Longwood High School / Science Department
AP Environmental Science
Draft Outline of Topics for AP Environmental Science
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Scientific Analysis
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Interdependence of Earth's Systems
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Human Population Dynamics
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Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources
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Environmental Quality
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Global Changes and Their Consequences
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Environment & Society
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Choices for the Future
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I. Scientific Analysis
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A. Observing the Natural World and Developing Hypotheses
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B. Collecting Data
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observation
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controlled experiments
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C. Modeling
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D. Critical Interpretation of Data
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II. Interdependence of Earth's Systems: Fundamental
Principles and Concepts
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A. The Flow of Energy
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forms and quality of energy
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energy units and measurement
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sources and sinks, conversions
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B. The Cycling of Matter
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water
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carbon
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major nutrients
a. nitrogen
b. phosphorus
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differences between cycling of major and trace elements
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C. The Solid Earth
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E arth history and the geologic time scale
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Earth dynamics: plate tectonics, volcanism, the rock cycle, soil formation
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D. The Atmosphere
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atmospheric history: origin, evolution, composition, structure
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atmospheric dynamics: weather, climate
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E. The Biosphere
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organisms: adaptations to their environments
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populations and communities: exponential growth, carrying capacity
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ecosystems and change: biomass, energy transfer, succession
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evolution of life: natural selection, extinction
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III. Human Population Dynamics
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A. History and Global Distribution
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numbers
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demographics, such as birth rates and death rates
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patterns of resource utilization
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B. Carrying Capacity -- Local, Regional, Global
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C. Cultural and Economic Influences
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IV. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources: Distribution,
Ownership, Use, Degradation
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A. Water
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fresh: agricultural, industrial, domestic
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oceans: fisheries, industrial
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B. Minerals
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C. Soils
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soil types
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erosion and conservation
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D. Biological
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natural areas
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genetic diversity
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food and other agricultural products
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E. Energy
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conventional sources
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alternative sources
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F. Land
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residential and commercial
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agricultural and forestry
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recreational and wilderness
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V. Environmental Quality
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A. Air/Water/Soil
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major pollutants
a. types, such as SO2, NOx, and pesticides
b. measurement and units of measure such as ppm, pH, micrograms
c. point and nonpoint sources (domestic, industrial, agricultural)
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effects of pollutants on:
a. aquatic systems
b. vegetation
c. natural features, buildings and structures
d. wildlife
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pollution reduction, remediation, and control
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B. Solid Waste
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types, sources, and amounts
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current disposal methods and their limitations
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alternatives
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C. Impact on Human Health
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agents: chemical and biological
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effects: acute and chronic, dose-response relationships
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relative risks: evaluation and response
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VI. Global Changes and Their Consequences
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A. First-order Effects
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atmosphere: CO2, CH4, stratospheric O3
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oceans: surface temperatures, currents, sea level
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biota: habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, introduced exotics
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B. Higher-order Interactions
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CO2 - photosynthesis
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ocean currents - climate and biological communities
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ultraviolet light - cell damage
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VII. Environment and Society: Trade-Offs and
Decision Making
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A. Economic Forces
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cost-benefit analysis
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marginal costs
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ownership and externalized costs
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B. Cultural and Aesthetic Considerations
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C. Environmental Ethics
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D. Environmental Laws and Regulations (International, National, and
Regional)
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VIII. Choices for the Future
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A. Conservation
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B. Preservation
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C. Remediation
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D. Sustainability
Laboratory and Field Investigation in AP Environmental Science
The goal of the laboratory and field investigation
component of the AP Environmental Science course is to complement the classroom
portion by allowing students to learn about the environment through firsthand
observation. Experiences both in the laboratory and in the field provide
students with important opportunities to test concepts and principles that
are introduced in the classroom, explore specific problems with a depth
not easily achieved otherwise, and gain an awareness of the importance
of confounding variables that exist in the "real world". In these experiences
students can employ alternative learning styles to reinforce fundamental
concepts and principles.
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