Apes 2015-16 Syllabus

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Course Outline
Instructor: Miss Buck, kbuck@kasd.org

Room: B113
Required Texts: Living in the Environment (18th edition), G. Tyler Miller
Course Description: AP Environmental Science provides an investigative approach to the

interrelationships of the natural world through the study of the fundamental concepts, principles, and
methodologies of environmental science, with an emphasis on inquiry and critical thinking skills including
problem solving and experimental investigations. Topics of study include Earth systems and resources,
ecosystems and energy flow, population biology, land and water use, energy resources and consumption,
pollution, agriculture, conservation and global change. Laboratory work, field studies, field trips, and case
studies are an integral component of this course. The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be
the equivalent of a one semester, introductory college course in environmental science.
AP Exam: May 2nd, 2016 (100 multiple choice and 4 free-response questions: no calculators allowed)
Required Class Materials: 3-Ring Binder, pencils, lab notebook (provided by science department),
current events notebook (provided by science department)
Suggested Organization for your class binder: Create tabs in your binder for each of the following
topics
1. Syllabus, course information, exam tips
2. Guiding Questions & Chapter Outlines
3. Lab Handouts
4. Activities
5. Case Studies and Video Summaries
6. Projects/Research
7. Chapter Reviews
If you dont think the suggested binder organization above will work for you, you might consider creating
tabs for each unit (topics listed below)
Course Topic Outline:
Unit I: Introduction to Environmental Science

Chapter 1: Environmental Problems, Their Causes, & Sustainability
Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy, & Systems
Unit II: Ecology

Chapter 3: Ecosystems
Unit III: The Origin of the Earths Biodiversity

Chapter 4: Biodiversity & Evolution
Unit IV: The Distribution of Life on Earth

Chapter 5: Biodiversity, Species Interactions, & Population Control
Chapter 6: The Human Population & Its Impact
Chapter 7: Climate & Biodiversity
Chapter 8: Aquatic Biodiversity
Unit V: Sustaining Biodiversity

Chapter 9: Saving Species & Ecosystem Services
Chapter 10: Saving Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services
Chapter 11: Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
Unit VI: Sustaining Natural Resources

Chapter 12: Food Production & the Environment
Unit VII: Water and Water Resources

Chapter 13: Water Resources
Chapter 20: Water Pollution
Unit VIII: Air Pollution

Chapter 18: Air Pollution
Chapter 19: Climate Disruption
Unit IX: Nonrenewable and Renewable Energy Resources

Chapter 14: Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
Chapter 15: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
Chapter 16: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Unit X: Toxicology and Human Health

Chapter 17: Environmental Hazards and Human Health
Unit XI: Solid and Hazardous Waste

Chapter 21: Solid and Hazardous Waste
Unit XII: Economics, Politics, and Environmental Issues

Chapter 22: Urbanization and Sustainability
Chapter 23: Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
Chapter 24: Urbanization and Sustainability
Chapter 25: Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability
Investigations (Labs and Activities):

Labs will be a component of each unit. Remember to keep a neat, detailed lab notebook. This lab
notebook will help in reviewing concepts for tests and exams.
There will be some hands-on activities that do not require use of lab equipment or chemicals.
These activities should still be included in your lab notebook, as they demonstrate applications of
course content.
Case studies will be discussed in every unit. Some case studies will require completion of
research, projects, or presentations.
Other research projects will be done periodically throughout the year. Remember to keep
documentation of all projects and labs for review and for college credit approval.
Chapter/Unit Reviews:
Before each chapter or unit test you will need to complete given review problems and possibly
other review materials given to you.
We will not have entire class periods to spend on a review, but we will review concepts on a regular
basis in class. You can always see me before or after school to review individually or in groups. I
recommend that you form your own study groups for review also!
Quizzes and Tests:

Quizzes will be taken periodically throughout each chapter and sometimes at the end of most
chapters.
At the end of each unit there will be an exam.
You may be required to do test corrections after exams. Test correction sheets will be provided.
For each multiple choice question you get incorrect you will need to explain why each of the
incorrect responses is incorrect (you will be given the correct answers after completing the test).
The test corrections will be worth homework points. You will have one week to complete test
corrections.
Ongoing Assignments:
Current Events - Use the article summary template from the summer assignment to complete
summaries for a current event related to each unit we are studying. Specific due dates will be
given during each unit. The articles must be current! For some chapters, links may be provided for
you. You are not obligated to use them.
Environmental Legislation Project- You will research an assigned environmental regulation or
act, and then share your findings with the class.
Weekly and Moodle Assignments:

Textbook Guiding Questions: For each chapter there will be guiding questions given to you.
These questions are important for you to answer as you read the chapter, and BEFORE notes are
given in class. Expect to read at least a few sections of the textbook each day. When reading the
textbook, make sure to pay extra attention to figures and diagrams in the textbook. There will not
be enough class time to lecture on all the textbook information. Reading the text is important!
You will be required to complete or print materials from Moodle (class website) for each unit.
Academic Integrity: It is left to the discretion of the teacher to impose a grade-based consequence for
students who violate the Academic Integrity and Cheating Policy. This policy is found in the student handbook.
Parents will be notified when any incident of academic integrity occurs.
Student Accountability Contract
I understand and accept the rigor, pacing, course expectations and grading policies in this class. I have
also reviewed the Course Outline. I understand that much of my learning will take place outside of the
class period. Most of the class time is structured around labs, demonstrations and discussions. I
understand I am expected to also prepare for exams outside of class.
The APES Exam is scheduled for Monday, May 2nd at 8:00 AM.
Students Name _________________________ (please print)
Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Apes 2015-16 Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Apes 2015-16 Syllabus

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Apes 2015-16 Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Instructor: Miss Buck, kbuck@kasd.org

Course Description: AP Environmental Science provides an investigative approach to the

Course Topic Outline:

Unit I: Introduction to Environmental Science

Unit II: Ecology

Unit III: The Origin of the Earths Biodiversity

Unit IV: The Distribution of Life on Earth

Unit V: Sustaining Biodiversity

Unit VI: Sustaining Natural Resources

Unit VII: Water and Water Resources

Unit VIII: Air Pollution

Unit IX: Nonrenewable and Renewable Energy Resources

Unit X: Toxicology and Human Health

Unit XI: Solid and Hazardous Waste

Unit XII: Economics, Politics, and Environmental Issues

Investigations (Labs and Activities):

Quizzes and Tests:

Weekly and Moodle Assignments:

Student Accountability Contract

Students Name _________________________ (please print)

Student Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date

You might also like