AP Environmental Science
Mostly Everything You Need to Know About AP Environmental Science
Exam Outline
Section 1: Multiple Choice Questions
| Questions | Time | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 90 minutes | 60% |
Section 2: Free Response
| Questions | Time | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 70 minutes | 40% |
A calculator is allowed in both sections. No equation sheets are provided during either section.
Course Content
Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems
6%–8% of Exam Score
1.1 Introduction to Ecosystems
1.2 Terrestrial Biomes
1.3 Aquatic Biomes
1.4 The Carbon Cycle
1.5 The Nitrogen Cycle
1.6 The Phosphorus Cycle
1.7 The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
1.8 Primary Productivity
1.9 Trophic Levels
1.10 Energy Flow and the 10% Rule
1.11 Food Chains and Food Webs
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity
6%–8% of Exam Score
2.1 Introduction to Biodiversity
2.2 Ecosystem Services
2.3 Island Biogeography
2.4 Ecological Tolerance
2.5 Natural Disruptions to Ecosystems
2.6 Adaptations
2.7 Ecological Succession
Unit 3: Populations
10%–15% of Exam Score
3.1 Generalist and Specialist Species
3.2 K-selected r-Selected Species
3.3 Survivorship Curve
3.4 Carrying Capacity
3.5 Population Growth and Resource Availability
3.6 Age Structure Diagrams
3.7 Total Fertility Rate
3.8 Human Population Dymanics
3.9 Demographic Transition
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
10%–15% of Exam Score
4.1 Plate Tectonics
4.2 Soil Formation and Erosion
4.3 Soil Composition and Properties
4.4 Earth’s Atmosphere
4.5 Global Wind Patterns
4.6 Watersheds
4.7 Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons
4.8 Earth’s Geography and Climate
4.9 El Niño and La Niña
Unit 5: Land and Water Use
10%–15% of Exam Score
5.1 The Tragedy of the Commons
5.2 Clearcutting
5.3 The Green Revolution
5.4 Impacts of Agricultural Practices
5.5 Irrigation Methods
5.6 Pest Control Methods
5.7 Meat Production Methods
5.8 Impacts of Overfishing
5.9 Impacts of Mininng
5.10 Impacts of Urbanization
5.11 Ecological Footprints
5.12 Introduction to Sustainability
5.13 Methods to Reduce Urban Runoff
5.14 Integrated Pest Management
5.15 Sustainable Agriculture
5.16 Aquaculture
5.17 Sustainable Forestry
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
10%–15% of Exam Score
6.1 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
6.2 Global Energy Consumption
6.3 Fuel Types and Uses
6.4 Distribution of Natural Energy Resources
6.5 Fossil Fuels
6.6 Nuclear Power
6.7 Energy from Biomass
6.8 Solar Energy
6.9 Hydroelectric Power
6.10 Geothermal Energy
6.11 Hydrogen Fuel Cell
6.12 Wind Energy
6.13 Energy Conservation
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
7%–10% of Exam Score
7.1 Introduction to Air Pollution
7.2 Photochemical Smog
7.3 Thermal Inversion
7.4 Atmospheric CO₂ and Particulates
7.5 Indoor Air Pollutants
7.6 Reduction of Air Pollutants
7.7 Acid Rain
7.8 Noise Pollution
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
7%–10% of Exam Score
8.1 Sources of Pollution
8.2 Human Impacts on Ecosystems
8.3 Endocrine Disruptors
8.4 Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves
8.5 Eutrophication
8.6 Thermal Pollution
8.7 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
8.8 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
8.9 Solid Waste Disposal
8.10 Waste Reduction Methods
8.11 Sewage Treatment
8.12 Lethal Dose 50% (LD₅₀)
8.13 Dose Response Curve
8.14 Pollution and Human Health
8.15 Pathogens and Infectious Diseases
Unit 9: Global Change
15%–20% of Exam Score
9.1 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
9.2 Reducing Ozone Depletion
9.3 The Greenhouse Effect
9.4 Increases in the Greenhouse Gases
9.5 Global Climate Change
9.6 Ocean Warming
9.7 Ocean Acidification
9.8 Invasive Species
9.9 Endangered Species
9.10 Human Impacts on Biodiversity