HSS – The Syllabus

Environmental Science with a focus on Ecology

Topics of Study Intro

Science Skills Environmental systems

Ecology Population ecology Evolution and community ecology Biomes and aquatic ecosystems Biodiversity and conservation

Humans and the Environment Human population Environmental health

Earth’s Resources Water resources The atmosphere

Sustainability Global climate Renewable/Nonrenewable energy

Course Questions1. What is the scientific method and how is it used to investigate

a question? (3.2.10)2. How do organisms live, grow, respond to their environment,

and reproduce? (4.1.10; 4.2.10)3. How and why do organisms interact with their environment and

what are the effects of these interactions? (4.1.10; 4.2.10)

4. How do humans manage and distribute natural resources?(4.3.10)

5. How do humans impact the environment and what responsibility must humans undertake? (4.5.10)

Grading Policy

Class work / Homework = 35% Tests = 30% Labs / Projects = 25% Quizzes = 10%

There will be a midterm and final.

Course Guidelines

NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED!!!! BR – Due every Day 1 in the bin HW – Due at beginning of class;

graded on completion Lab reports – follow the guidelines Make up work – You are responsible!! Participation, Studying, Extra Help,

Webpage, Plagiarism

Who is Mr. Harper?

Grew up in PA. Went to Penn State.

Harper Family

Latest addition - Ainslee

I enjoy…

Climbing Wolf’s Head in Wyoming

Fun Facts

Teaching Philosophy

Famous Quote

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

– Lao Tzu

I propose…

“Give a student the answer and you solve his problem for a day. Teach a student to think and search for answers and you solve his problems for a lifetime.”

– Mr. Harper

Challenge – Mindset Adjustment

Won’t give you all the answers

Be free; not dependent; think for yourself; solve own problems; use logic and reason to be confident of the truth

Receiving Providing for yourself

Attitude – Big Factor

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

– Henry Ford

“I can” vs. “I can’t” attitude

Big impact on success