E-sci intro

Environmental Science–A New Course!
This course is available for all students who have completed Biology.
If you are interested in this small, complex planet that harbors an amazing diversity of life (including you and your future children), you will find this science class interesting, challenging and stimulating.

Drop below the South Pole to explore some info about this exciting new class.

This photo was taken in December 1972 by the Apollo 17 crew. The spacecraft was traveling between the Earth and the Moon. The reddish land's is Africa and Saudi Arabia which is desert. The white is both clouds and the ice covering Antarctica. (Courtesy NASA/JPL) Ronald Holle, University of Illinois cloud catalog

Frequently Asked Questions
{just click a number}

1	Can you give me a brief description of this new class?
2	What is special or different about the design of this new course?
3	Who can take Environmental Science?
4	Will this class count for my graduation science requirement?
5	Will this class be accepted on my transcript for college admission?

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6	What is an Earth Systems approach?
7	What is the geosphere?
8	What is the hydrosphere?
9	What is the atmosphere?
10	What is the biospere?

11	What courses can I take after completing Environmental Science?
12	Is this class "HARD"?
13	How much math will I need to due well in this class?
14	Is this a lab science class? What kind of labs will be done?
15	Who can I talk to in the Science Department to learn more?
16	Where can I learn more about Environmental–Earth Systems science?

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16	Where can I learn more about Enivronmental–Earth Systems science?
	Earth System science Online Destination: Earth–Understanding and Protecting Our Planet VISIBLE EARTH: An excellent NASA site with satellite images Earth Science Internet Links Windows to the Universe

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Gavin Goes	Cupertino HS
Mike West	Cupertino HS
Joanne Dong	Lynnbrook HS
Barbara Minneti	Lynnbrook HS
Elizabeth McCracken	Monta Vista HS

2	What is special or different about the design of this new course?
	We will use an EARTH SYSTEM approach to studying environmental science. Environmental science and earth system science are very interesting because so many different areas of study are used. This is a little bit like being the "science officer" {a la Spock} on a starship except in this case we are trying to understand our planet and our effect on it.

3	Who can take Environmental Science?
	Any student who has gone through freshman Biology can sign up for this course.

4	Will this class count for my graduation science requirement?
	You need one physical science and one life science class to graduate. This course fulfills either requirement.

5	Will this class be accepted on my transcript for college admission?
	This class is considered to be a (g) requirement class, which means it is a science elective class. UC requires a minimum of two science core lab classes, known as (d) requirements (any level Biology, Physiology, Physics and Chemistry). It is highly recommended that a student take more than two science classes to demonstrate rigor in their class selection.

7	What is the geosphere?
	The geosphere is the part of the Earth System that consists of the crust, mantle, and inner and outer cores. The geosphere includes all land forms on Earth, such as mountains, deserts, and sea floors; the Earth's interior; and the processes that form the Earth's surface (wind, water, weathering, and mountain-building processes). For a more information, check the Rice University site: GEOSPHERE

8	What is the hydrosphere?
	The hydrosphere is the part of the Earth System that consists of the Earth's water, including oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, groundwater, ice and water vapor. It covers about 70% of the Earth's surface, provides a home to many plants and animals, and is largely responsible for changes in the Earth's climate. For a more information, check the Rice University site: HYDROSPHERE

9	What is the atmosphere?
	The atmosphere is the part of the Earth System that extends several kilometers above the Earth's surface and consists of the mixture of gases that surround the Earth. It is the air we breathe to keep us alive. The varying temperature, pressure, and humidity of the atmosphere are responsible for all weather we experience. For a more information, check the Rice University site: ATMOSPHERE

11	What courses can I take after completing Environmental Science?
	All other science courses offered at FHS. Those include Chemistry, Physics, Chemistry Honors, Physics Honors, Physiology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry.

14	Is this a lab science class? What kind of labs will be done?
	This is a laboratory science class which should not be confused with the UC LAB SCIENCE requirements. Because we will use a number of science fields in the class, you will have labs dealing with chemistry, geology, earth science, physics, and biology. In addition, some labs will be combined studies using several of the sciences.

15	Who can I talk to in the Science Department to learn more?
	At Fremont High School, Mr. McCrystal, Ms. Roberts or Ms. Turner would be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you might have that are not covered above. You can also e-mail them or drop a note in their mail boxes in the front office. If you are viewing this site from another high school you might to check the list below to see who is working on this course from your science department.