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The King’s Academy
Mrs. Carruthers
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
SYLLABUS
AN EXPERT’S GUIDE TO APES
LETTER OF INTENT
SUMMER READING AND ASSIGNMENTS
As you probably already know, success in an Advanced Placement course requires a huge
commitment by you as a student. AP Environmental Science is no exception, so before you
begin your summer reading and assignments, I want to make sure that you are aware of the
degree of dedication and commitment that this course requires.
Please read the course syllabus that begins on page 2 in order to get a feel for the course
content, goals, and elements. The syllabus will also give you an idea about the kind of
teaching and learning you can expect in the class.
Next, please read An Expert’s Guide to APES beginning on page 10. This section includes
information about who should take the class (it may not be who you’re expecting) and some
tips for success if you do decide to take AP Environmental Science.
If after reading the syllabus and the guide, you are still interested in taking AP
Environmental Science, print the letter of intent on page 16. Please read the letter and
discuss it with your parent(s) or guardian before signing it. You will turn the signed letter
in, along with your summer assignments, on the first day of school in August.
You can find the directions for your summer reading and assignments on page 1 8.
The King’s Academy AP Environmental Science Mrs. Carruthers SYLLABUS
COURSE OVERVIEW:
The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The AP Environmental Science course has been developed to be a rigorous science course that stresses scientific principles and analysis and includes a laboratory component. It is intended to enable students to undertake, as first-year college students, a more advanced study of topics in environmental science or, alternatively, to fulfill a basic requirement for a laboratory science and thus free time for taking other courses. In both breadth and level of detail, the content of the course reflects what is found in many introductory college courses in environmental science. The exam is representative of such a course and therefore is considered appropriate for the measurement of skills and knowledge in the field of environmental science. This course is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of two years of high school laboratory science — one year of life science and one year of physical science (for example, a year of biology and a year of chemistry). Due to the quantitative analysis required in the course, students should also have taken at least one year of algebra. Because of the prerequisites, AP Environmental Science is usually taken in either the junior or senior year.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
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.
THE CONCEPT OUTLINE:
Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from sociology, political science, economics, geography, biology, ecology, chemistry, and earth science. 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.
- Science is a method of learning more about the world.
- Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
- 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.
D. Natural Ecosystem Change (Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession) E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter) III. Population (10–15%) A. Population Biology Concepts (Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship) B. Human Population
- Human population dynamics (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition; age-structure diagrams)
- Population size (Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies)
- Impacts of population growth (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction) IV. Land and Water Use (10–15%) A. Agriculture
- Feeding a growing population (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture)
- Controlling pests (Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant laws) B. Forestry (Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests) C. Rangelands (Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands) D. Other Land Use
- Urban land development (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization)
- Transportation infrastructure (Federal highway system; canals and channels; road less areas; ecosystem impacts)
- Public and federal lands (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands)
- Land conservation options (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration)
- Sustainable land-use strategies E. Mining (Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties) F. Fishing (Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties)
G. Global Economics (Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties) V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10–15%) A. Energy Concepts (Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics) B. Energy Consumption
- History (Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis)
- Present global energy use
- Future energy needs C. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use (Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/ disadvantages of sources) D. Nuclear Energy (Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion) E. Hydroelectric Power (Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts) F. Energy Conservation (Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit) G. Renewable Energy (Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages) VI. Pollution (25–30%) A. Pollution Types
- Air pollution (Sources — primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid deposition — causes and effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant laws)
- Noise pollution (Sources; effects; control measures)
- Water pollution (Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; groundwater pollution; maintaining water quality; water purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other relevant laws)
- Solid waste (Types; disposal; reduction)
EXAM INFORMATION:
The AP Environmental Science Exam is 3 hours long and is divided equally in time between a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section, which constitutes 60 percent of the final grade, consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that are designed to cover the breadth of the students’ knowledge and understanding of environmental science. Thought- provoking problems and questions based on fundamental ideas from environmental science are included along with questions based on the recall of basic facts and major concepts. The number of multiple-choice questions taken from each major topic area is reflected in the percentage of the course as designated in the topic outline. The free-response section emphasizes the application of principles in greater depth. In this section, students must organize answers to broad questions, thereby demonstrating reasoning and analytical skills, as well as the ability to synthesize material from several sources into cogent and coherent essays. Four free-response questions are included in this section, which constitutes 40 percent of the final grade: 1 data-set question, 1 document-based question, and 2 synthesis and evaluation questions. To provide maximum information about differences in students’ achievements in environmental science, the exam is designed to yield average scores of about 50 percent of the maximum possible scores for both the multiple-choice and free-response sections. Thus, students should be aware that they may find the AP Exam more difficult than most classroom exams. However, it is possible for students who have studied most but not all topics in the outline to obtain acceptable grades. The use of calculators is not allowed on either section of the exam.
