AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
Ms. Kresge
Welcome to AP Environmental Science (APES)! I look forward to an exciting year getting to know all of you
while working together in the lab and in the field. AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary, college level
course that explores the interrelationships of the natural world. This course is fast paced because it is the equivalent of a
semester long college course. You must be prepared to do a lot of outside reading, including current articles and research.
The goal of APES is to provide students with the knowledge of the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies
needed to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will identify and analyze different types of
environmental problems and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.
As much as possible, you will practice in class what scientists really do in the field and in the lab every day: observing,
hypothesizing, questioning, experimenting, and drawing conclusions. Questioning and thinking will be emphasized in
this class. Learning content (facts) is important, but this class also focuses on helping you to think like a scientist
(critically, logically, using proper justifications for arguments). Students are taught methods for analyzing and
interpreting information, as well as data; both in the classroom and in the field. You will do labs and activities in class but
you will also be doing fieldwork. You will develop the skills necessary to successfully work in the lab with other lab
team members. The way this class is structured and taught encourages you to be responsible and interested. Neatness and
clarity are expected on all assignments, including correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. You will be encouraged to
do high quality work you can be proud of. Think about your work; connect ideas from other disciplines and areas of your
life to the concepts we are learning.
Prerequisites: Biology 1 and one other college prep science course (may be taken concurrently), with grade of
B or better, or consent of instructor. Requires signed Advanced Placement Course Enrollment Parent
Notification/Agreement
Expectations:

Classroom/Lab Goals:
 Be safe at all times; observe all safety rules at all times.
 Be productive; work effectively and efficiently during class.
 Be considerate; avoid any behavior that includes harassment, intimidation or prejudices.
 Ask questions when you do not understand directions.
*All school rules and policies apply in this classroom*
Class Website: You may go to this site to download and print notes for class, check in on homework assignments and
double check lab days so that you come to school prepared to participate in lab.
http://teacherweb.com/CA/ArcataHigh/MsKresge/apt1.aspx
Class Organization:
It is important that you take well-organized notes and KEEP ALL LAB WORK, NOTES, ASSIGNMENTS, AND
OTHER WORK. I will not be grading you on organization so it is up to you whether you use a binder, science journal
or other method. At the end of the year, I will evaluate it if you are close to the next highest grade and need a slight grade
bump.
AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
AP Exam:
The APES exam is three hours long and contains a multiple choice section comprised of 100 questions and a
free-response section comprised of four questions. You are given 90 minutes for each section. This means
you must answer most multiple choice questions in less than a minute and you have about 22 minutes per
free response question. The multiple choice section is 60% of your final exam and the free-response section
is worth 40% of your final grade. Multiple choice scores are based on the number of questions answered
correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers so answer all questions. The free response
questions (FRQ’s) emphasize the application of principles in greater depth. Students must be able to
organize answers to broad questions; there will be one question based on a data set, one document-based
question and two synthesis/evaluation questions. The exam is given in May and the exam fee is $90.00.
This website below has practice problems and scoring guides for your use.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/envsci/samp.html?envsci
Some internet resources if you are interested in ordering an additional exam prep book.
