Environmental Science Syllabus 2015

Environmental Science 2015-2016
Instructor: Erin Simons

E-mail:
Phone:
Class Website: http://simonssaysscience.weebly.com/

Course description: The goal of the Environmental Science 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, and to examine alternative solutions for
resolving and/ or preventing them.

Environmental Science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of
study. Related areas of study include the social sciences for understanding human relationships,
perceptions and policies toward the environment, engineering focuses on design and technology for
improving environmental quality. It integrates physical and biological sciences, which includes Ecology,
Physics, Chemistry, Social Science, Geology, Atmospheric Science, and Geography. 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 the foundation for the structure of the
Environmental Science course:

1. Science is a process
a. Science is a method of learning about the natural world.
b. Science is constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2. Energy
a. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere
b. As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unstable.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system
a. Natural system change over time and space.
b. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
4. Humans alter natural systems
a. Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years
b. Technology and population growth
5. Environment problems have a cultural and social context
a. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of
solutions.
6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
a. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required.
b. Management of common resources is essential.

Resources:
Environmental Science 8
th
edition. Raven et al, 2008

Materials:
120 page spiral bound notebook, writing utensils, colored pencils, scissors, paste (glue)

Semester Two:
Soil
Land
Water
Geology
Pollution
Sustainability/ Environment and Society
Expectations:
BE RESPECTFUL to instructor, substitutes, classmates, supplies, etc.
BE SAFE. Follow all lab safety procedures and rules for labs and field work activities.
BE PREPARED! Complete all assignments and assigned readings on time. Bring materials to class.
Bring your 120 page notebook everyday to class.
PARTICIPATE! Ask questions, be a part of discussions and provide input.
All Dixon High School rules apply (dress code, cell phones, etc.)
ATTENDANCE. Come to school and be on time. School attendance policy applies to all students.

Course Structure:
Reading, writing, laboratory work, fieldwork, projects, presentations, research, discussions, and videos

Grades:
Tests/Quizzes 25% Class Work/Homework 40%
Labs/Field Work/Activities 25% Final Exam 10%

Tests/Quizzes:
Quizzes will cover material gone over in class and assigned reading material. There will be a test for each
unit that will cover assigned class assignments, readings, and notes.

Late Work:
Late work will NOT be accepted except on Pardon Days. On Pardon Days, students may turn in any late
work within the same semester. Work turned in on Pardon Day will 50% credit for the worth of the
assignment (ex. A homework assignment that earned a score of 20pts will be given 10 pts if it is turned
in on Pardon Day). Dates for Pardon day will be posted in the classroom.

Absent Work:
If you, the student, are absent, you are responsible for asking the teacher what assignments were
missed.
All tests and quizzes: may only be made up within a week from the day of absence.

Notebook
Please keep all completed work in your binder in chronologically (in page and date order). Occasionally
a college or university will ask to see your class work before giving credit for the course. Keep all your
work-in-progress in your notebook so you do not lose it. They will be useful for studying for tests and
quizzes.

Course Outline (Order of topics may change through the semester)
Semester one:
Introduction
Energy
Ecology
Population
Atmosphere
Atmospheric pollution
Climate Change

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Environmental Science 2015-2016

Instructor: Erin Simons

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