AP Environmental Science from Udemy

AP Environmental Science is a course that gives you a chance to "learn about the natural world," and to "study both human-made and natural environmental problems," as stated on College Board. Currently, however, it is clear that many students are not reaping the full benefits that this course has to offer. As shown by the most recent exam score distributions in 2016, a majority (54.4%) of the students taking the exam did not pass. Additionally, the mean score sat at a low 2.55.

So, why is this?

As a student who actually self studied this course last year (and got a 5 on the exam), I realized that prep material, while structured, was not actually conducive to helping the student make connections between concepts as was intended by College Board.

There is a large volume of information that you are expected to know for this exam - everything from laws, to case studies, to chemical reactions. Now, don't let this scare you - the material is incredibly interesting, and if presented in the correct manner, is possible to internalize fully. The problem is, in most books, this is not the case. Information is presented in a somewhat disjointed manner - water concepts are discussed in an early chapter, but water pollution itself is not actually discussed until some 200 pages later.

With this course, I hope to accomplish a few things.

Present information in a manner most conducive to learning.

As I just mentioned, the information presented in most prep books makes it difficult to draw connections between various concepts. With this course, I have rearranged a few concepts slightly in a way that I, as a student, felt was best for my learning.

Review and clarify information tested on the exam.

Within this course, I have created short and to-the-point videos that allow students to review and learn the basic concepts that will be tested on the AP exam. i have created short review sheets for each section, and have also recommended exercises from a few other books that I felt prepared me well for the exam.

Focus on the free response section.

I said before that the scores distributions for the AP Environmental Science exam were terribly low. This is most likely due to the fact that many students perform badly on the free response section, which accounts for 40% of your total score. In my videos, I have placed an emphasis on the free response questions, as these rely most heavily on making connections and using your problem solving skills.

Give you a basic introduction to environmental science and various overlapping fields.

Not only do I want to prepare you for the AP Exam, but I also want you to leave with a basic understanding of environmental science. The curriculum for this course doesn't only focus on science - it also touches upon laws, politics, and businesses, among other things.

What's inside

Syllabus

The objective of this course, the reason for the different structure, and the breakdown of the APES exam

Introduction

- Outline of the actual AP exam; topic breakdown by percentage of questions: Earth + Systems (10-15%), The Living World (10-15%), Population (10-15%), Land and Water Use (10-15%), Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%), Global Change (10-15%), Pollution (25-30%)

- Outline of recommended books to take practice tests from, link to the 1998 exam

- Review course objective, which is to provide a content review for students planning to take the AP Environmental Science exam

Understand the earth science concepts tested on the AP exam

This unit will give you a good, basic knowledge of the earth science concepts that will appear on the AP exam.

Learn about the different types of rocks and soil, and how to read and interpret a soil triangle.

Quiz for this section

Some basic concepts, such as plate tectonics.

Conclusion to Earth Science

Resource Usage

Introduction to Resource Usage

Provides a breakdown of land usage worldwide.

Talks about agriculture - various methods, problems, outputs, and laws.

Continuation of part 1

Covers parts 1 and 2

Learn about mining - various methods, pros of cons of each method, and relevant laws.

Quiz to review information about mining.

Learn about various methods of fishing, problems associated with each method, and about overfishing.

Learn about an important concept that pertains to resource usage. This topic often appears at least once on the exam without fail.

Conclusion to Resource Usage

Energy

Introduction to Energy

Learn about energy concepts tested on the exam.

Various ways in which energy is used - designed to give students a good insight into how energy is produced and used.

Learn about fossil fuels (the most predominant fuel source used to today) specifically.

Learn about alternate forms of energy, with the pros and cons of each.

Quiz for Alternate Sources of Energy

Conclusion to Energy

Ecosystems

Intro to Ecosystems + Populations

Learn about ecosystem structures and terms.

Review of all the major biomes of the planet.

Quiz for Biomes

Populations

Basic population concepts, to give students a better idea of population dynamics.

