Course: Environmental Science

Instructor: Mr. Prescott and Mr. DeHart

Office: C-11 Phone:706-367-5003(13311)
E-mail: rprescott@jackson.k12.ga.us
wdehart@jackson.k12.ga.us
Website: ronprescott@weebly.com
www.dehartscience.tk

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to acquaint you with the physical, social, and political principles of
environmental science. Scientific process is used to analyze and understand the interrelationships
between humans and the natural environment. The course shows how ecological realities and the
material desire of humans often clash, leading to environmental degradation and pollution. The course
consists of six units of study which are subdivided into several environmental topics.
RESOURCES:
Text: Environmental Science Holt; In addition we will be using many other resources available
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
SEV1.
Students will investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within an ecosystem and relate
these phenomena to human society.
SEV2. Students will demonstrate an understanding that the Earth is one
interconnected system.
SEV3. Students will describe stability and change in ecosystems.
SEV4.
Students will understand and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other
resources.
SEV5. Students will recognize that human beings are part of a global ecosystem
and will evaluate the effects of human activities and technology on
ecosystems.

AGENDA & GRADING POLICY:

Unit 1 Introduction to Environmental Science 18%.
Students will evaluate the importance of curiosity, open-mindedness, and skepticism of science.
Students will use standard safety practices for the classroom lab and field investigations.
Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.
Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring and manipulating scientific equipment and

materials.
Students will demonstrate the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and developing
reasonable scientific explanations
Students will communicate scientific investigations and information clearly.
Students will analyze how scientific knowledge is developed.
Students will understand important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
Describe how the abiotic components(water, air, and energy) affect the biosphere

Unit 2 Ecology 25%

Interpret biogeochemical cycles including hydrologic, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon cycles. Recognize
that energy is not recycled in ecosystems.
Relate energy changes to food chains, food webs, and to trophic levels in a generalized ecosystem, recognizing that
entropy is a primary factor in the loss of usable food energy during movement up the trophic levels.
Recognize and give examples of the hierarchy of the biological entities of the biosphere (organisms, populations,
communities, ecosystems, and biosphere).
Characterize the components that define a biome (abiotic and biotic).
Characterize the components that define freshwater and marine systems (abiotic and biotic).
Distinguish between abiotic and biotic factors in an ecosystem and describe how matter and energy move between
these.
Explain succession in terms of changes in communities through time to include changes in biomass, diversity, and
complexity.
Explain how succession may be altered by traumatic events.

Unit 3 Populations 18%

Describe interconnections between abiotic and biotic factors, including normal cyclic fluctuations and changes

associated with climatic change (i.e. ice ages).

Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence populations.
Describe interactions between individuals (i.e. mutualism, commensalisms, parasitism, predation, and competition).
Relate food production and quality of nutrition to population growth and the trophic levels
Describe factors affecting population growth of all organisms, including humans. Relate these
factors affecting growth rates and carrying capacity of the environment.
Describe the effects of population growth, demographic transitions, cultural differences, emergent diseases, etc. on
societal stability

Unit 4 Water, Air and Land 18%

Describe how the abiotic components(water, air, and energy) affect the biosphere
Describe how energy and other resource utilization impact the environment and recognize that individuals as well as
larger entities (businesses, governments, etc.) have impact on energy efficiency
Describe the effects and potential implications of pollution and resource depletion on the environment at the local
and global levels. (e.g. air and water pollution, solid waste disposal, depletion of the stratospheric ozone, global
warming, and land uses).
Describe the commonly used fuels (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, etc.) and some alternative fuels (e.g. wind, solar,
ethanol, etc.) including the required technology, availability, pollution problems

Unit 5 Mineral and Energy Resources 14%

Differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources including how different resources are produced, rates
of use, renewal rates, and limitations of sources. Distinguish between natural and produced resources.
Describe how technology is increasing the efficiency of utilization and accessibility of resources.
Describe how energy and other resource utilization impact the environment and recognize that individuals as well as
larger entities (businesses, governments, etc.) have impact on energy efficiency.
Describe the relationship of energy consumption and the living standards of societies.
Describe the commonly used fuels (e.g. fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, etc.) and some alternative fuels (e.g. wind, solar,
ethanol, etc.) including the required technology, availability, pollution problems and implementation problems.
Recognize the origin of fossil fuels and the problems associated with our dependence on this energy source.

