AP Environmental Science 

Terms: 3
Grades: 11, 12, PG
Prerequisite: Students must have completed a year each of biology and chemistry, and must have a B+ average in science classes over the past six terms (B for honors, B- for AP).

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 and/or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. However, there are several major unifying themes which cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The structure of AP Environmental Science is based on a number of these themes, including: energy conversions underlie all ecological process, the Earth is an interconnected system, humans alter natural systems, environmental problems have a cultural and social context, and human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems. Specific topics to be investigated include: earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. A strong laboratory and field component will be essential to the class, enabling students to learn about the environment through firsthand observation.

Note: Students taking this course are required to take the AP Environmental Science exam.