Advanced Placement Environmental Science
Two Semesters
One Credit Each Semester
 

Advanced Placement Environmental Science is an introductory college level course in environmental science. Students spend a variable amount of time outdoors in the Environmental Center completing labs and activities. The goal of the 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, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. AP Environmental Science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying themes that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the course: science is a process, energy conversions underlie all ecological processes, the Earth itself is one 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. The course is designed for the student with a special interest in the environmental field or careers in conservation or environmental science. The course focuses in greater detail on the study of main subject areas of environmental science including testing and designing environmental management techniques and processes.

Students must take the Advanced Placement Exam in May to qualify for an academic honors diploma. Based on the score received on the exam, students may receive college credit for this course when they enroll in a college or university.