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Syllabus
Course Syllabus
Course: Environmental Science
Outside Study/Preparation: 2 hours a week
Current Semester/Year: 2015/2016
Instructor: Scott Porter
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.portermhs.weebly.com
Conference: _______________
Room number: 242
Date last revised: 8/9/2015
Course Description:
Environmental science is a high school level course, which satisfies the Ohio Core science graduation requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.603. This section of Ohio law requires a three-unit course with inquiry-based laboratory experience that engages students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering and analyzing information.
Environmental science incorporates biology, chemistry, physics and physical geology and introduces students to key concepts, principles and theories within environmental science.
Investigations are used to understand and explain the behavior of nature in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.
Course Materials:
Required Textbooks: Holt Environmental Science
Supplementary and/or Resource Materials:
· USB-Drive or online access to turn in assignments
· Scientific Calculator (ex. TI-30, TI-89)
· Writing Utensils and Paper
· Graph Paper
Most Common Instruction Methodology Used In This Course: Lecture, Lab, Discussion
Other Accepted Methodologies: Independent Study with Instructor Approval
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. All students must use the following scientific processes with appropriate laboratory safety techniques to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas:
• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
• Design and conduct scientific investigations
• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
• Communicate and support a scientific argument.
2. All students must use scientific processes to construct their knowledge and understanding in the following areas of study:
• Earth Systems
• Global Energy Transformations
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• Ecosystems
• Climate and Weather
General Education:
The objectives of this course support the following General Education Goals:
· Communication
· Critical Thinking
· Independent, life-long learning
· Science and Technology
Method of Evaluating Student Performance:
· Laboratory Reports
· Quizzes and Tests
· Projects and Presentations
· Midterm & Final Exam (20% each)
Student Characteristics:
Course Outline
Course: Environmental Science
Outside Study/Preparation: 2 hours a week
Current Semester/Year: 2015/2016
Instructor: Scott Porter
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.portermhs.weebly.com
Conference: _______________
Room number: 242
Date last revised: 8/9/2015
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
· Effective Study Strategies
· Rules & Guidelines
· Syllabus and textbooks
· Lab Safety, Measurement, Critical Thinking
EARTH SYSTEMS: INTERCONNECTED SPHERES OF EARTH
· Biosphere
o Evolution and adaptation in populations
o Biodiversity
o Ecosystems (equilibrium, species interactions, stability)
o Population dynamics
· Atmosphere
o Atmospheric properties and currents
· Lithosphere
o Geologic events and processes
· Hydrosphere
o Oceanic currents and patterns (as they relate to climate)
o Surface and ground water flow patterns and movement
o Cryosphere
· Movement of matter and energy through the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
o Energy transformations on global, regional and local scales
o Biogeochemical cycles
o Ecosystems
o Climate and weather
MIDTERM EXAMS
EARTH’S RESOURCES
· Energy resources
o Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency
o Alternate energy sources and efficiency
o Resource availability
o Mining and resource extraction
· Air and air pollution
o Primary and secondary contaminants
o Greenhouse gases
o Clean Air Act
· Water and water pollution
o Potable water and water quality
o Hypoxia, eutrophication
o Clean Water Act
o Point source and non-point source contamination
· Soil and land
o Desertification
o Mass wasting and erosion
o Sediment contamination
o Land use and land management (including food production, agriculture and zoning)
o Solid and hazardous waste
· Wildlife and wilderness
o Wildlife and wilderness management
o Endangered species
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
o Human population
o Potable water quality, use and availability
o Climate change
o Sustainability
o Species depletion and extinction
o Air quality
o Food production and availability
o Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
o Waste management (solid and hazardous)
FINAL EXAMS
This Schedule is Subject to Change
Course Syllabus
Course: Environmental Science
Outside Study/Preparation: 2 hours a week
Current Semester/Year: 2015/2016
Instructor: Scott Porter
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.portermhs.weebly.com
Conference: _______________
Room number: 242
Date last revised: 8/9/2015
Course Description:
Environmental science is a high school level course, which satisfies the Ohio Core science graduation requirements of Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.603. This section of Ohio law requires a three-unit course with inquiry-based laboratory experience that engages students in asking valid scientific questions and gathering and analyzing information.
