Advanced Placement
Environmental
Science
WHY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE?
In the twenty-first century, the “environment” affects politics, economics, weather,
plant and animal species, medicine, and energy; in short, EVERYTHING. All over
the world, people have become increasingly concerned about the safety of our air,
food, and water. Current weather-related events have sparked an interest in
understanding global climate change and the human factors that may be
enhancing global warming. Quality of life issues have made us more concerned and
aware about our precious resources and open spaces and how to protect them.
Individuals are taking conservation more seriously because of the environmental
consequences of our current and future energy needs.
Environmental science is the study of the interactions among the physical,
chemical and biological components of the environment. As citizens, we will make
decisions and personal sacrifices that will affect our world and our environment.
Advanced Environmental Science provides students with a strong foundation in the
sciences that forms the basis for understanding these important issues as well as
provides students the opportunity to explore the social connections to the
environment.
General Course Goals:
• 1. Develop an understanding of the process of
science, especially environmental science.
• 2. Prepare for the national APES examination
given in May.
• 3. Provide the knowledge needed to make
informed decisions regarding environmental
issues.
• 4. Learn to make positive impacts on the
environment.
GRADING
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
100-99%
98-94%
93-90%
89-88%
87-84%
83-80%
C+
C
CD+
D
F
79-78%
77-74%
73-70%
69-68%
67-63%
< 63%
Weighing Grades
o 45% - Summative Assessments:
o Summative assessments include unit tests and
quizzes. These cumulative tests will model the same format
as the national AP test and will include multiple choice
(selected response) and essay (free response questions or
FRQ’s) questions.
o 35% - Formative Assessments:
o Formative assessments include all laboratory
assignments, notebooks, chapter packages, other class
work, and most projects.
o 15% - Homework (practice):
o Homework usually includes practice math problems,
warm-ups, and other shorter assignments.
o 5% - Participation
Participation usually includes group discussions,
presentations, group work
PARTICIPATION
•Will weigh in on overall grade
•Credit or no credit
•Actions resulting in zero credit:
•Unexcused absence
•Not working the whole time
•Inappropriate use of equipment
•Not contributing to group
•Being sent out
•Participate in
your group
•Do your own
write-ups
•Follow
instructions
•Handle materials
safely
•Clean up your
area
L
A
B
S
Current Events
You will be required to turn in a Current Event
Binder once a month (2 summaries per month).
The Current Events must be related to the unit
topics we are currently studying. You may use
newspapers, magazines, Public Radio, TV, or the
Internet. You must cite your sources. The
current event can not be older than the last 5
years. Your summary must be a page long so
make sure you are choosing material with
enough information. Your summary must
include a reflection section at the end.
• Site your source (URL if an article) or attach
the document. Make sure the source is clearly
visible.
• Write a one paragraph summary of the article
as well as one paragraph of your
opinion/thoughts on the article (total should
be a page long). Your information must be
typed.
• Be prepared to discuss at least one of the
articles in class. Try not to pick the same
articles as your friends.
Resources
Textbook:
– Environmental Science for AP by Friedland,
Andrew, et al. (New York, NY: W.H. Freeman and
Company), 2012.
– Replacement Cost: $125.00
Part I: APES Course Goals:
1. Science is a process.
– a. Science is a method of learning more about the world.
– b. Science constantly changes the way we understand the
world.
2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
– a. Energy cannot be created; it must come from
somewhere.
– b. As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it
becomes unusable.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
– a. Natural systems change over time and space.
– b. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from
disturbances.
4. Humans alter natural systems.
– a. Humans have had an impact on the environment for
millions of years.
– b. Technology and population growth have enabled
humans to increase both the rate and the scale of their
impact on the environment.
5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social
context.
– a. 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. A suitable combination of conservation and
development
– b. Management of common resources is essential.
APES Unit Topics & Textbook Correlation:
Times and Sequence are Subject to Change.
• Unit 1: Intro to ES/Matter & Energy (2-3 wks)
– Chapter 1: Studying the State of our Earth
– Chapter 2: Environmental Systems
• Unit 2: The Living World (5-6 wks)
– Chapter 3: Ecosystem Ecology
– Chapter 4: Global Climates and Biomes
– Chapter 5: Evolution and Biodiversity
• Unit 3: Biological and Human Populations (3-4 wks)
– Chapter 6: Population and Community Ecology
– Chapter 7: The Human Population
• Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources (3-4 wks)
– Chapter 8: Earth Systems
– Chapter 9: Water Resources
• Unit 5: Land Use (3-4 wks)
– Chapter 10: Land, Public and Private
– Chapter 11: Feeding the World
• Unit 6: Energy Resources & Consumption (3-4 wks)
– Chapter 12: Nonrenewable Energy Sources
– Chapter 13: Achieving Energy Sustainability
• Unit 7: Pollution (7-8 wks)
–
–
–
–
Chapter 14: Water Pollution
Chapter 15: Air Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Chapter 16: Waste Generation and Waste Disposal
Chapter 17: Human Health and Environmental Risks
• Unit 8: Global Change & a Sustainable Future (1-2 wks)
– Chapter 18: Conservation of Biodiversity
– Chapter 19: Global Change
– Chapter 20: Sustainability, Economics, and Equity
APES Exam
About the Exam
Exam Day 2015
* Monday May 04 *
08:00 AM
Exam Resources
The exam is three hours long and has two parts — multiple choice
questions and free response questions. The multiple choice section is worth
60% and the free response section is worth 40% of the final exam grade.
Practice questions
Review Sessions
Practice exams
Updated reminders
Required for AP
Fee Waived
Section I: Multiple Choice — 100 questions; 1 hour and 30 minutes
The portion of multiple choice questions covering each course topic
area is:
Earth Systems and Resources (10%–15%)
The Living World (10–15%)
Population (10%–15%)
Land and Water Use (10%–15%)
Energy Resources and Consumption (10%–15%)
Pollution (25%–30%)
Global Change (10%–15%)
Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number
of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for
incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered
questions.
Section II: Free Response — 4 Questions; 1 hour and 30 minutes
The free response section contains three types of questions:
1 document-based question in which you’ll answer questions
related to a given document (e.g., pamphlet, newspaper article, or
advertisement)
1 data set question in which you’ll analyze and interpret a given set
of data
2 synthesis and evaluation questions which will be in-depth,
multipart essays
The free response section emphasizes the application of principles.
You'll need to demonstrate your reasoning and analytical skills, as
well as your ability to synthesize material from several sources into
cogent and coherent essays
•Get missing assignments
•3 days to make up work
•1 week for tests – come in on your own time
•Can’t make up missing work,
labs or tests
•Zero for the day
For
safety
and
sanitary
reasons
Water allowed
Except in lab
areas