Download Seven Major Environmental Science AP Topic Areas

A.P Environmental Science 2011-2012
Course Description:
The goal of the AP 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 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.
1.
Science is a process.
• Science is a method of learning more about the world.
• Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2.
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.
3.
The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
• Natural systems change over time and space.
• Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
4.
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.
5.
Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
• Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the
development of solutions.
6.
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.
Outline of Topics:
The following is an outline of major topics and serves to define the scope of both the AP
Environmental Science Course and the May AP Exam. The order of the topics
in the outline holds no special significance, since there are many different sequences in
which the topics could be appropriately addressed in the course. The percentage after
each major topic heading indicates the approximate proportion of questions on the
international AP Environmental Science examination which pertain to that heading; thus
the percentage also indicates the relative emphasis that will be placed on the topics in the
course.
Seven Major Environmental Science AP Topic Areas
I. Earth Systems and Resources: (10-15%)
A. Earth Science Concepts
B. The Atmosphere
C. Global Water Resources and Use
D. Soil and Soil Dynamics
II. The Living World: (10-15%)
A. Ecosystem Structure
B. Energy Flow
C. Ecosystem Diversity
D. Natural Ecosystem Change
E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
III. Population: (10-15%)
A. Population Biology Concepts
B. Human Population
1. Human population dynamics
2. Population size
3. Impacts of population growth
IV: Land and Water Use: (10-15%)
A. Agriculture
1. Feeding a growing population
2. Controlling Pests:
.
B. Forestry
C. Rangelands
D. Other Land Use
1. Urban land development
2. Transportation infrastructure
3. Public and federal lands
4. Land conservation options
5. Sustainable land-use strategies
E. Mining
F. Fishing
G. Global Economics
H. V. Energy Resources and Consumption: (10-15%)
A. Energy Concepts
B. Energy Consumption
1. History
2. Present global energy use
3. Future energy needs
C. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
D. Nuclear Energy
E. Hydroelectric Power
F. Energy Conservation
G. Renewable Energy
VI. Pollution: (25-30%)
A. Pollution Types
1. Air Pollution
2. Noise Pollution
3. Water pollution
4. Solid Waste
B. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
1. Hazards to human health
2. Hazardous chemicals in the environment
Economic Impact
VII. Global Change: (10-15%)
A. Stratospheric Ozone
B. Global Warming
C. Loss of Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct
species
2. Maintenance through conservation
3. Relevant laws and treaties
Laboratory Experiments and Field Investigations
Laboratory experiments and field investigations are designed to complement the “indoor
classroom”, lecture-discussion portion of the course. Examples of lab and field work include the
following:
-Ecosystem Dynamics -Soil Analysis
-Ecological Succession -Air Pollution
-Population Studies
-Ozone Testing
-Carrying Capacity
-Solid Waste
-Energy Consumption -Toxicity Testing -Water-Quality
-Water Inventory
- Urban Planning
-UV Light Intensity
These labs and others are intended to encourage and promote students to:
1. Think critically about environmental systems
2. Develop and conduct well-designed experiments
3. Utilize appropriate techniques and instrumentation
4. Analyze and interpret data, including statistical and graphical presentations
5. Think analytically and apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems
6. Form conclusions and to evaluate their quality and validity
7. Propose further questions for study, and
8. Communicate accurately and meaningfully about observations and conclusions.
Lab and field investigations/experiments will typically include a lab summary report or other
written/typed “deliverable” upon completion of the lab.
Textbook: Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and
Solutions 14th Edition
http://www.brookscole.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=0534997295&discipli
ne_number=22
The May AP Exam:
It is my expectation that ALL students enrolled in AP Environmental Science will take
this exam. If you are willing to put forth the effort and devote the necessary time, you
will be putting yourself in a desirable position in terms of being very successful on the
May AP Exam.
The AP Environmental Science Exam is three hours in length and consists of two parts:
Part I: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions in 90 minutes = 60% of score
Part II: 4 Free-Response Questions in 90 minutes
= 40% of score
The AP Environmental Science Exam is created by the Test Development Committee,
which is supported by the College Board and the Educational Testing Service. This group
is made up of 10 people (3 E.T.S. consultants and 7 individuals who serve a four year
term on the committee.)
