AP Environmental Science (APES) Syllabus
Stephanie C. Hopkins, Alvin High School, Rm A211
schopkins@alvinisd.net
Conference Period: 10:15-11:05am
Tutorials: Mon-Fri 7-7:15am and Thursdays 3-4pm
Welcome to APES! Although many environmental topics have a social science
component, this class is truly an upper-level laboratory science class. We will be
investigating many fields of science and you will be engaged in asking and
answering questions, collecting information, and drawing logical conclusions,
solving problems, and relaying your thoughts and knowledge in a technical style
of writing. APES is a college level course that studies the interrelationships
between Earth processes, how we, our planet, and the other life on it interact,
and how best to sustainably move into the future with the environmental issues
we face today.
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be successful on the
Advanced Placement Environmental Science exam in May and then receive
college credit.
Textbook: Living in the Environment, 17th ed. by Miller, G.T. and S. Spoolman
(Cengage Learning 2012).
Other Resources: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, The Sixth Extinction by
Elizabeth Kolbert, labs, periodicals, readings/case studies, newspapers, and the
internet. **Silent Spring and The Sixth Extinction are REQUIRED readings.
Grading: The grading scale per 9 week grading period is as follows:
50% Tests and Major Grades
30% Labs/Lab Write-ups
20% Daily Work (homework, in-class work, quizzes)
Late Work/Make-up Work: Refer to the AP Policy and the Student
Handbook.
My Expectations for You:
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Be in class every day
Maintain an Interactive Notebook, including Cornell Notes
Maintain a Current Events Binder per semester (1 ½ inch binder)
o Keep this at home!
o Will include the article and YOUR summary WITH your OPINION in
250 words
Maintain a Lab Notebook for your lab write-ups
Complete both required readings (see above) and assigned questions
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Uphold our Social Contract
Study at least 15 minutes every day
Complete all work on time
Think on your own/make decisions on your own
Attend AP tutorials, AP Nights, and AP Super Saturdays
Take the APES AP Exam in May
Course Outline:
Topic
Earth System
Duration
3 weeks
Evolution of present earth system
Geologic time scale
Biological evolution and extinctions
Earthquakes & volcanoes
Plate Tectonics and the rock cycle
Terrestrial Ecology
3 weeks
Population dynamics
Communities and niches
Terrestrial biomes
Energy flow and pyramids
Biogeochemical cycles
Energy flow concepts
Aquatic Ecology
3 weeks
Freshwater biomes
Water chemistry
Surface and groundwater issues
Saltwater biomes
Conservation
Human Populations
3 weeks
Human population sizes & distribution
Distribution and fertility rates
Growth rate and doubling times
Demographic transitions
Age structure diagrams
Biodiversity
3 weeks
Species diversity and related descriptors
Preservation, remediation, mitigation, restoration
Habitat loss
Alien, endangered, and extinct species
Forests and deforestation
Fishing techniques and overfishing
Economic impacts and management
Related legislation
Nonrenewable Resources and Energy
Energy forms, units and conversions
History and global energy use
Mining
Fossil fuel resources and use
Nuclear energy
Renewable energy
Energy conservation
4 weeks
Economic impacts and decisions
Related legislation
Meteorology & Climatology
3 weeks
Atmospheric structure and chemisty
Stratospheric ozone and ozone depletion
Seasons,solar intensity and latitude
Atmospheric and oceanic circulation
Weather
ENSO
Climate Change
Related legislation
Air Pollution
2 weeks
Classifications of air pollution
Sourcesand chemistry
Human health risks
Acid deposition
Economic impacts
Clean Air Act and other related legislation
Water Pollution
2 weeks
Sources and chemistry
Surface and groundwater issues
Cultural Eutrophication
Ocean pollution
Water purification
Sewage treatment
Human health risks
Economic impacts
Clean Water Act and related legislation
Toxicology and Human Health
3 weeks
Risks and Hazards
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
Types of pesticides
Cost and benefits of pesticide use
Integrated Pest Management
Solid waste disposal and reduction
Hazardous waste
Related legislation
Soil and Land Use
Soil formation and composition
Physical and chemical properties of soil
Soil types and food production
Food production and land use
Erosion and other soil degradation problems
Forestry and rangeland management
Related legislation
3 weeks
Labs and Activities
Present Earth System
Air and Water Pollution
Geologic Time Scale lab
Radioactive Decay activity
Rock cycle and mineral deposit formation
lab
Indoor Air Pollution Lab
Ozone and vehicular exhaust lab
Eutrophication lab
Oil slick lab
Organic wastes and DO lab
Sewage Treatment plant field trip
Terrestrial Ecology
Tragedy of the Commons Lab
Analysis of a Local Ecosystem Lab
Community Structure Lab
Population Characteristics Graphing
Terrestrial Ecology Field Study
Aquatic Ecology
Water Quality Parameters Lab
EcoColumns
Web assignment on water management
Water, Water Everywhere activity
Aquatic field study
Human Populations
World Population Lab
Create histogram lab
Too Many People Activity
Comparing the populations in China and
India
Biodiversity
Determining Population Size lab
Island Biogeography Lab
Loss of Biodiversity presentations
Species Diversity Lab
Nonrenewable Resources and
Energy Resources
Mining images activity
Types of coal, oil shale, activity
Solar panel lab
Cookie Mining lab
Renewable and Alternative Energy projects
Energy calculations
Energy Audit Project
Meteorology
Atmosphere chalk drawings
Mt. Pinatubo Lab
Differential Heating Lab
Climographs
Weather Lab
(?)
Water Treatment field trip (?)
Toxicology and Human Health
Risk Lab
Pesticide label lab
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification lab
Garbology Lab
Landfill field trip
Soil and Land Use
Soil sampling lab - texture, permeability,
chemistry
Food and Land Use Lab
Sustainable Eating Lab
***REQUIRED READINGS***
To be posted on Google Classroom
1st Semester
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Purchase by August 31, 2015
Reading Due dates:
 Introduction Sept. 4
 Chp. 1 & 2 Sept. 11
 Chp. 3 Sept. 18
 Chp. 4 Sept. 25
 Chp. 5 Oct. 2
 Chp. 6 Oct. 9
 Chp. 7 Oct. 16
 Chp. 8 & 9 Oct. 23
 Chp. 10 & 11 Oct. 30
 Chp,. 12 Nov. 6
 Chp. 13 Nov. 13
 Chp. 14 & 15 Nov. 20
 Chp. 16 Dec. 4
 Chp. 17 Dec. 11
2nd Semester
The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth
Kolbert
Purchase by January 11, 2016
 Prologue
 Chp. 1
 Chp. 2
 Chp. 3
 Chp. 4
 Chp. 5
 Chp. 6
 Chp. 7
 Chp. 8
 Chp. 9
 Chp. 10
 Chp. 11
 Chp. 12
 Chp. 13