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Important Updates

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Course Overview

Students cultivate their understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world through inquiry-based lab investigations and field work as they explore concepts like the four Big Ideas; energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between different species and the environment, and sustainability.

Course Content

Based on the Understanding by Design® (Wiggins and McTighe) model, this course framework provides a clear and detailed description of the course requirements necessary for student success. The framework specifies what students must know, be able to do, and understand, with a focus on big ideas that encompass core principles and theories of the discipline. The framework also encourages instruction that prepares students for advanced environmental science coursework.

The AP Environmental Science framework is organized into nine commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.

Unit
Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)

Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

6%–8%

Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

6%–8%

Unit 3: Populations

10%–15%

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

10%–15%

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

10%–15%

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

10%–15%

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

7%–10%

Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

7%–10%

Unit 9: Global Change

15%–20%

Science Practices

The AP Environmental Science framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills, called science practices, that students should practice throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to think and act like environmental scientists.

 Skill
 Description
 Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)
 Exam Weighting (Free-Response Section)
 1. Concept Explanation  Explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format  30%–38%  13%–20%
 2. Visual Representations  Analyze visual representations of environmental concepts and processes  12%–19%  6%–10%
 3. Text Analysis  Analyze sources of information about environmental issues  6%–8%  Not assessed in free-response section.
 4. Scientific Experiments  Analyze research studies that test environmental principles  2%–4%  10%–14%
 5. Data Analysis  Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, and graphs  12%–19%  6%–10%
 6. Mathematical Routines  Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts  6%–9%  20%
 7. Environmental Solutions  Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems  17%–23%  26%–34%

AP and Higher Education

Higher education professionals play a key role developing AP courses and exams, setting credit and placement policies, and scoring student work. The AP Higher Education site features information on recruitment and admission, advising and placement, and more.

This chart shows recommended scores for granting credit, and how much credit should be awarded, for each AP course. Your students can look up credit and placement policies for colleges and universities on the AP Credit Policy Search.

Meet the Development Committee for AP Environmental Science.

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