Course Description:
AP Environmental Science affords students the opportunity to explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world, both natural and human-made. The goal of the APES course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to identify and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. Typical class activities include notes, laboratory activities (real and virtual), modeling, inquiry, and varied assessment tools.
This course will help future science and non-science college majors to identify, understand, and explore real-world scenarios of socio-scientific issues and to address science issues that are common in their daily world and relevant to developing science literacy.
Prerequisite:
Teacher recommendation from an AP/Honors Algebra or an AP/Honors Biology/Chemistry teacher is recommended. Students should have completed two years of high school laboratory science—one year of life science and one year of physical science (e.g., a year of biology and a year of chemistry). Strong writing and analytical skills as well as at least two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of Algebra are prerequisites for the course.
Relevant Careers:
Relevant careers for this course include:
- Biochemist
- Environmental engineer
- Geoscientist