class profile course prerequisites - pbworks › f › ap+environmental... · 2010-12-22 · ap®...

AP® Environmental Science

Class Profile Each section of AP® Environmental Science has a maximum class enrollment of 24. The class meets five times a week and the duration of each class period is 42 minutes. There is one lab period each week of 42 minutes. Presently there are 2 sections.

Course Prerequisites The prerequisites for AP Environmental Science are successful completion of at least one year of algebra, honors biology, and honors chemistry. Earth and Space science is recommended but not required. Any 11th or 12th grade student who meets the prerequisites may enroll in the course.

Course Overview This course provides students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationship of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and anthropogenic, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing these problems.

Textbook:

Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet, 7th edition, by Daniel B. Botkin and Edward A. Keller.

Lab Manuals:Laboratory activities are selected from the following manuals and vary from year to year depending upon funding, course enrollment, and scheduling parameters. There will be one lab activity for one period each week.

1) Laboratory Investigations, AP Environmental Science , by William Molnar.

2) AP Environmental Science Laboratory Manual , 1 st edition, by Michael Lopatka.

3) Environmental Science Activities Kit , by Michael L. Roa.

Scope and Sequence First Semester Chapter 1: Key Themes in Environmental Science — 3 days The first chapter acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of sustainability, the population bomb, Black Death, carrying capacity, values of the environment, coral reefs. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.

Textbook and Other Resources ..Botkin and Keller, Environmental Science, 4th edition, Chapter 1 ..Recent articles from usually Discover, Newsweek, and Popular Science magazines...Selected teacher made materials.

Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of population growth. =Mathematical calculations involving the population bomb (exponential growth).=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 2: Critical Thinking about the Environment — 4 daysChapter 2 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of defining science, belief systems, scientific method, theory concept, pseudoscience. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of world population over the ages.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 3: Systems of Change — 3 daysChapter 3 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of positive and negative feedback, exponential growth, doubling time, biotic potential, environmental unity, uniformitarianism, inputs/reservoirs/outputs, average residency time, biosphere, ecosystems, Gaia. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of doubling time.=Mathematical calculations involving exponential growth, doubling time, average residency time.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 4: Biogeochemical Cycles — 5 daysChapter 4 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of pH of rain, photosynthesis, flux, macro/micronutrients, limiting factors, tectonic/rock/hydrologic/carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus cycles, drainage basin, watershed. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of plate techtonics.

=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 5: Human Population and the Environment — 4 daysChapter 4 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of carrying capacity, Malthus, growth/birth/death rates, exponential growth, doubling time, logistic growth curve, demographic transition, epidemic/chronic diseases, age structures, total fertility rate, replacement level fertility. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of age structures.=Mathematical calculations involving carrying capacity, growth/birth/death rates, exponential growth, doubling time.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 6: Ecosystems and Ecosystem Management — 3 daysChapter 6 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of ecosystems, ecological community, food webs, trophic levels, autotrophs, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, phytoplankton, zooplankton, keystone species. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of growth rates, doubling time, and age structures.=Mathematical calculations involving trophic levels (biomass pyramids).=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 7: Biological Diversity — 4 daysChapter 7 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of evolution, gene pool, DDT, species diversity, competition, parasitism, predation, symbiosis, commensalisms, niche, ecological gradient. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of biological diversity.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 8: Biogeography — 5 daysChapter 8 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of exotic/endemic/cosmopolitan/ubiquitous species, biotic province, biome, convergent/divergent evolution, ecological island, biomes. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of Earth biomes.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 9: Biological Productivity and Energy Flow — 3 daysChapter 9 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of [gross production – respiration = net production], 2nd law of thermodynamics,

detrivores, chemosynthesis. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of trophic levels.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 10: Ecological Restoration — 3 daysChapter 10 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of climax state, wetlands, ecological succession, humus, facilitation, interference, chronic patchiness. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of ecological succession.=Mathematical calculations involving organic component of soil/humus.=Collection and analysis of environmentally oriented quotes, bumper stickers, phrases.

