Hellendag AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
2011-2012 SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AP Environmental Science combines ideas and information from biology, chemistry and earth
sciences, as well as the social science fields of economics and political science. Topics of study
include water, energy, air and chemical cycles and systems, soil and biome processes, population
and land development dynamics, human history and influences, community and ecosystem
processes, natural resource exploitation and impacts, environmental economics and policy, and
future choices.
Laboratory, field and internet-based research and investigations are emphasized to familiarize
students with contemporary research, investigative and problem-solving techniques. Students
analyze environmental problems, evaluate risks, collect data, prepare assessments, and
investigate complex issues and solutions to prevent, resolve or mitigate environmental problems.
Extensive field investigations, field trips and problem-solving exercises will focus on in-depth
analysis of specific environmental topics and issues.
Topics
Third Rock From the Sun: Earth Systems
Natural Selection & Biodiversity
Community & Population Ecology
Environmental Politics & Economics
Human Populations
Soils, Food, & Agriculture
Land & Water Use
Environmental Health & Toxicity
Freshwater & Marine Resources
Atmospheric Science & Climate Change
Energy Resources
Sustainable Solutions
APES test: May 7, 2012
Environmental Science Project
THE EXAM
The A.P. Environmental Science Exam created by the College Board and Educational Testing
Service will be administered on May 7, 2012. This exam is three hours in length and consists of
two parts: a multiple-choice section comprised of 100 questions and forming 60% of the grade,
and a free response section comprised of four free-response questions and forming 40% of the
grade. The multiple choice section is designed to cover the breadth of your knowledge and
understanding of environmental science and includes thought provoking problems and questions
based on fundamental ideas from environmental science as well as questions based on the recall
of basic facts and major concepts. The free-response section emphasizes the application of
principles in greater depth; you will need to organize answers to broad questions, demonstrating
reasoning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to synthesize material from several sources
into a coherent essay. There are three types of free response questions: data analysis, document
based, and synthesis and evaluation. You will not be able to use a calculator during the AP test
MATERIALS
- Large Spiral Notebook (one subject is fine)
- 10-15 packs of index cards (3x5-not bigger) (you’ll keep these, but you’ll need them all year)
- pen and/or pencil
- flashdrive (can be shared with other courses)
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
I will be seeing you every day during first period. Since it is first period, you need to remember that
being on time IS IMPORTANT. You are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions
and assignments. There will be no lecture in this course—everything is project and activity-based.
You should complete assigned reading and exercises before the date they are due, and you are
expected to participate fully in labs, fieldwork, and other exercises, whether they be individual or
team-based. See student handbook for school attendance policy.
I will be offering tutorial sessions throughout the year. I will be available during school and after
school by appointment. I have a study hall during second period, my conference is during 4th, I
have a lab prep period during 8th period, and can be available before or after school. I would be
happy to work with you, just ask. Additionally, I will be holding tutorial sessions outside of school,
beginning at the end of the first semester. I often give extra credit for attending these sessions.
I will go out of my way to prepare you for the exam, however I highly recommend forming your
own study group, meeting after school or on Facebook. This class is a college level course and it
is your responsibility to do what is necessary to understand the content.
CLASS RULES
This course is equivalent to a college level course, and you are expected to act as an adult at all
times, whether in class, in the lab, or on a field trip. Disruption of class activities in any way will not
be tolerated and will result in disciplinary referrals as necessary. Cell phones must be kept turned
off during school hours or they will be confiscated. Hall passes are available to make essential
trips to the restroom, but overuse of this privilege will result in its termination. I expect all students
to be responsible and courteous at all times.
General Policies
1. Make Up Policy- Make-up work must be turned in based on the guidelines found in the student
handbook. If you were present the day the assignment was given, but absent the day it was
due, the assignment is due the first day you return. The same is true to tests and projects.
Missing a review day before the test does not excuse you from taking the test.
2. EC- It is your responsibility to obtain classwork. All work must be turned in immediately after
you return to class.
3. Transfer Students- Students transferring in and out of my class have to take responsibility for
all assignments and work. The only way to succeed is to do work on your own time.