This is a Princeton review book for about $14 + shipping http://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Environmental-Science-EditionPreparation/dp/0307945138/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376099070&sr=8 1&keywords=AP+environmental+science+exam+prep
This is a Barron’s book for about $14 + shipping http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Environmental-Science-5thEdition/dp/1438001320/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1376099070&sr=8-7&keywords=AP+environmental+science+exam+prep
Topic Outline: These are the major units covered on the APES exam. Percentages indicate relative emphasis on the
APES exam. **Chapters in your book that correspond to topic**
1. Earth Systems and Resources (10 – 15%) **13,14**
(Earth Science Concepts, Atmosphere, Global water resources and use, Soil and Soil Dynamics)
2. The Living World (10 – 15%) **2,3**
(Ecosystem structure and diversity, Energy flow, Natural Biogeochemical Cycles)
3. Population (10 – 15%) **4,5,6,7**
(Population Ecology, Carrying Capacity, Human Population dynamics and growth)
4. Land and Water Use (10 – 15%) **12**
(Agriculture, Forestry, Urban development, Mining, Fishing, Global Economics)
5. Energy Resources and Consumption (10 – 15%) **15,16**
(Fossil Fuel resources, renewable energy, hydroelectric power, nuclear energy)
6. Pollution (25 – 30%) **17-21**
(Air pollution, water pollution, Solid and hazardous waste)
7. Global Change (10 – 15%) **7, 9-11**
(global warming, loss of biodiversity)
Course Outline/Timeline:
Unit
#
1
2
Unit Description
Introduction to
Environmental Science
Science, Matter, Energy and
Systems
Labs/Activities
Tragedy of the Commons
My Ecological Footprint
Sustainable Island Challenge
Introduction to long-term creek study
Introduction to Experimental Design (W)
Chemistry of Life Lab
Calculating Energy Use
Biogeochemical Cycle Presentations
Time
Textbook
(approx.) Chapter(s)
1
1
2
2
AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
3
4
5
6
7
8
Ecosystems, species
interactions and the human
population affect
Sampling at creek study site
Intro to water testing
Food Web HO Act.
Food Webs (W)
Frog Pond Population Game
Coriolis Effect Act.
Evolution Act.
Evolutionary Arms Race
Global Demography Library lab
Biodiversity and sustaining it Biome Presentations
Butcher the Biomes (W)
Elk Population Simulation
Field Study of aquatic inverts at creek site
Forest Plot Analysis (W)
Invert Station-to-Station Lab
Tidepooling/Exploring local ecosystems field
trip
Allelopathy (W)
Comparing Owl Pellets from two regions (W)
Natural Resources: Food,
Rock Cycle Lab
Soil, Water and Mineral
Physical and chemical characteristics of soil
tests (includes testing creek soil)
Mining for Cookie Ore
Mining Simulation Lab
Salinization Lab
Energy: Nonrenewable and
Home Energy Audit
renewable
Energy Sources Presentations
Environmental Quality and
Half-Life Simulation
sources of pollution
Effects of Air Pollution
Chemical pollution analysis
Ongoing analysis of creek study site
Sustainable Human Societies Applying and Analyzing Cost-Benefit
Analysis (W)
Waste Treatment and Wildlife Marsh Field
Trip (estuary water sampling)
Ongoing Analysis of creek study site
*time approximation includes instruction, labs and assessments.
**Syllabus and Schedule are subject to modification as necessary
5
3,4,5,6
8
7 – 11
3
12 – 14
2
15 – 16
6
17 – 21
4
22 – 25
Absences:
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get the materials and information missed while you were absent. When you return to
school, check the “While You Were Out” crate. Get the materials you missed and come see me to discuss
completing the work you missed. Labs are a critical component of a science class, and make-up time may be required at
lunch or after school to complete an activity you missed. Your lab team should also be prepared to fill you in on what you
missed, including providing you with data from missed labs, if appropriate.
AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
Book and other Resources:
The textbook we will be using this year is Living in the Environment, by G. Tyler Miller, Jr. We will also be
reading articles, case studies and scientific papers as part of the curriculum.
Grading Policy and Procedures:
Your overall grade in APES is determined by your work both inside and outside of the classroom. Students
who use class time efficiently usually finish their labs and in-class assignments during class. On average,
homework is assigned three nights a week. Exams follow each unit of instruction. Although homework may
not be assigned every night, it is expected that students take 15 minutes every night to read/study what we
worked on in class that day.
Your science grade will be based on the following categories:
 Lab work and class participation, including cooperation and safety while working with others and
demonstration of skills and an understanding of the concepts (30%)
 Independent assignments (homework) (20%)
 Tests and quizzes, including lab performance assessments (50%)
You are expected to turn in all in-class and out-of-class assignments on time.
Late work is NOT accepted. However, sometimes life happens. When this occurs, please come see me. Each
student will get TWO “life happens” passes a semester which gives students TWO extra days to finish the assignment
with only a 10% reduction in grade. Otherwise, late work is not accepted and will result in a zero. **Life Happens passes
do NOT apply to long-term projects!!!!!**
I am always available to help students with questions, assignments, make-up work, and study
suggestions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4:00, or by appointment.
