Hi there. I'm thinking about taking AP Environmental Science (APES) next year to boost my science credits, but I don't know a ton about it. What's the class like? What topics do you study?
AP Environmental Science (APES) is a course that will cover various topics related to the environment and humanity's interaction with it. The course content is divided into several core topics, each with in-depth sub-topics.
Those core topics include:
1. Energy Resources and Consumption: You'll study different types of energy sources, including renewable and non-renewable, and discuss the implications of their use. You'll also delve into global energy consumption trends and the environmental and societal impacts of different energy technologies.
2. Ecosystem Dynamics: This topic looks at the principles and processes of ecosystems - including the flow of energy and matter - through the biosphere. You'll examine food chains, predator-prey interactions, and the influence of human activity on ecosystems.
3. Earth Systems and Resources: This topic dives into the physical world. You'll learn about atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, and other cycles, as well as soil and land use.
4. Global Change: Here, the focus shifts towards changes in the environment over time due to both natural and human-induced causes. This includes climate change, expectation of future climate, and the impact of human activity on biodiversity.
5. Population: You'll learn about the dynamics of population growth, the factors that influence these changes, and the social and environmental impacts.
6. Pollution: This explores the types, sources, and impacts of pollution, along with policy-making aimed at pollution reduction and control.
As for the workload and difficulty, like any AP class, it's quite rigorous. However, it is often considered one of the more accessible AP science classes, particularly if you have a strong interest in the subject matter. You'll need to be prepared for in-depth study, lab work, and quite a bit of reading and writing. The AP exam includes multiple-choice questions and free-response questions that require essay writing.
Beyond just increasing your credits, APES is an excellent course to learn more about the environment and how we interact with it - something incredibly relevant in today's world. It can also be beneficial if you're considering a career in environmental science or a related field.
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