AP Environmental Science Syllabus Miss Kaminski kaminskiscienceclass.com kaminskihomework@gmail.com also erkaminski@cps.edu Welcome to APES!

Wells CAHS

Everything we do, from drinking a cup of coffee to driving our cars, has an environmental impact. This course will take an in-depth look at how you as a citizen of planet earth have rights and responsibilities to the world resources.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The A.P. Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike most other college introductory-level science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments, including biology, geology, environmental science, chemistry and geography. The A.P. Environmental course is intended to enable students to undertake, as first year college students, a more advanced study of topics in environmental science or to fulfill a basic requirement for a laboratory science course. The goal of the APES course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental Science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study, yet there are several major unifying themes that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science.

EXPECTATIONS
a. b. c. d. e. Keep up with the material and study Do your homework Take notes Use your resources Come to class

MATERIALS
Textbook, Lab Notebook, Calculator, Pen or Pencil

OFFICE HOURS
I am available on nearly a daily basis after school. The best way to find me is to come to my classroom within 10 minutes of the final bell. Many of the assignments I will require you to email (vs. print, we are ecofriendly!). The email for that is kaminskihomework@gmail.com. You can use this email for questions as well. The webpage will provide you resources needed for class. That site is kaminskiscienceclass.com. You can email me directly from there too. Get comfortable with the site, you will be expected to check it frequently.

TOPICS
1. 2. 3. 4. Introduction of Environmental Problems Where are we now, and where do we want to go? Matter and Energy Resources Living World: Ecosystems and Ecosystem Processes Dynamics, food chains and webs, and flow of energy, biomes Population Studies Population Biology and Population Dynamics what causes changes in ecosystems Human Population Demography and population distribution Earth Systems and Resources Earth Science Plate tectonics, the rock cycle, weathering and erosion, volcanoes and earthquakes, natural disasters, mining and minerals Soil Structure of soil, erosion, desertification, and conservation Climate and Weather Global air circulation, ocean currents

5.

6.

7.

8.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Global Changes Loss of Biodiversity Endangered plants and animals Global Warming and Ozone Depletion Causes and Solutions Energy Resources and Consumption Renewable Energy Alternative sources of energy; Nonrenewable energy, Energy consumption and conservation issues Pollution Human Health Toxic and hazardous substances, diseases and risk analysis Air Pollution Outdoor and indoor air pollution Water Pollution Water sources and types of pollution Toxic and Solid Waste Disposal, regulations, prevention Pesticides History, problems, and alternatives Land and Water Use Land and Water Management Preserving Animal Diversity Human encroachment and sustainable management Food Production Biological, physical, and social boundaries Economics, Politics, Ethics, and the Environment Dealing with environmental policy, problem solving, and environmental education

THE TEST
AP Test 100 Multiple Choice (90 minutes) 4 comprehensive essays (90 minutes)

AP GRADE
5 4 3 2 1

QUALIFICATION
Extremely well qualified Well qualified Qualified Possibly qualified No recommendation

COLLEGE COURSE GRADE EQUIVALENT

A A-, B+, and B B-, C+, and C College Board does not recognize for college credit

WELLS Grade Policy Grading Category Preparation & Production

% of Final Grade 30%

Description Notebooks Class Work Lab Activities Participation Quizzes Unit Exams Interim Exams Lab Reports Writing Assignments

Assessment

70%

Late Work Policy Type of Assignment Preparation & Production Assessment Turned in On Time 100% Credit 100% Credit Turned in Late 75% Credit 75% Credit Absent Excused for Full Credit 3 days 1 week Last Possible Day Day of Unit Exam