Course at The Living The Living

a Glance
UNIT UNIT
World: World:
1 Ecosystems 2 Biodiversity

~14–15 Class
Periods 6–8% AP Exam
Weighting ~11–12 Class
Periods 6–8% AP Exam
Weighting

ERT
ERT 1.1 Introduction to 2.1
Plan 1
Ecosystems 1
The Course at a Glance provides
a useful visual organization of ERT 1.2 Terrestrial Biomes ERT 2.2 Ecosystem Services
the AP Environmental Science 1 1
curricular components, including:
ERT 1.3 Aquatic Biomes ERT 2.3 Island Biogeography
§ Sequence of units, along 1 1
with approximate weighting
and suggested pacing. ERT 1.4 The Carbon Cycle ERT 2.4 Ecological Tolerance
Please note, pacing is based 2 3

on 45-minute class periods,

ERT 1.5 The Nitrogen Cycle ERT 2.5 Natural Disruptions
meeting five days each week
to Ecosystems
for a full academic year. 2 5

§ Progression of topics within ERT 1.6 The Phosphorus Cycle ERT 2.6 Adaptations
each unit. 2 5

§ Spiraling of the big ideas and ERT

1.7 The Hydrologic (Water) ERT 2.7 Ecological Succession
science practices across Cycle
2 5
units.
ENG
1.8 Primary Productivity
Teach 1

SCIENCE PRACTICES
Science practices spiral throughout the course.
ENG 1.9 Trophic Levels
1
1 Concept 5 Data Analysis
Explanation ENG 1.10 EnergyFlow and the
6 Mathematical
2 Visual Routines 6
10% Rule
Representations
7 Environmental
3 Text Analysis Solutions ENG 1.11 Food Chains and
Food Webs
4 Scientific 2
Experiments

BIG IDEAS
Big ideas spiral across topics and units.

ENG Energy Transfer EIN Interactions

Between Different
ERT Interactions Species and the
Between Earth Environment
Systems
STB Sustainability

Assess
Assign the Personal Progress
Checks—either as homework
or in class—for each unit.
Each Personal Progress Check Personal Progress Check 1 Personal Progress Check 2
contains formative multiple- §§ Multiple-choice: ~30 questions §§ Multiple-choice: ~20 questions
choice and free-response § Free-response: 1 question (partial) § Free-response: 1 question (partial)
questions. The feedback from ◆◆ Analyze an environmental ◆ Design an investigation
the Personal Progress Checks problem and propose a
solution
shows students the areas where
they need to focus.

Note: Partial versions of the free-response questions are provided to prepare students for
more complex, full questions that they will encounter on the AP Exam.

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 UNIT UNIT Earth Systems UNIT Land and
Populations
3 4 and Resources 5 Water Use

~12–13 Class
Periods 10–15% AP Exam
Weighting ~11–12 Class
Periods 10–15% AP Exam
Weighting ~18–19 Class
Periods 10–15% AP Exam
Weighting

ERT 3.1 Generalist and ERT 4.1 Plate Tectonics EIN 5.1 The Tragedy of the
Specialist Species 1 Commons
1 2

EIN 5.2 Clearcutting

ERT 3.2 K-Selected r-Selected ERT 4.2 SoilFormation and
1
5
Species 4
Erosion
EIN 5.3 The Green Revolution
ERT 3.3 Survivorship Curves ERT 4.3 SoilComposition and 3

5 4
Properties
EIN 5.4 Impacts of Agricultural
1 Practices
ERT 3.4 Carrying Capacity ERT 4.4 Earth’s Atmosphere
5 2 EIN 5.5 Irrigation Methods
7
ERT 3.5 Population Growth and ERT 4.5 Global Wind Patterns
EIN 5.6 Pest Control Methods
6
Resource Availability 2
7
EIN
3.6 Age Structure Diagrams ERT 4.6 Watersheds EIN 5.7 Meat Production
5
1 5 Methods
EIN 3.7 Total Fertility Rate EIN 5.8 Impacts of Overfishing
ENG 4.7 Solar Radiation and
5
2
Earth’s Seasons 7

EIN 5.9 Impacts of Mining

EIN 3.8 Human Population ENG 4.8 Earth’sGeography 7
7
Dynamics and Climate
2
EIN 5.10 Impacts of Urbanization
EIN 3.9 Demographic ENG 4.9 El Niño and La Niña 7
1
Transition
7 EIN 5.11 Ecological Footprints
5

STB 5.12 Introduction to

5 Sustainability
STB 5.13 Methods to Reduce
4 Urban Runoff

STB 5.14 Integrated Pest

7 Management

STB 5.15 Sustainable Agriculture

7

STB 5.16 Aquaculture

7

STB 5.17 Sustainable Forestry

7

Personal Progress Check 3 Personal Progress Check 4 Personal Progress Check 5

§§ Multiple-choice: ~20 questions §§ Multiple-choice: ~25 questions §§ Multiple-choice: ~35 questions
§§ Free-response: 1 question (partial) § Free-response: 1 question §§ Free-response: 1 question
◆ Analyze an environmental ◆◆ Design an investigation ◆ Analyze an environmental
problem and propose a problem and propose a
solution doing calculations solution

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 Energy Aquatic and
UNIT UNIT Atmospheric UNIT
Resources and Terrestrial
6 Consumption 7 Pollution 8 Pollution

~16–17 Class
Periods 10–15% AP Exam
Weighting ~11–12 Class
Periods 7–10% AP Exam
Weighting ~19–20 Class
Periods 7–10% AP Exam
Weighting

ENG STB STB

6.1 Renewable and 7.1 Introduction to Air 8.1 Sources of Pollution
Nonrenewable 4 Pollution 1
1
Resources
STB 7.2 Photochemical Smog STB 8.2 Human Impacts on
ENG 6.2 Global Energy 5 6
Ecosystems
6
Consumption
STB 7.3 Thermal Inversion STB 8.3 Endocrine Disruptors
ENG 6.3 Fuel Types and Uses 2 1
1
STB 7.4 Atmospheric CO2 and STB 8.4 Human Impacts
ENG 6.4 Distribution of Natural 4
Particulates on Wetlands and
Energy Resources 7 Mangroves
2
STB 7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants STB 8.5 Eutrophication
ENG 6.5 Fossil Fuels 5
2
7
STB 7.6 Reduction of Air STB 8.6 Thermal Pollution
ENG 6.6 Nuclear Power 7
Pollutants
1
2
STB 7.7 Acid Rain STB 8.7 Persistent Organic
ENG 6.7 Energy from Biomass 4
1
Pollutants (POPs)
7
STB 7.8 Noise Pollution STB 8.8 Bioaccumulation and
ENG 6.8 Solar Energy 3
4
Biomagnification
5

STB 8.9 Solid Waste Disposal

ENG 6.9 Hydroelectric Power
7
7

STB 8.10 WasteReduction

ENG 6.10 Geothermal Energy
6
Methods
1

STB 8.11 Sewage Treatment

ENG 6.11 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
2
1

EIN 8.12 Lethal Dose 50% (LD50)

ENG 6.12 Wind Energy
6
7

EIN 8.13 Dose Response Curve

ENG 6.13 Energy Conservation
5
6

EIN 8.14 Pollution and Human

4
Health

EIN 8.15 Pathogens and

2
Infectious Diseases

Personal Progress Check 6 Personal Progress Check 7 Personal Progress Check 8

§§ Multiple-choice: ~35 questions §§ Multiple-choice: ~20 questions §§ Multiple-choice: ~35 questions
§ Free-response: 1 question §§ Free-response: 1 question §§ Free-response: 1 question
◆ Analyze an environmental ◆◆ Design an investigation ◆ Analyze an environmental
problem and propose a problem and propose a
solution doing calculations solution doing calculations

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 UNIT
Global Change
9
~19–20 Class
Periods 15–20% AP Exam
Weighting

STB
9.1 Stratospheric Ozone
1 Depletion

STB 9.2 Reducing Ozone

7
Depletion

STB 9.3 The Greenhouse Effect

1

STB 9.4 Increases in the

Greenhouse Gases
2

STB 9.5 Global Climate Change

5

STB 9.6 Ocean Warming

7

STB 9.7 Ocean Acidification

1

EIN 9.8 Invasive Species

7

EIN 9.9 Endangered Species

7

EIN 9.10 Human Impacts on

7
Biodiversity

Personal Progress Check 9

§§ Multiple-choice: ~25 questions
§ Free-response: 1 question
◆ Analyze an environmental
problem and propose a solution

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