AP Biology Course Information Sheet Instructor: Dr. Julianne Sundstrom 833­3300 ext. #7092 sundstromjulianne@dublinusd.net Required Books: th​
1) ​
Biology 9​
AP ed​
. Campbell & Reece, Benjamin Cummings Publisher (provided) 2) ​
AP Biology​
Review Manual ​
2013 edition​
​
or later (Pearson will be provided for you but I will request you purchase another one as the AP exam approaches.) 3) Active Reading Workbook to accompany Campbell ­ link to purchase will be emailed (optional but highly recommended as alternative to Cornell note­taking) Curriculum: This course is designed to be the equivalent of a 2 semester college introductory biology course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. Some AP students, as college freshmen, are permitted to undertake upper­level courses in biology or to 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. th
AP Biology is an advanced course in Biology that is meant to be taken after successful completion of both 10​
grade Biology and a college prep Chemistry course. This course will go farther than the typical HS science course, which often focuses on memorizing all of the facts pertaining to the subject rather than the processes involved. The new curriculum includes an increased focus on inquiry­based design and performance of controlled experiments. Due to the rigor of the AP Biology content and laboratories, you should be aware that there is a significant time commitment required to be successful in the class. The revised AP Biology Curriculum (​
as of 2012­13) ​
emphasizes inquiry, science practices, and higher level synthesis and analysis of science concepts and current issues. The course concepts center around the following 4 Big Ideas: 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. Class Structure: Our goal will be to cover 1 to 2 chapters per week. This is a significant amount of reading! Quizzes are given weekly. Unit tests will be approximately monthly. Labs will makeup at least 25% of the class time throughout the year. ​
The current school and district policies for homework and grading will be followed. Semester Grades will be based on the following: 60% Tests and Quizzes 20% Labs­AP Lab performance, formal lab reports and lab quizzes 15% HW/CW­ note­taking, end of chapter work, online assignments, practice exam questions. 5% Making Connections and Applying Concepts Project A comprehensive final will be given at the end of each semester. The second semester final will be given before the AP exam. ​
All students are highly encouraged to take the AP exam in the Spring, and set the goal of earning a 4 or 5!!!! Summer AP Biology Work 1. Before school ends, login to your Dublin gmail account and answer the survey I sent.​
Then check the summer email account that you provided every few days for any updates starting now. There will be emails about logistic course details and reminders of when summer assignments should be completed. ​
You will soon be sent instructions for purchasing your Active Reading workbook and for setting up your online Mastering Biology account. You must be registered with Mastering Biology before the end of school. 2. Use your Active Reading workbook and Mastering Biology to complete the summer coursework. See suggested timeline for completion below. Cornell notes can be taken instead of the Active Reading workbook ­ see attached page for directions. 3. Be ready first day of school to show all summer work. Bring 1­2 inch binder with tabs (you’ll need approximately 15­20) for organizing labwork and important handouts. Other suggested supplies ­ paper, blue/black pens, pencils, red pen, highlighter. Ecology Unit Active Reading or​
Cornell Notes Practice Suggested Due Date Ch. 51 Animal Behavior All Concept Checks Friday June 26th Entire chapter Online Assignment Ch. 52 An Introduction to Concept Checks 52.2 & 52.4 Monday July 6th Ecology and the Biosphere (p. 1144­5, 52.2, 52.4 only) Online Assignment Ch. 53 Population Ecology All Concept Checks Friday July 17th Entire chapter Online Assignment Ch. 54 Community Ecology All Concept Checks Monday July 27th Entire chapter Online Assignment Ch. 55 Ecosystems and All Concept Checks Friday August 7th Restoration Ecology Entire chapter Online Assignment Ch. 56 Conservation Biology and Concept Checks 56.1 and 56.4 Monday August 17th Global Change Sections 56.1 and 56.4 only Online Assignment Review your notes and the online Write down any questions you will want First day of school assignments. answered about the summer material. CORNELL NOTES – CAN BE HAND­WRITTEN OR TYPED When taking Cornell Notes, focus on the key concepts (found at the beginning and end of each chapter), the vocabulary words in bold, and important figures. This will help emphasize what the most important points are. DO NOT GET OVERDETAILED IN YOUR NOTE­TAKING AS YOU WILL GET OVERWHELMED!!! See attached page. Concept Checks​
are found in the tan boxes at the end of each section within the chapter. Answers can be found in the back. ​
Make sure these are clearly identified within your notes. HAPPY SUMMER! I LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING NEXT YEAR EXPLORING COLLEGE LEVEL BIOLOGY WITH YOU!