Course Description
AP Biology is an internationally recognized program that provides high school students the opportunity to pursue and receive credit for college-level course work. It is designed to develop a deep understanding of the major concepts that run through the discipline and an appreciation of science as an exciting and ongoing process. Focus is on understanding important relationships, processes, mechanisms, potential extensions and applications of concepts. Less important is the memorization of specialized terminology and technical details. For example, understanding how protein structure affects enzyme action is more important than memorizing a list of enzyme names. The course is intended to be equivalent to an introductory biology course found at the freshman university level, and reflects the outline provided by the College Board. Upon completing this course students will be well prepared for subsequent college science courses. Students should be aware that this is a demanding and rigorous course. Be advised that do to time limitations this course can not cover all the content material of the AP Biology Exam and students are expected to assume the responsibility for filling in the gaps with their own reading program.
Materials / Contact InformationOnline Textbook Access:
· Point your browser to www.phschool.com/access. Follow the directions for registering with this student access code to establish an account:
SSNAST-BAZOO-OBEYS-SIDED-FRONT-ROUSE
Goals of AP Biology
1. To ensure that students leave having experienced the equivalent of a college-level biology course.
2. To prepare students for any college freshman, laboratory-based science course.
3. To increase student critical thinking and data analysis skills in science.
4. To engender the appreciation of the nature of science and the role science literacy plays in our society.
The Major Themes of AP Biology
The AP Biology Development Committee has identified eight major themes that recur and are emphasized
throughout the course..AP Biology students should make note of the pervasiveness of the themes to assist them in organizing concepts and topics.
I. Science as a Process—Science is a way of knowing. It can involve a discovery
process using inductive reasoning, or it can be a process of hypothesis testing.
Example: The theory of evolution was developed based on observation and
experimentation.
II. Evolution—Evolution is the biological change of organisms that occurs over
time and is driven by the process of natural selection. Evolution accounts for the
diversity of life on Earth.
Example: Widespread use of antibiotics has selected for antibiotic resistance in
disease-causing bacteria.
III. Energy Transfer—Energy is the capacity to do work. All living organisms are
active (living) because of their abilities to link energy reactions to the biochemical
reactions that take place within their cells.
Example: The energy of sunlight, along with carbon dioxide and water, allows plant
cells to make organic materials, synthesize chemical energy molecules, and
ultimately release oxygen to the environment.
IV. Continuity and Change—All species tend to maintain themselves from
generation to generation using the same genetic code. However, there are
genetic mechanisms that lead to change over time, or evolution.
Example: Mitosis consistently replicates cells in an organism; meiosis (and hence
sexual reproduction) results in genetic variability.
V. Relationship of Structure to Function—The structural levels from molecules
to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living
systems.
Example: Aerodynamics of a bird’s wing permits flight.
VI. Regulation—Everything from cells to organisms to ecosystems is in a state of
dynamic balance that must be controlled by positive or negative feedback
mechanisms.
Example: Body temperature is regulated by the brain via feedback mechanisms.
VII. Interdependence in Nature—Living organisms rarely exist alone in nature.
Example: Microscopic organisms can live in a symbiotic relationship in the intestinal
tract of another organism; the host provides shelter and nutrients, and the
microorganisms digest the food.
VIII. Science, Technology, and Society—Scientific research often leads to
technological advances that can have positive and/or negative impacts upon
society as a whole.
Example: Biotechnology has allowed the development of genetically modified plants.
Structure of Class
Most classes will consist of four components: lecture, discussion, problem solving, and laboratory exercises. Visual media will be used to enhance and supplement concepts. Extensive use of peer discussion groups and evaluations are used to underscore student learning responsibility, in other words what the individual student puts in has a direct correlation to what they get out of the course.
Students are expected to:
1. Be highly self-motivated and to come to class on time and fully prepared to participate and learn.
2. Behave respectfully at all times.
3. Be knowledgeable of all classroom procedures, assignment, lab, quiz, and test dates.
4. Be active participants in class discussions, activities and generally contribute to the learning of all participants in class.