Unit 6 Our Health and Our Future 7%.

Explain how human activities affect global and local sustainability.

Describe the actual and potential effects of habitat destruction, erosion, and depletion of soil fertility associated with
human activities.

Relate the cycling of matter and the flow of energy to the Laws of Conservation of matter and energy. Identify the
role and importance of decomposers in the recycling process

GRADING
UNITS 80% (includes formative and summative)
MIDTERM 10% (summative)
FINAL/SLO (Pre/Post) 10% (summative Aug and May) see website for details
SPECIAL PROJECTS
There will be several special projects during the semester that may require out-ofschool time to
work on by the student. Special instructions and rubrics will be provided.
During the year students will be expected to produce and present 10 each, 2 page papers per
MLA on environmental topics. A rubric will be provided.
SUPPLIES/MATERIALS NEEDED

1-1-inch, 3-ring binder

6 - dividers
pencil/pen & paper for note taking
3x5 index cards for TOD/TID
calculator

PROCEDURES FOR MAKE-UP WORK

Students that have an excused absence are allowed to make-up work they have missed and students are
allowed one day to make up work for each day they are absent. If you are absent, it is YOUR
responsibility to:
Check the assignment area for assignments missed. If there is nothing available, check with the
teacher.
Get notes from a classmate.
Check website for assignments
This may take some planning on your part; therefore if you are out, when you return you may need to
plan to stay after school to make up your work.
Tardy Assignments - up until midterm I will accept late work up to one week late with a late deduction.
After midterm NO work will be accepted late.
Retake-policy You may retake any unit test one additional time. However, for you to earn this
privilege, you must show me that you have done all of your homework. The retesting must be requested
by the student and scheduled before or after school at the convenience of the teacher. The retake must be
conducted prior to the testing of the next unit test.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY We will abide by the NEW JCCHS Academic Honesty Policy
see the student handbook for complete details.
CLASS RULES AND DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES:
1. Follow all school policies and procedures established for being a professional student.
2. For all decisions made in my class follow the Four Way Test:
3

Of the things you think, say or do,

a. Is it the truth?
b. Is it fair to all concerned?
c. Will it build good will and better friendships?
d. Is it beneficial to all concerned?
3. CONSEQUENCE PROCEDURES*
One or more of the following in the sequence:
1. Student verbal warning
2. Student conference with teacher
3. Student detention by teacher and parent contact
4. Student detention and parent/teacher conference
5. Administrative referral
* if necessary student may be sent directly to an administrator
CELL PHONE POLICY:
Cell phones, ipads, ipods, etc. are considered electronic devices that can be a part of the
constructive learning process in class or a distraction to the learning process in class. There will
be designated times we will use these and other devices in class. Other than those times, any use
by the student during class will be considered a distraction to the learning process and is a
violation of school policy. Consequently a device storage container will be available in class for
all students to place their devices so they will not be tempted to use them during class. If the
student chooses not to use this and is caught using their device during class the teacher(or
administrator if necessary) will collect their electronic device and it will be returned to them at
the end of the day.
TARDY POLICY:
1st 5th Cumulative Tardies Warning
6th Tardy 1 lunch detention and parent call
7th Tardy 2 lunch detentions and parent call
8th Tardy 1 day ISS and loss of parking privileges for 2 days
9th Tardy parental suspension and loss of parking privileges for 5 days

------------------------------------------------------------We have read and understand the course description, the grading policies and the student responsibilities
of the course. By signing below we agree to the course syllabus requirements and commit to fulfill
these to the best of our abilities.
Parent/Guardian: __________________________________
Student: _________________________________________