AP Environmental Science

Syllabus
Brookwood High School
2015 2016
Teacher:

Mrs. Jennifer Reynolds

205-342-2777
jreynolds@tcss.net
Room 238

Course Description:
The AP Environmental Science course is a full-year course designed to be the equivalent of a onesemester, introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike most other introductory-level
college science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments, including
geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and
geography. The AP Environmental Science course has been developed to be like a rigorous science
course that stresses scientific principles and analysis and includes a laboratory component; as such, it is
intended to enable students to undertake, as first-year college students, a more advanced study of topics
in environmental science or, alternatively, to fulfill a basic requirement for a laboratory science and thus
free time for taking other courses. In both breadth and level of detail, the content of the course reflects
what is found in many introductory college courses in environmental science. The goal of the course is to
provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the
interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and
human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, to examine alternative
solutions for resolving and/or preventing them, and to develop and focus their own political perspective.
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of
study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included
in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the
AP Environmental Science course:
Science is a process.
Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
Humans alter natural systems.
Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
Textbook: Environmental Science for AP, Second Edition by Friedland and Relyea
Required Materials: Notebook a 3-ring binder
1 dry erase marker
Notebook Paper
1 pack colored pencils
Pen and pencil
Elmers Glue Stick
10 notebook dividers
1 composition notebook
These materials should be brought to class EVERY DAY!
Homework: May include but not be limited reading the current unit content and answering textbook
questions; reviewing lecture notes (from PowerPoints); readings and case studies; making and studying
flash cards for unit tests and quizzes; pre-labs or lab reports; essays; creating posters, surveys, etc.
Grading: Grades will come from daily work, homework, lab work, projects, written essays, quizzes, tests,
weekly school-wide recycling project, and other class assignments.
Make-Up Work Policy: It is the students responsibility to get missed assignments from the make-up folder
for his/her class period on the day he or she returns to class. If an absence is excused, make-up work must
be turned into the make-up bin within 2 days of your absence according to school policy. Missed work

that is turned in past this time will be late and points will be deducted. Missed quizzes or tests should be
scheduled within 2 days of your returning. Failure to take a make-up quiz or test within the time allowed
will result in a ZERO!!! Any work that is due while the student is absent is due on the day he/she returns.
Any time after that, it will be considered late. Late work will be penalized 10% each day it is late. If a
student is absent the day before a test, and if no new material is added, he/she will be expected to take
the test at the regular time. Due to several factors, not all lab activities can be made up. If an activity is
missed due to an excused absence & there is no alternative, then the activity will not be counted for or
against the student. Activities that can be made up will have directions in the makeup folder for doing so.
Lab activities missed due to an unexcused absence will count as a zero.
Class Rules:
1. Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY!
2. Keep all personal electronics PUT AWAY!
3. BE RESPONSIBLE for your own learning.
4. RESPECT the teacher, the classroom, and other students.
5. Trash goes in the trashcan.
Discipline System:
1. Warning verbal or written
2. Call parent/student conference
3. Send directly to an administrator (if offense merits a more immediate response then student will be sent
directly to an administrator and a parent will be contacted ASAP)
Remind: Remind is a one-way text messaging and email system that I will use to occasionally
communicate class announcements and reminders regarding assignments. With Remind, all personal
information remains completely confidential. Visit remind.com to learn more. Parents and students are
welcome to sign up for the messages; text @bhsapes16 to 81010
Course Outline:

Units
Unit 1 - Sustainability
Unit 2 - Water Resources
Unit 3 - Ecosystem Ecology
Unit 4 - Evolution and Biodiversity
Unit 5 - Climate, Biomes, and Land Use
Unit 6 - Earth Systems
Unit 7 - Human Population and Food Resources
Unit 8 - Waste and Toxicity
Unit 9 - Energy
Unit 10 - Air Pollution and Climate Change

Duration:
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks
3 weeks

I have read the syllabus and class expectations. I understand both and will
abide by the rules to keep myself and others safe, sound, and successful!
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Student Signature

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Parent/Guardian Signature