Assignments will be posted on my wiki and I expect you to come prepared to class. Being too
busy is NOT A GOOD EXCUSE! YOUR CAPSTONE & INTERNSHIP ARE NOT GOOD
EXCUSES.
4. Cheating & Plagiarism- I do not expect cheating or plagiarism from any of you. If you do it I
WILL catch you. You will receive a zero and I will contact your parent. If it happens again I will
write a referral.
5. How to Be SuccessfulCome prepared (work completed, supplies, & mentally ready to work)
Be respectful (to yourself, classmates, my stuff, and me)
Work Safely
No cell phones (I will take them and send them to SISD Police)
iPods & mp3 players only when allowed
Bring your computer EVERYDAY.
6. ConsequencesWarning, Warning, Warning, Parent contact, Referral
ASSIGNMENTS
Class Assignments:
Class assignments will include daily home assignments, team projects and research, reading
and written work. Scientists and environmental professionals are expected to present their
work products in a timely, neat, accurate and well-organized fashion, and you are expected to
do the same in this course. Work must be submitted on the day it is due, or 10% will be
deducted for each day late. Any assignments not turned in within two school (no class) days
will receive a zero. I will post all of your assignments in a running list on the APES whiteboard.
Assignments will be posted on my class wiki (http://APES1668.wikispaces.com). You will be
sent an invitation during the first week of classes.
Reading:
I will be posting reading assignments from your textbook in class and on my wiki. I expect you
to do the reading and if you need to, take notes. I may or may not quiz you over the material,
but I always expect you to know the material in the chapter. Anything in the chapter is fair
game on the test whether or not we explicitly go over it in class.
Laboratories:
Laboratory and field investigations are designed to complement the lecture/activity portion of
the course by providing opportunities to learn about the environment through firsthand
observations, to test concepts and principles which have been introduced in class, to explore
specific issues and problems in greater depth, and to gain an awareness of the importance of
confounding variables which exist in the real world. Investigations will be diverse and will
include indoor laboratory activities, outdoor activities, as well as field experience outside the
confines of the campus. The labs are designed to invite students to think critically, to observe
environmental systems, to develop and conduct well designed experiments, to utilize
appropriate techniques and instrumentation, to analyze and interpret data, to present data
orally and in the form of statistical and graphical presentations, to apply concepts to the
solution of environmental problems, to form conclusions and to propose further study. Formal
lab reports are required.
Math Quizzes:
Past students have recommended that I spend more time practicing math. Since you can’t use
a calculator on the AP exam it is imperative that you practice. Each week, on Friday, you will
take a very brief math quiz (max 3 questions). Each quiz will be a classwork grade. By the AP
test you should be able to determine: percentages, density of a population, rate of change,
doubling time; work in scientific notation; and convert various units. You have probably been
doing all of these things in your math classes and science classes. If these still cause you
problems you will need to come see me.
Baseball Cards:
Each week you will be creating a 3x5 card for everyone in the class (there are 18 students plus
me, so 19 cards). Every Friday I will post a list of terms related to the current unit. You will
choose a term and this will be your baseball card due the following Friday. This will be a
classwork grade and I expect high quality work. Please refer to the attached diagrams to
understand what I’m looking for. This will require LOTS of 3x5 Cards. I often add extra credit
words that you can also sign up for. At various times during the year I will allow you to use
these cards on quizzes, tests, etc. They will also help you study for my tests and the AP exam.

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Bullets or outline over
the most important
content
Leave out things that
you don’t think you’ll
be tested over
It’s always a good
idea to include
mnemonics and ways
to remember the
content
The more detail the
better, this shouldn’t
be just a definition
Topic/Term
Front
Back
EXAMS & GRADING
Students will be evaluated through performance on unit exams (see pacing guide), chapter quizzes
on the reading assigned as homework, laboratory investigations and lab reports, the APES
notebook, group projects, Baseball Cards, and writing assignments.
Grade Components: 20% Classwork & 80% Tests per six week
I have read the AP Environmental Science syllabus and understand all of its provisions.
_________________________________________
Student Name-Printed
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Student Signature/ Date
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Parent/Guardian Signature/ Date
Parent Contact:
Name:
Work Phone No.
Home Phone No.
Cell Phone No.:
Email address:
If you have any questions, please
email me at csalier@springisd.org