AP Environmental Science
Student Name ______________________________
Instructor: Vince Howard
Text: Living in the Environment 16th ed.
Recommended study guide: "The Smartypants' Guide to the AP Environmental Science Exam"
by Michelle Mahanian (ISBN: 1-4116-4477-8)
AP Environmental Science – Topic Outline
Interdependence of Earth’s Systems.
Energy Flow, Forms and quality of energy, Energy units and measurements, Sources and sinks,
conversions
Cycling of matter
Water, Carbon/Nitrogen/phosphorus/sulfur, Cycling differences for major and trace elements
The lithosphere
Earth history and geologic time scale, plate tectonics, volcanism, rock cycle, soil formation
The atmosphere - Origin, evolution, composition, structure, weather and climate
The biosphere
Adaptations of organisms to their environment
Populations and communities: growth and carrying capacity
Ecosystems and change: biomass, energy transfer, succession
Evolution, natural selection, extinction
Human Population Dynamics
History and global distribution, Numbers, Demographics
Patterns of resource utilization, carrying capacity: local, regional, global
Cultural and economic influences
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: Distribution, Ownership, Use, Degradation
Water
Fresh: agricultural, industrial, domestic vs Oceans: fisheries, industrial
Minerals
Soils, Soil types, Erosion and conservation
Biological
Natural areas, Genetic diversity, Food and agricultural products
Energy
Conventional sources, Alternative sources
Land
Residential and commercial, Agricultural and forestry, Recreational and wilderness
Environmental quality
Air/Water/Soil
Major pollutants: types, sources, measurements
Effects of pollutants on: aquatic systems, vegetation, natural and manmade features/structures, wildlife
Reduction, remediation, and control
Grading Scale:
A
AB+
B
=
=
=
=
93-100%
90-92
88-89
82-87
BC+
C
C-
=
=
=
=
80-81
78-79
72-77
70-71
D+
D
F
=
=
=
67-69
60-66
0-59
Course Grading Policies:
Exams - 40% Assignments, Lab Performance, Community Service & Projects - 60%
Progress Reports will be prepared during the 5th week of the quarter for each student. At any time a student or
parent may request an individual printout.
Extra Credit will be available periodically and may be arranged with the teacher.
Makeup Exams: For each exam there will be one makeup exam approximately 1 week later. If a student does
poorly on the 1st version, they have the opportunity to raise their grade with the makeup exam. Students absent
for the 1st version will use the makeup exam only.
Academic Integrity Policy
Kentridge High School strives to provide students with the knowledge, skills, judgment, and wisdom they need
to function in society as educated adults. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and
experience the pride that accompanies academic achievement. To falsify or fabricate the results of one’s research;
to present the words, ideas, data, or work of another as one’s own; or to cheat on an examination corrupts the
educational process, impedes a student’s academic progress, and compromises the trust between teacher and
student that is fundamental to the learning process.
Guidelines for Academic Integrity
 Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the coursework they submit. The
following are guidelines to assist students in observing academic integrity:
 Students must do their own work and submit only their own work on assignments (including
homework), examinations, reports, and projects, unless otherwise permitted by the instructor.
 Students may benefit from working in groups. They may collaborate or cooperate with other students on
graded assignments or examinations as directed by the instructor.
 Students must follow all written and/or verbal instructions given by instructors prior to taking
examinations, tests, quizzes, and performance evaluations.
 Students are responsible for adhering to course requirements as specified by the instructor in the course
syllabus
Cheating: In the first instance of cheating, the student will receive an 'F' grade for the work involved & a report to
be placed in your academic file. Subsequent cheating will result in disciplinary action that may lead to
suspension or expulsion and/or loss of credit for the class. Copying another students assignment will result in
both students receiving a zero. Any take home quizzes must be completed before arriving to class. Working on
them after arriving will result in a zero.
Materials:
By the Monday of the 2nd week each student needs the following items for lab work: USB memory stick,
scientific calculator, fine point permanent marker (Sharpie, etc.), and 1 composition notebook. Please pay the
cashier the lab fee of $20 by September 31 st. Please make sure your home computer has Shockwave & Java
installed.
Kentridge Charger Standards:
Kentridge students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes a proper learning environment
and reflects positively on themselves, their classmates, teachers, family and community. Each Kentridge student
automatically becomes a citizen of our school, both receiving privileges and accepting responsibilities including:
Respect of Property
Keep Kentridge a clean, neat and safe environment.
Respect of Authority
Show respect, follow direction and identify yourself and activity when asked.
Respect for Others
Show courtesy and tolerance; respect differences; make others welcome.
Respect for Self
Be successful and reach your full potential. Be the best you can be.
Attendance Policies:
Students must participate in classroom activities and attend 85% (77 days) of a class per semester to receive credit
for the class. Arrival at class later than ten (10) minutes is considered an absence.
Students may 'buy-back' lost instructional time from excused absences by attending Learning Lab, Saturday
School, or by other means that meet with the teacher's approval.
Students must 'buy-back' the instructional opportunity within ten (10) days following their return to school.
School sponsored activities (e.g. field trips, athletic contests) do not count toward the student's total absences.
Tardies:
It is your responsibility to arrive to each class on time each day. Tardies are defined as late arrival to class during
the first ten (10) minutes of class. Consequences for tardies are as follows:
1st Tardy: Warning by teacher.
2nd Tardy: Teacher assigns 1 hour detention.
3rd Tardy: Teacher assigns 2 hours detention.
4th Tardy: Administrative referral.
Note: Detentions must be served within four (4 school days for each hour or double time, Saturday School or
suspension may result.
Hall Passes:
Students out of class must have with them a hall pass issued by a staff member. Students without a pass will be
returned to their classroom and/or disciplined.
Contacting the Instructor:
Phone: 253-373-4283
Email: vince.howard@kent.k12.wa.us
Parent Signature __________________________
Student Signature:_________________________