Class Overview and Unit 1 Details

Welcome to AP Environmental Science.

A document with descriptions of all of the units, grading details, class expectations and the AP test is available here.

Here are some details.

Grading

Points will be assigned such that the final grade will be based approximately on

Tests – 50%

Vocab quizzes – 10%

Unit Projects – 20%

Daily Work (Labs, notebooks, participation) – 20%

Tests will occur at the end of each unit.  they will resemble the actual AP test with many multiple choice and short items and a few extended free response questions.  It is our intention to allow a retake opportunity, in which students could recover half of the points they missed.

Vocabulary quizzes will happen two or three times per unit.  Retakes will be available.

Unit Projects could be presentations, debates, roleplays, powerpoints, essays or more depending on the unit.  If it is a group project there will usually be an individual written reflection.

Daily work will be checked for completion when due.  At the end of the unit teachers will collect the work and grade it for accuracy.  Each teacher will have a different organizational system for students.  Some assignments will be strictly graded on participation.  Students are expected to be on time and  daily warm ups at the beginning of class will be part of this grade.

An overall grade will be assigned based on the standard scale:  100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, <60 F.

Unit 1:  Ecological Systems (chapters 3-7, 10 & 11)

Should we reintroduce wolves, and if so how should Oregonians manage the reintroduction?

II. A. Ecosystem Structure (Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes)

II. B. Energy Flow (Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids)

II. C. Ecosystem Diversity (Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services)

II. D. Natural Ecosystem Change (Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession)

II. E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter)

IV. B. Forestry (Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests)

VII. C. Loss of Biodiversity 1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species 2. Maintenance through conservation 3. Relevant laws and treaties

Key due dates for Unit 1

9/1 Letter about you due

9/12 Socratic Seminar 1 Reading Guide due

9/12 Vocab Quiz 1

9/20 Productivity Lab due

9/22 Socratic Seminar 2 Reading Guide due

9/22 Vocab Quiz 2

9/22 Notebook Check

9/28 Socratic Seminar 3 Reading Guide 3 due

9/30 Vocab Quiz 3

10/4 Unit Presentations

10/6 Unit Test