ADVANCED  PLACEMENT  BIOLOGY

 

Class Profile:

Students typically enrolled in AP Biology are highly motivated students who excel in science, mathematics and written expression.  These students are planning to enroll in a four-year college or university and may pursue careers in science and medicine.  The teachers for this course  have received a course audit approval from AP Central to teach this course.

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Biology, Chemistry

Course Description:This course is an in-depth study equivalent to college-freshman biology and includes molecular and cellular biology, genetics, evolution, organisms, population dynamics, ecology and behavior.  Twelve advanced labs are required .  This course will involve more time and effort than other courses. The textbook is advanced and requires very good reading skills. Students taking this course will be prepared to take the AP Biology Exam in May.

Course Content Standards:

The general content outlined by the National College Board for AP Biology will be followed in this course.

Text:

Raven, Peter H. and Johnson, George B., Biology , 6th Edition ( 2002 ) 

Required Materials:

Three ring binder  ( 1” )  to collect handouts, lab sheets and diagrams in class.  Binder should include some lined paper.  Students need to bring  this binder, pencils, pens, colored pencils and a calculator to class each day. It is recommended that each student purchase Cliffs AP Biology Preparation Guide by Phillip Pack. ( $16.99 )  This text will help students review during the year and for the AP Exam in May.

Teaching Strategies:

  • Direct instruction

·                     Cooperative learning
  • Discovery/demonstration/ inquiry based lab

·                     Independent reading
  • Simulations, models

·                     Speakers
  • Group discussions

·                     Student presentations

AP Exam:

The AP Biology Examination is three hours in length and is designed to measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of modern biology.  The exam lasts 3 hours and consists of a 100 multiple choice questions and 4 open response questions.  The 2005 exam is scheduled for the second week in May.  Colleges and universities usually award credit for AP scores of 3- 5.  Students should check the policies of individual schools they are interested in.

Student Evaluation:

Students will be graded on a point system or letter system.  Tests and quizzes count 55%, written lab work and projects  35%, participation and homework 10%

Homework:

AP Biology is a college level course.  The course content is extensive and we must all work hard during the year to complete the curriculum.  The text must be read as assigned and students should read critically and take notes.  Reading assignments may be followed by pop quizzes.  Reading assignments will be reviewed in class.  Students should study a minimum of one hour per day, everyday for this course. Late work loses a letter grade per day.

Attendance:

Good attendance is extremely important for this course.  No make up work will be given for unexcused absences and most labs are virtually impossible to make up due to their complexity.  Students returning from an absence should first check with classmates to see what they missed and then see the teacher.  Any student who is absent on a test/quiz day must make up the missed test within two days of the absence. Makeup can be done before school on science makeup day which is Wednesday.

Safety Rules:

Students who do not obey the safety rules will be removed from lab and will receive a zero.