Advanced Placement Biology
2010-2011 Academic Year
Course Description:
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory biology
course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be
qualified on the AP Examination, some students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake
upper-level course in biology or to register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite.
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 kind of
laboratory work done by students, and the time and effort required of students. The textbook used
for AP Biology should be those also used by college biology majors. The kinds of labs done by AP
students must be the equivalent of those done by college students. For every hour of in class time, AP
students need to spend two hours of independent study.
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 for biology.
The AP Biology Examination seeks to be representative of the topics covered by the survey group.
Accordingly, goals have been set for percentage coverage of three general areas
1. Molecules and Cells
25%
2. Heredity and Evolution
25%
3. Organisms and Population
50%
Textbook: Biology by Campbell, Reece 6th Edition.
Topic Outline:
Molecules and Cells…………………………………………………………….……………25%
Chemistry of Life……………………….6%
Water
Organic molecules in organisms
Free energy changes
Cells……………………………………………….10%
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
Membranes
Subcellular organization
Cell cycle and its regulation
Cellular Energetics………………………9%
Coupled reactions
Fermentation and cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
Heredity and Evolution…………………………………………………………..………25%
Heredity…………………………………………..8%
Meiosis and gametogenesis
Eukaryotic chromosomes
Inheritance patterns
Molecular Genetics………………………..9%
RNA and DNA structure and function
Gene Regulation
Mutation
Viral structure and replication
Nucleic acid technology and applications
Evolutionary Biology…………………………8%
Early Evolution of Life
Evidence for evolution
Mechanisms of evolution
Organisms and Population…………………………………………………….…………..50%
Diversity of Organisms…………………….8%
Evolutionary Patterns
Survey of the diversity of life
Phylogenetic classification
Evolutionary relationships
Structure and Function of Plants and Animals……..………32%
Reproduction, growth, and development
Structural, physiological, and behavorial
Adaptations
Response to the environment
Ecology…………………………………………..……10%
Population of dynamics
Communities and ecosystems
Global issues
Required AP Laboratories:
1. Diffusion and Osmosis
2. Enzyme Catalysis
3. Mitosis and Meiosis
4. Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
5. Cell Respiration
6. Molecular Biology
7. Genetics of Organisms
8. Population of Genetics and Evolution
9. Transpiration
10. Physiology of the Circulatory System
11. Animal Behavior
12. Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
Material Requirements:
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3-ring binder
(Dedicated only for this class)
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Lined paper
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Pencils, pens
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Colored pencils
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Highlighters
Graded Work
1. Comprehensive Examinations:
These examinations are comprehensive. That means that all past concepts will be tested on,
not just the current unit. The examinations are multiple choice questions taken from actual AP Exams.
Examinations will contain 30 questions and will count 90 points per examination.
2. Weekly FRQs.
Each student will be given a Free Response Question to answer in class. Students will be
timed 20 minutes. These FRQs are taken from actual exams.
3. SURPRISE Multiple Choice Quizzes
These quizzes are comprehensive and will include past concepts and current work. There will
be 5 multiple choice questions. The first 10 minutes of class will be given for each quiz. DON’T COME
TO MY CLASS LATE FOR ANY REASON. IF YOU ARE NOT HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
QUIZ, YOU RECEIVE ZERO! I ACCEPT NO CALLS & PASSES FROM TEACHERS, COUNSELORS,
ADMINISTRATORS, OR OTHERS AS EXCUSES FOR BEING LATE.
4. Laboratories
There are 12 mandatory labs. Each lab report is worth 50 points and must be maintained
within a graphing notebook supplied by your teacher. This may become an important document for
evidence of your college-level laboratory experience.
*A traditional grading scale will be used. 100-90% (A) 89-80% (B) 79-70% (C) 69-60% (D) 5950 (F)*
Course
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Requirements:
ALL students must take the AP examination in May!
MUST put in 2 hours of independent (collaborative study) for every one academic hour.
MUST have the ability, potential, skill, to work independently.
MUST attend Saturday Program to UCLA
MUST put this class in your life with top priority. (sports, other APs, marching band,
cheerleading, work, babysitting, family obligations, leadership, other clubs)
Attendance and Late work:
Attendance to class is mandatory however there will always be a circumstance that doesn’t
allow you to come to school. In this case, the unit outline still applies to you. If you are sick at home,
the lecture topic, assignment due, and other deadlines still apply to you. NEVER let work pile up on you
because you are sick or did not attend school. Late work is not accepted for credit, but all work should
be done to prepare you for the examination in May.
Behavior and Classroom Rules:
Given that this class is primarily upper classmen, I will only remind you that this is a college
level class and therefore I will only expect that you will act like mature college level students. Some
reminders, accept new ideas, show respect to classmates by not speaking over them during class room
discussions, be on time to class, clean up after yourself, and ladies do not put on make-up during class.
Finally, my concentration in the class is assuring that we are preparing for the examination in May
every minute counts. Do not waste my time and the time of other, by distractions and off topic
comments and questions.
My Expectations:
1. Question when you do not understand.
2. Never nod you head is agreement when you do not understand.
3. Attend tutorials and Saturday program.
4. Research topics independently.
5. Do all homework and give each assignment all of your effort. Do your best!
6. Study, study, study, and then take a break and study some more!
7. Have a goal that states, you want to pass the AP Exam in May.
8. Maintain clear and open communication with me.
9. Read the textbook!
Contact Mr. Baez
nbaez@ca.rr.com
nxb4626@lausd.net