AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS
Mr. Jerome Muniz and Mrs. Sofia Taitt
Class Profile
Scheduling:
Size:
Prerequisites:
Textbook:
Methods:
The class meets 5 days a week for 50 minutes per period.
The class size is between 28-35 students.
Students must have passed Biology 1 and Chemistry 1, and demonstrated strong
independent study skills in both.
Living in the Environment, 16th Ed., G. Tyler Miller (2009; Thompson Brooks- Cole
Pubs.)
Instructional methods include: lecture, discussion, debate, computer simulations,
journaling, current events, independent research, field work, and hands-on
laboratory investigation.
Course Outline
Unit
Textbook Chapters
1
6
2
3
4
5
6
3, 5, 7
8, 11, and 13
12
12, 17
4, 9, 10
SEMESTER EXAMS
21
14, 15, and 16
13, 20
18 and 19
AP EXAM REVIEW & FINALS
7
8
9
10
Unit of Study
Population Dynamics & Human
Population Growth
Terrestrial Ecology
Aquatic Ecosystems
Soil and Food Production
Pesticides
Biodiversity: Terrestrial and Aquatic
Waste Management
Nonrenewable Resources and Energy
Water Resources
Air
Duration
3 ½ Weeks
3 weeks
2 weeks
2 weeks
2 ½ weeks
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 ½ weeks
1 week
Materials Needed for Class EVERY day:
1.
One (1) Binder or other organizational Device
1. One Section/Notebook for Questions of the Day
2. One Section/Notebook for Notes and Lab Work
3. One Section for Handouts and other Assignment/Paperwork
4. Notebook Paper, preferred Wide-Ruled, but it is not necessary.
5. Pencils, Pens, and Highlighters (you may not write in red ink on assignments and pencil is
recommended for all lab assignments)
Grading
The grading policy is, at the minimum, 6 Minor grades and 3 Major grades within a Nine Weeks.
Therefore, all grades are computed by the following formula:
Daily Work, Quizzes, and Labs
=
50%
Tests, Major Labs, and Projects
=
+
50%
Total
100%
CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero on the
assignment and will receive an office referral. There is NO reason for cheating, EVER! Your personal
honor, as well as your grade, is at stake.
Questions of the Day
In APES, at the beginning of class each day, except for test days and certain lab days, there will
be at least one (1) question of the day. The APES student is responsible for copying the
Question of the Day in their Study Guide Notebook. A template will be given to you to help you
organize your questions of the day inside your notebook. Every week or every two weeks, your
questions of the day will be graded.
Late Work
Late Work is accepted up until the week before the end of the nine weeks. However, you should
be aware of the penalties if you turn in homework late. Late work will receive the following
penalties:
1. 1 day late = -15 pts.
2. 2 days late = -30 pts
3. >2 days late = -50 pts
Test Re-Evaluations
Retesting, or Re-Evaluations, is an option offered to students, per FBISD policy (this is a
summary of reassessment):
 In APES Re-Evaluation guidelines apply to major tests only
 Students that received a grade < 70 can re-evaluate their tests.
 In order to earn back points, a student must review their test to identify and process
concepts not mastered.
 Before or after school (not during class) students will follow a template to
process each incorrect question on their exam.
 All questions, Multiple-Choice and Free-Response, must be explained in order to
receive credit back.
 Corrections and retesting must be completed prior to the administration of the next
major assessment in the course.
 Only after all questions have been re-evaluated, will the student earn a 70 on their test.
Absences
If a student is absent for any reason, the school policy will be followed for make-up work. You
will have one day for each day absent to get any missed work completed and turned in. If an
assignment was due or a test given the day you were absent, it is due the day you RETURN. If
you are absent the day before a test, you will still be responsible for taking the test the day you
RETURN. It is your responsibility to ask for your make-up work. If you are absent for school
business (i.e. athletics, band, etc.), you are responsible for getting your work BEFORE you miss
class, not AFTER.
Tutorials
We are here for you! If you did not understand what was taught in class, if you are unclear on
any information, or if you just need a place to sit and study, our classroom is always open to you.
Here is our Tutorial Schedule, and remember you may go to any of the APES teachers for any
help or test make-up:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Muniz (230)
No Tutorial
6:40 – 7:20 AM
By Appt
6:40 – 7:20 AM
2:45 -4:00 PM
2:45 – 4:00 PM
Taitt (826)
2:45 – 3:15 PM
No Tutorial
No Tutorial
2:45 – 3:15 PM
Field Work
In APES, we learn about how different organisms, both plant and animal, live together in the
environment. In order to fully observe this phenomenon, we will be going out in the field to do
field tests and observations. You will be briefed in the rules and regulations involved when
working in the field as the course progresses. Please wear proper clothing when going out in
the field and wear sunscreen. Also, please alert your instructor if you are allergic to any insect
bites or plants. Violation of any rules given will result in loss of field work activities for the class.
Field Trips
In APES, we learn about how humans interact with our environment. In order to understand
this, there will be opportunities to go on field trips. Remember that field trips are a privilege
and can be taken away. Possible field trips include, but are not limited to:
1. Waste Water Treatment Plant
2. Houston Museum of Natural History – Energy Hall and Trip to Hermann Park for Water
Testing.
3. Houston Zoo
4. Armaund Bayou Nature Center
5. Nuclear Power Plant (pending) – The teacher will attempt to get permission to visit a
local nuclear power plant. This will give us a better understanding of this energy source
and concerns surrounding it.
6. Surfside or Galveston beach – The student will take part in a beach clean up and do salt
water testing.
Lab Manuals
Molnar, William. Laboratory Investigations: AP Environmental Science. Saddlebrook, NJ: Peoples
Education, 2005.
Rosenthal, Dorothy B. Environmental Science Activities. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,
1995.
Non-fiction Supplementary Books
Fine, Doug. Farewell, My Subaru. New York, NY: Villard; First Edition edition, 2008 .
Preston, Richard. The Hot Zone. First Ed. New York, NY: Anchor Books, 1994.
Weisman, Alan The World Without Us, New York: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, 2010
I have read and understood all of the policies for AP Environmental Science and I have
discussed them with my parent/guardian. I agree to accept the responsibility for my
performance.
_______________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name (Print)
Class period
_______________________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name (Print)
_______________________________________________________________________
Daytime Telephone Number
Evening
_______________________________________________________________________
Address
City, State, Zip Code
_______________________________________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
Date
Comments: