Advanced Placement Biology



Advanced Placement Biology

Syllabus

2016-2017

I. Course Description

AP Biology is a class designed for students who have completed Biology and Chemistry with grades of “B” or better and who are possibly contemplating a major in a science related field or planning to attend a 4 year college. Students earn college credit for the class by passing the AP Biology exam given on Monday, May 8, 2017. All Students will take an AP exam on 5/8/2017. Students will have their choice of taking the 2017 AP Biology exam for possible college credit or a past AP Biology exam which will count as their final exam. Students who take the 2017 AP exam will be excused from taking the final exam.

The class will be conducted at the college level and students are expected to work accordingly. Students should attend class regularly, except in the case of an excused illness or an excused school related activity. Students will be expected to come to class prepared and on time. The overall success of the program depends in large part on each student meeting their individual responsibilities. A significant portion of the content of this course will be covered independently by each student. Allowances should be made for substantial study time.

II. Major Themes of Advanced Placement Biology

Throughout the year we will be exploring the following major themes of biology. We will continually search for new ways to utilize these themes to establish connections between one topic and another with a heavy emphasis on evolution and ecology throughout. Each of these major themes permeates every topic in the course.

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.

III. Text

Campbell and Reese, 2008. Biology, 8th Edition, Benjamin/Cummings Pubs. Co. Inc. Redwood City, CA. For the most part, this can be kept at home. There will be a class set in the classroom.

IV. Web Access

In an effort to keep you more fully informed about the happenings in AP Biology, weekly schedules and grades may be accessed via the High School Website. To reach Ms. Brashear, please email her at: nbrashear@sanjuan.edu

V. AP Biology Units - Main Topics, Chapters, and Labs

1. Unit 1 Introduction to Biology and Chemistry of Life and Scientific Method (Chapters 2-5)

3 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-Macromolecule Lab & Functional Group Lab

-Pea Plant Inquiry Lab

2. Cellular Biology & Water Potential (Chapters 6-7, 36.2)

4 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-AP Biology Lab #1: Diffusion and Osmosis

-Cell Size Lab

3. Bioenergetics (Chapters 8-10)

4 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-Toothpickase Lab – Kim Foglia

-AP Biology Lab #5: Cell Respiration

-AP Biology Lab #4: Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis

4. Cell Reproduction & Cell Communication & Viruses (Chapters 11-13, 19)

2 weeks Unit test at end of unit

-APBiology Lab #3: Mitosis/Meiosis

5. Genetics (Chapters 14-15)

3 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-Chi-Square M & M activity (from AP Biology List Serve)

-AP Biology Lab #7: Genetics of Organisms

6. Molecular Genetics (Chapters 16-18)

3 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-AP Biology Lab #6: Molecular Biology

7. Gene Expression & Development, Biotechnology (Chapters 19-21)

2 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-APBiology Lab #9: Gel electrophoresis

8. Evolution (Chapters 22-27)

5 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-AP Biology Lab #8: Population Genetics and Evolution

9. Ecology (Chapters 52-56)

3 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-Investigations of Population Growth and Control: gulls and deer vs. humans

10. Animal Evolution, Form & Function (Chapters 40-43, 48, 51)

2 weeks Unit test at end of unit.

-AP Biology Lab #10: Physiology of the Circulatory System

-AP Biology Lab #11: Animal Behavior

VI. Laboratory

Labs will be conducted on block-schedule days; therefore attendance on those days is highly critical. Students are expected to attend all laboratory sessions and should arrange their schedules accordingly.

VII. Class Materials

All students should maintain and bring daily an orderly binder. Lecture notes, handouts, and lab write-ups should be included. Also be sure to bring pen, pencils, a gluestick, a whiteboard pen, and a highlighter.

VIII. Exams

Exams will be given according to the AP Biology exam format (60% objective, 40% essay). Exams will be announced in advance. Quizzes do not have to be announced in advance.

IX. Grading

Student assessment will be based on the following percentages:

60% tests and quizzes,

40% labs and activities, homework, notes, participation

Grades will be awarded according to the following format:

100%-89.5% = A, 89.4%-79.5% = B, 79.4%-69.5% = C, 69.4%-59.5% = D, and below F.

