AP Environmental Science Syllabus
AP Environmental Science Course Description
The AP Environmental Science course is a year-long course that is designed to be the equivalent of
an introductory college course in environmental science. The class meets for five periods per week,
with a minimum of one period per week spent in the laboratory or completing field investigations
[C17]. During the course, the wooded area at the east side of the campus will be used for a variety of
field studies; this area includes a creek and a small area of undisturbed forest.
The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and
methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world [C11], to evaluate
the relative risks associated with these problems, to examine alternative solutions for resolving or
preventing them, and to develop and focus their own political perspective [C15]. This course is
interdisciplinary, but there are several major unifying themes that are the foundation for the AP
Environmental Science course. These themes are:
 Science is a process by which we learn about and understand the world.
 Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
 The Earth is one interconnected system.
 Humans alter natural systems.
 Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
 Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. [C15],
[C16]
Students will be assessed using a variety of methods, including major unit tests, quizzes, lab or field
reports, oral presentations, and homework. All laboratory/fieldwork includes an analysis and
interpretation component [C12]. Students will be taught methods for analyzing and interpreting
information [C12], for analyzing and interpreting data [C13], and for completing mathematical
calculations involved in analysis and interpretation of data and information [C14]. In addition,
students will complete a science fair project during the first semester, and will prepare an
environmental science current event portfolio during the second semester. Throughout the year,
students will complete a variety of reading assignments, which may include excerpts from novels,
journals, or other periodicals.
Tests
Major tests will be given at the conclusion of each unit as indicated by the course plan. Tests will be
comprised of multiple-choice and free-response questions throughout the year. At the beginning of
the year, free-response questions will not be timed; after Thanksgiving break, however, essays will be
timed in order to mimic the testing environment of the AP exam.
Supplies
The following materials are required for this class:
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Notebook for reading notes
Notebook for class notes
Blue or black ink pens
#2 pencils with erasers
NOTE: You will NOT be allowed to use a calculator in this class or on the AP exam.
AP Environmental Science Syllabus
APES in the News
Environmental science is a frequently changing and evolving field of study. To promote well-read and
informed students, each one is required to participate in the APES in the News assignment. Twice
during the third and fourth grading periods, each student must find a newspaper or magazine article
relating to environmental science, read through the article, and write a one-page (double-spaced)
reflection. Additionally each student will be required to produce an APES in the news assignment
during spring break. A total of five APES in the News articles must be completed by the end of the
school year. One of the five articles must come from a newspaper clipping from a different
state/country. No repeat articles allowed.
Textbook and Resources
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Miller, G. (2007). Living in the Environment, 17th Edition. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning.
Additional articles from Discover, Scientific American, and other journal will supplement the
textbook reading.
Methods
Instruction will consist of lectures, discussions, cooperative learning activities, demonstrations, lab or
field work, and written assignments—including research projects, in-class assignments, and
homework.
Approximately one period per week is devoted to hands-on laboratory experiences or fieldwork. All
lab and fieldwork requires a written report which will be kept in a designated laboratory notebook.
This notebook may be required by certain institutions at a later date.
Course Planner
UNIT
1—
Introduction to
Environmental
Science
TOPICS/CONCEPTS
 Environmental problems
and causes
 History of resources’ use
and conservation
 Scientific method and
models
LABS AND ACTIVITIES[C17]
The Lorax vs. The Truax
Namedroppers (historical
contributions to environmental
science)
Project: Environmental Laws
research
Lab: Ecological Footprint
Lab: Parts per million (serial dilution)
[C14]
Lab/Activity: Tragedy of the
Commons
TEST—Introduction and Chapter 1
and 2
TIME
3
weeks
AP Environmental Science Syllabus
2—Matter and
Energy [C3]
3—Air and the
Atmosphere
[C1]
Transfer of matter and energy in
the ecosystem [C3]
 Biogeochemical cycles
 Relationships in
ecosystems
 Review of basic chemistry
 Laws of Thermodynamics
 Energy flow in ecosystems







