AP Environmental Science, Semester A

Course Description

Advanced Placement® (AP) Environmental Science A is the first semester in a two-semester series that explores relationships between humans and the natural world. Scientific principals from geology, chemistry, biology, geography, and Earth Science converge as students take a deep dive into environmental issues and their causes, as well as potential solutions and strategies for sustainability. Gain a richer understanding of the complex systems that shape our planet and become equipped with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the environment.  In AP® Environmental Science A, students study topics such as earth systems, ecology, population dynamics, and land and water use which lay the foundation for the second semester of the course. As part of this course, students are expected to practice various scientific methodologies to examine, analyze, and interpret scientific evidence to propose and evaluate solutions to environmental problems.  

About AP® Courses

Advanced Placement (AP®) courses are equivalent to college-level courses. We highly recommend that you review the College Board’s AP Environmental Science Course Information page before beginning this course. Students are required to take the UTHS final exam for each semester course to earn high school credit. Students wanting to earn college credit may take the AP® exam offered by the College Board after completing the semester B course; however, it is not required to receive credit for the course from UT High School.

Semester Topics

• Unit 1: Earth Systems and Resources
• Unit 2: The Living World
• Unit 3: Populations
• Unit 4: Land and Water Use

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• describe and evaluate the interrelationships of the abiotic components of the natural world including the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere;  
• analyze data concerning resource use and conservation;  
• evaluate and assess the importance of various conservation and sustainability efforts;  
• analyze the structure of ecosystems and describe how substances essential to life cycle through them;  
• evaluate how biodiversity has changed over time; 
• describe populations in terms of population factors and size; 
• analyze and evaluate human population growth patterns, strategies for sustainable growth, and the environmental and economic impact of human population growth;  
• describe the ways human populations meet their nutritional requirements and evaluate the negative effects of these methods; 
• analyze land management strategies associated with agriculture, wilderness, and urbanization; 
• describe efforts to limit the effects of human activity on the environment and understand the role of relevant laws. 

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses.

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (Free Resource): AP Environmental Science (2009) by University of California College Prep
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand: 
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue
• Scientific or Graphing Calculator: A TI-84 is recommended for all UTHS math courses. Please review the UTHS Graphing Calculator Policy before purchasing a device.
• Please read through course materials list to find a list of lab supplies required for this course.

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice and free response
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.