All students are expected to maintain a grade of at least a “C” at all times during the year. Any student earning a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Biology exam and receiving a passing grade in the class, will have both semester grades raised one full mark (ie. If a student earns a B for both semesters and earns a 4 on the AP Biology exam, both semester grades would be changed to A). It is expected that students will be doing homework every day. This could include taking notes from the book, studying ppt notes from class, watching online tutorials from Bozeman Montana, problem sets, or lab write-ups.

• Make up work only applies for an excused absence; however, it is your responsibility to find out what material was covered in your absence and acquire the assignment(s).

• In general, late work (not from an excused absence) will be accepted under dire circumstances only and with a parent’s signature. Late work will be worth ½ credit.

• If absent (excused absence only) for a lab, see Ms. Brashear for how to make up the lab ASAP!

• If absent, assessments will be given the day you return unless other arrangements are made.

• YOU are financially responsible for the replacement cost of any broken equipment in the lab.

I make myself available not only in class, but also outside of class for additional assistance in APBiology if you are having difficulty. Please seek the assistance that you need – you are responsible for your academic learning!

Laboratory Student Safety Contract:

It is imperative that students in APBiology have the proper attitude toward safety in the laboratory.

Students will…

1. Wear approved safety goggles and aprons during laboratory activities.

2. Wear close-toed shoes during laboratory activities.

3. Pull back and tie any long hair away from the face.

4. Be aware of the location of safety equipment: fire extinguishers, eye wash station, and first aid kit.

5. Report all accidents to the instructor immediately, no matter how minor.

6. Never put anything in my mouth such as chemicals, food, drink, or apply makeup during an experiment.

7. Never inhale fumes emitted during an experiment.

8. Read labels on chemicals to be sure I have the correct chemical(s) and the correct concentration(s).

9. Dispose of excess or waste chemicals as directed by the instructor.

10. Dispose of broken glass or other sharp objects in the container designated for “sharps” or “glass”.

11. Keep my laboratory work area free of items not related to the experiment.

12. Do only assigned laboratory procedures (do not perform any unauthorized experiments).

13. Confine laboratory materials and chemicals only to the designated blacktop laboratory benches.

14. Report any spills to the instructor immediately (some chemicals require special cleanup procedures).

15. Keep the classroom equipment clean, properly maintained, and in it’s correct location.

16. Make sure that the lab area is clean before leaving the lab.

17. Wash my hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.

18. Read all experimental procedures before performing any laboratory activity.

19. Follow all instructions given both verbal and nonverbal.

20. Always conduct myself in a manner that respects my personal safety and the safety of everyone else.

21. If I break anything during the lab, I will agree to pay to replace it.

By signing below I acknowledge that I have been informed of the information contained within this document and I have read and agree to the safety contract on the reverse of this page…

_____________________________ __________________________

Student Signature Parent Signature

If there is anything that you would like me to know about you, as a student or otherwise, please feel free to write it below.

Laboratory Student Safety Contract:

It is imperative that students in APBiology have the proper attitude toward safety in the laboratory.

Students will…

22. Wear approved safety goggles and aprons during laboratory activities.

23. Wear close-toed shoes during laboratory activities.

24. Pull back and tie any long hair away from the face.

25. Be aware of the location of safety equipment: fire extinguishers, eye wash station, and first aid kit.

26. Report all accidents to the instructor immediately, no matter how minor.

27. Never put anything in my mouth such as chemicals, food, drink, or apply makeup during an experiment.

28. Never inhale fumes emitted during an experiment.

29. Read labels on chemicals to be sure I have the correct chemical(s) and the correct concentration(s).

30. Dispose of excess or waste chemicals as directed by the instructor.

31. Dispose of broken glass or other sharp objects in the container designated for “sharps” or “glass”.

32. Keep my laboratory work area free of items not related to the experiment.

33. Do only assigned laboratory procedures (do not perform any unauthorized experiments).

34. Confine laboratory materials and chemicals only to the designated blacktop laboratory benches.

35. Report any spills to the instructor immediately (some chemicals require special cleanup procedures).

36. Keep the classroom equipment clean, properly maintained, and in it’s correct location.

37. Make sure that the lab area is clean before leaving the lab.

38. Wash my hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.

39. Read all experimental procedures before performing any laboratory activity.

40. Follow all instructions given both verbal and nonverbal.

41. Always conduct myself in a manner that respects my personal safety and the safety of everyone else.

42. If I break anything during the lab, I will agree to pay to replace it.

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