AP Biology Syllabus
Advanced Placement Biology Syllabus
2020-2021, Mrs. Amber Willis
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy
Course Overview
Advanced Placement Biology is a year-long course that focuses on studying the vast topic of life. There are four main units that are taught in AP Biology. These concepts were created by the College Board and are listed below.
In order to explore the concepts presented in AP Biology, we will be engaging in many inquiry-based laboratory experiments, collaborative discussions, research, and data analysis. When the AP exam is passed in May, you will receive college credit for 2 semesters of introductory biology. All students are expected to take the exam in May. My goal is to train you to become a scientist: you will set up your own experiments, collect and analyze data, synthesize, and make scientific claims based on evidence.
Textbook and Lab Manual
1. Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, Reece. Campbell Biology. 11th edition. Pearson Publishing.
2. College Board. AP Biology: Investigative Labs. 2012. College Board, New York.
3. Holtzclaw, Fred and Reece, Jane. Preparing for the AP Biology Exam.
AP Biology Core Ideas
• Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life (Evolution).
• Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis (Energy and Homeostasis).
• Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes (Information transfer).
• Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties (Interactions).
Next Generation Secondary Science Disciplinary Core Ideas
Course Prerequisites
AP Biology is open to students who have taken 1 year of biology, 1 year of chemistry, and passage of Algebra II.
Grade Assessment
Tests and Quizzes: 43 % Homework: 23 % Class work and Investigative Labs: 33 %
Grade Ranges
90-100 % = A 80-89 % = B 70-79 % = C 60-69 % = D 59% or below = F
Any grade at 0.5 and above is rounded up to the higher grade
Classroom Policies
• You will need a lab folder and FRQ (free response question) notebook. All materials for this class will be stored in your folder, as well as graph paper.
• Please remain in your seats. Movement causes lab accidents.
• Please keep all food and drinks, except for water, outside the classroom.
• You are expected to use the restroom before or after class.
• Attendance matters. Attendance and participation = success
• Practice academic honesty. Any cheating in the class will be reported to the dean as well as receiving a zero on the assignment. Parent conferences will also be held and letters of recommendation withheld. This holds for multiple parties involved.
• LATE WORK is not accepted in this AP Biology course.
• Keep electronic devices hidden. If they are used during inappropriate times, they will be confiscated immediately and given to the dean. I will let you know when appropriate times are to use the device for research.
• . We will be using as a resource to counteract plagiarism. Due dates will be set and materials (pdf or doc) need to be uploaded to the website BEFORE the given time. Do not wait until the last minute to submit. Academic work is expected to be of your original design.
• Come to class prepared. All printing or submission of assignments should be done BEFORE class.
Absences and Make-up Work
i) If class is missed, the assignment due that day will be due the following day you return for an excused illness.
ii) I also encourage you to be responsible. Complete missing work from days not attended (from an excused illness only). The number of days of the absence determines how many days you have to make up the work. (Ex: 1 day absent = 1 day to complete work).
iii) Turn the absent work into the inbox with ABSENT on the top. You can always find out what you missed by asking a friend in the class, asking me before or after class, or checking the class website. Please, try to refrain from asking me during class.
iv) If you are absent for an assessment, you are required to take it the very next day you return to school (even if we don’t meet on that day due to block scheduling). Communication with teacher is required.
Class Website: . You can access:
-Homework assignments, Class Activities, and Labs -Grades (Schoology link)
-Supplemental Resources/Reviews -Class Syllabus and College Board/State Standards
Class Remind: Text to 81010. Place @2020bioht in the message box.
Schoology
Schoology is our learning management system. With this app, you can access your grades and submit assignments. Every six months, you need to reset your password through the LAUSD system. In order to do this, you need your 4-digit pin. All teachers have the pins. You simply need to ask if you forget your pin.
Instructional Hours: Mandatory
Zoom AP Biology Period 4: Tuesday and Thursday at 10:10 am.
Mondays: Asynchronous work will be assigned.
Office Hours
Reach out in any way if stuck or just to say hello (NOT MANDATORY) via Remind, Schoology, or email.
Mondays: 12:40 to 1:15 pm.
Tuesday through Friday: 2:00-2:15 pm.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken in the mandatory Zooms.
For Monday’s asynchronous session, you must submit a Google Form response for attendance before 9 am.
Quizlet
Here is the link to our Quizlet study resources:
AP Exam and Mock Exam
A mock exam will be given in April. It will be worth 60 points and is a significant part of the second semester grade. The AP Exam will be on Friday, May 14, 2021 from 8 am – 12 pm in the MPR at HTPA. The AP Exam will consist of 60 multiple choice (50% of score) and 6 free response essay questions (50% of score).
