Advanced Placement Biology - Quia
Advanced Placement Biology
Course Outline
I. Course Description
AP Biology is a course designed to offer students a solid foundation in introductory college-level biology. By structuring the course around the four big ideas, enduring understandings, and science practices students will be assisted in developing an appreciation for the study of life and help them identify and understand unifying principles within a diversified biological world.
What we know today about biology is a result of inquiry. Science is a way of knowing. Therefore, the process of inquiry in science and developing critical thinking skills is the most important part of this course.
At the end of the course, students will have an awareness of the integration of other sciences in the study of biology, understand how the species to which we belong is similar to, yet different from, other species, and be knowledgeable and responsible citizens in understanding biological issues that could potentially impact their lives.
II. Four Big Ideas of Advanced Placement Biology
Throughout the year we will be exploring the following four big ideas of AP Biology. We will continually search for new ways to utilize these themes to establish connections between one topic and another. Each of these big ideas permeates every topic in Biology.
1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
2. Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
3. Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.
4. Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
III. Investigative Laboratory Component
AP Biology is structured around inquiry in the lab and the use of the seven sciences practices throughout the course.
Students are given the opportunity to engage in student-directed laboratory investigations throughout the course for a minimum of 25% of instructional time. Students will conduct a minimum of eight inquiry-based investigations (two per big idea throughout the course). Additional labs will be conducted to deepen students’ conceptual understanding and to reinforce the application of science practices within a hands-on, discovery based environment. All levels of inquiry will be used and all seven science practice skills will be used by students on a regular basis in formal labs as well as activities outside of the lab experience. The course will provide opportunities for students to develop, record, and
communicate the results of their laboratory investigations.
Science Practices (SP)
1. The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems.
2. The student can use mathematics appropriately.
3. The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course.
4. The student can plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question.
5. The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
6. The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.
7. The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and representations in and across domains.
IV. Texts
1. Campbell, and Reece, 2008. Biology (AP Edition), Eighth Edition, Benjamin, Cummings, San Francisco, CA.
2. Campbell, and Reece, 2008. AP Biology Test Prep Series, 8th edition, Benjamin, Cummings, San Francisco, CA.
CLASS INFORMATION
Attendance and Punctuality
In order to fully participate and understand the concepts in a science class, regular attendance is critical and is the responsibility of the student.
Punctuality is also important. Be on time to class each day in order to complete the daily assignment/quiz.
Absences and Make-Up Work
In the case of an excused absence, when the student returns, it is the student’s responsibility to collect the work they missed. Assignments and activities for the week are posted on the web page (), including homework assignments.
• If there was an assignment that was due the day the student was absent, the student must hand that assignment to the teacher immediately when they return from the absence. No extra days will be given to complete the assignment.
• If the student finds that they missed a worksheet, the student needs to get the worksheet out of the file folder in the front of the room. Each worksheet will have the student’s name on it and can be found in their folder for their period. The student will have one week to complete the assignment.
• If a test has been missed, the student needs to approach the teacher immediately to schedule a time to make up an alternate test. Tests and quizzes need to be made up within one week of the absence.
• If a laboratory/activity was missed, the student needs to approach the teacher and ask for an alternative assignment that must be handed in within one week from the absence.
1. Assignments missed because of truancy, may not be made up for credit.
2. If a student will be absent for several days, parents should contact the attendance office and request homework for the days the student will miss.
3. As soon as the parent is aware that the student will be absent for 5 or more days, the parent should request independent study by contacting the attendance office or the Vice Principal in charge of Independent Study.
Late Assignments
Assignments are due by the end of the day, 2:50 pm. Late assignments will not be accepted for credit.
• Per the student handbook, students who miss class for a scheduled school activity (sports, field trip, etc.) must meet the same deadlines as other students. These students are considered to be in attendance and must complete assignments in advance or make advanced preparations with the teacher.
Grading and Credits
The grading scale is as follows:
• A 90% and above
• B 80% - 89%
• C 70 % - 79%
• D 60% - 69%
• F 59% and below
1. Categories for grades are as follows:
a. Assignments – homework, classroom work, labs, etc. 40%
b. Quizzes, tests, exams 60%
2. Grades are based on overall percentages accumulated throughout the semester, not the average of the two quarter grades.
3. Any student earning less than a 70% at mid quarter (September, November, February, May) is at risk of earning only a D or in danger of failing will have a deficiency notice sent home.
4. Per school policy, students who earn a D or better will receive five credits per semester. Those who earn an F will receive no credits. Students who earn a grade of C or higher in an AP class will also receive an extra grade point calculated into their GPA.
5. Students are encouraged to complete all of the assigned work and to study so as to be prepared for quizzes and tests.
6. Parents now have access to ParentConnect to view their student’s current grades and assignments in the class. Please see the attendance office to obtain a username and password.
7. Every student has the ability to earn an A in this class, please do your best work to achieve your goals.
Classroom Rules and Consequences
Rules
1. Be in your assigned seat with all required materials when the bell rings.
2. No personal grooming during class. DO NOT apply make-up, spray perfume/cologne, apply lotion, comb hair, etc).
3. Listen and follow direction, instructions, and rules the first time they are given. (This includes all school rules.)
4. Respect others (students, teacher, and school) and their property.
5. No food, gum, or drinks allowed in class, except bottled water.
Consequences
1. Warning
2. Student and Teacher Conference
3. Call Home
4. Detention
5. Referral to Office
Cheating Policy
All students must always do their own work. Students are expected to hold themselves to high standards of honesty and integrity. Involvement in deception and dishonest practices will be considered cheating and will result in loss of credit (The score for the assignments, quiz, test, etc. will be zero). Students will also have to accept the discipline consequences as outlined in the schools cheating policy (detailed in the student handbook).
Examples of this type of behavior include but are not limited to:
1. talking during a test or quiz
2. looking at another students quiz or test
3. the use of a “cheat sheet” or other unauthorized notes during a test or a quiz.
4. plagiarizing
5. copying another students work
6. forgery
Notebook and Materials
Students should keep their coursework organized by topic in a notebook with dividers to use for studying for a test. This notebook will also be the students’ record of assignments and grades. The notebook is a tool to prepare for taking the AP test in May.
Valuable Resources
1. My class web page with assignments listed and reading guides posted for you to download and use. Also includes links to other helpful websites.
2. access Book website. Access code SSNAST-BLIDA-SULCI-MEWED-HAMZA-CAIRD
a. This website has the book online, vocabulary and root word lists, activities, quizzes, practice tests, links to other valuable websites.
Exams
Exams will be given according to the AP Biology exam format:
Section I: Part A (Multiple Choice)
Section I: Part B (Grid In) – Mathematical questions to solve and write the answer in
Section II: Free Response Questions – 2 long free response questions and 6 short free response questions
Tutoring
In addition to the school’s tutoring program on Mondays and Wednesdays after school, I am also available to provide assistance to students outside of the regular instructional day (brunch, lunch, before school, and after school). Please refer to contact information below to set a time to come in.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, I am available for students and parents before and after school. Please call if you have any questions or concerns (951) 845-3171. I can also be contacted via email at csnelson@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us.
Please keep this handout in your science notebook as a reference.
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