AP Environmental Science
Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
Not a Student?
Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.
About the Course
How can we meet the needs of a growing population while sustaining natural resources? How can the global community collaborate to address environmental challenges? What does science tell us about our relationship with and dependence on the earth? In AP Environmental Science, you’ll learn how to use the tools of science to address these and other big questions about our planet’s future.
Skills You'll Learn
Explaining environmental concepts and processes
Analyzing data, visual representations, and writings
Applying quantitative methods in solving problems
Proposing a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence
Analyzing a research study to identify a hypothesis
Equivalency and Prerequisites
College course equivalent.
A one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science
Recommended Prerequisites
Two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of algebra
Tue, May 13, 2025
12 PM Local
AP Environmental Science Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Environmental Science Exam.
About the Units
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
Course Content
Unit 1: the living world: ecosystems.
You’ll begin to explore a view of planet Earth as one system made up of regional ecosystems composed of interdependent environmental features, processes, and relationships between species.
Topics may include:
- Introduction to ecosystems
- Terrestrial and aquatic biomes
- Primary productivity
- Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles
- Trophic levels
- The flow of energy in an ecosystem and the 10% rule
- Food chains and food webs
On The Exam
6%–8% of exam score
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
You’ll learn about the importance of biodiversity within ecosystems and the impact of outside factors on the evolution of organisms.
- Introduction to biodiversity
- Ecosystem services
- Island biogeography
- Ecological tolerance
- Natural disruptions to ecosystems
- Ecological succession
Unit 3: Populations
You’ll examine how populations within ecosystems change over time, and the factors that affect population growth.
- Generalist and specialist species
- Survivorship curves
- Population growth and resource availability
- Age structure diagrams
- Human population dynamics
10%–15% of exam score
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
You’ll study the natural components that make up the environment, from geologic features to the atmosphere and climate.
- Tectonic plates
- Soil formation and erosion
- Earth's atmosphere
- Global wind patterns
- Earth's geography and climate
- El Niño and La Niña
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
You’ll examine how humans use and consume natural resources, and the ways in which we disrupt ecosystems, both positively and negatively.
- The tragedy of the commons
- The Green Revolution
- Types and effects of irrigation
- Pest-control methods
- Meat production methods and overfishing
- The impacts of mining
- Urbanization and ecological footprints
- Introduction to sustainable practices including crop rotation and aquaculture
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
You’ll learn about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, where they’re used, and their impact on the environment.
- Energy sources and fuel types, including fossil fuels, ethanol, and nuclear power
- Global energy consumption and distribution of natural resources
- Natural sources of energy, including solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power
- Energy conservation methods
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
You’ll learn more about air pollution, including how human actions can cause it, and you’ll analyze legislation intended to regulate emissions and improve air quality.
- Introduction to air pollution
- Photochemical smog
- Indoor air pollution
- Methods to reduce air pollutants
- Noise pollution
7%–10% of exam score
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
You’ll examine the impact of pollution on ecosystems and learn how to determine its source.
- Sources of pollution
- Human impact on ecosystems
- Thermal pollution
- Solid waste disposal and waste reduction methods
- Pollution and human health
- Pathogens and infectious diseases
Unit 9: Global Change
You’ll come to understand the global impact of local and regional human activities and evaluate and propose solutions.
- Ozone depletion
- Global climate change
- Ocean warming and acidification
- Invasive species
- Human impacts on diversity
15%–20% of exam score
Credit and Placement
Search AP Credit Policies
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.
Course Resources
Ap classroom resources.
Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.
- Go to AP Classroom
AP Environmental Science Lab and Field Investigations
In AP Environmental Science, you’ll do hands-on work in the laboratory and make observations and explore problems in real-world settings.
AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
See Where AP Can Take You
AP Environmental Science can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors
Additional Information
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
AP® Environmental Science Summer Assignment Please read the following in its entirety. Welcome to AP® Environmental Science! AP® courses are meant to be college-level equivalent. That means we have a lot to cover in AP® Environmental Science (APES) this year and only a short time to do it. College Board® requires us to cover
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignments. Welcome to AP* Environmental Science (APES) for the 2024-2025 school year! APES is designed to be the equivalent of a one semester, introductory college course in Environmental Science. The course is interdisciplinary, encompassing topics in chemistry, physics, geology, biology, environmental studies ...
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems. You'll begin to explore a view of planet Earth as one system made up of regional ecosystems composed of interdependent environmental features, processes, and relationships between species. Topics may include: Introduction to ecosystems. Terrestrial and aquatic biomes.
Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like clean air act, Clean Water Act, convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) and more.
