A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

AGENDA 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.

COURSE DESCRIPTION The 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. 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… There are a variety of labs we complete including the

following: 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.

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%)

WHAT ARE YOU IN FOR?...

The course is primarily lecture with class discussion infused into the lecture.

Per Quarter there are usually: 2 exams

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%

SUMMER WORK

Get out!... outdoors that is…

ANY QUESTIONS?