Teacher Contact Information
asb9616@ (310) 834-3932
AP Biology Investigations
1) Artificial Selection 2) Mathematical Modeling
3) Comparing DNA Sequences 4) Osmosis and Diffusion
5) Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis 6) Cell Respiration
7) Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis 8) Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation
9) Biotechnology: Restriction Enzyme Analysis of DNA 10) Energy Dynamics
11) Transpiration 12) Animal Behavior
13) Enzyme Activity
Course Overview
Units 1-4 are done during the first semester of the course.
Units 5-8 are done during the second semester of the course.
DRAV Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy High School
Homework Rubric, Mrs. Willis
2 points total per homework assignment
|2 points |1 point |0 points |
|Homework is 100% complete. Every question contains|Homework is incomplete (problems, vocab words, or |Homework was not completed by the due date. |
|a relevant answer. Questions are answered |answers are missing). Some answers are missing. |Homework was not attempted. Most or all questions |
|thoughtfully. No section of the question is |Questions are answered, but may be missing parts |are not answered. |
|ignored. Effort was placed into completing the |(like explain or why/why not?). Some effort was | |
|assignment. Homework was completed on time. |exerted to complete most of the assignment. | |
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy High School Classwork Rubric, Mrs. Willis
| |5 (Exemplary) |4 (Competent) |3 (Satisfactory) |2 (Inadequate) |1 |
| | | | | |(Poor) |
|Accuracy |All items are correct |90-95% items are correct|76-89% of the items are |Between ½ and 3/4 of items|Less than ½ of items |
| | | |correct |are correct |are correct |
|Demonstrated Knowledge |Shows a complete |Shows substantial |Shows understanding of the|Response shows some |Response shows a |
| |understanding of the |understanding of the |problem, ideas, and |understanding of the |complete lack of |
| |questions, mathematical |problem, ideas, and |processes. Some gaps do |problem, but significant |understanding of the |
| |ideas, and processes. |processes. |exist with understanding. |gaps exist in |problem |
| | | | |understanding. | |
|Requirements |Goes beyond the |Meets the requirements |Meets the requirements of |Does not meet the |Does not meet the |
| |requirements of the |of the problem. Shows |the problem. Steps and |requirements of the |requirements of the |
| |problem. Shows step by |most steps of process |detailed analysis are |problem. Most steps are |problem because steps |
| |step process, and details|and detailed analysis. |lacking or wrong. |incorrect and detailed |and analysis are not |
| |analysis | | |analysis is lacking/wrong.|present. |
Disclaimer to Grading and the Gradebook Process:
We will complete many assignments in this class to master our course objectives. Not all assignments completed are placed in the gradebook. Some assignments will be used as formative assessment tools (check ins), so I can shape my curriculum to fit current student academic needs.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Advanced Placement Biology! My name is Amber Willis and I am your son/daughter’s AP Biology teacher. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Masters of Science Degree in Environmental Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills. I received my teaching credential in Biological Sciences at Cal State Northridge. This is my twentieth year of teaching in Los Angeles Unified School District, and I am looking forward to another great year with your student. My goal is to train your student to become a scientist: they will set up their own experiments, collect and analyze data, synthesize, and make scientific claims based on evidence.
This is a rigorous year-long class that will fulfill one-semester of an introductory college level life science or laboratory science course. An AP exam will be given at the end of the second semester (May). We will be investigating a variety of topics from ecosystem dynamics to cancer. And, we will perform many laboratory experiments to help master the topics. Your student will be performing much work on their way to accomplishing these tasks.
.
The grade breakdown for the class is as follows: 90-100 % = A, 80-89 % = B, 70-79 % = C, 60-69 % = D, and 59 % and lower = F. Students will be graded on tests, labs, homework, and class work. Homework will be given every night. They are also expected to review course materials when done with homework. Students will be required to sometimes submit online () before their given class period or to submit in class. Late work is not accepted.
As an aid for parents and students, I have created a class website: . This website can be accessed to check for homework assignments as well as class activities and lectures. Grades and attendance are posted on HTPA’s Schoology account. Please, feel free to use the website with your student as much as possible.
I also use a Remind service to ensure that students succeed in class. This texting service allows communication between teachers, students, and parents. Text 81010 and place @2020bioht in the message to enroll.
If you have any questions or comments about the class, please email me at asb9616@. My conference period is during 3rd period. Also, if you would like to volunteer in the classroom or in the school, contact me for the arrangements. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Amber Willis
(310) 834-3932
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___ I have read Mrs. Willis' class information letter and understand that there is a website with which I can monitor my child's progress in class. I am aware that AP Biology is a rigorous course and my student will be challenged.
__________________________________
Name of Parent
__________________________________ _________ ____________________________________
Signature of Parent Date Name of Student
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Parent Email Cell Phone of Parent
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