Welcome to AP Environmental Science (APES)! I am very excited for this year, and I hope you are too. The purpose of this summer assignment is to introduce you to Environmental Science. First, it will help you become aware of the environment and many related ongoing concerns. Second, it will help us cover the legislation required for the AP exam ...
AP Environmental Science. 352-622-9025. www.trinitycatholichs.org. Mrs. Kerrie Medeiros. [email protected]. The following work is to be completed by our first class meeting on August 12, 2024. There are 3 components to be completed. Each will be scored as a Formative Assessment.
AP Environmental Science Summer 2021 Assignment Welcome to APES! We will be covering a wide range of topics throughout the school year at a ... In order to be well prepared, you will need to complete the following three assignments before 4:00 pm on Monday, August 23. If you have questions, feel free to contact Mr. Maraghy ( cmaraghy@tampaprep ...
Environment. The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. Consists of all the living and nonliving things around. Environmental Science. The scientific study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment. Natural Resources.
The summer assignment due on the first day of school (August 14, 2024). If you do not complete this assignment, you may be dropped from the class. If you work with someone else, be sure your answers are in your own words. APES is a college-level course, so I expect college level work ethic. Environmental Science Scavenger Hunt (120 points)
Welcome to AP Environmental Science! Students who enroll in AP Environmental Science should be ready and willing to devote sufficient time, focus & energy to class assignments, taking notes in and outside of class, ... The purpose of this summer assignment is to get you thinking about the environment in which we live and help prepare you for ...
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment 2022-2023 Instructor: Bryan Schultz Welcome to AP Environmental Science, aka… "APES"! This course is designed to be equivalent to a one semester college course in environmental science, and as such is a rigorous high school course. APES is about understanding the interrelationships of the
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment - Panther Creek High 2022-2023 Section 1: Chemistry Review Chemistry is a big part of environmental science. It is highly recommended that you take chemistry before registering for this course. To review some of the basic chemistry concepts you will need complete the following on a clean sheet of paper.
environmental science for the upcoming school year. You should plan on immersing yourself in the subject of environmental science for the next five months. Please complete the following assignment this summer (D UE the 1st day of school in August). Environmental Science, Earth as a Living Planet (6 th edition) by Botkin & Keller. The summer ...
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment Mr. A. Geremina The Course: 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
Title: Environmental Science for AP* Course Fourth Edition ©2023 Authors: Andrew Friedland; Rick Relyea ISBN: 9781319409289 For the upcoming school year, we will be using the most recent edition of the textbook. In order for you to complete the summer assignment reading, I will provide a pdf of the introductory chapter of the First Edition.
AP Environmental Science. Summer Assignment. IMG Academy. Mrs. Brown [email protected]. 2022-23 AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment (50 pts) Welcome to AP Environmental Science (APES)! I am very excited for this year, and I hope you are too. The purpose of this summer assignment is to introduce you to Environmental Science.
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment. 021-2022We. come to AP Environmental Science, aka... "APES"! This course is designed to be equivalent to a one semester college course in environmental science, and. s such is an extremely rigorous high school course. APES is about understanding the interrelationships of the natural world, the ...
Environmental Science Summer Assignment 2020-2021 Ms. Poovathoor, [email protected] Welcome to AP Environment. l Science (APES) The following information will help you complete yo. r summer assignment. The purpose of the assignment is to help you. repare for the course. It will give the background information you need to be successfu.
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignments. Welcome to AP* Environmental Science (APES) for the 2022-2023 school year! APES is designed to be the equivalent of a one semester, introductory college course in Environmental Science. The course is interdisciplinary, encompassing topics in chemistry, physics, geology, biology, environmental studies ...
nt is to pick one of these books listed below and read it over the summer. When you finish reading it writ. up a brief summary (1-2 pages) and e-mail it to me [email protected]. Please make sure you pu. your name on the document and APES summer assignment on the subject line. This can be done at any time but should.
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment 2024-2025. Welcome to the AP Environmental Science course for the 2024-2025 School year. Students need to join the Schoology GROUP with the code J7M8-2TCJ-HB2KN. I will be posting summer assignments and updates here. Note that this is a Schoology group, not a Schoology course.
AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment 24-25 Hello everyone and welcome to AP Environmental Science! Together, we will use a scientific lens to learn about human environmental impacts, our local community, and how the two are related. This summer you have one assignment to jump start our exciting and eventful year.
AP Environmental Science is an interesting and challenging course that will require focus and dedication. This course will require you to combine knowledge from biology,chemistry, physics, and ... The summer reading and assignment components to this course are listed below: - If we need to communicate with you, we will use your Oaks Christian E ...