Learn about factors that can influence populations.

Conclusion to Ecosystems and Populations

Understand basic atmospheric concepts

Introduction to the Atmosphere

Learn about the various atmospheric pollutants, along with relevant laws and protocols, and how atmospheric pollution can be reduced in the future.

Quiz for Atmospheric Pollution

Supplemental Reading from the EPA about Atmospheric Pollution

Conclusion to the Atmosphere

Human Health and the Environment

Intro to Human Health and the Environment

Learn about substances that pose the threat to both the environment and human health.

Quiz for Hazardous Substances

Conclusion to Human Health and the Environment

Conclusion

Quick recap of the curriculum of this course. Good luck on the exam!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid review of the APES exam material, helping students prepare for the various sections on the test

Led by Vedika Shenoy, an experienced instructor who has a strong understanding of the subject matter

Offers a comprehensive overview of environmental science, covering a wide range of topics that students need to know for the AP exam

Emphasizes the importance of making connections between concepts, which is crucial for success on the APES exam

Provides clear and concise explanations of complex environmental science concepts, making it accessible to students of all levels

May not be suitable for students who are looking for a more in-depth study of environmental science beyond the scope of the APES exam

Reviews summary

Ap environmental science course overview

According to students, this AP Environmental Science course receives largely positive feedback. Students say the course efficient and a student even specifically mentioned that they are thankful for taking this course.

Positive feedback from student.

"Yes ,this course was really efficient."

"thank you so much"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in AP Environmental Science with these activities:

Review 'Environmental Science for AP®', Second Edition

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive review of 'Environmental Science for AP®', Second Edition.

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Identify the sections of the book that align with the APES curriculum.
Read the relevant sections and take notes.
Use the practice questions and review exercises in the book to test your understanding.

Watch Video Review of Earth Science Concepts

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Build a solid foundation in earth science concepts with guided video tutorials.

Browse courses on Earth Science

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Identify the key earth science concepts covered in the APES curriculum.
Search for reputable sources providing clear and concise video explanations.
Take notes and ask questions as you watch the videos.

Compile a Glossary of Key Environmental Science Terms

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Solidify your understanding of key terminology used in environmental science.

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Review the APES curriculum and identify essential terms and concepts.
Search for reliable sources that provide clear definitions and explanations of these terms.
Create a digital or physical glossary and add each term along with its definition.
Include examples, diagrams, or images to enhance your understanding.
Review your glossary regularly to reinforce your memory and improve your comprehension.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

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Form a Study Group

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding and retention of course material.

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Find classmates who are enrolled in the same APES course.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and location.
Create a study plan that covers all the topics in the APES curriculum.
Take turns leading discussions and presenting material to each other.
Quiz each other on key concepts and practice answering Free Response questions.

Explore Online Simulations Related to Environmental Science

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Engage with interactive simulations to grasp environmental science concepts in a practical way.

Browse courses on Environmental Science

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Search for reputable websites or platforms that offer online environmental science simulations.
Choose simulations that align with the APES curriculum and your areas of interest.
Follow the instructions carefully and explore the different parameters and scenarios.
Analyze the results and draw conclusions based on your observations.
Use the simulations to reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you need further clarification.

Develop a Mind Map of Environmental Science Concepts

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Organize and visualize the complex relationships between environmental science concepts.

Browse courses on Mind Mapping

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Identify the major concepts and subtopics in the APES curriculum.
Start with a central concept and draw branches to connect related concepts.
Use different colors, symbols, and images to represent different categories and relationships.
Add notes and examples to support your connections.
Review and refine your mind map regularly as you progress through the course.

Complete Practice Tests Under Timed Conditions

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Simulate the actual AP Exam experience and improve your time management skills.

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Obtain sample APES practice tests from reputable sources.
Set aside a specific time and date to take the practice test.
Create an exam-like environment by setting a timer and working in a quiet space.
Answer all the questions to the best of your ability.
Review your answers and identify areas where you need more practice.

