Simulation Unit 4 Earth Systems and Resources Chapter 8 Earth Systems (Topic outline I and IV) Lab activity soil texture and permeability, soil quality Chapter 9 Water Resources (Topic outline I and IV) Lab activity Foul Water treatment lab Video Cadillac Desert - Mulholland's Dream Unit 5 Land Use Chapter 10 Land, Public and Private (Topic outline IV) Lab activities - The Tragedy of the Commons (Common resources), Mining simulation Chapter 11 Feeding the World (Topic outline IV) Video King Corn Chapter 20 Sustainability, Economics and Equity (Topic outline IV)

3 Unit 6 Energy Resources and Consumption Chapter 12 Nonrenewable Energy Sources (Topic outline V) Lab activity Coal Lab Chapter 13 Achieving Energy Sustainability (Topic outline V) Lab activity Making bio-diesel fuel Unit 7 - Pollution Chapter 14 Water Pollution (Topic outline VI) Lab activity Water Quality Chapter 15 Air Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (Topic outline VI and VII) Lab activity Ozone lab Chapter 16 Waste Generation and Waste Disposal (Topic outline VI) Lab activity Waste Production Chapter 17 Human Health and Environmental Risks (Topic outline VI) Lab activity Serial Dilution and Chemical Toxicity Unit 8 - Biodiversity Chapter 5 - Evolution of Biodiversity (Topic outline II) Lab activities Geologic Time Scale, Natural Selection Simulation Chapter 18 - Conservation of Biodiversity (Topic outline VII) Lab activities - Invasive species, Human disturbance in biodiversity Video Cane Toads: An Unnatural History AP Test: All students are encouraged to take the national AP Test in early May. T The AP test is a threehour exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions that represent 60 percent of the exam and four essays (free response questions) that represent 40 percent of the exam.

4 Student Expectations: Students are always expected to: Be respectful. Be prepared to think, read, write, and be an active participant, everyday. Complete assignments on time. Ask questions. Take ownership and responsibility for their education. Classroom Discipline Process The following are the steps that will be taken if the above expectations are not met: 1. Verbal redirection/warning 2. Refocus Sheet at timeout center AND call home 3. Referral to administration Serious misconduct, as well as repeated violations, will warrant skipping one or more of these steps. Makeup Work and Late Assignments Late assignments will not be accepted. Make-up work due to illness or other excused absence will be accepted for full credit. The student will be allowed the same number of days as the absence to turn in assignments or make up tests. It is the student s responsibility to make up any missed work in a timely manner. Rare exceptions can be made depending on circumstances, and after discussions with the student and parent or guardian if needed. Grading and Reporting Categories: 20% - Semester Final 40% - Summative Assessments: Summative assessments include unit tests and most quizzes. These cumulative tests will model the same format as the national AP test and will include multiple choice (selected response) and essay (free response questions or frq s) questions. 40% - Formative Assessments: Formative assessments include all laboratory assignments, class work, homework, and most projects. Grading Scale: %= A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D <60% = F Cutoffs are not arbitrarily signed. Please remember that all of the work for the entire semester determines your grade, not simply the last assignment. Supplies: 1-inch 3-ring binder (floppy is fine) 8 file folders (multi-colored preffered) College-ruled looseleaf paper Pen, pencil, and highlighter Colored pencils Box of tissue OR roll of paper towels One of the following for classroom/laboratory use: colored markers, dry erase markers, package of disposable cups, ream of printer paper, ziploc bags (any size), disposable gloves, tape (scotch or masking), glue sticks. This item will be turned in to the teacher. Students should bring their AP Environmental Science text to class everyday, as well as a notebook (and pen or pencil) for taking class notes, and a folder for organizing handouts and other class materials. It is understood that all students either have internet access at home to complete 'online' assignments

5 or that they will use the technology resources available to them here at school to complete such 'online' assignments in the time allotted. Laboratory and Field Safety Contract The safety of students is a top priority. The students will receive and sign a contract specifying the basic laboratory safety rules that must be followed. Labs may involve hazards such as harmful chemicals; or delicate equipment, such as glassware and microscopes, and students need to behave in a safe and responsible manner. Outdoor activities are for learning and not play and students need to make learning a priority and behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times. Unsafe or reckless behavior will result in a grade penalty for the lab or activity, or possibly more serious consequences. Some Things to Consider: 1. Late work will NOT be accepted unless there are extenuating circumstances and you have asked for an extension before the beginning of school on the day it is due. You MUST hand all late work to me personally. It is NEVER OK to put work of any kind in my mailbox in the front office. If you need an extension for some reason, see me. 2. Academic Integrity - You must do your own work. It is not OK to have answers to analysis questions or any other assignments that are identical to others in the class, even when working on group labs. Cheating and plagiarism of the work of others will absolutely not be tolerated and will result in a zero for that assignment or test. Repeated offenses may result in more serious consequences. 3. Every course and teacher is unique and has different expectations. I have high expectations for you, particularly with lab work. One specific example includes graphs, tables, and charts. These need to be labeled and have descriptive titles. We will practice good science in this class. 4. We all know that cell phones/electronic devices are prohibited. However, using these in class on a test/quiz day will be considered an act of cheating. I will confiscate them, I will give you a zero on that assessment (no retakes), and I will call home. 5. Attendance: Much of your learning occurs through participation in classroom assignments, discussions, group activities, laboratory investigations, etc. Please make a practice of punctuality and good attendance. The habits you form in high school will follow you into college and the work world. With this in mind, students who are absent must turn in an absence admit form to their academy office upon returning to school. It is the student s responsibility to obtain assignments on the day he/she returns to class. The student has an equal number of days as the absence to make up work. Work that has not been completed within this time frame will result in a zero on the assignment. When lab work or a test is missed, the student must attend a tutoring session within 1 week to complete it. 6. Tutoring: I am available for extra help or additional explanation during my tutoring sessions. This time is also for making up tests and labs that have been missed due to an absence (within 1 week of the absence). I will post my tutoring schedule soon. Communication: Parents, teachers, and students working together yield success. I can be reached by (preferred) at patricia.phaneuf@aps.edu or via the faculty link at volcanovistahawks.aps.edu or by phone at ext I look forward to meeting your parents at the VVHS Curriculum Night on Monday, August 22 at 6:30pm. Please plan to attend. Sincerely, Patricia Phaneuf Student Signature: Parent Signature:

MAR Environmental Problems & Solutions. Stony Brook University School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS)

MAR Environmental Problems & Solutions. Stony Brook University School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) MAR 340-01 Environmental Problems & Solutions Stony Brook University School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) This course satisfies the DEC category H This course satisfies the SBC category STAS