Science Lab Classroom Guidelines
Safety:
We will go through the “Lab Safety Regulations for Science Students” handout together and I will demonstrate safety
procedures. You will receive a Lab Safety Contract that must be signed and followed in order to maintain lab privileges.
Classroom Environment:
EVERYONE - Students, teachers, and guests, will be treated with respect. Respect includes the right to learn and the
right to feel safe in this classroom. Put-downs and other hurtful comments will not be tolerated. Together we can create a
positive space where students feel free to ask questions and to add their input to the class.
Classroom Agreements: (please sign below)
I agree to:
A. Put forth your best effort to learn in school.
1.
Keep up with your studies; study for a few minutes every day.
2.
Do high quality work of which you can be proud. Think about your work; type it or write it neatly and legibly.
Unless otherwise instructed, always write in sentences.
AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
3.
Write your full name, period, due date and descriptive title on every assignment.
4.
Keep everything done in class in chronological order in your notebook.
5.
Do your own work on each assignment, unless instructed to work with others. Plagiarism, copying from authors,
copying another student’s work, or allowing another student to copy your work, will result in a zero on that
assignment and a referral to the school administration.
B. Attend class, be on time, and have all necessary materials to work.
1.
Be in class every day.
2.
Be in your seat with proper materials and ready to work.
3.
Take care of personal issues (restroom, phone, water, etc.) on your personal time between classes.
4.
Unless otherwise stated, homework is due at the beginning of the period.
C. Respect the right of students to learn and teachers to teach.
1.
Be appropriately quiet and on task during class time.
2.
Nuisance items (ipods/CD players, cell phones, etc.) will not be allowed. (They will be confiscated and given to
the office. Students receive a detention once their phone has been collected twice.)
3.
Maintain a positive and businesslike attitude toward the course of instruction.
4.
Face the teacher, listen, think, and participate during instruction.
5.
The teacher excuses you, not the bell.
D. Respect the property of others, demonstrate pride in the appearance of school buildings, equipment and
grounds.
1.
You will not be excused until your workstation and the lab are clean. No students will leave the room until
ALL stations are cleaned.
2.
Keep tables, chairs and equipment free of writing.
3.
Lab equipment is expensive and difficult to replace; be careful when working with lab equipment.
E. Be positive, courteous and cooperative.
1.
Be respectful in class and when working in groups.
2.
Comply with the lab safety rules: a. Act responsibly; b. Read and follow instructions; c. Protect yourself and
others; d. Report and respond to all accidents or unsafe conditions.
F. During Fieldwork, respect all chaperones, guides, and environments.
1.
Be respectful of the fieldwork site. Never take any objects from the field site unless directed by the teacher or
guide to do sampling.
2.
NEVER leave the site of your teacher/guide/chaperone.
3.
Follow ALL instructions given when we arrive at site.
4.
NEVER litter. Take everything with you that you took to the field study site.
AP Environmental Science Syllabus 2015-2016
The following are the consequences for violating the above rules:
Step 1: Student-Teacher conference.
Step 2: Lunch Detention and parent-teacher contact.
Step 3: Detention and teacher-parent-student conference.
Step 4: In-School Suspension
(Depending on the severity of the violation, the teacher will determine the step at which the student is placed.)
Dear Parents:
We are all looking forward to a year full of investigations and discoveries. This course is based on students doing science
to learn. There will be many labs and other activities that reinforce what they are learning. Students will participate in
hands-on activities, take notes from in-class lectures and they will also have assignments to complete at home. Students
will remember scientific concepts more efficiently if they reinforce what they learn by reading their notes and doing both
in-class and out-of-class assignments. Since the work students will be doing will continue to build upon concepts and
information from previous investigations, each student’s organization will be important. Your help and encouragement in
developing good organizational skills will really benefit your daughter or son. Please read over this syllabus and
discuss it with your child. Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. Thank you so much. I
look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year!
________________________
Shannon Kresge
(707) 825-2400 (S)
_______________________
Student Signature
(707) 476-0262 (H) not after 8:00pm please
________________________
Parent Signature
skresge@humboldt.k12.ca.us