A.P.
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE
AGENDA
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A.P.E.S.?
Course Description from AP Central
The AP Exam
What are you in for?
Questions?
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A.P.E.S. is designed to be the equivalent of a
one semester introductory college course in
environmental science.
 A.P.E.S. is designed to be taken by students
after the successful completion of biology (at
least a B) and chemistry.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
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goal of A.P.E.S. is for students to
understand the interrelationships of the
natural world, to identify and analyze
environmental problems both natural and
man-made, to evaluate the relative risks
associated with these problems, and to
examine alternative solutions for resolving
or preventing them.
THEMES THROUGHOUT A.P.E.S.
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Science is a process. It is a method of learning more about the world and it constantly
changes the way we understand the world.
Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes. Energy cannot be created. As
energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable.
The Earth itself is one interconnected system. Natural systems change overtime and
space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
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.
Environmental problems have a cultural and social context. Understanding the role of
cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.
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 LABS AND
TEXTBOOK…
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There are a variety of labs we complete including the following:
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A Study of Food Chains and Food Webs
Natural selection
Biodiversity
Doubling Time
Population Studies
Watersheds
Serial Dilution
Water Quality
Heat Transfer
Car Exhaust
Particulate Matter
Permeability and Porosity
Soil salinization
Land Use
Surface mining
Oil spill
Energy efficiency
Solar cooker
THE EXAM…
All students are expected to take the A.P.E.S. exam.
 The exam consists of an 90-minute, 100-item selected
response section and a 90-minute, 4 question free
response section.
 The selected response is worth 60% and the free response
is worth 40% of the overall exam grade.
 Students who do not take the AP exam will be required to
take a teacher created comprehensive exam on the day of
the AP exam. This grade will be added to your 4th
marking period grade.
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TOPIC DISTRIBUTION ON EXAM
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 Climate Change (10-15%)
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WHAT ARE YOU IN FOR?...
 The course is primarily lecture with class discussion
infused into the lecture.
 Per Quarter there are usually:
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2 exams
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30 multiple choice
1 free response
4-5 laboratory exercises
1-2 projects
additional classroom activities
homework (ex. Weblogs and comments)
GRADING
Exams: 60%
 Laboratory exercises: 20%
 Classwork/projects: 10%
 Homework: 10%
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SUMMER WORK
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Get out!...
outdoors that is…
ANY QUESTIONS?