Course Description

In this course you will be given the opportunity to learn about Environmental Science at the college level. This course is aligned with the Advanced Placement College Board. The objective of this course is to teach you the complexity of the biotic and abiotic systems, and how they interact in the natural world. You will be able to explain the patterns found in diverse but interrelated fields such as nutrients, weather, speciation, and ecosystem diversity. You will also analyze the impact of humans on Earth’s land, water, and air and how energy and resources are consumed. This course will prepare you for subsequent science courses and to pass the AP Environmental Science exam. 

APES CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Big Ideas

BIG IDEA 1: ENERGY TRANSFER (ENG): 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.

BIG IDEA 2: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN EARTH SYSTEMS (ERT) :The Earth is one interconnected system. Natural systems change over time and space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.

BIG IDEA 3: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT SPECIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (EIN): Humans alter natural systems and 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.

BIG IDEA 4: SUSTAINABILITY (STB): Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. The management of resources is essential. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions. 

Major Topics For the Year

I. The Living World: Ecosystems. (6-8%)

1.     Introduction to Ecosystems ERT

2.     Terrestrial Biomes ERT

3.     Aquatic Biomes ERT

4.    The Carbon Cycle ERT

5.     The Nitrogen Cycle ERT

6.     The Phosphorus Cycle ERT

7.     The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle ERT

8.     Primary Productivity ENG

9.     Trophic Levels ENG

10.   Energy Flow and the 10% Rule ENG

11.   Food Chains and Food Webs ENG

II. The Living World: Biodiversity ( 6-8%)

1.     Introduction to Biodiversity ERT

2.     Ecosystem Services ERT

3.     Island Biogeography ERT

4.     Ecological Tolerance ERT

5.     Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems ERT

6.     Adaptations ERT

7.     Ecological Succession ERT

III. Populations ( 10-15%)

1.     Generalist and Specialist Species ERT

2.     K-Selected r-Selected Species ERT

3.     Survivorship Curves ERT

4.     Carrying Capacity ERT

5.     Population Growth and Resource Availability ERT

6.     Age Structure Diagrams EIN

7.     Total Fertility Rate EIN

8.     Human Population Dynamics EIN

9.     Demographic Transition EIN

IV. Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%)

1.     Plate Tectonics ERT

2.     Soil Formation and Erosion ERT

3.     Soil Composition and Properties ERT

4.     Earth’s Atmosphere ERT

5.     Global Wind Patterns ERT

6.     Watersheds ERT

7.     Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons ENG

8.     Earth’s Geography and Climate ENG

9.     El Niño and La Niña ENG

V. Land and Water Use (10-15%)

1.     The Tragedy of the Commons EIN

2.     Clearcutting EIN

3.     The Green Revolution EIN

4.     Impacts of Agricultural Practices EIN

5.     Irrigation Methods EIN

6.     Pest Control Methods EIN

7.     Meat Production Methods EIN

8.     Impacts of Overfishing EIN

9.     Impacts of Mining EIN

10.   Impacts of Urbanization EIN

11.   Ecological Footprints EIN

12.   Introduction to Sustainability STB

13.   Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff STB

14.   Integrated Pest Management STB

15.   Sustainable Agriculture STB

16.   Aquaculture STB

17.   Sustainable Forestry STB

VI. Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%)

1.     Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources ENG

2.     Global Energy Consumption ENG

3.     Fuel Types and Uses ENG

4.     Distribution of Natural Energy Resources ENG

5.     Fossil Fuels ENG

6.     Nuclear Power ENG

7.     Energy from Biomass ENG

8.     Solar Energy ENG

9.     Hydroelectric Power ENG

10.   Geothermal Energy ENG

11.   Hydrogen Fuel Cell ENG

12.   Wind Energy ENG

13.   Energy Conservation ENG

VII. Atmospheric Pollution ( 7-10%)

1.     Introduction to Air Pollution STB

2.     Photochemical Smog STB

3.     Thermal Inversion STB

4.     Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates STB

5.     Indoor Air Pollutants STB

6.     Reduction of Air Pollutants STB

7.     Acid Rain STB

8.     Noise Pollution STB

VIII. Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution (7-10%)

1.     Sources of Pollution STB

2.     Human Impacts on Ecosystems STB

3.     Endocrine Disruptors STB

4.     Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves STB

5.     Eutrophication STB

6.     Thermal Pollution STB

7.     Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) STB

8.     Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification STB

9.     Solid Waste Disposal STB

10.   Waste Reduction Methods STB

11.   Sewage Treatment STB

12.   Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) EIN

13.   Dose Response Curve EIN

14.   Pollution and Human Health EIN

15.   Pathogens and Infectious Diseases EIN

IX. Global Change (15-20%)

1.     Stratospheric Ozone Depletion STB

2.     Reducing Ozone Depletion STB

3.     The Greenhouse Effect STB

4.     Increases in the Greenhouse Gases STB

5.     Global Climate Change STB

6.     Ocean Warming STB

7.     Ocean Acidification STB

8.     Invasive Species EIN

9.     Endangered Species EIN

10.   Human Impacts on Biodiversity EIN

More detailed information about each unit is available in the AP College Board Syllabus.