Practice Free Response Questions

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Apply your knowledge of environmental science by practicing the Free Response questions that appear on the AP Exam.

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Review the different types of Free Response questions and the scoring guidelines.
Time yourself as you practice answering Free Response questions.
Get feedback on your answers from a teacher or tutor.

Career center

Learners who complete AP Environmental Science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the movement and distribution of water on the Earth's surface and in the ground. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. The course covers topics such as water usage, water pollution, and climate change. This will help you build a foundation for further study in hydrology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydrologist

Environmental Scientist

An environmental scientist studies the environment and its various components, and how they interact. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. The course covers a range of topics from earth science and resource usage to ecosystems and human health and the environment. This course will provide you with the necessary foundation in these areas of study.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants provide advice to businesses and governments on environmental issues. This course will help prepare you for a career in environmental consulting. The course covers a range of topics including earth science, resource usage, energy, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Environmental Engineer

An environmental engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. This course will help build a foundation for further study in environmental engineering. The course covers a range of topics including earth science, resource usage, energy, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental policy analysts develop and evaluate policies to protect the environment. This may include creating new policies, or researching existing policies and providing recommendations for improvement. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. The course covers a range of topics including earth science, resource usage, energy, pollution, and human health and the environment. It will help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary for success as an environmental policy analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Conservation Scientist

Conservation scientists perform research on environmental problems, develop strategies to protect natural resources, and restore damaged ecosystems. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. This course will help build a foundation for further study in conservation science. The course covers a range of topics including earth science, resource usage, energy, ecosystems, and pollution.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Scientist

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental lawyers play a very important role in environmental conservation. An environmental lawyer focuses on pollution, hazardous waste, climate change, or natural resource use. They also work on the issues of local and global significance related to environmental conservation. This course may be useful in preparing you for the type of work that an environmental lawyer does. The course discusses various environmental laws, water pollution, air pollution, toxic substances, energy, and waste management. This course would be a great foundation to build on if you intend on studying environmental law further.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

EHS Manager

An EHS manager is responsible for managing environmental, health, and safety (EHS) issues for a company or organization. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree. This course covers a range of topics that will prepare you for a role as a EHS manager. The course covers earth science, resource usage, energy, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for EHS Manager

Environmental Educator

Environmental educators develop and implement educational programs about the environment. This role typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree. This course provides a great foundation if you intend on becoming an environmental educator. It covers topics such as earth science, resource usage, energy, and ecosystems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Educator

Natural Resource Manager

Natural resource managers oversee the management of natural resources on public lands. This role typically requires a master's degree. The course covers a range of topics including earth science, resource usage, energy, ecosystems, and pollution. It will provide you with the foundation in natural resource management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resource Manager

Geographer

Geographers study the Earth's physical features, population, resources, and environmental conditions. They may work in government, academia, or the private sector. This course could help you prepare for a career as a geographer because it discusses various topics such as earth science, resource usage, energy, ecosystems, and pollution. The course will help you build a foundation in these essential topics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Environmental Planner

Environmental planners develop plans to protect the environment and natural resources. This may include creating plans for land use, water use, and energy use. This role typically requires a master's degree. This course provides a great foundation to build on if you intend on studying environmental planning further. The course covers topics such as earth science, resource usage, energy, and ecosystems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Planner

Climate Scientist

A climate scientist studies the Earth's climate and how it is changing. This role typically requires a master's or PhD. This course covers various topics that will be useful for the role of a climate scientist. The course discusses earth science, energy, climate change, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Scientist

Environmental Journalist

An environmental journalist reports on environmental issues for a variety of media outlets. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in journalism or environmental science. This course provides a great foundation if you intend on becoming an environmental journalist. The course covers topics such as earth science, resource usage, energy, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Journalist

Science Writer

A science writer writes about scientific topics for a variety of audiences. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in science or journalism. This course provides a foundation in environmental science. It covers earth science, resource usage, energy, ecosystems, pollution, and human health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer