AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Scoring Components
SC1 SC2 SC3 SC4 SC5 SC6 SC7 SC8 SC9 SC10 SC11 The course provides instruction in Earth systems. The course provides instruction in Earth Resources. The course provides instruction in the Living World. The course provides instruction in Population. The course provides instruction in Land Use. The course provides instruction in Water Use. The course provides instruction in Energy Resources. The course provides instruction in Energy Consumption. The course provides instruction in Pollution. The course provides instruction in Global Change. The course provides students with the scientific principles required to understand the interrelationship of the natural world and draws upon various scientific disciplines. The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting information. The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting experimental data. The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting mathematical calculations. The course teaches methods how to identify and analyze environmental problems. The course teaches students how to critically examine various solutions for resolving or preventing environmental problems by evaluating the associated ecological risks and human health risks. The course includes laboratory and/ or field investigation component. A minimum of one class period, or its equivalent, per week is spent engaged in laboratory and/ or fieldwork.

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SC12 SC13 SC14 SC15 SC16

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SC17

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Text
AP Environmental Science 2009 by Dora Barlaz, Craig Freudenrich and Jane Gardner, 2009 edition, Kaplan Publishing New York

Other Resources
In addition to the textbook, we will draw information from supplemental environmental sciences textbooks, laboratory manuals, science articles, periodicals, thesis papers, readings/case studies and the Internet

Course Requirements
The AP Environmental Science course is a full-year course designed to be an equivalent of one-semester introductory college course in environmental science. This course meets for 1 hour and 20 minutes; which includes laboratory activities and field investigation. Environmental Science is open to juniors and seniors who have maintained at least a grade an average grade in Chemistry and Biology and have a recommendation from their current science teacher.

Course Description

AP Environmental Science is a college level, introductory science course which follows the course description and the objectives set forth by the College Board The goal of AP Environmental Science is to provide the students with rigorous understanding of the interrelationship living things have with each other and their SC11 The course environment, how provides students The natural world works and how to identify environmental problems. with the scientific [SC 3], [SC 11] & [SC 15] principles required to
The individual science disciplines are integrated in this course based on a foundation of the following themes: Science is a process that helps us understand our world. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. The Earth itself is one interconnected system. Humans alter natural systems Environmental problems have a cultural and social context Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems understand the interrelationship of the natural world and draws upon various scientific disciplines.

SC 3 The course provides instruction in the Living World.

SC 15 The course teaches methods on how to identify and analyze environmental problems.

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Course Objectives
1. To understand the characteristics of the Earth including its component. A. The Role of Soil B. 2. The Role of Water

[SC 6]

SC 6 The course provides instruction in Water Use

C. The Role of the Atmosphere To widen the aptitude about the processes occurring inside an ecosystem and know the interaction of the factors involved. A. Ecosystem Structured B. Interactions between Species C. Flow of Energy D. Diversity E. 3. Biogeochemical Cycle

SC 12 The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting information.

Understand the concept of population, dynamics and growth. Furthermore, students are expected to solve, analyze and interpret experimental data which includes population simulation activities, solving equation using Statistical tools [ SC 12] [SC 13] & [SC 14] A. Concept about Population Population density Dynamics of human population Factors affecting growth rates of human population Regulating population size Impact of population growth Hunger and Poverty

SC 13 The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting experimental data.

4.

To have a panoramic view about Land issues, how the people use the land, legislation, approaches to save the land and to understand the future risk of abusive land treatments. A. Agriculture B. Green Revolution C. Deforestation and Irrigation D. Forestry and Rangelands E. F. Mining and Fishing Major Environmental Problems in cities

SC 14 The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting mathematical calculations. Page

G. Approaches in saving the Land

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

5. To fully understand how energy transfers in the system by careful comprehension of the thermodynamic rules. It will also enable the students to get acquainted about the advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of energy. A. Basics of Energy B. Thermodynamics and Energy transfers C. Energy consumption D. Sources of Energy Nuclear Energy Hydroelectric Power Solar Energy Wind Energy

6.

Geothermal Energy

To know the types, ways to treat pollutions, legislations, causes, and effects of pollution and how it greatly affects human health. A. Air Pollution B. Water pollution C. Clean Water Act

7.

To have a global scope of understanding towards Environmental Change (Climate change) and to understand the truths and facts behind Global Warming and how it affects every species.

[SC 16]
A. The layers of the Atmosphere B. Formation of Ozone C. Ozone Depletion D. Global Warming: Causes and Effects E. Impacts of Global Warming

SC 16 The course teaches students how to critically examine various solutions for resolving or preventing environmental problems by evaluating the associated ecological risks and human health risks.

Lab Component
Laboratory experiences include experiments from lab manuals, data sets, fieldwork (fall and spring, as weather permits), fieldtrip and student-designed experiments. Students typically work in lab groups of two to four, depending on the nature of the activity. [SC 17]
SC 17 The course includes laboratory and/ or field investigation component. A minimum of one class period, or its equivalent, per week is spent engaged in laboratory and/ or fieldwork.