COURSE TEXTS:
William P. Cunningham and Mary Ann Cunningham. AP Edition, Environmental Science: A Global Concern, 14 th^ Edition (McGraw-Hill Education, 2018 ). The Staff of the Princeton Review. Cracking the AP Environmental Science Exam, 201 7 Edition (New York: Penguin Random House LLC, 201 6 ). G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman. AP Edition, Living in the Environment, 1 8 th^ Edition (Cengage Learning, 201 5 ).
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Organization: A summer assignment is provided before students leave school for the summer. This summer assignment consists of a mandatory review of basic geography, geology, biology, and chemistry concepts, as well as review and practice of basic math, graphing, data and map analysis skills. Students should be prepared to be tested on these concepts and skills during the first few days of school.
At the beginning of the school year a schedule for the course is provided. Weekly reading assignments, tests, and exam schedules are included. Students are responsible for keeping up with reading assignments and being prepared for class discussions, labs, field investigations, tests, and exams. Class is a combination of lecture, coverage of discussion questions, laboratory and field investigations, and answering student questions. Periodically, additional homework assignments will be required. Lab and Field Component: Students work either individually, in pairs, or in groups to prepare and complete each hands-on investigation. Students complete teacher prepared lab reports and field studies. In addition to performing these pre-designed activities, students are frequently required to design their own experiments and investigations and then carry them out whenever possible. Pre-lab/field and post- lab/field discussions are an important aspect of this investigative component. All lab/field reports are written up in a lab notebook and submitted for grading. Classwork/Homework: Homework for each chapter covered includes the following exercises: Core Case Study - AP Document-Based Question found at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook (10 points) Use the Math problems found throughout each chapter in the textbook ( 10 points) AP Connections Review – Multiple Choice questions found at the end of each chapter in the textbook (10 points) Data Analysis and Free-Response Questions found at the end of each chapter in the textbook ( 20 points) All classwork/homework assignments are worth 50 daily points and are due at the beginning of the class period on test day. Tests Chapter tests are composed of objective questions and free response essay questions and will be given weekly, on Fridays, whenever possible. All weekly tests are worth 20 test points. After grading, all test questions are discussed for additional reinforcement of concepts and unification of the course objectives. Comprehensive Unit Exams At the end of each unit, students take a comprehensive exam over materials covered since the start of the course. Each exam is formatted in a similar fashion to the actual AP Environmental Science exam and is scored using the scoring formula and standards used to score the actual AP exam. Each unit exam is worth 100 test points. One of the comprehensive unit exams is used as the first semester exam. After grading, all unit exam questions are reviewed, again for reinforcement of concepts and unification of the course objectives.
An Expert’s Guide What is AP Environmental Science?
by Christine Sarikas
Are you thinking about taking AP Environmental Science but want more info on the course
before you decide to enroll? You’ve come to the right place! AP Environmental Science
(AKA APES) is one of the most popular AP classes, but sometimes students don’t know
much about it before they enroll, which can make the class difficult and unenjoyable.
So what is AP Environmental Science? In this guide, I’ll explain what topics the course
covers and discuss who should take the class (it may not be who you think). I’ll end with
some tips for success, if you do decide to take APES. Let’s get started!
What Does AP Environmental Science Cover?
What do students in APES learn and what does the exam cover? You can get an in-depth
look at the class by checking out the College Board’s course description for AP
Environmental Science, but if you find that too wordy or too much information to look
through, here’s a brief, clear look at the course.
AP Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on ecological
processes, human impacts on the Earth, and how to resolve or prevent natural and human-
made environmental problems.
The class and exam focus on seven main topics:
Earth Systems and Resources
Topics include: geology, the atmosphere, water resources, and soil science
The Living World
Ecosystems, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles
Population
Population ecology, reproductive strategies, survivorship
Land and Water Use
Agriculture, forestry, mining, fishing, global economics
Energy Resources and Consumption
Different types of energy (fossil fuels, nuclear, hydroelectric, etc.), energy consumption,
and renewable energy
Pollution
Types of pollution, economic impacts of pollution, how pollution affects environmental and
human health
Global Change
Global warming, loss of biodiversity, changes to the ozone
Like other AP science classes, APES also includes a lab component, and students who
take the class will get hands-on experience. This will involve completing labs, observing the
natural world, and doing field work. You might collect water and test it for certain
chemicals, observe wildlife in a field or forest, track plant growth in the classroom or in
the field, or one of many other hands-on opportunities.
Students who complete AP Environmental Science are expected to be able to apply
scientific concepts, principles, and methodologies to real-world examples and problems.
The exam questions are designed to test this knowledge.
As mentioned earlier, the majority of people who take the APES exam don’t even qualify
for college credit, let alone get a 5. AP Environmental Science still requires you to
memorize certain information, make connections, and develop certain skills, and you won’t
be able to do this if you don’t plan on putting in the time needed to do well in the class.
You May Want to Take AP Environmental Science If:
AP Environmental Science can be a good class to take for many people. You should consider
taking it if one or more of the following applies to you:
- You’re interested in the environment, sustainability, biodiversity, and how humans
are impacting the earth.
