Environmental Systems, Semester A

Course Description

Environmental Systems A is the first semester in a two-semester series where students explore the interconnectedness of the natural world and human society. Discover how you can make a difference through scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and practical solutions to real-world environmental challenges. In Environmental Systems A, students examine topics including the nature of science and science safety, the history of environmental science, interactions among and within Earth’s systems, and population characteristics and growth patterns. As part of this course, students are challenged to demonstrate their scientific literacy in a range of formats including projects, essays, and lab analysis.    

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) 

UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas.

Semester Topics

• Unit 1: Safety, Units, and Equipment
  
• Unit 2: Process of Science
  
• Unit 3: History of Environmental Science and Influential People in the Field
  
• Unit 4: The Geosphere
  
• Unit 5: The Hydrosphere
  
• Unit 6: The Atmosphere
  
• Unit 7: The Biosphere
  
• Unit 8: Ecosystem Dynamics and Biodiversity
  
• Unit 9: Population Dynamics

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• demonstrate ability to perform labs safely with a variety of materials and collect and record data with precision and accuracy;  
• define science and distinguish between hypotheses and theories in science;  
• research the history of environmental science and describe the contributions of scientists to environmental science;  
• describe interactions among the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere;  
• explain geological processes that continually shape the earth including processes in the rock cycle;  
• explain the distribution of water on Earth and analyze the water cycle;  
• explain the composition of Earth’s atmosphere and describe the greenhouse effect;  
• describe and compare three mechanisms of heat transfer in Earth’s atmosphere and how temperature inversions can impact Earth’s weather conditions;  
• explain how energy flows through and is transformed in ecosystems and interactions among organisms in ecosystems;  
• explain how populations change in size and composition over time due to ecosystem conditions and reproductive strategies.

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses. 

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook: A textbook is not required for this course.
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand: 
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.