AP® Environmental Science
Course Summary
Examine the issues that environmental scientists wrestle with on a daily basis including pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, and sustainable energy. Understand the interconnectedness of all natural processes on Earth and the ecological requirements for sustaining human life. Learn how individual and collective decisions and policies directly impact the environment, as well as how to balance both humanity’s and nature’s needs without further compromising the ecosystem. In this course, challenge yourself to broaden your horizons and increase your capacity for making changes in your home, life, and community.
This course prepares students for the AP® Environmental Science exam.
Curriculum
This is a 2-semester course. We do not recommend taking both semesters simultaneously.
Unit 1: Fundamental Principles of Environmental Science
- Environmental Problems and Causes
- Environmental History
- Science, Systems, Matter, and Energy
Unit 2: Interdependence of Earth's Living Systems
- Ecosystems
- Evolution and Biodiversity: Origins, Niches, and Adaptation
- Terrestrial Biogeography
- Aquatic Life Zones
- Community Ecology and Species Interaction
Unit 3: Population Dynamics
- Population Dynamics and Sustainability
- Applying Population Ecology - The Human Population
Unit 4: Biodiversity of Species
- Sustaining Species Biodiversity
- Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity - Managing and Protecting Ecosystems
- Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
Unit 5: Environmental Quality and Protection
- Risk, Toxicology, and Human Health
- Air Pollution
- Climate Change
- Pollutions of Water
- Solid Waste
- Hazardous Waste
Unit 6: Earth's Resources
- Water Resources
- Geologic Resources
- Food and Soil Resources
Unit 7: Energy Resources
- Non-Renewable Energy Sources
- Renewable Energy Sources
Unit 8: Environment and Societal Worldviews
- Worldviews