AP Environmental Science What have you gotten yourself into?

What is AP Environmental Science? An interdisciplinary study that integrates information and ideas from natural science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science And social sciences: Economics, Politics, Ethics

The Course The goal is to provide students with - scientific principles, concepts & methodologies to understand interrelationships of the natural world - to identify & analyze environmental problems - to evaluate relative risks - to examine alternative solutions

The Course Six Major Unifying Themes - Science is a dynamic process - Energy conversions underlie ecological processes - Earth as an interconnected system - Humans alter natural systems - Cultural context of environmental problems - Survival depends on sustainable systems

The Course APES demonstrates the Nature of Science - Science is a process - Science is a method of learning more about the world - Science constantly changes the way we understand the world

Prerequisites MOST important prerequisite: Desire on the part of the student A Solid background in Biology and Chemistry At least one year of algebra

Students Taking APES Appeals to both traditional and alternative learners Tends to score lower than other science APs due to integration of science disciplines Lends itself well to inquiry-based, hands-on learning

APES Topic Outline I. Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%) Earth Science Concepts (geologic time scale, plate tectonics, earthquakes & volcanism, seasons, solar intensity & latitudes) Atmosphere (composition & structure, weather & climate, atmospheric circulation, atmo-ocean interactions) Global Water Resources & Use (freshwater/saltwater, ocean circulation, agricultural/industrial/domestic use, surface & groundwater issues, global problems, conservation) Soil & Soil Dynamics (rock cycle, formation & composition, physical & chemical properties, soil types, erosion and soil problems, soil conservation measures)

APES Topic Outline II. The Living World (10-15%) Ecosystem Structure (pop. & communities, niches; species interactions; keystone & indicator species, species diversity factors; major biomes) Energy Flow (photosynthesis & cellular respiration; food webs & trophic levels, ecological pyramids) Ecosystem Diversity (biodiversity, natural selection, evolution ecosystem services) Natural Ecosystem Change (climate shifts, species movement, ecological succession) Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (carbon, nitrogen sulfur, phosphorus, water, conservation of matter

APES Topic Outline III. Population (10-15%) Population Biology (population ecology, carrying capacity, reproductive strategies, survivorship) Human Population - Human Population Dynamics (historical population size, distribution, fertility rates, growth rates & doubling times, demographic transition, age-structure diagrams) - Population Size (strategies for sustainability, case studies, national policies) - Impact of Population Growth (hunger, disease, economic effects, resource use, habitat modifications)

APES Topic Outline IV. Land and Water Use (10-15%) Agriculture - Feeding a Growing Population (human nutritional requirement, types of agriculture, Green Revolution, genetic engineering & crop production, deforestation, irrigation, sustainable agriculture) - Controlling Pests (types of pesticides, costs & benefits of pesticide use, IPM, laws) Forestry (tree plantations, old growth forests, forest fires, forest management, national forests)

APES Topic Outline IV. Land and Water Use (10-15%) (cont.) Mining (mineral formation, extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties) Fishing (fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties) Global Economics (globalization, World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties)

APES Topic Outline V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10- 15%) Energy Concepts (energy forms, power, units, conversion, Laws of Thermodynamics) Energy Consumption - History - Present Global Energy Use - Future Energy Needs Fossil Fuel Resources and Use (formation of coal, oil, natural gas; extraction purification methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources)

APES Topic Outline V. Energy Resources and Consumption (cont.) Nuclear Energy (nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation & human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion) Hydroelectric Power (dams; flood control; silting; salmon; other impacts) Energy Conservation (energy efficiency, CAFÉ standards; hybrid vehicles; mass transit) Renewable Energy (solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves & tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages)

APES Topic Outline VI. Pollution (25-30%) Pollution Types - Air Pollution ( sources – primary & secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; acid deposition – causes & effects; heat islands & temp. inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation & reduction strategies; Clear Air Act & other relevant laws) - Noise Pollution (sources; effects; control measures) - Water Pollution (types; sources; causes; effects; cultural eutrophication; ground water pollution; maintaining water quality; water purification; sewage treatment; Clean Water Act & other relevant laws - Solid Waste (types; disposal; reduction)

APES Topics Outline VI. Pollution (cont.) Impacts on the Environment and Health - Hazards to Human Health (environmental risk analysis; acute & chronic effects; dos-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking & other risks) - Hazardous Chemicals in the Environment (types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws) Economic Impact (cost-benefit analysis; externalities; sustainability)

APES Topic Outline VII. Global Change (10 – 15%) Stratospheric Ozone (formation of stratoshperic ozone; ultraviolet radiation; causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone depletion; strategies for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties) Global Warming (greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing climate change; relevant laws and treaties)

APES Topic Outline VII. Global Change (10-15%) (cont.) Loss of Biodiversity - Habitat Loss (overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered & extinct species) - Maintenance through Conservation (strategies for conserving habitat) - Relevant Laws & Treaties (Endangered Species Act)