From the College Board:
 

The goal of AP Environmental Science is to provide students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.  
Recommended Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra.

 

There are six underlying themes interwoven throughout this course:

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1. Science is a process. Science is a method of learning more about the world, and constantly changes the way we understand the world.

2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere. As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable

3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system. Natural systems change over time and space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.

4. Humans alter natural systems. Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years. Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate and scale of their impact on the environment.

5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.

6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. Management of common resources is essential.

 

The topics we will cover this year will include:

 

1. Earth Systems and Resources: Earth Science, The Atmosphere, Global Water Resources and Use, Soil and Soil Dynamics (10-15%)

2. The Living World: Ecosystem Structure, Energy Flow, Ecosystem Diversity, Natural Ecosystem Change, Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (10-15%)

3. : Population Biology Concepts, Human Populations (10-15%)

4. Land and Water Use: Agriculture, Forestry, Rangelands, Mining, Fishing, Global Economics
   (10-15%)

5. Energy Resources and Consumption: Energy Concepts, Energy Consumption, Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy (10-15%)

6. : Pollution Types, Impacts on the Environment and Human Health, Economic Impacts (25-30%)

7. Global Change: Stratospheric Ozone, Global Warming, Loss of Biodiversity (10-15%)

 

 Requirements for Success

1. General Materials - due by Monday of 1st full week of school

• Hard cover 3-ring binder (1.5”) with 8 divider tabs with paper and dividers.

• Composition or Spiral Notebook

• Scientific calculator

1. ​

• Provided Text: (2nd ed.). A. Friedland and R. Relyea

• Purchased Books – due by Monday of 2nd full week of class:          
        

  • 5 Steps to a 5:  AP Environmental Science 2016 By:  Linda Williams
    McGraw-Hill   Education. ISBN-13: 978-0071846257 ISBN-10: 0071846255

  • 5 Steps to a 5: 500 AP Environmental Science Questions to Know by Test Day (2nd ed). McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 978-0071780742

  • Carbonless lab notebook (optional)

  • Composition Journal x 2

1. • Attendance is mandatory for all classes, field trips, debates, and labs

   • If you skip class, you will not be permitted to make up missed work.

   • If you are absent, turn in any online assignments on Google Drive on the due date (even if it is the day you are absent), otherwise late penalties will apply. If you miss a test, email me to schedule a make-up date. Labs cannot be made up, so please make every effort to be in attendance on lab days.

• Punctuality is necessary. Please be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

  • The school policy states that “any student who enters class without a pass after the bell rings is considered late,” and this will be strictly enforced in this class. Therefore, if you are late more than three times in a marking period, it will count as one absence.

 

Assessment and Grading

Grades will be determined based on the percentage of points earned.

Tests, Quizzes, and Labs/Lab Reports: 80%

1. ​

• Tests contain objective and subjective questions taken from class notes and labs.

• If you are absent on the day of the test, you have one week from the day of return to school to

Make-up the test. It is YOUR responsibility to contact me to set up a time to take the test (tests may not be taken during class). : if you skip class the day of a test, you will receive a zero for the test grade, and no make-up test will be given.

2.   Quizzes

• Quizzes may be announced or unannounced in class, or completed online.

• If you are absent for a quiz, you will take it during class on the day you return to school.

3.   Labs/Lab Reports

• Bring your lab notebook and a pen to every lab. If you forget it, you may not go to your locker!

• Read the lab for homework the night before! This is critical to a successful lab period.

• Labs cannot be made up; absences on lab days are not recommended! If you are absent, contact your lab partner(s) to get the data and complete the lab report as much as possible.

• Lab reports must be completed according to the format directions given out in lab.
   

Writing assignments, class activities, homework, projects, debates: 20%

1.   Writing assignments/class activities/homework

• If you are absent the day an assignment is due, you must turn it in the day you return to school or you will be subjected to the grade reduction listed above.

• Online assignments are due on time, even if you are absent. Please submit them electronically even if you are absent to avoid any late penalty.

2.    Projects  - Directions and rubrics will be provided at the start of each project

3.   Discussions & Debates - Directions and rubrics will be provided at the start of each debate; please note that you cannot be absent on the day of debate or your cannot receive participation points for that debate.