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Student Evaluation
Each of the four marking period grades is determined in the following manner. A Formal Lab Report with background research is required each marking period and counts as one test grade. This will compromise 40% of the grade. A Lab Data Notebook (a bound notebook) is maintained for all laboratory work. It is collected weekly or biweekly and checked. It should contain some information regarding data gathering, observations, data sampling, and quantitative information. This is 10 % of the grade. One Project or Group Project/Presentation is completed each marking period and counts as one test grade. Homeworks are collected and graded as assigned; this will compromise 10% of the Grades per period. Quizzes/ Class works are administered throughout the discussion of a topic or reading assignment. All quizzes are averaged together and count as one test grade. This is 10% of the grade. Major Tests are administered after every end of major unit discussions (two or more chapters). The tests consist of 45 to 60 multiple-choice questions taken directly or modified from the authors test bank. Students are also given three to five essay questions the week before the test. They have a week to research, formulate, and organize their answers. Periodical Exams are scheduled after accomplishing the topics included in the chapter maps. This compromises 30% of the grade. Major Parliamentary Debate towards the end of the unit students will be grouped into two for a campus debate based on related topics or environmental issues.

CLASS DIRECTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS

Direction of the class is based on the given format by the school, UNITED PEACE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL. The following are to be followed in realizing the instruction. 1. Open Chapter Page The student will be given an overview on what to expect in the whole course, included in the chapter map are not only data and relevant information about the subject but also essential life lesson.

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

This would allow the students not only to be globally competitive but as Good Samaritan to the environment as well. 2. Lecture I and II To allow the student to be more independent in learning, they will be assigned topics. They are given time to read and research. Included in the topics are guide questions. These topics are to be presented in the class. This will allow the student to enhance their critical thinking ability. 3. Presentation with Quiz: To ensure that the students effort in learning the topics assigned to them are not wasted, they will be asked to share to the class what they have prepared. In this way, the students are stimulated and therefore are able to make use of the higher order thinking skills. The students have previously been designated with specific schedules of presentation. After the presentation, the presenters will give questions to their classmates to check whether they have understood the content well. Afterwards the rest of the students (non-presenters) will clarify concept from the reporters. Quiz will follow after the exchange of data. 4. Debating/Discussion Class After the presentation, the teacher will present hot issue about the topic, and divide the class into two groups, each given an opposing idea. The teacher will facilitate the debate. The teacher will give a positive response to every argument that is supported by correct content, and will prompt the students if the argument is leading some other way. 5. Lecture After the debate, the teacher will reinforce concepts which are content based. Those that were mentioned in the previous debate, teacher will also present reasons why previously presented arguments were favored.

COURSE PLANNER
Unit 1
SC1 The course provides instruction in Earth Systems

Earths Components and Characteristics [SC1]

Lessons 1:
A. The Geologic Time Scale B. The Structure of Earth C. Plate Tectonics

D. Earthquakes and Environmental Science

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Lesson 2

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

E. Volcanoes and Environmental Science F. Plate Tectonics and Environmental Science G. Seasons on Earth

Lesson 3
H. The Role of the Atmosphere I. Composition of the Atmosphere J. The Greenhouse Effect K. Atmospheric Circulation and the Coriolis Effect

Lesson 4
L. The Role of Water 1. 2. Freshwater Salt water

M. Ocean Circulation N. Water Use O. Water Conservation

Lesson 5
P. The Role of Soil 1. 2. 3. The Rock cycle Soil formation and Composition Main Soil Types

Q. Problems and Conservation

Unit 2

When People Inhabit the Earth

Lesson 1
A. Ecosystem Structure B. Niche: Each Species in an Ecosystem has a different role to play C. Interaction between species 1. Competition for limited resources 2. Predation 3. Symbiosis Parasitism Commensalism Mutualism

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

D. Are all species in an Ecosystem Equal? 1. Native Species 2. Alien, invader, or immigrant species 3. Indicator species 4. Keystone species E. Diversity and Edge Effects

Lesson 2
F. Major Biomes 1. Tundra 2. Taiga 3. Temperate Deciduous forest 4. Temperate Rain forest 5. Tropical rain forest 6. Savanna 7. Temperate Grasslands 8. Shrubland 9. Desert

Lesson 3
G. Flow of Energy in Ecosystems 1. 2. 3. 4. Photosynthesis Respiration Food Chains, Food Webs, and Trophic Levels Ecological Pyramids

Lesson 4
H. Diversity and Change within Ecosystems I. Natural Selection and Evolution J. Ecosystem Services

Lesson 5
K. Ecosystem Changes L. Climate shifts M. Geologic Changes O. Movements of Species N. Other Catastrophic Changes

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

P. Ecological Succession

Lesson 6
Q. Biogeochemical cycles 1. The Carbon Cycle 2. The Nitrogen Cycle 3. The Phosphorous Cycle 4. The Sulfur Cycle 5. The Oxygen Cycle 6. The Water Cycle

Unit 3

Dynamics and Impact of Population Growth [SC 4]

Lesson 1
A. Concepts in Population Biology B. What is Population 1. 2. 3. Uniform Clustered or Grouped Random C. How many individuals make up a population?

