AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Transcription

1 AP Environmental Science Syllabus Contact Information Instructor Name: Michael Miedlar Phone: Phone: ext. 283 Available Hours: Every Wednesday mornings from 8:00-8:30. Upon giving me a 24-hour notice, I am available all other mornings between the hours of 8:00-8:30, and most afternoons until 5:00. Supplies * Field Equipment- Journal ( Bug Spray, Long Pants, Old Tennis Shoes or Boots Textbook The text used in the course is Living in the Environment 15 th ed. by G. Tyler Miller, Jr., and is priced at $ ~Students are responsible for the proper care of distributed textbooks and materials, including the following: providing texts and materials on book check days; paying for lost, damaged, or intentionally destroyed textbooks; and returning textbooks and materials at the end of the year/term/upon withdrawal from Riverwood International Charter School. Students also forfeit the right to another free textbook until all fines have been paid. Prerequisites AP Environmental Science is open to any student who has completed Biology I, Chemistry, Physics or Physical Science, and Algebra II with at least an 85% average or above in all. Also students must have a teacher recommendation in order to enroll in the class. Academic Integrity All students are expected to abide by the Riverwood Academic Integrity Policy as outlined in the student handbook.

2 Grading Determination and Scale The following represents potential grades collected during a school quarter: Classwork/Daily Work: 15% A = 90 and above Labs/Projects: 30% B = Exams: 40% C = Final Exam: 15% F = 69 and below Extra Credit Extra credit can be allowed, but depends on student performance and participation. If the student has more than 1 incomplete grade in the class and has lacked participation in classroom discussions and assignments, than the student forfeits the right for extra credit. Extra Credit is a privilege, not a right! I. Multiple Choice 1.5 Hours Long 60% of Final Grade 100 Questions APES Exam Format Types of questions: 1. Options First glorified matching, definition, easiest Questions refer to the following prcesses. (A) Nitrification (D) Ammonification (B) Denitrification (E) Nitrogen Fixation (C) Assimilation 12. Ammonia is converted to nitrite, then to nitrate. 13. Plant root absorb ammonium ions and nitrate ions for use in making molecules such as DNA, amino acids, and proteins 14. Nitrate ions and nitrite ions are converted into nitrous oxide gas and nitrogen gas.

3 2. Negative Stem all of answers are right except one Factors contributing to the rise in world hunger include all of the following EXCEPT (A) Unequal distribution of available food supplies (B) loss of or decline in arable land (C) increasing rate of population growth (D) increasing poverty in developing countries (E) increasing consumption of vegetable protein in place of meat protein 3. Roman Numeral Questions- Reasons that the population size of an exotic species often grows rapidly when the species is introduced in a new environment include which of the following? I. The exotic species is resistant to pesticides. II. There is a large, underutilized food source in the new environment. III. The exotic species has few natural predators in the new environment. (A) I only (B) II only (C) I & II only (D) II & III only (E) I, II, & III 4. Least/Most Likely not just one right answer, pick the best Which of the following is LEAST likely to be an effect of global warming? (A) Loss of fertile delta regions for agriculture (B) Change in global patterns of precipitation (C) Extinction of some species that have narrow temperature requirements (D) Decreased rate of photosynthesis in vegetation (E) Increased frequency of hurricanes 5. Data Interpretation and Analysis A country currently has a population of 100 million and an annual growth rate of 3.5%. If the growth rate remains constant, what will be the population of this country in 40 years. (A) 150 million (B) 200 million (C) 300 million (D) 400 million II. Free Response Questions (FRQ) 1.5 Hours long 40% of Final Grade 4 Questions

4 Types of questions: 1. Data Set Question (1) mathematical calculations 2. Synthesis and Evaluation (2) possible simple calculations 3. Document Based Question (1) article intro, must demonstrate knowledge gained from course. **UGA requires a score of 4 or higher for 4 hours of college credit, while GA Tech requires a 5 for college credit** Unit 1 Ch. 1 Environmental Problems Lecture: The State of the World Address A lecture and discussion of our current environmental situation. WS: Basic Chemistry and Measurement Review Activity: Opinion Paper on Summer Reading Assignment Video/Activity: The Lorax Activity: Power of Doubling Lab: Determine Ecological Footprint Video: 11 th Hour Reading: Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. Ch. 2 Science, Systems, Matter, and Energy Lecture: Basics of Science: Scientific Method, SI, and Research Design Reading/Activity: Hardin, Garrett. Tragedy of the Commons Lab: Leaves of Steel Ch. 3 Ecosystems Lecture: Ecosystems WS: Eating at a Lower Trophic Level Lab: Soil Screen Sieves Activity: The Nitrogen Game Video: Blue Planet: Seasonal Seas Unit 2 Ch. 4 Evolution and Biodiversity Lecture: Evolution and Environment Activity: Frogs In The Pond Video: Walking With Caveman, Exploring Biodiversity

5 Ch. 5 Biogeography Lecture: Weather and Biomes Activity: Student Videos over assigned Biomes Demo: Air Mass and Convection Activity: Climatograms Ch. 6 Aquatic Ecology Lecture: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems Lab: Pond or River Field Study Unit 3 Ch. 7 Community Ecology Lecture: Community Interactions Activity: Dichotomous Choice Lab: Leaf Litter Lab/Simpson s Index Video: Life In The Undergrowth Intimate Relationships Ch. 8 Population Ecology Lecture: Populations WS: Kaibab Deer Population & Turkey Trouble Activity: Rabbit and Coyote Lab: Worm Slurry Activity: Mark-Recapture Video: Bill Nye: Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction Ch. 9 The Human Population and Its Impact Lecture: The Human Presence: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Video: Dot Video WS: Calculating Double Time Video: World in the Balance: The People Paradox Activity: Reading and Constructing Age Structure Diagrams Video: Pennies A Day Unit 4 Ch. 15 Geology Lecture: Plate Tectonics, Rock Cycle, and Soil Formation Activity: Volcanoes and Plate Article: Toxic Sludge Video: Baraka Excerpt

