APES 2010-2011
Student Syllabus
Text: Miller, G. Tyler, Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and
Solutions. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning
________________________________________________________________________
Earth Systems and Resources
Chapter 1: Environmental Issues, Their Causes, and Sustainability
Chapter 2: Environmental History: An Overview
Chapter 28: Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability
Notes
Sustainability
Ecological footprint
Cultural changes and the environment
Environmental history of the U.S.
Environmental world views
Activities
Atmosphere and Living Things
Video
The Lorax
CNN Clips
Article
“Tragedy of the Commons”
________________________________________________________________________
Land and Water Use
Chapter 7: Aquatic Ecology: Biodiversity in Aquatic Systems
Chapter 13: Water Resources
Chapter19: Water Pollution
Notes
Aquatic environments and limiting factors
Sustainability of aquatic life zones
Water’s unique properties
Water supply, renewal, and use
Types of water pollution
Eutrophication
Drinking water quality
Activities
Nonnewaug River Project
Water quality: DO/BOD
Macroinvertibrates
Long Island Sound Filed Trip
Aral Sea
Legislation Presentations
Video
CNN Clips
________________________________________________________________________
The Living World
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:
Chapter 6:
Science, Systems, Matter, and Energy
Ecosystems: Components, Energy Flow, and Matter Cycling
Evolution and Biodiversity: Origin, Niches, and Adaptation
Biogeography: Climate, Biomes, and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Notes
Energy: Forms and quality
Models and behavior of systems
Terrestrial biomes
Evolution and adaptation
Niches
Nutrient cycles
Specific heat
Effects of deforestation on nutrient cycling
Artificial selection
Species interactions
Activities
Solar cookers
Eating at a lower trophic level
Specific heat and climate
Legislation presentations
Video
CNN Clips
________________________________________________________________________
Population
Chapter 8: Community Ecology: Structure, Species Interactions, Succession, and
Sustainability
Chapter 9: Population Dynamics, Carrying Capacity, and Conservation Biology
Chapter 10: Geology: Processes, Hazards, and Soils
Notes
Species interaction
Ecological succession
Ecological stability and sustainability
Carrying capacity
Reproductive patterns
Conservation biology
Human impacts on ecosystems
Geological processes
Soils: formation, erosion, degradation, conservation
Activities
Soil lab
Owl pellets
Doubling time in exponential growth
Legislation presentations
Videos
Yellowstone on Fire
CNN Clips
________________________________________________________________________
Population
Energy Resources and Consumption
Chapter 11:
Chapter 12:
Chapter 14:
Chapter 15:
The Human Population: Growth, Demography, and carrying Capacity
Food Resources
Geological Resources: Nonrenewable Mineral and Energy Resources
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Notes
Factors affecting human population size
Population Growth
How is food produced
Green Revolution
Agricultural policy
Formation of mineral resources
Environmental effects of extracting, processing, and using mineral resources
Mineral supply
Nonrenewable resources
Improving energy efficiency
Alternative energy
Activities
Population activity
Alternative energy research and presentation
Cemetery demographics, (field trip)
Solar absorption
Legislation presentations
Videos
Diet for a New America
________________________________________________________________________
Pollution
Global Change
Chapter 16:
Chapter 17:
Chapter 18:
Chapter 20:
Chapter 21:
Risk, Toxicology, and Human Health
Air and Air Pollution
Climate Change and Ozone Loss
Pesticides and Pest Control
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Notes
Toxicology and chemical hazards
Biological hazards and solutions
Pests/pesticides
The atmosphere
Photochemical smog
Outdoor/Indoor air pollution
Reducing and preventing air pollution
Climate trends
Greenhouse effect
Factors affecting climate change
Effects of a warmer world
Ozone depletion
Solutions to ozone depletion and global warming
Activities
Toxicology Activity
Recycle paper lab
Range wars debate
CO2 emissions/ fossil fuel burning activity
Fast Plant lab
Legislation presentations
Field Trip: Shepaug Dam, Beacon Heights (Superfund), Waste water treatment facility
Videos
Cane Toads
________________________________________________________________________
Endangered Species
Environmental Politics
Chapter 22:
Chapter 23:
Chapter 24:
Chapter 25:
Chapter 26:
Chapter 27:
Sustaining Wild Species
Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach
Sustaining Aquatic Diversity
Sustainable Cities: Urban Land Use and Management
Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
Politics, Environment, and Sustainability
Notes
Species extinction
Wildlife management
Land use in the world
Land management
Urbanization
Protecting and preserving land
Poverty
Environmental Policy
Activities
Endangered species presentation
Isopods lab
Natural Areas project
What will the land support (activity)
Legislation Presentations