Chapter 11: World Food Supply — 5 daysChapter 11 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of monocultures, crop rotation, fallow fields, cash/subsistence crops, ruminants, rangeland, aquaculture, limiting factors, synergism effect, under/malnourishment, food aide programs, drip irrigation, hydroponics. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of crop rotation.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 12: Effects of Agriculture on the Environment — 4 daysChapter 12 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of contour plowing, notill agriculture, soil horizons, pests, weeds, narrow/broad spectrum pesticides, DDT, biomagnification, integrated pest management, terminator gene, rangeland, overgrazing, desertification. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of desertification.=Mathematical calculations involving soil composition (clay, silt, sand, water, porosity, permeability).=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 13: Forests, Parks, and Landscapes — 4 daysChapter 13 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of tree structure, tree rings, sustainable forests, siliviculture, stands, plantations, virgin/second growth/old growth forests, clearcutting/shelterwood/seed tree/selective/strip cutting, thinning, edge effect, preserves, wilderness. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be

indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of soil permeability.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 14: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Endangered Species — 5 daysChapter 14 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of extinction, IUCN, The Red Book, Endangered Species Act, Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, whales, IWC, geologic time scale, logistic growth curve, maximum sustainable yield, ecological islands. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of endangered species.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 15: Environmental Health, Pollution, and Toxicology — 5 daysChapter 15 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of toxicity, carcinogen, synergism, point/nonpoint/mobile sources, ppm, ppb, infectious agents, heavy metals, body burden, bioaccumulation, mercury, Minamata (Japan), Times Beach (Missouri), PCBs, radiation/thermal/particulate/noise pollution,

asbestos, EMFs, smoking, drugs, alcohol, dose response, thresholds, tolerance, risk assessment, fluoride, noise pollution. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of environmental health.=Mathematical calculations involving ppm, ppb, percentages.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 16: Energy: Some Basics — 4 daysChapter 16 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of solar houses, 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, potential/kinetic energy, energy units, power, fossil fuels, nonrenewable/alternative/renewable energy sources, conservation, cogeneration, passive solar heating, hybrid cars, hard/soft energy paths, micropower. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of energy conversions.=Mathematical calculations involving energy consumption and conversions.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 17: Fossil Fuels and the Environment — 4 daysChapter 17 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of source/reservoir/cap rocks, traps, methane hydrates, Artic National Wildlife Preserve, coal types, strip/underground mining, acid mine drainage, subsidence,

scrubbers, oil shale, tar sands. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of enrgy consumption.=Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 18: Alternative Energy and the Environment — 4 daysChapter 18 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of nonrenewable/alternative/renewable energy sources, passive/active solar energy sources, solar collectors, PVs, power towers, ocean thermal conversion, fuel cells, hydroelectric/tidal/wind/biomass/geothermal power, heat pumps. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of passive solar heating.Summaries of current events articles.

Chapter 19: Nuclear Energy and the Environment— 5 daysChapter 19 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of fission, fusion, isotopes, meltdown, radioactive decay series, half life, alpha/beta/gamma radiation, radioisotopes, radium (girls), Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, WIPP, Yucca Mountain. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the

natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of insulation.=Mathematical calculations involving half lives.=Summaries of current events articles.