6 Lab: Copper Extraction AP Environmental Science Ch. 16 Non-Renewable Energy Resources Lecture: A History of Non-Renewable Energy Lab: Home Energy Audit WS: Estimate Your Personal Radiation Dose Article: Final Warning Lab: Examining Energy Sources Ch. 17 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Lecture: Renewable Energy Technology: It is available, effective, & affordable Video: Who Killed The Electric Car? WS: E and Power, PV and Wind E Lab: Building passive solar heat exchangers Article: Any Way the Wind Blows Ch. 23 Sustainable Cities Lecture: Sustainable Cities: Changing the Way We Build Activity: Build a model of a sustainable house or community 6 Days Unit 5 Ch. 18 Risk, Toxicology, and Health Lecture: Risk Management and Public Health Lab: Toxicology of Household Substances Lab: LD50 Lab: Brine Shrimp Assay Video: Bill Nye - Antibiotics, Annie Leonard Cosmetics Ch. 13 Pesticides and Pest Control Lecture: Pesticides or IPM? Reading: Carson, Rachael. Silent Spring. The Other Road Ch. 22 Solid and Hazardous Waste Lecture: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Then Maybe Throw it Away Lab: Garbology Lab (Personal Garbage Collection and Analysis) Video: The Story of Stuff & Captain Charles Moore Lab: Plastic Identification Unit 6 Ch. 19 Air and Air Pollution Lecture: Air and the Pollution Thereof

7 Lab: Lichens and Air Pollution Ch. 20 Climate Change and Ozone Loss Lecture: Global Warming, Ozone Loss, and the Greenhouse effect Lab: Understanding the Climate WS: CO2 Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning Demo: Ozone Layer Article: Surviving a Warmer World Video: Annie Leonard Cap & Trade Ch. 14 Water Resources Lecture: Water Resources in the US Activity: How Much Water Do You Use? Article: Facing the Freshwater Crisis Video: Annie Leonard Bottled Water Ch. 21 Water Pollution Lecture: Causes and Consequences of Water Pollution Demo: Polluted Runoff Lab: Biodegradable Materials and Their Effect on DO Levels Lab: Wastewater Treatment Challenge FT: Wastewater Treatment Plant Ch. 13 Food Resources Lecture: Where does your food come from? Video: The Meatrix, Store Wars, Food Inc., Bill Nye Lab: Salinization Unit 7 Ch. 11 Sustaining Wild Species Lecture: Strategies for Preserving Diversity Activity: Endangered Species Report Reading: The 6 th Extinction Ch. 10 Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity Lecture: Land Management Reading: Selected excepts from A Sand County Almanac Ch. 12 Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity Lecture: Aquatic Ecosystems and Fisheries Management Video: Blue Planet: Deep Trouble

8 Unit 8 Ch. 24 Economics and the Environment Lecture: Economics and Environment: The ultimate in Cost Benefit Analysis Ch. 25 Politics, Environment, and Sustainability Lecture: Environment in American Politics Ch. 26 Environmental worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability Lecture: Zen and the Art of Sustainability: A Look at the Worldviews That Drive Environmental Attitudes Late Work Policy According to FPS an assignment which is accepted late will have a deduction of 10% of the total assignment points per day for the first five days and accepted up to 10 days after the due date for a maximum grade of 50% of the total points possible (a zero will be earned if an assignment is not turned in within 10 days of the due date). Some but not all assignments will be accepted late. Assignments for which answers have been provided in class, or which has been used as a teaching tool in class will not be accepted late. This exception applies to assignments other than reports as well as projects and homework. Individual exceptions to this policy may be obtained by a written doctor s excuse or through the teacher s discretion. Make-Up Policy Be prepared to make up tests and or turn in assignments the day you return to school from absences. It is your responsibility to keep up with the work you miss due to absences. When you are absent, call a classmate and find out what you have missed so that you can turn assignments in on time. When you return from an absence, please see the instructor to get missed assignments, notes, etc. At that time, you will be given a date to make-up tests or other assignemtns. If you miss the assigned dates for either make-up or recovery tests, you will not be allowed to take the test. Please be aware that the make-up test may be different from the original test. The teacher will determine the date of the make up test. However, a student must be prepared to take a missed test during class on the day that he/she returns to class. Please make every effort to be present on test dates!

9 Student Attendance Comportment and Participation Responsibility for acquiring information disseminated during the course is the core responsibility of the student. Students are expected to treat their teacher and cohorts with respect at all times. Students are expected to be seated, quiet and ready to begin class when it is time for class to begin. Students are encouraged to network with their cohorts to obtain information lost due to an absence. Class policy concerning absent or tardy students shall parallel that outlined by the school regulations. Participation in class is essential to student performance and therefore will be reflected in the grade achieved. Classroom Management Policy The instructor has the primary responsibility for the control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity, and can order the removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaging in disruptive conduct in violation of the general rules and regulations for the school. Student Parent/Guardian Print Print Signature Signature Period Date