Mr. Alexis Salcedo
[email protected]
http://teachers.dadeschools.net/asalcedo/
Environmental Science and Field Studies Academy
TERRA Environmental Research Institute
Course: Environmental Research for Agriscience Foundations I
Academic Year 2009-2010
This is a multidisciplinary course that draws from all the sciences, in
addition to other fields. This course will help students better understand
the relationship between humans and the world in which we live. Impacts
such as food production through agricultural practices and natural
resources usage will be heavily explored. Laboratory-based activities are
an integral part of this course.
These include the safe use and
application of appropriate technology, scientific testing and observation
equipment.
I. Textbooks
Karen Arms, Holt Environmental Science, Holt, Rhinehart and Winston,
2006
Daniel Chiras, John Reganold, Natural Resource Conservation:
Management for a Sustainable Future, 10th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2009
II. Course Outline
A. 1st Quarter: Introduction to Natural Resources Management and
Environmental Science
- Science and the Environment (Holt, Chapter 1)
- Tools of Environmental Science (Holt, Chapter 2)
- The Dynamic Earth (Holt, Chapter 3)
B. 1st Quarter: Ecology I
- The Organization of Life (Holt, Chapter 4)
- How Ecosystems Work/Cycles of Matter in Nature (Holt, Chapter 5)
- World Biomes (Holt, Chapter 6)
C. 2nd Quarter: Ecology II
- Types of Ecosystems/Aquatic Ecosystems (Holt, Chapter 7)
- Understanding Populations (Holt, Chapter 8)
- The Human Population (Holt, Chapter 9)
D. 2nd Quarter: Ecology III/ Abiotic Resources
- Biodiversity (Holt, Chapter 10)
- Water: Uses, pollution, conservation, mitigation (Holt, Chapter 11)
- Air: Pollution and mitigation (Holt, Chapter 12)
E. Mid-Term Exam
F. 3rd Quarter: Abiotic Resources
- Atmosphere and Climate Change (Holt, Chapter 13)
- Land: Uses, pollution and mitigation (Holt, Chapter 14)
- Food and Agriculture (Holt, Chapter 15)
G. 3rd Quarter: Energy and Environmental Resources
- Mining and Mineral Resources (Holt, Chapter 16)
- Nonrenewable sources (Holt, Chapter 17)
- Renewable sources (Holt, Chapter 18)
F. 4th Quarter: Our Health and Our Future
- Waste (Holt, Chapter 19)
- The Environment and Human Health (Holt, Chapter 20)
- Economics, Policy, and the Future (Holt, Chapter 21)
H. 4th Quarter: Case Studies
- The Everglades National Park (Web Resources)
- Endangered Species (Web Resources)
I. Final Exam
III. Grading Plan
Class Assignments
1 grade (Unless specified otherwise)
Home Learning Assignments
1 grade (Unless specified otherwise)
Section Quizzes
1 grade
Chapter Exams
2 grades
Laboratory Reports
Projects
2 grades
Will vary
Section quizzes will be given during the class period following the
completion of a section or topic. Chapter exams will be given during the
class period following the completion of a chapter. Specific projects will
be assigned during each quarter, with enough time provided for
completion.
A 0 (zero) will be given for assignments that are not
submitted at due date without any exceptions.
In the event that a
student is absent on an assignment due date, the student will have the
opportunity to submit the assignment during the following class period.
Please note that under no circumstances there will be extra credit
assignments.
The following is the grading scale for the course:
95-100% = A
90-94% = A-
87-89% = B+
84-86% = B
80-83% = B-
77-79% = C+
74-76% = C
70-73% = C-
67-69% = D+
64-66% = D
60-63% = D-
59-01% =F
In order to ensure a paperless environment, all home learning
assignments will be available through my website. In order to obtain a
grade for your assignments, make sure that I receive them via e-mail by
8am on the due date. Class assignments, quizzes, exams and laboratory
reports, must be loaded into my computer prior to the end of class. You
will need a memory stick/jump drive for this.
IV. Class Rules and Regulations
1. Please be courteous to others, including your instructor!
2. No food, drinks or chewing gum are allowed in class.
3. The School’s dress code policy will be enforced at all times.
4. Smart phones and/or itouch ipods, with internet access will only be
allowed to be used for academic purposes. Please turn the sound off
smart phones at all times.
5. Personal Laptops are allowed strictly for academic purposes and will
be your responsibility to manage and safeguard.
6. It is expected that all students will be on time and ready to participate
in class each day. Bring your own materials.
7. Vulgar and Inappropriate Language, harassment, destruction of school
property are not acceptable behaviors for this classroom, parents will
be notified and the student will be dealt with accordingly.
8. Academic Honesty:
You will be expected to adhere to the school’s
policies on academic honesty at all times. Anyone caught cheating or
plagiarizing on any work for this class will be issued a failing grade for
the assignment and subjected to institutional disciplinary action
according to the student contract you signed to the school.
V. Materials
•
1” binder x1
•
Pencils (no pens or markers are allowed in my classroom)
•
Eraser x1
•
Lined paper (Recycled, if possible)
•
Handheld pencil sharpener x1
•
Solar calculator x1
•
2Gb Jump Drive/Memory Stick x1
•
Highlighter, any color x1
•
Metric ruler x1
•
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida by Peter Alden, Rick
Cech and Gil Nelson (ISBN 0-679-44677-X) 1998