AP Environmental Science What have you gotten yourself

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 v. 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%) v Earth Science Concepts (geologic time scale, plate tectonics, earthquakes & volcanism, seasons, solar intensity & latitudes) v Atmosphere (composition & structure, weather & climate, atmospheric circulation, atmo-ocean interactions) v Global Water Resources & Use (freshwater/saltwater, ocean circulation, agricultural/industrial/domestic use, surface & groundwater issues, global problems, conservation) v 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%) v Ecosystem Structure (pop. & communities, niches; species interactions; keystone & indicator species, species diversity factors; major biomes) v Energy Flow (photosynthesis & cellular respiration; food webs & trophic levels, ecological pyramids) v Ecosystem Diversity (biodiversity, natural selection, evolution ecosystem services) v Natural Ecosystem Change (climate shifts, species movement, ecological succession) v Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (carbon, nitrogen sulfur, phosphorus, water, conservation of matter

APES Topic Outline III. Population (10 -15%) v Population Biology (population ecology, carrying capacity, reproductive strategies, survivorship) v Human - 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 Water Use (10 -15%) v 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) v Forestry (tree plantations, old growth forests, forest fires, forest management, national forests)

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

APES Topic Outline V. Energy Resources and Consumption (1015%) v Energy Concepts (energy forms, power, units, conversion, Laws of Thermodynamics) v Energy Consumption - History - Present Global Energy Use - Future Energy Needs v 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. ) v Nuclear Energy (nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation & human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion) v Hydroelectric Power (dams; flood control; silting; salmon; other impacts) v Energy Conservation (energy efficiency, CAFÉ standards; hybrid vehicles; mass transit) v 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%) v 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. ) v 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) v Economic Impact (cost-benefit analysis; externalities; sustainability)

APES Topic Outline VII. Global Change (10 – 15%) v 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) v 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. ) v 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)