Environmental science incorporates biology, chemistry, physics and physical geology and introduces students to key concepts, principles and theories within environmental science.
Investigations are used to understand and explain the behavior of nature in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications.
Course Materials:
Required Textbooks: Holt Environmental Science
Supplementary and/or Resource Materials:
· USB-Drive or online access to turn in assignments
· Scientific Calculator (ex. TI-30, TI-89)
· Writing Utensils and Paper
· Graph Paper
Most Common Instruction Methodology Used In This Course: Lecture, Lab, Discussion
Other Accepted Methodologies: Independent Study with Instructor Approval
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. All students must use the following scientific processes with appropriate laboratory safety techniques to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas:
• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
• Design and conduct scientific investigations
• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
• Communicate and support a scientific argument.
2. All students must use scientific processes to construct their knowledge and understanding in the following areas of study:
• Earth Systems
• Global Energy Transformations
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• Ecosystems
• Climate and Weather
General Education:
The objectives of this course support the following General Education Goals:
· Communication
· Critical Thinking
· Independent, life-long learning
· Science and Technology
Method of Evaluating Student Performance:
- A (100-90) B (89-80) C (79-70) D (69-60) F (59-0)
· Laboratory Reports
· Quizzes and Tests
· Projects and Presentations
· Midterm & Final Exam (20% each)
Student Characteristics:
- Characteristics of an A student - Student has completed all assignments with exceptional effort. Student shows a mastery of material by excelling on tests, reports, composition notebook and class work. Assignments are well organized and colorful. The student shows motivation and is an independent learner. Student follows directions, participates in class, and has good attendance.
- Characteristics of a B student – Student has completed all assignments with above average effort. The student performs consistently well on tests, projects and class assignments. Assignments are complete and well-illustrated. Student needs little direction and is thorough in completing assignments. Student participates in class and has good attendance.
- Characteristics of a C student – Student completes a majority of assignments with average effort. Assignments show an average level of mastery. Assignments may not include many details, with average effort and information. Student participates in class irregularly.
- Characteristics of a D student – Student did not master the skills necessary to achieve the levels A, B, or C. Student did not always follow detail and needs supervision. Student completes assignments; work completed is low quality with error and omissions.
Course Outline
Course: Environmental Science
Outside Study/Preparation: 2 hours a week
Current Semester/Year: 2015/2016
Instructor: Scott Porter
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.portermhs.weebly.com
Conference: _______________
Room number: 242
Date last revised: 8/9/2015
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
· Effective Study Strategies
· Rules & Guidelines
· Syllabus and textbooks
· Lab Safety, Measurement, Critical Thinking
EARTH SYSTEMS: INTERCONNECTED SPHERES OF EARTH
· Biosphere
o Evolution and adaptation in populations
o Biodiversity
o Ecosystems (equilibrium, species interactions, stability)
o Population dynamics
· Atmosphere
o Atmospheric properties and currents
· Lithosphere
o Geologic events and processes
· Hydrosphere
o Oceanic currents and patterns (as they relate to climate)
o Surface and ground water flow patterns and movement
o Cryosphere
· Movement of matter and energy through the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
o Energy transformations on global, regional and local scales
o Biogeochemical cycles
o Ecosystems
o Climate and weather
MIDTERM EXAMS
EARTH’S RESOURCES
· Energy resources
o Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and efficiency
o Alternate energy sources and efficiency
o Resource availability
o Mining and resource extraction
· Air and air pollution
o Primary and secondary contaminants
o Greenhouse gases
o Clean Air Act
· Water and water pollution
o Potable water and water quality
o Hypoxia, eutrophication
o Clean Water Act
o Point source and non-point source contamination
· Soil and land
o Desertification
o Mass wasting and erosion
o Sediment contamination
o Land use and land management (including food production, agriculture and zoning)
o Solid and hazardous waste
· Wildlife and wilderness
o Wildlife and wilderness management
o Endangered species
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
o Human population
o Potable water quality, use and availability
o Climate change
o Sustainability
o Species depletion and extinction
o Air quality
o Food production and availability
o Deforestation and loss of biodiversity
o Waste management (solid and hazardous)
FINAL EXAMS
This Schedule is Subject to Change