Air
Air pollution [C9]
The atmosphere
Climate change
Stratospheric ozone [C10]
Weather
Global Warming [C10]
Biogeochemical Cycles (internet
activity)
Lab: Irradiated seeds [C13]
Lab: Predator/Prey
Activity: Food Web model
Cats of Borneo reading
Lab: Biomagnification [C13]
Lab: Acid/base lab
Population math/APES math skills
TEST: chapter 3
2
weeks
Lab: Albedo [C12]
Lab: Testing for ground-level ozone
[C15]
Lab: Acid Rain
Lab: Particulate Collection
Vernier Probe Labs (CO2, relative
humidity, UV) [C15]
Lab: Measuring automobile
pollutants
4
weeks
TEST: chapter 18 and 19
4—Biodiversity
and
Ecosystems
[C3]
5—Sustaining
Biodiversity
[C10]
6—Human
Impact and
Population
[C4]









Biodiversity of species
Evolution of species and
natural selection
Community ecology
Sustaining biodiversity
Lab: Parking Lot Biodiversity
(Shannon-Wiener diversity index)
[C12], [C13]
Project: Biomes
Activity: Climatograms
Activity: Simulation of natural
selection
Lab: Biodiversity in Leaf Litter
(Shannon-Wiener) [C12], [C13]
Lab: Brine Shrimp Abiotic Factors
Lab: Interspecific and Intraspecific
competition
Aquatic and Terrestrial
Biodiversity
Sustaining wild species
Biodiversity and extinction
[C10]
TEST: Chapters 3,4,5
Lab: Macroinvertebrate lab (use
stream on school grounds)—will take
lab time during this unit [C13]
Project: Endangered Animal
Research
Video: Cane Toads
Human population and its
impact
Population dynamics
TEST: Chapters 7,8,9,10,11
Lab: Power of the Pyramids
Lab: Something Fishy
Lab: Histograms
Lab: The power of doubling
3
weeks
3
weeks
2
weeks
AP Environmental Science Syllabus
7—Human
Health and the
Environment
[C16]


8—Geology
[C1], [C2]
9—Land Use
[C5]
Human health
 Risk and toxicology
 LD 50
 Diseases
Pesticides and pest
control
Earth Science Concepts [C1] [C2]
 Plate tectonics
 Land formations
 Mining
 Rocks and minerals
 Soil and soil dynamics




Food resources
 Feeding populations
 calories
Urban land use
Forestry
Other Land Use
 Transportation
infrastructure
 Public and federal
lands
 Land conservation
options
 Sustainable landuse strategies
10—Water
Resources
and Use [C1]
[C2] [C6]




Sampling
Fishing
Water resources
Water pollution [C9]
 Testing water quality
11—Solid

Solid waste
TEST: Chapter 6
Activity: Disease reports
Lab: LD 50
Activity: Risk Perception and Risk
Reality
Video: Ebola
Activity: Zombie Case study (will
include preparation and in-class
debate—ecological and human
health risks) [C16]
TEST: Chapter 17, 12-section 4
Lab: Rocks and Minerals
Lab: Plate Tectonics
Lab: Soil Lab
Lab: Cookie Mining
Field Trip: Providence Canyon
Activity: Scale Model of Earth
TEST: Chapter 14, 12
Lab: Counting Calories
Project: Land Use planning
3
weeks
3
weeks
2
weeks
TEST: Chapters 22, 12
Lab: Chemical Testing/Water
quality/aquatic sampling [C12] [C13]
Lab: Water diversion
Lab: Salinization
Lab: Drop by drop
Activity: Who Dirtied the water? And
Is it safe to drink? [C15]
Field Trip: Radium Springs,
Riverquarium
TEST: Chapters 13, 20
Lab: Wastewater Treatment
3
weeks
2
AP Environmental Science Syllabus
Waste [C9]



Recycling
Disposal
Wastewater treatment
Activity: Recycle City
Lab: Landfills and Recycling
weeks
TEST: Chapter 21
12—Energy
Resources
and
Consumption
[C7] [C8]






Energy consumption
Energy efficiency
Renewable energy
Types of energy
Nuclear energy
Hydroelectric power

Review for AP exam


Ecological Planning Project
Final Exams
Lab: Personal Energy Audit
Activity: Carbon Footprint (internet)
Activity: Fossil Fuels
Activity: Energyville (Chevron—
internet) [C12] [C15]
Video: Chernobyl
TEST: Chapters 15, 16
2
weeks
2
weeks
2
weeks