Aquatic Science
Harlingen High School South
Mr. Samuel G. Ortiz
B.S. Biology – The University of Texas at Brownsville
Course Description:
Aquatic Science is an upper level, yearlong science course in which students conduct field and
laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed
decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students study a variety of topics
that include: local aquatic ecosystems, components of an aquatic ecosystem, relationships among
aquatic habitats and ecosystems, roles of cycles within an aquatic environment, adaptations of
aquatic organisms, changes within aquatic environments, geological phenomena and fluid
dynamics effects, and origin and use of water in a local watershed.
Prerequisites:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Grade Percentages:
Grades will be determined by the following criteria:
Nine Week Average
Semester Average
Unit Test
20%
Semester Average
85%
Labs
40%
Final Exam
15%
Daily Work
10%
Projects
30%
***Please read syllabus and safety rules. Sign
and return that last sheet in this packet***
Tutoring Schedule:
Morning:
Afternoon:
Monday – Thursday : 7:45am – 8:05am
Monday – Wednesday – Thursday : 4:05pm
– 4:30pm
I will also be available for tutoring any day by appointment. Some tutoring days may coincide
with mandatory faculty or department meetings, so tutoring days may be cancelled. I will try my
best to inform you of those days to prevent confusion.
Materials:
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1 bound composition or lab notebook
Paper
Pen and Pencil
Scientific Calculator (optional)
Flash Drive
Classroom Rules:
1. Respect and courtesy must be shown to all class members at all time. Any grievances can
be brought to my attention in a private manner.
2. Punctuality and preparedness upon arrival to class is a must. Please let me know ahead of
time if you will be late or if you forgot something. I may allow. I may allow the tardiness
or the lack of required materials at my discretion.
3. Follow all instructions as they are given. Any deviation from my instructions may be
interpreted as insubordination for which there is a consequence.
4. For your safety, do not eat or drink at lab stations.
5. Unless told, you are not allowed to speak or communicate with others while I am
speaking. This includes cell phones and other electronic devices.
Consequences:
1st infraction:
Verbal Warning
nd
2 infraction:
Lunch detention. Possible parent/guardian contact
rd
3 infraction:
referral to office.
Outrageous, extremely inconsiderate, or unsafe behavior results in immediate dismissal from
the classroom and a referral to the office.
Cheating:
Zero Tolerance Policy: That means that it is not tolerated for any assignment and all parties
involved will receive a grade of 0, which cannot be made up or dropped.
Retests:
A retest may only be administered if 25% grades are failing.
Absences:
Students will have the same number of days absent to turn in assignments missed because of an
excused absence. Students absent only the day before a test must take the test as scheduled.
Students are responsible for collecting any and all make-up work from the teacher.
Tardy Policy:
Same as school policy. See Student Handbook for more information.
School phone number: (956) 427-3800
Email: samuel.ortiz@hcisd.org
Unit 1: Lab Safety and Scientific Method
1. General lab procedures and safety
2. Laboratory equipment
3. Scientific Method
4. Metric Conversions
5 Days
Unit 2: Hydrology
1. Properties of water
a.
Chemical Structure
b. Cohesion/adhesion
c.
Density/Specific Gravity
d. Specific Heat
2. Water Cycle
a.
Hurricanes
15 days
Unit 3: Water Quality
15 days
1. Acids and Bases
2. Water Measurements
a.
Temp
b. pH
c.
Turbidity/Suspended Sediment
d. DO/DCO
e. Nitrates/Phosphates
f.
Hardness/Conductance(TDS)
g.
Salinity
h. Stream Flow
3. Pollutants
a.
Fecal Coliform
b. Heavy metals and other
pollutants
Unit 4: Basics of Ecology and Taxonomy
1. Ecological Hierarchy
2. Energy Transfer
3. Biogeochemical Cycles
4. Taxonomy
a.
Microorganisms
b. Invertebrates
c.
Chordates
17 days
Unit 7: Oceanography
1. Sedimentation
a.
Depositional Shores
*Texas Coasts
b. Erosional Shores
2. Ocean Floor Features
3. Plate Tectonics (Geology)
21 days
Unit 5: Limnology and Rivers
1. Limnology Fundamentals
2. Abiotic features of Rivers
a.
Sedimentation and Erosion
b. Stream Types/Characteristics
c.
Water Sheds (Rio
Grande/Arroyo Colorado)
3. Biotic Features of Rivers
a.
Microorganisms
b. Macroorganisms 17 days
Unit 8: Water Dynamics
1. Waves
a.
Wave Features
b. Wave Calculations
c.
Wave Types
d. Tsunami
2. Tides
3. Currents
4. Pressure
21 days
Unit 6: Ponds, Lakes and Wetlands
1. Abiotic Features of Lakes
a.
Formation and Types
2. Biotic Features of Lakes
a.
Microorganisms
b. Macroorganisms
3. Abiotic Features of
Ponds/Wetlands
a.
Formation and types
b. Groundwater
4. Biotic Features of Ponds/Wetlands
a.
Microorganisms
b. Macroorganisms 21 days
Unit 9: Marine Ecology
1. Coral Reefs
2. Kelp Forests
3. Sea Grass Beds
4. Open Ocean
5. Abyssal Plains
6. Hydrothermal Vents
25 days
Unit 10: Human Impact and
Conservation: 20 days
1. Conservation Laws
2. Global Warming/Ocean
Acidification
3. Pollution/Human Economic
and Social Impacts