AP Environmental Science
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Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
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Explore and investigate the interrelationships of the natural world and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made. You’ll take part in laboratory investigations and field work.
Note: Save your lab notebooks and reports; colleges may ask to see them before granting you credit.
Explaining environmental concepts and processes
Analyzing data, visual representations, and writings
Applying quantitative methods in solving problems
Proposing a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence
Analyzing a research study to identify a hypothesis
A one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science
Two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of algebra
Tue, May 2, 2023,
8 AM Local
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Environmental Science Exam.
The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.
You’ll begin to explore a view of planet Earth as one system made up of regional ecosystems composed of interdependent environmental features, processes, and relationships between species.
Topics may include:
6%–8% of exam score
You’ll learn about the importance of biodiversity within ecosystems and the impact of outside factors on the evolution of organisms.
Topics may include:
6%–8% of exam score
You’ll examine how populations within ecosystems change over time, and the factors that affect population growth.
Topics may include:
10%–15% of exam score
You’ll study the natural components that make up the environment, from geologic features to the atmosphere and climate.
Topics may include:
10%–15% of exam score
You’ll examine how humans use and consume natural resources, and the ways in which we disrupt ecosystems, both positively and negatively.
Topics may include:
10%–15% of exam score
You’ll learn about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, where they’re used, and their impact on the environment.
Topics may include:
10%–15% of exam score
You’ll learn more about air pollution, including how human actions can cause it, and you’ll analyze legislation intended to regulate emissions and improve air quality.
Topics may include:
7%–10% of exam score
You’ll examine the impact of pollution on ecosystems and learn how to determine its source.
Topics may include:
7%–10% of exam score
You’ll come to understand the global impact of local and regional human activities and evaluate and propose solutions.
Topics may include:
15%–20% of exam score
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.
AP Classroom Resources
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AP Environmental Science Lab and Field Investigations
In AP Environmental Science, you’ll do hands-on work in the laboratory and make observations and explore problems in real-world settings.
AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.
AP Environmental Science can lead to a wide range of careers and college majors