MidTerm Exam: Chapters 119

Second Semester

Chapter 20: Water Supply, Use, and Management — 6 daysChapter 20 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of specific heat capacity, hydrologic cycle, groundwater, water table, vadose zone, aquifer, cone of depression, influent/effluent streams, overdrafting, desalinization, riparian, wetlands, dams, canals, channelization, floodplains, Colorado River basin, Glen Canyon Dam. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of specific heat.=Mathematical calculations involving specific heat capacities of selected materials.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 21: Water Pollution and Treatment — 6 daysChapter 21 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of BOD, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform bacteria, E. coli, eutrophication, Exxon Valdez, sediment pollution, acid mine drainage, point/nonpoint sources, Cuyahoga River, bioremdiation, saltwater intrusion, septic tanks, wastewater treatment, Clean Water Act. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of water treatment.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 22: Atmosphere, Climate, and Global Warming — 6 daysChapter 22 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of tropo/strato/meso/thermospheres/pauses, ozone, Kelvin scale, relative humidity, global atmospheric circulation patterns, global atmospheric circulation models, climate, weather, urban dust dome, heat island effect, Milankovitch cycles, Earth System Science, glacial ice cores, dendochronology, global warming, EMR spectrum, greenhouse gases, anthropogenic, atmospheric window, aerosols, Mt. Pinatubo, El Nino, Kyoto Protocol. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of global warming.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 23: Air Pollution — 6 daysChapter 23 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of smog, stationary/mobile sources, synergistics effects, primary/secondary pollutants, SO2, NOx, CO, O3, VOCs, particulate matter, H2S, lead, Bhopal (India), acid rain, inversion layers, photochemical/sulfurous smog, electrostatic precipitators, catalytic converters, coal gasification, scrubbers, Clean Air, Arctic haze. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of acid rain.=Mathematical calculations involving particulate matter.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 24: Indoor Air Pollution — 3 daysChapter 24 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of ETS (environmental tobacco smoke), Legionaire’s disease, molds, fungi, radon, pesticides, asbestos, formaldehyde, dust mites, pollen, HVAC, chimney effect, sick building syndrome, radon, radium, polonium, lung cancer, synergistic effect, half lives. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of particulates.

=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 25: Ozone Depletion — 4 daysChapter 25 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of ozone shield, UVA/B/C, Dobson units, ozone hole (thinning), Antarctic spring, CFCs, polar stratospheric clouds, polar vortex, Montreal Protocol, HCFCs, propane. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of ozone.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 26: Environmental Economics— 4 daysChapter 26 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of tragedy of the commons, externalities, direct costs, risk benefit analysis, tangibles/intangibles. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of tragedy of the commons.=Mathematical calculations involving risk benefit analysis.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 27: Urban Environments — 4 daysChapter 27 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of site, situation, fall line, Venice, New Orleans, parks, heat island effect, soil types, atmospheric conditions, pests. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of compacted soils.=Daily quizzes.

Chapter 28: Waste Management — 5 daysChapter 28 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of dilute and disperse, concentrate and contain, NIMBY, IWM (integrated waste management), reduce/reuse/recycle, human excrement, sanitary landfills, composition of sanitary landfills, composting, incineration, open dumps, leacheate, RCRA, CERCLA (Superfund), SARA, hazardous waste, Love Canal, Erin Brockovitch, secure landfills, land application, surface impoundment, deep well disposal, ocean dumping. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of recycling.=Development of chapter reviews.

Chapter 29: Minerals and the Environment — 3 days

Chapter 29 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of ore deposits, compositon of crust, placer deposits, evaporates, weathering, secondary enrichment, black smokers (ocean sulfide deposits), manganese oxide nodules, mineral resources, reserves. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed. Solutions to resolving or preventing the environmental problems mentioned above will be discussed and analyzed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of mineral extraction.=Mathematical calculations involving percent yield for mineral extraction.=Development of chapter reviews.

Chapter 30: Planning a Sustainable Future — 5 daysChapter 30 acquaints students with the themes of environmental science. It introduces the topics of NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, mediation, EIS (environmental impact statement), mitigation, GIS (geographic information system), natural hazards, off road vehicles. The interrelationships of the above mentioned topics within the natural world will be indicated and discussed.


Activities =A laboratory activity involving the concept of sustainability.=Development of chapter reviews.

class profile course prerequisites - pbworks › f › ap+environmental... · 2010-12-22 · ap®...

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