AP Environmental Science Online - Arizona State University

93923_7ap_environmental_science_course_scope_and_sequence.pdf

AP Environmental Science Online

Pre-Requisites: Chemistry or instructor approval

Credits: 1

Estimated Completion Time: 36 weeks

Description

This course presents scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships between ocean, land, and atmosphere that guide the natural world and allow Earth to be a planet suitable for life. With the current changes in global climate, rising sea levels, and warming oceans, it is important for students to discover the state of Earth's systems and the consequences of human activities. AP Environmental Science provides students with a global view of their world and their role in it. Laboratory activities within the course support learning of these relationships through reflective, hands-on, and virtual experiences. In addition, students identify and analyze environmental problems that are natural and human-made, determining their own ecological footprint in the world to discover how their activities affect the world around them. Students evaluate the relative risks associated with environmental problems and examine alternative solutions including clean energy, sustainable practices, and conservation, for resolving or preventing future environmental problems. Labs 1-2 hours per week. This course will address the needs of an AP curriculum and prepare students for the option of taking the College Boar

Exam.

Major Topics and Concepts

SEGMENT 1

Module 1Ecosystems

Introduction to Ecosystems Biomes Biogeochemical Cycles Primary Productivity Trophic Levels and Energy Flow Food Chains and Food Webs

Module 2Biodiversity and Populations

Biodiversity Ecological Relationships Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems Adaptation Ecological Succession Types of Species and Survivorship Population Growth Demographics Human Populations

Module 3Earth Systems

Plate Tectonics Soil Formation and Erosion Soil Composition and Properties Watersheds Earth's Atmosphere Global Wind Patterns Solar Radiation and Seasons Earth's Geography and Climate El Niño and La Niña

Module 4Natural Resources

Tragedy of the Commons Agricultural Practices Food Production Mining and Urbanization Ecological Footprints Sustainability Integrated Pest Management

SEGMENT 2

Module 5Energy Resources

Energy Sources Global Energy Consumption Fossil Fuels Nuclear Energy Energy from Biomass Solar Energy Geothermal Energy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hydroelectric Power Wind Energy Energy Conservation

Module 6Air Pollution

Introduction to Air Pollution Smog Thermal Inversion Air Pollutants Acid Deposition Noise Pollution

Module 7Water and Land Pollution

Sources of Pollution Endocrine Disruptors Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Effect on Aquatic Ecosystems Solid Waste Disposal Waste Reduction Methods Sewage Treatment Lethal Dose Response Pollution and Human Health Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

Module 8Global Change

Ozone Depletion Greenhouse Effect Global Climate Change Effects on Oceans Invasive Species Endangered Threats to Biodiversity Hours spent per week doing laboratory experiments:

One to two hours per weeks

List of physical laboratory experiments:

1.05 Science

3.06 Mineral Resources

3.07 Forestry

7.02 Soil Conservation

7.04 Pests and Pest Management

List of investigations and virtual laboratory experiments:

2.02 Energy and Ecosystems

3.04 Aquatic Environments and Biodiversity

4.01 Population Dynamics

4.03 Urbanization

5.06 Renewable Energy Resources II

5.07 Energy Conservation

6.03 Acid Deposition

6.05 Climate Change

8.02 Water Quality

9.03 Toxicology

10.01 Solid Waste

Standards

Energy and Ecosystems:

Engage in argument from evidence that the net change of energy in a system is always equal to the total energy exchanged between the system and the surroundings. (Essential HS.P4U1.8) Engage in argument from evidence regarding the ethical, social, economic, and/or political benefits and liabilities of energy usage and transfer. (Essential

HS.P4U3.9)

Analyze and interpret data to determine how energy from the Sun affects weather patterns and climate. (Essential HS.E1U1.11) Develop and use models of the Earth that explains the role of energy and matter hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere). (Essential HS.E1U1.12) Evaluate explanations and theories about the role of energy and matter in geologic changes over time. (Essential HS.E1U1.13) Obtain, evaluate, and communicate about the positive and negative ethical, social, economic, and political implications of human activity on the biodiversity of an ecosystem. (Essential HS.L2U3.18)