Assignments: (Keep all your assignments in a binder for review and in case of clerical error)
-Label all assignments with your Name, Date, and Assignment Title
-All Assignments, Labs, Quizzes and Tests are due/occur on the day they are printed on the
Calendar . If you have an Excused Absence, the assignment is due on the day you
return to School unless prior arrangements have been made.
-Homework Problem Sets are assigned but not graded. Answers to Sets and Quizzes are
posted electronically.
-All Collected Assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments lose 50% each day and No late work is accepted after 2 days.
-All Electronic Assignments must be submitted to Google Docs or as directed in Assignment. Failure to do so results in late or unaccepted assignment. Electronic assignments are due by 11:59pm of the calendar date.
-Place All Collected Assignments in collection basket upon completion. All Written Reports
must be submitted electronically at the location specified in directions.
-Students with excused medical absences may arrange for Make Up work. Make-Ups are
limited to Tests and Graded Labs and are by appointment, must occur within 1 week
of your return. There are no make-up Quizzes.
- Unexcused absences receive “0” NO EXCEPTION.
-Copied work receives a zero for both parties involved.
**YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDUALING MAKE-UPS**
Grading Policy:
Class Policy:
The Science Department has adopted a policy of mutual respect.
Electronic Equipment - All electronic equipment such as Cell Phones, IPods, MP3 or CD Players; and Gaming equipment should be turned off and put away out of site during class. Failure to do this will result in immediate confiscation. This includes head phones.
Attendance – Attendance is done by seating chart, if you are not in the room when the bell rings you are considered Tardy.
Safety – Any activity or action that risks the safety of any individual in the class or lab
will result in immediate referral to the Assistant Principal for Suspension. All Students and Parents will sign a Safety Contract.
Academic Dishonesty – Any student found to commit or facilitate cheating will receive a zero for the assignment with no chance to make it up. If the student cheats a second time the student will be referred to the Administration.
A word on plagiarism:
If two or more students have the exact same sentences and/or paragraphs, that is considered plagiarism regardless of who wrote the sentences and/or paragraphs first. If sections of passages are copied off/from the internet or published sources and pasted onto any essay without giving proper credit, it is considered plagiarism.
Results of plagiarism: All parties involved will receive a Zero for the assignment regardless of who wrote the original material.
A Word About Vocabulary
The amount of new vocabulary for AP Bio is significant. The successful student will use 4 x 6 inch index cards as part of their approach to independent study. Make a list as you read the test of all vocabulary that is new to you. Make vocabulary cards as outlined below. These cards should go beyond the standard word/definition and be reviewed frequently. 4 x 6 cards are suggested so that vocabulary may be organized/grouped with associated terms. It is also recommended that diagrams be used when appropriate.
Ex)
AP Biology Problem Sets/Quizzes
1. Why do AP Bio Problem Sets/Quizzes if they are not graded?
AP Bio Problem Sets/Quizzes are designed to insure that you have absorbed and assimilated the basic concepts and facts which are integral to each unit.
2. What thinking processes are involved?
In addition to reading the text and memorizing information, you should become actively involved in complex thinking processes while you are completing these routine assignments. These processes include comparison, classifying, inquiry, analysis and synthesis to name a few. For example, when you study energy flow in a cell, you should compare similarities and differences in ATP production of plants and animals. These are things which are not necessarily stated in the textbook per se, but should be noted, thought about and written out on your homework assignments.
3. What are the learner outcomes as a result of completing these Problem Sets/Quizzes?
As a result of completing these assignments, you should become a more proficient self-directed learner.
Learning to set your own priorities and reaching achievable goals are desirable in any subject, but particularly so in AP Bio. It is an ideal course to set for yourself a specific goal because you can take the national AP Bio test in May, and the attainment of this goal will be obvious. This goal, along with your aspirations for future college work, should help you to shape a vision for future endeavors.
