AP Biology Expectations

AP Biology2013-2014

Congratulations! You have been offered an opportunity to pass a college course and earn college credit, it is now up to you to make it happen! AP Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology course. It includes the topics regularly covered in a college biology course for majors. The aim of the course is to provide the students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.

AP Biology Expectations:

• College level maturity and responsibility
• Maintain a neat notebook containing ALL notes from September-June
• Re-write messy notes & Gather missed notes from a classmate or Ms. Wallin after school
• Pre-read chapters before they are discussed in class
• Ask questions during discussion and stop by after school for any clarification/extra help
• Write in complete sentences, AP exam written answers are only graded if incomplete sentences
• Keep up to date on current events, they often influence AP Exam’s essay questions

Materials

1. 1-2” Binder
2. Binder Dividers: Notes & Worksheets, Labs, Tests/Quizzes
3. 1 Additional Folder:You may not always have time to hole punch all papers
4. Index Cards & Index Card Case *enough for 9months of topics & terms*
5. Textbook kept at home
6. Pen or Pencil everyday
7. SUGGESTED: planner or small notebook to record assignments and due dates

Grading

Academics:

1. Students must create a Gmail account—the class will use Google Documents as an important resource
2. Grades are posted on the online database frequently. It is your responsibility to check to website to monitor your grade status.
3. Homework – is expected to be on time and complete to standards. Failure to comply will result in a Zero or reduction in points.
4. You may not run to your locker if you forget your homework. Choose to be late or choose to take a zero—focus on being prepared for each and every class
5. Not accepted late
6. Labs and Projects
7. LATE: If turned in at any point after the due time (5min after collected, at the end of the period, lunch, afterschool, or next day)

Penalty: Day 1 -10pts, 2 days late -20pts, 3days late -30pts (not accepted after day 3)EXTRA CREDIT: will not be offered. I would rather you spend your time and effort studying the concepts and vocabulary

*you are not entitled to “make up work” or “extra credit” if you chose to not do the assigned work*

Classroom Procedures

1. Take a Seat Quietly (remove hats, iPods, hoods, and place backpacks underneath lab desks)
2. Start the Do Now
3. Late?—do not disturb class when walking in
4. Excused  put your pass in the Tardy Clipboard quietly
5. Unexcused Sign in (3 unexcused lates = 1 class absence/late 10min or more= a cut)
6. Have your Homework on the corner of your desk. If I don’t see it when I walk around, it is a zero. You may not go to your locker to get your notebook or homework (double check before entering the room).
7. When you hear “Ladies and Gentlemen..”, stop what you’re doing, be quiet, and look at Me
8. Need the Bathroom?– raise your hand and put up 3 fingers. Wait for me to acknowledge you, and then sign out.
9. Need to throw something out?- put it aside on your desk, and wait for the end of the period
10. During Labs and Dissections– Wait for and FOLLOW ALL direction, and ONLY the directions. Questions during the lab? Ask your partner, your lab table, and then me. READ THE PROCEDURE!
11. No premature packing up-- Period is over when you hear “Have a Good Day”, not the bell
12. These are lab stools, not chairs, if you are uncomfortable, feel free to quietly and casually readjust yourself. If you cause a disturbance you will be penalized.
13. If you can’t see the board, you may move yours stool quietly and without disturbance. However, if you talk or disturb to others around you, you will return to your original seat.
14. If you have free time, be prepared to work on your homework or begin reading the next chapter

Absence Policies -I will not find you, you must contact me BEFORE or AFTER class about your missed work

1. NOTES
2. Gather from neighbor (without making a disruption)on the day you return to school
3. Homework:
4. If you are absent, you have 1 day to make up the assigned homework from your missed class
5. Tests/Quizzes
6. If you are absent for a TEST, you have 3days to make it up. Student must contact me within those two days if he or she cannot make up the test within that 2 day span (in person or by email). If no attempt is made to make up the test within 2 days after absence, grade will result in a Zero.
7. If you are absent for a QUIZ, you have 2 day to make it up. If student does not see me the following day after a missed quiz, grade will result in a Zero.
8. Make up Tests or Quizzes will NOT be given during class time. They will only be offered before or after school, during lunch, or (if scheduled with me first) in the morning.
9. Labs/Projects
10. If a lab or project is missed due to an absence—you must see me after you return for an alternative assignment. If you do not see me the day after your absence, your project grade will result in a Zero.

**If you know that you will be absent (Field Trip, Doctors apt, surgery, etc), contact me as soon as possible! I can supply you with supplemental work or re-schedule to take missed tests to avoid the makeup work process when you return to school. Save yourself from some stress **Please see me for any extenuating circumstances, my goal is to help you learn**

Discipline Steps

1. Verbal Warning
2. Written up in School Database- referred to Vice Principal
3. 30min Teacher Detention
4. 2hour Friday Central Detention
5. Parent Meeting
6. Suspension
7. Parent-Student Meeting with Administrators

I look forward to an effective, successful, and enjoyable year together!

Sincerely,

Ms. Wallin

Room 209A, EXT. 3209,

Course Outline

1. Science Practices

1. Biochemistry & Introduction to the Cell

1. Cellular Energy

1. Cell Communication & Cell Cycle

1. Mendelian Genetics

1. Biotechnology

1. Evolution & Phylogeny

1. Diversity

1. Ecology

Lab Report Format

Name

Partner’s Names

Block

Date Lab was Done

Title of the Lab in the Center of the Page (5 Points)

Title must be specific, not “Plant Lab”

Introduction (25 Points)paragraph form

-Purpose of the lab

-3+ sentences of background information about the topic-- define important terms and relate the terms to the lab’s purpose

-State Hypothesis (“My hypothesis is that if.., then…, because” Format)

Procedure (10 Points)numbered

-Explain how to complete the lab from start to finish

-Write it so that someone who is not familiar with science can copy the experiment

-Write as directions (not, “I did this, then we did this”)

Data (20 Points)

-Create a computer madeData Table & Graph of your recorded data (must be well labeled)

-Graph can be made in Excel or Google Drive “Spreadsheet”

-Title and label all parts of both the charts and graphs (label all units!)

Analysis Questions (15 Points)numbered

• Write Lab Questions and Answer questions in full sentences
• Ex: 1. What plant grew the least after the 10 days?

The plant that grew the least in the 10 days was Plant B and it grew to 10cm.

Conclusion (25 Points) paragraph form

-State the final conclusion of your lab

-In detail and using exact numbers from your data, explain your the results of your lab’s data (noting significant numbers and trends)

• Refer to the titles of your data charts/graphs when stating the numbers and trends
• Ex. “The plant that had the maximum growth was Plant A with a height of 30cm, followed by Plant C with a height of 20cm, and lastly, Plant B grew the least with a height of 10cm. The average height of the 3 plants was 20cm.

-Was your hypothesis correct? Explain.

-State and explain any lab errors that could have interfered with the results of the lab

-Is there anything that you would do differently if you could repeat this lab?

Formatting: typed, 1inch margins, 12pt font, no crazy fonts

*Due 1 WEEK after lab was completed in class, Printed or in my email by 8am on due date*

Lab Reports are MAJOR Assignments- Be as Thorough and Scientific as possible (50% of your grade)

How your Lab Reports are Graded

1