Course Syllabus

Important Information

Before you begin your course, please read the student handbook. It contains valuable information about our policies and procedures.

Pacing Guide – this will allow you to create an individualized study schedule for any class you are taking.

The IUHS Help Portal has links to helpful information and learning resources that may help you do better in this course.

Tips for Success in Independent Study Courses is a printable document that contains in-depth advice about managing your time and studying course materials.

We strongly encourage you to read the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, which provides regulations governing the actions and interactions of all members of the university community.

Required Materials

The following textbook is required for the course: 

• Miller, G. T., & Spoolman, S. E. (2021). Exploring Environmental Science for AP, Cengage. 

Additional resources, including books, newspaper and magazine articles, videos, and other online resources, will also be used.

Course Outline

Introduction

ICA.1 Annotate Syllabus
ICA.2 Class Rules, Norms, and Netiquette
ICA.3 Introductions
ICA.4 Join AP Classroom
ICA.5 Course Pretest
ICA.6 Entrance Reflection

Project 0: Sustainability

0.1 Easter Island
0.2 The Fishing Game
0.3 The Tragedy of the Commons
0.4 What Is Sustainability?

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 1

1.1.1 Ecological Footprint Project Launch
1.1.2 Ecological Footprint
1.1.3 Energy Calculations using Dimensional Analysis

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 2

1.2.1 Building Background Knowledge: Fossil Fuels and Electricity
1.2.2 Fossil Fuel Issues: The Carbon Cycle
1.2.3 Electricity Audit

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 3

1.3.1 Building Background Knowledge: Air Quality and Transportation
1.3.2 Transportation Issues: Air Quality Index
1.3.3 Transportation Audit

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 4

1.4.1 Building Background Knowledge: Water Resources
1.4.2 Water Treatment Plant Virtual Tour
1.4.3 Water Audit

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 5

1.5.1 Building Background Knowledge: Systems Thinking and Mining
1.5.2 Life Cycle Analysis

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 6

1.6.1 Building Background Knowledge: Solid Waste Treatment and Human Health Risks
1.6.2 Waste Issues: Municipal Solid Waste
1.6.3 Waste Audit

Project 1: Ecological Footprint | Part 7

1.7.1 The Power of One: Family Presentation

Project 1 Exam

Exam Application | Project 1: Ecological Footprint Exam

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 1

2.1.1 My Community Ecology Project Launch
2.1.2 Community Site Ecosystem

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 2

2.2.1 Building Background Knowledge: Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work?
2.2.2 Eating at a Lower Trophic Level
2.2.3 Exploring Biomass Pyramids

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 3

2.3.1 Building Background Knowledge: Biodiversity and Evolution
2.3.2 Some Animals Are More Equal than Others
2.3.3 Island Biogeography

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 4

2.4.1 Building Background Knowledge: Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity
2.4.2 El Niño and La Niña
2.4.3 Biome Viewer

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 5

2.5.1 Building Background Knowledge: Species Interactions, Ecological Succession, and Population Control
2.5.2 Population Dynamics
2.5.3 Succession

Project 2: My Community Ecology | Part 6

2.6.1 Building Background Knowledge: Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species and Ecosystem Services 2.6.2 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
2.6.3 Ecosystem Services
2.6.4 Partner in Crime
2.7.1 Building Background Knowledge: Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: Forests, Public Lands, Grasslands, Wetlands, and Cities
2.7.2 Urban Development
2.7.3 Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment
2.8.1 My Community Ecology Site Development Plan

Project 2 Exam

Exam Application | Project 2: My Community Ecology Exam

Final Course Activities

AP Exam Information
FCA.2 Demonstration of Learning Showcase