AP Environmental Science - what does it cover?

I'm considering taking AP Environmental Science next year, but I'd like to get a better idea of what it's about. Can anyone share what topics are covered in the course and what I can expect to learn?

AP Environmental Science (APES) is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the complex relationship between the natural environment and human activities. The primary goal of the course is to teach students about the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand relationships within the environment and to identify and analyze environmental problems.

Here's a brief overview of the topics covered in AP Environmental Science:

1. Ecosystems and Biodiversity: You'll learn about the basic concepts of ecology, including the structure and function of ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and the importance of biodiversity. You'll also study topics such as food webs, ecological succession, and habitat destruction.

2. Population Dynamics and Human Demography: This topic covers how populations grow, change, and adapt to environmental pressures. You'll study factors that influence population size and growth rate, along with human demographics and their impact on natural resources.

3. Natural Resources and Energy: You'll explore the various natural resources that humans rely on, including water, soil, and minerals, as well as renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. You'll also learn about the environmental consequences of resource extraction, consumption, and waste disposal.

4. Earth Systems and Processes: This section delves into the Earth's physical systems and processes, such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and climate. You'll study topics like the greenhouse effect, ocean circulation, and sources of air and water pollution.

5. Pollution and Waste Management: In this topic, you'll learn about the sources, effects, and management of different types of pollution, including air, water, soil, and noise pollution. You'll also explore waste management strategies, such as recycling, composting, and hazardous waste disposal.

6. Environmental Policies, Laws, and Ethics: This section covers the role of environmental policies and laws in addressing environmental problems, as well as ethical perspectives on resource use and conservation. You'll learn about key environmental legislation, international agreements, and the role of non-governmental organizations.

7. Global Change and Sustainability: In this unit, you'll learn about global environmental problems, such as climate change, ozone depletion, and deforestation, and the efforts to address these issues through sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Overall, the AP Environmental Science course aims to help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of environmental issues. You'll be exposed to a variety of scientific concepts and methodologies, as well as real-world case studies and examples, which will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between human activities and the natural environment.

If you also want to get a sense of what would await you on the AP Environmental Science exam, check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which provides a comprehensive overview of it: https://blog.collegevine.com/ultimate-guide-to-the-environmental-science-ap-exam/. Good luck with your course selection!