Advanced Placement
Environmental Science Syllabus
Fall 2005, Mrs. Willis
Description of Course:
Welcome to AP Environmental
Science! In this class, you will learn all about the various concepts of
environmental science, the study of the natural world. This is a year-long class that will fulfill
one-semester of an introductory college level environmental science or
laboratory science course. An AP exam will be given at the end of the second
semester. We will be investigating a variety of topics from water pollution to
air toxicity. And, we will perform many laboratory experiments to help master
these topics.
Course
Objectives:
Course State Standards:
-Biology: Ecology 6: Stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing
effects.
-Biology:
Evolution 8: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in
constantly changing environments
-Chemistry:
Chemical Bonds 2: Biological, chemical, and physical properties of matter
result from the ability of atoms to form bonds from electrostatic forces
between electrons and protons and between atoms and molecules.
-Earth Sciences:
Energy 4: Energy enters the Earth system primarily as solar radiation and
eventually escapes as heat.
-Earth Sciences:
Energy 5: Heating of Earth's surface and atmosphere by the sun drives
convection within the atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean
currents.
-Earth Sciences:
Energy 6: Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather and depends on
many factors.
-Earth Sciences:
Biogeochemical Cycles 7: Each element on Earth moves among reservoirs, which
exist in the solid earth, in oceans, in the atmosphere, and within and among
organisms as part of biogeochemical cycles.
-Earth Sciences:
Atmosphere 8: Life has changed Earth's atmosphere, and changes in the
atmosphere affect conditions for life.
Course Book:
Miller, G. Tyler Jr. Living
in the Environment. 11th Edition
Grade
Assessment:
Tests
and Quizzes: 33 %
Homework:
33 %
Class
work and Labs: 33 %
Grade
Ranges:
89-100
% = A 79-88 % = B 69-78 % = C 55-68 % = D 54% or below = F
Classroom
Policies:
-Please,
keep all food and drinks, except for water, outside the classroom.
-You
will need a lab folder for this class. In this folder, the class
syllabus will be stored, as well as all lecture notes, homework assignments and
laboratory activities.
-Please
remain in your seats unless given permission to move out of them. We will be
working in lab stations, and movement causes accidents.
-Bathroom breaks will be
permitted. However, ask to go during appropriate times, such as during break or
when you are done with your activity. Inappropriate times would be during
lecture or when lab instruction is occurring.
-Try
to attend as many classes as possible. The more you attend and participate, the
more you will succeed in AP Environmental Science.
-If
you miss a class, the assignment or make up work will be due the following day
you return. You can always find out what you missed by asking a friend in the
class, asking me before or after class, or checking the class website. Please,
try to refrain from asking me during class. Late work is not accepted.
-Any
cheating in the class will be reported to the dean as well as receiving a zero
on the assignment.
-Last
but not least, be respectful to all members of the class, including myself.
Class
Website and Tutoring:
-Our
class website is www.geocities.com/hotspur311
. At this website you can access:
-Please, take advantage of
this website. If you are sick, finding out what you missed is a click away! If
you need to contact me, my email is [email protected]
-Tutoring
is available! I am free anytime during lunch or nutrition in A9. To ensure that
I will be there, tell me before you are coming.
Outline
of The Course:
Concept
|
Week Number
|
Chapter(s) |
|
Introductions,
Scientific Method, Lab Standards |
1 |
Ch.
1 |
|
Unit
1: Earth, Ecology and Ecosystems |
2-6 |
2-9 |
|
Unit
2: Population |
7-9 |
10-11 |
|
Unit
3: Water Resources |
10-13 |
13,
17, 20 |
|
Unit
4: Air Resources |
14-17 |
7,
18 |
|
Unit
5: Global Concerns |
18-19 |
19 |
|
Unit
6: Land Resources |
21-25 |
5,
12, 14, 21, 22 |
|
Unit
7: Biodiversity Extinction |
26-29 |
23,24,25 |
|
Unit
8: Energy |
30-33 |
3,15,16 |
|
Unit
9: Environmental Law and Economics |
34-37 |
27,28 |
|
AP
Test in Early May |
38 |
All |
|
Unit
10: Human Habitats |
39-40 |
26,29 |
**Note** This is a rough overview of the course. The concepts we are covering will not vary. However, the week number may differ if I feel we need to spend more or less time on a subject. Also, a week is given at the end of the semester for intense review and the final.
-Labs
will be given on a regular basis in biology. Before a lab is given in class, I
require you to write up a pre-lab. The pre-lab should include the following
items: (1 point for each item)
Note: If you don’t have the
pre-lab done before you come to class, you will not be permitted to join in the
lab. Also, you will lose 2 points from your overall score (No Stamp N/S)
-After
I check that you have done the pre-lab, you may begin on the experiment. During
this time, you will add sections to your pre-lab. Those sections that you will
add are:
-The completed lab will be
turned in to me at the end of the experiment. The lab will be graded on a
10-point lab rubric attached to this handbook.
1st
Paragraph: Analyze your data.
Some
questions to answer:
-Restate briefly what you
did.
-What did you observe?
-What does your observations and
data mean?
-Are you observations valid? Any errors?
2nd
Paragraph: Comparison.
Some
questions to answer:
-How did your data compare
within your group?
-How did your data compare within the class? (This
might require asking a neighboring group what they observed.)
3rd
Paragraph: Knowledge Learned.
-What did you
learn from this lab? Please, make sure to tie in the knowledge gained in the
lab to previous knowledge acquired in the classroom lecture setting.
Dear Parents:
Welcome to Advanced Placement Environmental Science! My name is Amber Willis and I am your son/daughter’s APES teacher. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I received my teaching credential in Biological Sciences at Cal State Northridge. This is my fifth year teaching at Downtown Magnets High School, and I am looking forward to another great year with your son/daughter.
This is a rigorous year-long class that will fulfill one-semester of an introductory college level environmental science or laboratory science course. An AP exam will be given at the end of the second semester. We will be investigating a variety of topics from water pollution to air toxicity. And, we will perform many laboratory experiments to help master the topics. Your son/daughter will be performing much work on their way to accomplishing these tasks.
.
The grade breakdown for the class is as follows: 89-100 % = A, 79-88 % = B, 69-78 % = C, 55-68 % = D, and 55 % and lower = F. Students will be graded on tests, labs, homework, and class work. Homework will be given every night.
As an aid for parents, I have created a class website: www.geocities.com/hotspur311. This website can be accessed to check for homework assignments as well as class activities and lectures. Grades and attendance will also be posted on a bi-monthly basis. Please, feel free to use the website with your son/daughter as much as possible.
If you have any questions or comments about the class, please email me at [email protected]. My conference period is during period. Also, if you would like to volunteer in the classroom or in the school, contact me for the arrangements. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Amber Willis
(213) 481-0371 ext 5172
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___ I have read Mrs. Willis' class information letter and understand that there is a website with which I can monitor my child's progress in class.
_______________________ _________ ______________________________
Signature of Parent Date Name of Student