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Advanced Placement Biology Syllabus (2016-2017)Mr. Martin Barker Room: D320E-mail: barkerm@Phone Number: 317-693-5700Office Hours: Before and After School, Planning PeriodWebsite: mrbarkerbiology. Course Description: AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course and is taught following the guidelines and curriculum outlined by College Board. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes — energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions. This class requires learning at an accelerated pace due to the amount and complexity of the required material. A student’s success will depend on the time and effort that is invested into this course. Successful completion of the AP Biology exam can lead to either introductory biology credit or elective credit depending on the requirements of the college a student is attending. Big Ideas: This course is centered on four interconnecting big ideas and their associated enduring understandings and learning objectives. Big idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.?Big idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.?Big idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes. Big idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. SCIENCE PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE COURSE: As an inquiry-based learning course, AP Biology is organized to give students a basic understanding of each concept to be studied, and then have the student first conduct teacher-directed activities to experience a science practice before conducting their own student-directed experiments. This course will include at least eight labs as required by College Board and will make up a large amount of class time. Textbooks: Campbell Biology AP 9th Edition will be the main textbook used in this class. Students will be responsible for the textbook assigned to them and must pay a replacement cost of $130.31 if it is not returned before the end of the course.Supplies: 3-Ring binder (1-1.5 inch), dividers, loose leaf paper, 4-function calculator with a square root key. If you need any assistance obtaining these supplies, please inform the instructor.Logistics: AP Biology will meet for one class period each day. Class periods will be composed of lecture, labs, quizzes, projects and exams and students should be in their seat and working when the bell rings at the beginning of class. This class will work to prepare students for the AP Exam by focusing on lab work, essay composition, and math while providing students with practice problems when possible. Each unit exam will model the AP Exam and compose of multiple choice and free response questions. Many of these questions are from previous AP Exams and segments of the test will be timed in order to practice the time management skills needed to complete the AP Exam. AP Biology is a fast-paced course, and class time is vital for success. Due to the pace of the course and the experiences gained in labs and lectures, it is essential that students attend class and are prepared to participate when the bell rings. Every student in the AP Biology course should expect to take the AP Exam. Preparing for the exam is going to be a challenge academically, and students should be prepared to take on this challenge if they plan to take this course. This challenge will require students to spend time outside of class studying in order to be prepared for the exam. A mock exam will be proctored and scored before the exam to help prepare the students for the actual exam. Every student is encouraged to take the AP exam. If a student is not interested in taking the AP Exam, the student must talk to the instructor and a parent/guardian must sign a letter sent home by the instructor before this decision is finalized. AP Exam: The AP Biology exam will take place on Monday, May 8th 2016. The test is three hours long and consists of multiple choice, grid in, and free response questions. The multiple choice section is 90 minutes, worth 50% of the score, and consists of 63 multiple choice questions and 6 grid in questions (focusing on mathematical calculations). The free response section is 90 minutes, worth 50% of the score, and consists of 2 long free responses (one of which being lab or data based) and 6 short free responses (each requiring a paragraph length and argument/response). The AP test is scored to signify how qualified students are to receive college credit as outlined below.Assessment and Evaluation: AP Biology is an academically challenging course, and every student must earn their grade. The grade in this class does not have weighted components and each point earned is a point added to the grade. The grades will be calculated by dividing the total amount of points earned by the total number of points available in the class. Labs and exams will be worth a larger amount of points compared to homework and classwork.Homework: Homework will usually consist of reading assignments, question sets, or watching videos assigned by the instructor. Completing pre-labs and lab reports will be done for homework as well, just like in a college class. Homework is expected to be completed by the due date, and students who do not complete the assigned homework will not be prepared for class participation, which is vital for student success. Exams: Exam dates are available for students on the schedule at the end of this syllabus. These dates will not be moved with the exception of classroom disruptions on exam dates such as fire drills, assemblies, etc. If the material does not get covered in class the teacher will prepare activities for students to complete before the exam that covers the missed material or the material will be removed from the exam.If a student is absent on an exam date, the student must arrange with the instructor to take the exam outside of class time immediately upon return. Students will only be able to make up exams with an excused absence. Late Work and Absences: AP classes are equivalent to college classes and, as expected in college classes, students are expected to turn in all work on the due date. Late work will be accepted, but 10% of the total points will be deducted every school day it is not turned in. After 5 school days, the assignment will be worth 50% of the total points and there will be no option to gain over 50%.If a student has an excused absence, it is their responsibility to talk to the instructor before or after class about the work they missed the day they return. The student will be allowed the number of days they were absent to complete the assignment before it will be considered late and the policy outlined above will be implemented. Unsatisfactory Grades: If a student receives a grade that they believe is unsatisfactory, the student must talk with the instructor to contest the grade and talk about options to get points back. Class time is limited and must be used for instruction, so these discussions must occur outside of class at a time arranged by the teacher and the student. Since classwork, labs, homework, and exams are used as learning experiences, the instructor may allow the student to make corrections for half of the missed points. The student must talk with the instructor to receive permission to make up points. The corrections must be made within 5 days of the assignment being passed back to the students. Class grades will