Environmental Science / AP

303531 Environmental Science

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry Credit:1

The goal of the Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human- made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science.

303530 AP Environmental Science

Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry Credit:1

The goal of the Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course: science is a process; energy conversions underlie all ecological processes; the Earth itself 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. Students will be encouraged to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in Environmental Science. A score of 3, 4, or 5 on this exam is recognized by many colleges and universities as introductory course in college environmental science and college credit may be granted. Students should commit to three to five hours of work per week of outside class.