AP Environmental Science (APES)
Mrs. Leanne Sloman Room 324
My email: leannesloman@vistausd.org
Class Syllabus
Course Description
APES studies the interactions of humans and their environment. APES is “interdisciplinary” drawing from many different natural sciences (biology, geology, physics, chemistry, meteorology, ecology etc.) and social sciences (economics, political science, philosophy, history, etc.) to help humans understand and solve the problems facing earth and its inhabitants.
This course is the equivalent of a first-year introductory college course for an environmental science or environmental policy major. You should do your best to act like a college student (such as TAKING NOTES IN CLASS), taking the initiative for your learning, seeking knowledge, pondering concepts, challenging yourself, and ultimately assuring that you have mastered the skills and knowledge of environmental science. I will do my very best to help you with this.
Course Resources
Class website: Link is on RBV home page. Teacher website tab.
Textbook: Environmental Science for AP, by Friedland and Relyea.
What you need:
Space in a three ring binder. Please, NO more than 2 classes within a single Binder.
Unit dividers (you can make them) so notes, tests, quizzes, lab work, handouts, etc. are all together with their UNIT
NO Calculators used in class or on the AP TEST.
Use the website for homework and the weekly agenda.
Move work from your classroom binder into a binder at home when the unit test is taken.
Conduct and Expectations
I expect that by this point in your high school career you know how to respect your peers, the classroom, and the school. It is especially important to me that you:
Arrive on time AND ready to work. Participate.
Treat your peers, yourself, me, and any guests with respect.
NO FOOD or drink in class AND KEEP the classroom (laboratory) clean.
Head ALL ASSIGNMENTS correctly. Top right of paper- look at example in class.
Sit in your assigned seat and stay there until the BELL rings…do not hover in front of the doors before the bell rings.
NO USE of electronic devices (cell phones, hand held games, music devices) during class time unless I give permission. One warning, then I will keep the device until the end of class.
Office Hours
I will be available Monday/ Wednesday/Thursday/Friday at lunch and Tuesday/ Wednesday from 2:40- 3:30. These are reserved for anyone who has missed a class or wants extra time to review concepts from that week, especially those with low quiz and test scores. Any other time will have to be by appointment.
Turning in assignments and late work
Assignments are on time when they are turned in when I ask for them during class…usually at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be accepted for only ½ credit. If you have an EXCUSED absence, you have one week to make up the assignment for full credit.
It is your responsibility to find out what assignments have been missed. First look at my website, next go to google classroom, then ask me for what you need. Regardless, please communicate with me as soon as you get back and we can always work something out.
Honor Code
I expect you to do your own work. I hope that you realize that doing your own work will maximize your learning and help you do your very best in this course. The following tips should help you stay honest:
When you are writing a paper or putting together a project and you use information from the textbook, another book, the web, or anywhere aside from your own thoughts, CITE it.
Do not talk about a test, quiz or exam with another student until the grade is posted on parent portal. If anything just tell someone that “it was on what we have talked about in class” or do not say anything at all.
Do not give a copy of your paper, your lab your calculations- your work- to another student who needs help. Feel free to discuss things with them and give them help, not your work.
Failure to do be honest will result in a parent call or conference and a “zero” on the assignment.
Grades and Assignments
Grading in this course will be based on the point system. To calculate your grade at any time, simply add up the total number of points YOU EARNED and DIVIDE by the TOTAL number of possible points. Typically, point values for assignments will be in the following ranges:
20-80 Points Labs and Projects
20-60 Points Extended Assignments
15-30 Points Quizzes
35-50 Points Tests
10-25 Points Homework completion
90-100 Points Midterm/ Final
UNIT or Weekly Agendas
They will be placed on my website Sunday night of the preceding week.
**General Routines: Active Reading checked through homework questions, Friday Quizzes, Extended Assignments, and Lab Work.
Active Reading: This means that you interact with the information presented in your textbook. YOU make connections to your knowledge of and experience with the world. YOU take the information AND make it YOURS. You read the textbook, articles and other reading in the manner that you will need to in college. TO DEMONSTRATE TO ME that you have ACTIVELY READ, you will be expected to do the following:
(1) Cornell style notes; (2) Textbook questions. These are due on Mondays and Thursdays each week.
Friday quiz: It will involve a small number of questions directed towards class activities, active readings, labs, and other work. Use these to measure your progress and help you target areas for more intensive study. MISSED QUIZZES can be made up DIRECTLY after they are given so that I can return the quizzes in a prompt fashion. Most lunches and after school I am available to give missing Quizzes. Extended Assignments: This is an assignment that is beyond the active reading. It could be an article review, illustration, poster, essay or something else to help with your understanding of the material.
Scientific Method
History of National Parks and Environmental Movement
Cautionary Tales- Easter Island
The Atmosphere
Global Water Resources
Ecosystem Structure
Ecosystem Ecology
Ecosystem Biodiversity
Energy flow
Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
Population and community Ecology
Human Populations - Carrying Capacity
China - One child Policy and recent changes
Calculating Population Growth
Demographic Transitions
Relationship between Gender Equity and Population Growth
Land Use- Public and private
Feeding the World’s Population - Agriculture
Forestry
Rangelands
Mining
Fishing
Sustainability and Global Economics
Nonrenewable Energy Sources - Fossil Fuels
Energy Consumption
Nuclear Energy
Hydroelectric Power
Energy Conservation
Renewable Energy Sources - Achieving Energy Sustainability
Forms of Pollution
Water Pollution
Land Pollution
Air Pollution
Waste Generation and Waste Disposal
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Global Warming - Greenhouse Effect / Ocean Acidification
Loss of Biodiversity and Impact on Ecosystems
Conservation of Biodiversity