AP Biology Syllabus 2013.docx



AP Biology Course Information SheetAnderson High School, 2014-2015?Instructor: Rachel Hall ????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Room #: 112E-mail: rachel.hall@ ????????????????????????????? Phone: (512) 841-1571Course Website: hallscience. Course IntroductionWelcome to AP Biology, young scientists! We are in for a long, challenging, but fun year. You must own this course to be successful. This course is heavily regulated by College Board. Familiarize yourself with the website to find resources and supplemental materials: College Board, the following course description has been provided:The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the AP Exam, some students, in their first year of college, are permitted to take upper-level courses in biology or register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite. Other students may have fulfilled a basic requirement for a laboratory-science course and will be able to undertake other courses to pursue their majors.AP Biology should include those topics regularly covered in a college biology course for majors. The college course in biology differs significantly from the usual first high school course in biology with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics covered, the type of laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required of students. The textbooks used for AP Biology should be those used by college biology majors. The kinds of labs done by AP students must be the equivalent of those done by college students.The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students after the successful completion of a first course in high school biology and one in high school chemistry as well. It aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology.Course OverviewThe key concepts and related content that define the revised AP Biology course and exam are organized around a few underlying principles called the big ideas, which encompass the core scientific principles, theories and processes governing living organisms and biological systems.Big Idea 1: EvolutionThe process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.Big Idea 2: Cellular Processes: Energy and CommunicationBiological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.Big Idea 3: Genetics and Information TransferLiving systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.Big Idea 4: InteractionsBiological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.Course Policies*Students are expected to be prepared by reading required chapters PRIOR to our class period. *This is a college level course in which no late work will be accepted. If you are absent, the AHS policy regarding make-up will be strictly enforced.*Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated.*You are expected to be the 3 R’s: respectful, responsible, and RESOURCEFUL!*You MUST read and study EVERY NIGHT! *You will get out of it what you put into it.*“I don’t know” and “This is too hard” will never be accepted!Required SuppliesTextbook:? Campbell BIOLOGY 9th edition, AP* Edition (check out and keep at home for nightly use)2-inch, durable, three-ring binder 1 graph paper composition book (lab book)1 lined paper composition book (BILL)pens, pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, and 1 pack of sticky notespaper towel roll for the classinternet accessprinter ?Grading50% Tests/Exams As many as 15 comprehensive unit tests will be administered throughout the tear. These will always follow the AP format (however, they will be shortened to be administered during 1 period). This includes 2-3 full length practice exams.25% LabsYou will be keeping a lab notebook in addition to formal lab write-ups. Both will be graded25% Daily assignments, formative assessments (oral/written), homework (NO LATE HOMEWORK ACCEPTED), quizzes, etc. Final Exams:The fall final exam will cover the entire semester.? It is important that you keep all materials as we progress through the year.? The spring final exam will be taken early (before the AP test) as a “practice” comprehensive exam.? Anderson’s AP/IB Science classes do not allow “culminating projects” in lieu of final exams.? Do not throw anything away until after the AP and IB exams.Make-up Work/Late Work Policies:If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain and complete any work you may have missed.? It is also YOUR responsibility to learn the material we covered that day and view the PowerPoint/notes.? Please see the class website/calendar and call a classmate to see what was covered.? If your internet is down, go to a friend’s house or a library.? You are still responsible for turning in homework on time, taking quizzes on time, taking tests on time, etc., regardless of your attendance in the prior class period, since you must do the work at the same time as the students who were in class and be prepared for class when you return.? If you miss a test (and it must be an excused absence), you will be given a completely different version of similar difficulty, and it may be an oral test.? You must take the retest the next school day you are present after your absence.? You must make arrangements with me the day you miss the test to meet the following day.? Email me the minute you know you will miss a test, and/or find me the minute you get back to school in room 112.Missed tests must be made up the following school day that the student is in attendance to receive full credit.? First day late=start at 75.? Second day late =start at 50.? Third day late=start at 25.? Remember, “make-up” tests will contain different questions, and may be oral examinations.If you have an unexcused absence, any assignments due or completed in class that day will receive a zero.Academic DishonestyCheating in any form will not be tolerated.? We will be using for many assignments.? Students who cheat will receive a zero on the assignment they are cheating on, according to Anderson and AISD policies.? Please see me if you have any questions regarding academic dishonesty.? Academic dishonesty will be reported to NHS if you are a member.TutoringTuesdays 4:15-5:00pWednesdays 8:00-8:50aThursdays 8:00-8:50a & 4:15-5:00pIf you cannot make it to tutoring at this time, please make an appointment with me via email for another time.? Please come to tutoring only AFTER you have studied the textbook/class notes and attempted the homework.? I highly recommend forming a study group with your classmates. I would be happy to provide a room for your group before school, during lunch or after school if you need a place to meet.? This is a practice that you will find invaluable in college. Hall Pass Policy:?You may not leave during the first or last 20 minutes of class, as school policy states.? Any other time, I will give you a pass to fill out. Please include:? full name, date, period, time, destination.? You will lose this privilege if you abuse it.? Please have your parents notify me if you have a medical condition.? ?Exceptions:? If you feel you have a situation that warrants an exception to one of these rules or policies, please notify me before you sign the following page.? If a situation should arise during the school year, please notify me privately before or after school.Classroom Procedures??To Begin Class*Class will begin immediately after the bell.*Pick up handouts and other materials from the front desk on the way to your seat.? *Get yourself organized, take out needed materials, sharpen pencils, check and write down the weekly agenda.*Begin the “DO NOW” activity.If you need to speak to me about a personal issue please see me to schedule a time outside of the class period.? There is a lot going on during the first few minutes of class and I will not be able to give you my full attention.?To participate or ask a question *Raise your hand. Please do not call out.*Be prepared to support your answer????????????Group Work Expectations *After the assignment has been explained and groups assigned quickly join your group members and bring all necessary materials with you.*During group work all members are required to participate. Use all of the different talents of your group members to complete the assignment and remain on task.Before leaving the classroom*Make sure that all trash has been picked up and that all materials have been returned.? You will leave your environment as you found it.*If you are unsure of anything that we have covered in class or what is due this is a good time to ask.*Once you have completed all cleanup procedures please remain in your seat, you will be dismissed by the teacher and not by the bell.?Homework??*Assignments on Mastering Biology will be posted well in advance and are to be completed by the dates given.? No late homework will be accepted! If it is not completed on time it is a zero.Class Rules *Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and your environment at all times. *Pay attention, listen to others, participate and ask questions *Use appropriate language.??*Be Safe *Have Fun This class is a “drama free” zone.? If you are having a “bad day” or there is a problem please let me know. Please do not come into the room and take it out on the rest of us.? If you tell me in advance I will do all that I can to help you, but if you tell me after you have done something to disrupt the rest of the class you will be subject to the consequences we have agreed upon as a group.***Please keep these pages for your reference.? Detach and completely fill out the following page.**By signing this document (AP Biology Course Information Sheet), I am acknowledging that I understand and will adhere to the policies and procedures contained within:Parent/Guardian Signature? ___________________ Date? _________________Student Name (Printed)? ___________________________________________Student Signature? _________________________Date? ________________Do you have access to internet at home?Any other additional questions/comments? ................
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