A word of warning: Although some students excel at Problem Sets/Quizzes, they have difficulty translating what they have learned in these assignments to a multiple choice test, particularly those questions which require higher order thinking skills. If that is the case, it is likely that you haven't completed your assignments with item number 2 (above) in mind.
4. What criteria will be used to assess your Problem Sets/Quizzes? Problem Sets/Quizzes are not graded. You will determine the value of your efforts.
Seminar Lunch Events
In anticipation of the Spring Exam and to help you do your best in the course, attendance at the following are optional but highly recommended
These will be scheduled soon and announced in class…I hope you will plan to attend!
TIPS: Writing AP Biology Essays
1) Read the question!!! You will not get points if you answer the wrong question, no matter how much you write.
2) Explain all your answers do not write in outline form. You may make an outline to help you with your thoughts but will receive no credit unless your thoughts are explained. Oh, and Read the question!!!
3) Pictures by themselves receive no points. Illustrations may be used to supplement essays, but should be appropriately labeled and referenced in your essay. Oh, and Read the question!!!
4) DEFINE and EXPLAIN the terms used, even if they seem obvious. The 9th grade rule: pretend you are writing to a 9th grader. Oh, and Read the question!!!
5) Answers to multipart questions should be clearly labeled. Make it easy for the grader to find information and award points. Oh, and Read the question!!!
6) Write CLEARLY and NEATLY. If you handwriting is poor, skip lines to make it more legible. Make it easy for the reader to award points. Oh, and Read the question!!!
7) Use blue or black ink only. Oh, and Read the question!!!
8) Pacing is important. Approximately 20 minutes should be allotted per essay. Oh, and Read the question!!!
9) Since there is no “guessing penalty” on the essays, WRITE. Oh, and Read the question!!!
10) In experimental design questions, the following should be included: hypothesis, control, independent variable, dependent variable, how data will be collected, analyzed, and graphed, how conclusions will be drawn. Oh, and Read the question!!!
11) When including a graph, the axes should ALWAYS be clearly labeled, with units. Oh, and Read the question!!!
The Biology Lab
Science is the process of thoughtful preparation, honest observations made during experiments and in-depth analysis of data. Study the lab before it is performed and prepare your lab Notebook as outlined below. Make sure you understand the ‘Lab objectives’. AP Bio Labs are used to introduce new concepts and relationships as well as to demonstrate the ideas discussed in preceding lectures. Clearly understand the Lab Purpose so you may make proper observations as they occur. Be honest in reporting your results. It is better to report honest mistakes or inaccurate results than to report expected or false data.
**Be advised there may be some days when you will be required
to stay after-school to complete lab work**
Lab Notebook:
All Lab recording is hand written and done in a bound graph paper notebook. All work must be in Dark ink. Errors should be crossed out with a single horizontal or diagonal line. All pages must be numbered (font and back) at the lower outside corner. Pages are as follows:
Page 1 – Title Page (Class, Term, Year, Period, Student Name, Instructor Name,
School name)
Page 3-6 – Table of Contents (see example below)
Page 7… – Recorded Lab Reports
Table of Contents: Neatly state the lab number, lab title and the page
Lab # / Title / Page1 / Cell Microscopy / 7
2 / AP Lab #3: Mitosis and Meiosis / 15
… / … / …
… / … / …
Lab Reports: there are two (2) types (working and formal) but both will follow this general Outline:
Prelab write up; Data ; Calculations/Graphs; Analysis/Questions; Conclusion; Discussion Notes
PreLab Write Up: (must be completed before lab) has the following sections
· Lab Number and Title, student name and name of lab partner, Date
· Background (formal only)
· Clearly stated purpose(s) in your own words
· Clearly listed Objectives (working only)
· Flow Chart of Procedures (working), cited procedures (formal)
· PreLab Questions (if required working only)
· Data Section consisting of pre-drawn Table(s) and established Diagram(s) Areas. Use of ruler is strongly recommended.