OHS Teacher: Ms. Cynthia Morain

Length of Class:  2 semesters, 1 period per day

Credit Value: 1.0

Suggested sequence of classes: -- Regular or honors biology and regular or honors chemistry, and at least one year of algebra are required.

Course Description:  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 or preventing them.  Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study . Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science . The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science.

AP Test Format:

60% of total score: Section I: 100 Multiple Choice (90 minutes)

40% of total score: Section II: 4 Free Response: 1 data set question, 1 document-based question, 2 synthesis and evaluation questions (90 minutes)

Advanced Placement exams are scheduled for the first two weeks of May each year.

Readings, Reading Expectations: Students are expected to actively read each chapter covered in class. 

Skills Needed and Skills Developed:  Skills required include a basic understanding of biology, chemistry, and Algebra.  Strong reading skills are recommended, along with good study habits and a desire to understand higher-level problems and their solutions.  Skills developed will include design of laboratory experiments to test hypotheses and application of knowledge to solve problems and answer questions.