SC 4 The course provides instruction in Population

Lesson 2
D. How do populations grow? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Exponential growth Logistic growth Carrying capacity Intrinsic growth rate Life expectancies

Lesson 3
E. F. The Dynamics of Human Population How do you study the growth of human population? 1. 2. Crude birth rate Crude death rate

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G. What Factors affect Rates of Human Populations?

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

1. Birth Rates 2. 3. I. General fertility rate Age-specific fertility rate Total fertility rate Replacement-level fertility

Death rates Migration

H. What is the Carrying Capacity for Humans How are Human Populations Structured?

Lesson 4
J. Regulating Population Size 1. 2. 3. 4. L. Tax Laws Abortion Laws Welfare Laws Sex Education

K. United States- A Slow Growth Rate Country

India- A Rapidly Growing Population

M. China- Stemming a Rapidly Growing Population N. Japan- A Success in Reducing Population Growth

Lesson 5
O. The Impact of Population Growth 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hunger Poverty Disease Depletion of resources Living space Habitat destruction

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

Unit 4

How People Use the Land [SC5]

Lesson 1
A. Human needs and the use of resources B. Agriculture: How to Feed a Growing Population 1. 2. 3. 4. E. F. Small tenant farms Family owned farms Commercial farms State-owned farms C. Types of Agriculture

SC 5 The course provides instruction in Land Use

D. Green Revolution Genetic Engineering and Crop Population Deforestation and Irrigation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Organochlorine Organophosphate pesticides Carbamate pesticides Pyrethroid pesticides Microbial pesticides Biochemical pesticides

G. Controlling Pests

Lesson 2
H. Forestry and Rangelands I. J. Mining and Fishing Public and Federal Lands

K. How populations change the Land

Lesson 3
L. Problems that cities place on the environment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Consumption and waste production Lack of vegetation Water runoff Solid waste and pollution Microclimates

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

6. 7. 8. Noise Land Conversion Transportation Infrastructure

M. How Population can Save the Land 1. 2. 3. Preservation Remediation and Restoration Sustainable land-use strategies

SC2 The course provides instruction in Earths Resources

Unit 5

Energy Use [SC 2], [SC 7] & [SC 8]

Lesson 1
A. The Basic of Energy B. Measuring Energy C. Energy Transfers and Thermodynamics D. Energy Consumption: Past, Present, and Future E. F. Use of Global Energy Future Needs

SC7 The course provides instruction in Energy Resources

Lesson 2
G. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Coal Formation of coal Extracting coal Petroleum Formation of petroleum deposits Extracting oil Natural Gas Natural gas deposits Synfuels

SC 8 The course provides instruction in Energy Consumption

Lesson 3

1. 2.

Fission Fusion

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H. Nuclear energy

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

3. 4. 5. 6. Nuclear fuel Types of reactors Pros and Cons of Using Nuclear Power Radioactive waste

Lesson 4
I. Hydroelectric power 1. 2. 3. J. L. Dams Controlling floods The environmental impacts of Dams

Solar energy The Ocean as an Energy Sources

K. Wind Energy M. Geothermal energy N. Energy conservation and the Use of renewable energy resources

Unit 6

Pollution and Its Effects [SC 9]

Lesson 1
A. Air pollution 1. 2. B. Sources of air pollution Types of pollutions

SC 9 The course provides instruction in Pollution

What to do about air pollution

C. Reducing pollution D. Legislation

Lesson 2
E. F. Noise pollution Water pollution 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Infectious agents Wastes demanding oxygen Inorganic chemicals Plant nutrients Sediment Organic chemicals

G. Water pollutants

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AP Environmental Science Syllabus

7. I. Heat

H. Groundwater pollution Sewage treatment 1. 2. J. Septic systems Municipal sewage treatment

Clean Water Act

K. More legislation

Unit 5

Environmental Change and the Future [SC 10]

Lesson 1
A. The State of the Stratospheric Ozone B. The formation of ozone C. Why do we need the ozone layer

SC 10 The course provides instruction in Global Change

Lesson 2
D. Ozone depletion E. F. Global warming: Causes and Effects Impacts of Global Warming

G. Warmer Temperature: Good or Bad? H. How can we reduce or control climate change?

Lesson 3
I. A loss of biodiversity 1. 2. 3. 4. J. Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecological diversity Functional diversity

Laws and programs to protect biodiversity

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Lesson 4

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K. The Endangered Species Act

AP Environmental Science Syllabus

L. Economic, Social, and Legal outcomes of Environmental Change

M. Global Economies N. The World Bank O. Tragedy of the Commons

Approved by: (SGD) MA. LUISA B. DETABLAN Principal

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