be posted periodically and available for students to view and will be in Schoology and E-School. If a student would like to view their grade between postings or is not satisfied with their grade, an appointment must be made with the instructor outside of class time. Students must contest their grades in a respectful manor if they believe their grade is incorrect. Parents are also welcome to contact the instructor trough email or by phone to discuss any concerns with their child’s progress. Receiving Additional Assistance: I would love for every student to succeed in this class and student motivation is the only limiting factor in student success. Students can feel free to stop by for assistance during the office hours listed above or make an appointment with the instructor in order to ask questions and receive additional assistance with the content. Since I may need to meet with more than one student during these times, students should come only once they have tried to understand the material and must have questions ready to ask! Every student is also encouraged to exchange contact information and form study groups with their peers. These study groups could be a great way to get questions answered and understand the material. There is no better way to understand this complex material at a fast pace than to explain it to your peers. If a student would like help setting up a study group, please talk to the instructor. ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS: AP Biology provides students with an experience equivalent to a college level biology course. There are extensive reading assignments that the student must complete in order to be successful. It is a college course and you will be held to very high expectations and you will need to exhibit mature responsibilities just like any college freshman taking their respective Introduction to Biology class. Unlike your freshman high school biology course, the information you will learn will not be spoon-fed to you – a lot of it you will learn yourself. If you do not keep up with the work, the readings, and staying actively involved in lectures/discussions/lab investigations, your chances for success are slim. At all times students are expected to follow classroom and school rules, behave in a responsible, respectful, and mature manner, and conduct themselves with honor and integrity. Disruptive and disrespectful behavior will NOT be tolerated and students acting in this manor may be written up and/or asked to leave the room. Cell Phone Policy: Students should not be using cell phones or tablets during class time unless instructed to do so. When instructed, students should only use them for instructional purposes and should not be on any social media or texting. When used inappropriately or during class time, a consequence will be given based on number of offenses. The teacher will can skip consequences as needed based on severity of offense. Offense one: Verbal warningOffense two: Teacher holds phone until the end of classOffense three: Teacher holds phone until the end of the school day and parent is calledOffense four: Phone is confiscated and taken to the deanPlagiarism: Students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone suspected of plagiarism will receive a zero on the assignment with no option to redo the assignment. If a student did not cheat, the student must respectfully contest with the instructor outside of class time. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, copying another classmate’s work, copying information straight from the Internet, and any use of notes or technology (cell phones, tablets, computers, etc.) on a quiz or exam.Many times in this class students will be working in groups, but every student must turn in their own individual work unless the instructor states otherwise. Copying off of a group member and submitting the work as your own is plagiarism and will be treated as such.This syllabus and the procedures outlined within it are subject to change at the instructor’s icChaptersApprox. TimeLabs/ActivitiesTest DatesUnit 1: Introduction and Chemistry of LifeBig IdeasCharacteristics of Life Scientific MeasurementEvolution (Theory and Natural Selection)Characteristics of Water Biochemistry12232/4/513 classesHand Lab- Experimental Design and StatisticsTest 19/1-9/2Unit 2: Tour of the Cell Membrane Structure and FunctionMetabolism/Enzyme/ATPCell Communication6781110 classesOsmosis and Diffusion LabBinder Check9/26-27Test 29/29-9/30Endocrine SystemNervous System Immune System 4548/49439 classesDissectionTest 3DissectionBasedUnit 3: Cellular Energy ProcessesCell Respiration and FermentationPhotosynthesisWater Potential9106 classesWhole Plant Transpiration LabCell Respiration LabTest 412/1-12/2Unit 4: Cellular ReproductionThe Cell Cycle (Mitosis)Meiosis12139 classesModeling Mitosis and Meiosis LabBinder Check 12/12-13Test 51/12-1/13Unit 5: Genetic Basis of LifeMendel Genetics and Punnett SquaresVariations of MendelChromosomal Basis of InheritanceStructure of Genetic MaterialDNA ReplicationCentral DogmaGene RegulationViruses/DNA Technology141516171819/2012 classespGlo Transformation LabGel Electrophoresis Test 62/16-2/17Unit 6: Evolution, Phylogeny, and Diversity of the Biological WorldShort Review of Theory of Evolution and Natural SelectionEvolution of PopulationsHardy-Weinberg Species/SpeciationTracing Evolutionary HistoryPhylogeny and Tree of Life Mechanisms of MacroevolutionClassificationDiversity of the Biological World222324252610 classesHardy-Weinberg (Dry Lab)Binder Check2/27-28Test 73/16-3/17Unit 7: EcologyPopulation EcologyCommunity EcologyEcosystem EcologyConservation525354555610 classesWater Quality LabTest 84/27-4/28Binder Check5/22-23Mock ExamBefore 3/9AP Test Review1 week5/1-5/5AP Test 5/8/2016Last Day of School 6/8/2016Advanced Placement Biology Syllabus ContractI have read and understand the expectations outlined in the syllabus for the Advanced Biology course. By signing below, I accept the rigor of the course, these terms, and will abide by them throughout the course.Student Name (Printed): ________________________________________Student Signature: _____________________________________________Parents/Guardians, I am very excited to have your child in my class this year. I would like to thank you in advance for the help and support you will provide as your child takes on the academic challenge of an Advanced Placement course. Please feel free to reach out to me for any questions or concerns throughout the year; email is the best method of communication. Providing an email address that you check regularly will allow for faster communication.Please sign below to show me that your child has shared this syllabus with you. I ask for your support through this course and hope that you help me keep up with your child’s progress throughout the year. The contact information below will only be used to contact you with any concerns I have throughout the year. Parent/Guardian Name (Printed): ________________________________Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________Parent/Guardian Email: ________________________________________Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ________________________________Best Method to Contact Parent/Guardian: Email PhoneLanguage Spoken by Parent/Guardian: English Espa?ol Other__________________ ................
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