Energy & Technology:

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how the use of chemistry related technologies have had positive and negative ethical, social, economic, and/or political implications. (Essential HS.P1U3.4 ) Engage in argument from evidence about the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, changes in climate, and human activity and how they influence each other. (Essential HS.E1U3.14) Obtain, evaluate, and communicate about the positive and negative ethical, social, economic, and political implications of human activity on the biodiversity of an ecosystem. (Essential HS.L2U3.18) Develop and use models that show how changes in the transfer of matter and energy within an ecosystem and interactions between species may affect organisms and their environment. (Essential HS.L2U1.19)

Crosswalk of Course Alignment with College Board

Suggested Course Content

AP Environmental Science Online

Course Content

AP Environmental Suggested Course Content

(From College Board)

Module 1ͶEcosystems

Introduction to Ecosystems Biomes Biogeochemical Cycles Primary Productivity Trophic Levels and Energy Flow Food Chains and Food Webs

Unit 1 ʹ The Living World

Topics may include:

Introduction to ecosystems Terrestrial and aquatic biomes Primary productivity Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles Trophic levels The flow of energy in an ecosystem and the 10% rule Food chains and food webs

Module 2ͶBiodiversity and Populations

Biodiversity Ecological Relationships Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems Adaptation Ecological Succession Types of Species and Survivorship Population Growth Demographics Human Populations

Unit 2 ʹ Biodiversity

Topics may include:

Introduction to biodiversity Ecosystem services Island biogeography Ecological tolerance Natural disruptions to ecosystems Ecological succession

Unit 3: Populations

Topics may include

Generalist and specialist species Survivorship curves Population growth and resource availability Age structure diagrams Human population dynamics

Module 3ͶEarth Systems

Plate Tectonics Soil Formation and Erosion Soil Composition and Properties Watersheds Earth's Atmosphere Global Wind Patterns Solar Radiation and Seasons Earth's Geography and Climate El Niño and La Niña

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

Topics may include:

Tectonic plates Soil formation and erosion Earth's atmosphere Global wind patterns Earth's geography and climate El Niño and La Niña

Module 4ͶNatural Resources

Tragedy of the Commons Agricultural Practices Food Production Mining and Urbanization Ecological Footprints Sustainability Integrated Pest Management

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

Topics may include:

The tragedy of the commons The Green Revolution Types and effects of irrigation Pest-control methods Meat production methods and overfishing The impacts of mining Urbanization and ecological footprints Introduction to sustainable practices including crop rotation and aquaculture

SEGMENT 2

Module 5ͶEnergy Resources

Energy Sources Global Energy Consumption Fossil Fuels Nuclear Energy Energy from Biomass Solar Energy Geothermal Energy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hydroelectric Power Wind Energy Energy Conservation

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Topics may include:

Energy sources and fuel types, including fossil fuels, ethanol, and nuclear power Global energy consumption and distribution of natural resources Natural sources of energy, including solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power Energy conservation methods

Module 6ͶAir Pollution

Introduction to Air Pollution Smog Thermal Inversion Air Pollutants

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Topics may include: Introduction to air pollution Photochemical smog Indoor air pollution Acid Deposition Noise Pollution Methods to reduce air pollutants Acid rain Noise pollution

Module 7ͶWater and Land Pollution

Sources of Pollution Endocrine Disruptors Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Effect on Aquatic Ecosystems Solid Waste Disposal Waste Reduction Methods Sewage Treatment Lethal Dose Response Pollution and Human Health Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

Topics may include:

Sources of pollution Human impact on ecosystems Thermal pollution Solid waste disposal and waste reduction methods Pollution and human health Pathogens and infectious diseases

Module 8ͶGlobal Change

Ozone Depletion Greenhouse Effect Global Climate Change Effects on Oceans Invasive Species Endangered Threats to Biodiversity

Unit 9: Global Change

Topics may include:

Ozone depletion Global climate change Ocean warming and acidification Invasive species Human impacts on diversity