- You want to take an AP science class but don’t have the space or feel prepared to
take AP biology, physics, or chemistry.
- Your school’s APES class has a reputation for being interesting, teaching students a
lot, and preparing them for the exam.
- Your other classes and extracurricular activities leave you with enough time and
energy to spend preparing for this class.
Tips for Success in AP Environmental Science
If you do decide to enroll in AP Environmental Science, here are a few tips to help you do
well in the class:
Tip 1: Don't Expect It to Be All About Science
As I mentioned before, AP Environmental Science isn’t a pure science class. It’s highly
interdisciplinary and will include historical information, current events, critical reading
skills, and more. If you expect the class to be completely science-focused, you may
struggle with some aspects of the class.
While there will be graphs and scientific questions, the AP exam will also ask you to write
complete essays and interpret documents, similar to many AP history and English exams. If
you struggled with these classes or exams before, make sure you feel more prepared for
the AP Environmental Exam.
Tip 2: Know How to Read and Interpret Visual Data
Many exam questions, both multiple-choice and free-response, will ask you to look at a data
table, map, or graph and answer questions about it. This will require you to be able to
understand and analyze these types of data, so it’s critical you know how to do this well
before you take the AP exam.
Taking practice exams and quizzes will help you, and you can also look through your
textbook and homework, and even relevant newspaper or journal articles, for more
examples.
When you come across a table, map, graph, or something similar, answer the following
questions to make sure you’re thinking critically about the data:
- What is this data showing?
- What patterns are there?
- Does any of the data not fit the pattern? What may have caused this anomaly?
- Why is this data important? Tip 3: Remember That Everything's Connected
Probably the most important theme of Environmental Science is that everything is
related. The Earth is one interconnected system, and you need to be able to understand
where and why those connections exist.
Dear Student and Parent, I am looking forward to having you in my Advanced Placement Environmental Science class during the 201 7 /201 8 school year. In order to work together toward your success, I want to make you aware of the degree of dedication and commitment this course requires. The student that is most successful in AP Environmental Science is the student who is self- motivated and is willing to teach them self through reading the textbook and outside references. Due to the volume of material, we cannot cover all the information together in class. Our time together needs to focus on lab and field investigations, as well as, discussion of the more difficult concepts. If students are not keeping up by teaching themselves the basics, they certainly will not benefit from the instruction they receive in class. Good attendance is also critical. Students that are frequently absent or who repeatedly miss class for activities or sports will fall behind quickly. Please note that I am available for extra help outside of class. Students are encouraged to come in for extra help at the first sign of a struggle, as the curriculum is extremely integrated and unified. The AP exam has a set date by the College Board, which cannot be changed. I plan our course schedule to ensure that students will finish the curriculum and be prepared to take the exam by the scheduled exam date. Please understand that I cannot change our course schedule because some students are falling behind. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the schedule. Again, extra help is available, if necessary, to keep up. All AP Environmental Science students are committed to take a practice exam on a Saturday approximately one week before the scheduled College Board exam. Since the 201 8 AP Environmental Science exam is scheduled for Thursday, May 10 , 201 8 , the practice exam will be given on Saturday, April 2 8 , 2 018. This advanced notice should avoid any scheduling conflicts with personal matters. Parents, please be aware that students frequently complain about the amount of work and the pace we need to maintain. In all fairness, please also be aware, that I must teach the class at a college level because that is what the course is all about. Remember, students that successfully achieve a qualifying AP Environmental Science exam score may receive, from many colleges and universities, three credits for an introductory science course. Students taking the exam will also receive an honor’s point added to their grade point average. Students and Parents, please have an in depth discussion about the commitment involved in this course so that we can all have a successful year. I am praying that you have a successful year and that you will never ceased to be amazed at God’s incredible design as you learn more and more about His creation. Sincerely, Mrs. Cherri Carruthers
I have read and understand the AP Environmental Science letter of intent:
Student’s signature
Parent’s signature
date
MATH SKILLS DIRECTIONS 1 – Print the answer sheet for the math review exercises located on pages 20 – 25. 2 – Read through the math reviews and complete the review exercises for each of the sections:
- Decimals 1 - 12
- Averages 13 - 15
- Percentages 16 – 27
- Metric Units 28 - 33
- Scientific Notation 34 – 39 and 40 - 55
- Dimensional Analysis 56 – 62 3 – Use the answer sheet to write out all your work as well as to record your answers. 4 – SHOW ALL STEPS NO MATTER HOW SIMPLE!!!!! 5 – BE SURE TO INCLUDE UNITS ON EACH STEP AND OBVIOUSLY AS PART OF YOUR ANSWER!!!!! 6 – EXERCISES 1 – 62 ARE DUE ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!
APES Math Review Answer Sheet
Remember to show all your work, include units on each step. NO CALCULATORS !!!!
DECIMALS
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