AP Biology Course Outline/Syllabus
Rev. 07-30-12
To be signed by parent/guardian and student and returned
for participation grade.
Instructor: Claude Hames
4800 Partee Trail SE
Social Circle GA 30025
Name____________________________
Book Number______________________
Date Assigned_____________________
Date Due_________________________
Come see me if you need extra help.
Office hours: 3:05-3:30 PM, 7:30-7:55 AM (By Appointment)
Phone (770) 464-2304 Call me at home if you need to.
E-Mail: chames@scboe.org
Course Number: AP Biology (AP BIOL) (26.0140) This is a college course.
Textbooks: Biology, Campbell and Reece, Eighth Ed. (2008). You will need your textbook and your
notebook in class every day. You will also receive handouts for homework/study.
Supplies and Materials: You will need to bring to class every day: Pen (black or dark blue ink only),
2 #2 pencils, colored pencils (pack of 12), paper, a 2 inch 3 ringed binder for 3-hole punched paper handouts,
class work, exams and reports, and your agenda with Internet permission form signed. You will also provide
miscellaneous inexpensive materials from home for models and lab assignments. Students will pay a $10.00
lab fee for school-purchased supplies.
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
1. Be in your seat and quiet when the bell rings. Copy the Essential Question and assignment.
2. All rules in the Student Handbook apply. Minor disruptions and rule violations (e.g., talking during
announcements or during teacher presentations, talking or distracting others after being asked to stop,
etc.) will result in the assignment of ASD (after-school detention) or the assignment of ISS (in school
detention). Repeated or serious disruptions will result in disciplinary referral.
3. In the Lab, Safety comes first! Know and Obey the safety rules for every piece of equipment.
4. Do not use any module or any piece of equipment until your instructor has assigned it to you and you are
sure you can operate the equipment safely.
5. Write your name, period, and the date on every assignment, report, handout, etc.
6. Respect others’ person and property. Never insult anyone, whether they are present or not.
7. Never throw anything in the lab or classroom.
8. No eating or drinking in class, except for bottled water. No open containers.
9. Never leave your textbook in the classroom.
10. Never talk or distract others during announcements, instruction, or assignments.
11. Never pass notes or play games (computerized or otherwise) in class unless assigned by instructor.
12. Do your best on every assignment. Use this course class time only for this course. Sit up, participate,
and contribute. Do not sleep or do other unrelated activities in this class.
13. To the greatest extent possible, this course will simulate a scientific business environment. Always use
standard English and appropriate business behavior. See me for extra help if you need it.
Signatures:
Read both sides, sign, and return for participation grade credit. (Over-complete both sides.)
Parent/guardian_________________________________________________Date________________
Student________________________________________________________Date________________
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Grading Policy:
Daily and other minor assignments will count 45% of the total grade.
Major assignments will count 40% of the total grade (major assignments include tests,
projects, etc).
The final exam will count 15% of the total grade.
Random, unannounced notebook and textbook checks will count as 100 point
daily grades with no credit for partial or missing work. Include your
name, date, and period on every page.
Bring notebook and textbook to class every day.
You are responsible for all assignments. If you are absent, get the Essential
Question and instructions for that day from another student and then
complete the assignment yourself. Do not copy another student’s work.
Keep all tests, assigned notes, and handouts in your notebook in chronological order.
Participation grades will be given for special assignments (e.g., labs).
No special make-up work or extra credit work will be given, except for bonus
work on exams available to all students, reading in the Literacy for
the Future Program, or mentoring in the Study Buddy Program.
Students may make up assignments for excused absences.
Course objectives from the AP College Boards are available on your CD and online at:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2117.html
Major Themes and Concepts:
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
Scope and sequence of specific topics may be changed by the instructor based on students’ needs and
interests, time constraints, and the need to cover material related to other curricula and standardized tests.
These rules may be changed or modified by the instructor based on circumstances relating to student safety
or instructional needs.
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