Part I. Multiple-Choice Questions: The number of M/C questions taken from each of
the 7 major topic areas in the course outline is reflected in the percentage next to each
topic. For example, you can expect to see 10-15 M/C questions dealing with Topic I,
Earth Systems and Resources. You will see “Question Sets” (2-5 questions which draw
upon the same set of 5 choices), “stand alone questions”, as well as a few “Roman
Numeral” format questions.
PART II. Free-Response Questions: The FRQ section emphasizes the application of
principles in more depth than a M/C question can involve. You will need to organize
answers to questions, demonstrating reasoning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to
synthesize material from several sources into cogent and coherent written responses. You
should note that Environmental Science AP FRQs are best described as written responses
in which the student specifically and comprehensively addresses the question stems.
Given this, Environmental Science AP FRQs are NOT five paragraph “classic” essays.
Unless specifically called for in the question, there is no need for an introductory
paragraph, concluding paragraph, or restatement of the questions.
There are 3 types of FRQs:
1. Data analysis/Calculation-based/Lab-based or Lab-design: (1 FRQ)
2. Document-based (could involve a Lab-design and/or a Calculation): (1 FRQ)
3. Synthesis and Evaluation: (2 FRQs)
The data analysis/calculation-based FRQ provides you with one or more data sets, or
numerical values and then asks you to respond to specific questions regarding this data.
In a lab-design FRQ you are asked to set up an experiment based on information given.
The document-based FRQ presents you with a news article, an advertisement, a pamphlet,
or other document, and asks you to apply knowledge of environmental science in
responding to 2-6(a, b, --- a, b, c, d, e) question stems related to the document.
The synthesis/evaluation FRQ is a series of 2-5 question stems which do not include a
data-set or a document. Most FRQs consist of 3 (a, b, c) or 4 parts (a, b, c, d), while two
part, five part, and six part FRQs are not as common.
scrAPES Book
Book of current events related to Environmental Science
Directions:
1. Each quarter collect 9 Environmental Science articles from NEWSPAPERS
ONLY. NO magazines or internet resources can be used.
2. Summarize each article:
Must be no less than 100 words
Articles should be neatly taped/glues/displayed in a 3-prong folder with the
summary following each article.
Must be typed
3. Include a table of contents at the beginning of the folder that includes the title,
date, and source of the article. Please number the articles and include this as well.
4. The articles must have substance to them and show a clear connection to
Environmental Science. The assignment is designed to have you read the
newspaper throughout the year. It is expected that the articles will have dates
between the quarters of the year.
Dates Due: 1st and 2nd periods: Oct 29, Jan. 22, April 1, May 28
3rd and 5th periods Oct 30, Jan. 21, April 2, May 27.
Classroom Rules and Grading Criteria :
Do your own work and do not share your work with others.
Be in your seat and ready by the time the bell rings. Work until dismissed – no waiting
for class to end by the door.
Use of hall pass only when necessary and at appropriate times – limit once a week per
person.
Late work 50% for one week after due date, after that no credit. – Exception is excused
absences.
No eating or drinking in the classroom – one exception is water in a screw-top container
– but not in lab area.
Be respectful of the classroom, the instructor, and other students.
You will need 2 composition notebooks – one for lab write ups and one for notes and
study guides.
Grading:
Evaluation of students will be based on the following:
Unit/Chapter Exams, quizzes, quarter finals, semester finals, questions sets, laboratory
reports, written and oral reports/projects, and other written work.
Letter grade scale: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70 – 79%, D = 60-69%, F = 59% or
below.
Read ahead – be prepared – you must read a chapter a week in the book to stay on top of
this class. I suggest you take notes in your notebook as you read.
Quizes – one or two a week based on the chapter we are on and previous information. (10
– 15 points – Every 10th one is extra credit)
Tests – Unit tests 100 points – Semester Final for both semesters. Students that take the
AP test in the spring are exempt from taking the final and will receive 100/100 points for
the final exam.
Notebook – weekly checks for study guides – 10 points + various homework
assignments.
Lab Notebooks – Lab write-up vary in points depending on the length and scope of the
lab.
Various Assignments – Everything from video notes, graphing organizers, projects, ect.
Extra Credit – very little is offered so it is important that grades are kept a level the
student is comfortable with and not have the expectation that they can do an extra credit
project or make up some late work in order to get their grade up.
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