Instructor: Amy Powell
E-mail : aepowell@cps.edu
Phone: Main Office: (773)535-2550
Biology Office: (773)535-2644
Website : http://morganparkcps.org impact.cps.k12.il.us/
TEXT:
Biology, 6 th Edition 2002
Campbell, Reece & Mitchell
DESCRIPTION:
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:45am – 2:36pm
Course Overview:
The Advanced Placement biology curriculum is equivalent to a college course usually taken by biology majors during their first year of college. Students obtain weighted credit by successfully completing the AP biology exam at the end of the course. The course differs significantly from a first year high school biology course 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 by the students. The primary emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of concepts; a grasp of science as a process rather than as an accumulation of facts; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology; and the application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.
Topics covered in the course include chemistry of life, cells and cell energetics, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of organisms, structure and function of both plants and animals, and ecology. The course is broken down into three areas of study: 25% molecules and cells, 25% genetics and evolution, and 50% organisms and populations. In addition, students will conduct all twelve of the Collegeboard AP Biology laboratories.
Goals/Objectives:
1.
To familiarize students with the terminology and concepts of biology using a themeoriented approach that emphasizes concepts and science as a process over knowledge of facts.
2.
To enhance problem-solving skills of students using hands-on labs, readings, collections, independent projects, and class discussions.
3.
To strengthen students’ communication skills with the use of written assignments, essays, abstracts, and lab reports.
4.
To prepare students for further study in the biological sciences.
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Illinois State Standards: Biology is based on the Illinois Learning Goals 11-13:
STATE GOAL 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate
State Goal 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnection of the life, physical and earth/space.
State Goal 13: Understand the relationship among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts. www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/science/standards.htm
Biology is based on the Illinois Learning Goals 11-13 and ACT Standards for transition. In particular, the course will include an integration of science process (standards 11A, 13A), science content (goal 12), and science context (goal 13). This content will be taught in a manner that develops students’ abilities in scientific inquiry
(standards 11A and 13A) connected to the context of science (goal 13) to teach the life science content.
Biology is one of three science courses all Chicago Public School students need to pass in order to graduate from high school. The central concepts developed in biology connect with the three required science courses and the entire 9 th through 12 th grade science curriculum. Biology, along with chemistry, is a prerequisite for AP Biology. Biology, along with either physics or chemistry, is a prerequisite for AP Environmental Science.
College Readiness Standards: Range 24-27
Course Outline:
The following chart shows what topics will be covered.
Subject/Sequence
Ecology
Mechanics of
Evolution/Diversity of
Organisms
Animal Form and
Function
Plant Form and
Function
Weeks
3
6
8
4
% of AP Test Campbell
Textbook
Chapters
10
8 & 8
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 22
20
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 31
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
12
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
IB Objectives
5.1; 5.2; 5.3;
Option G
Ecology and
Conservation
(all)
5.4; 5.5; Option
D Evolution (all)
Topic 6 & Topic
11 Human Health and Physiology
(all)
Topic 9 Plant
Science (all)
Notes
2

Cells & Cellular
Energetics
Chemistry of Life
Genes
6
2
5
18
7
17
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Topic 2 Cells
(all); Topic 8 Cell
Respiration &
Photosynthesis
Topic 3 The
Chemistry of
Life (all); Topic
7: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
Topic 4 & Topic
10 Genetics
Review for IB & AP examinations (Exams are conducted in May)
The instructor retains the right to vary this syllabus due to school schedule changes or as the instructor deems necessary due to circumstances.
Materials Required:

One (1) 3-ring binder

5 dividers

Notebook paper

One (1) notebook ONLY for biology

Graph paper

Pens
GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY:

Pencils

Calculator

Colored Pencils

Access to the Internet & word processor
Please review & sign the attached Safety Guideline Form: (enclosed)
CLASS EXPECTATION and REQUIREMENTS:
REMEDIATION/ ASSISTANCE POLICIES:
I expect all members of the classroom to respects others and themselves as well as the instructional time that we share together. This is a time to work and learn, and students are expected to be prepared to do so. Students must follow all of the school-wide rules and policies, which can be found at http://www.morganparkcps.org/rules_and_procedures.jsp?rn=3274008 .
Each student will complete the following: common assessments, weekly laboratory experiments, laboratory reports, laboratory fee $30.00, homework assignments, and special projects.
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REMEDIATION:
Tutorial sessions are available for students before and after school at no cost to the student.
Science fair project tutoring will be completed during the Science Club. A recovery plan for students who are failing or close to failing will be provided to students on a per need basis.
Missed Tests, Quizzes, Labs, and Projects – If a student misses a test, quiz, or lab for a CPS approved excuses they will have to make it up during tutoring sessions immediately following the assignment. If the student fails to attend the tutoring session they will receive a zero for the test, quiz, lab, or project. Students may re-test on any tests where the score is below 60%.
ATTENDANCE POLICY & HOMEWORK POLICY:
Please follow the Student Code: In accordance to Chicago Public Schools Policy and as outlined in the Parent Letter, and distributed by the class instructor. I expect students to attend class and be punctual. Permission for absence from class for an official school activity must be obtained from the teacher prior to the activity. Students with unexcused absences will receive a zero for the work done during class that day. Students with excused absences have two days to make up the missed work. It is the student’s responsibility to see the instructor to receive the missed assignments as well as class notes that they have missed.
EXPECTIONS:
Attendance – This is a lab intensive and discussion driven course. Therefore it is essential that your child maintains good attendance. This includes coming to class on time and prepared everyday.
Student Responsibilities When Absent:

It is also the student’s responsibility to get any class notes or discussion information missed.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor and determine what work was missed while absent this includes class notes, homework assignments, tests, quizzes, labs, and projects.
GRADE SCALE
100 – 90% = A
89 – 80% = B
PERCENT OF WEIGHTED SCORES
Tests
Labs/ Design labs/ projects
15%
15%
79 – 70 % = C
69 – 60% = D
59 – 0% = F
Class-work
Midterm Exam/ Final Exam
Quizzes
Homework
Binder/Notebook
25%
15%
15%
10%
5%
*Class work may include quizzes, bell ringers, binders, and any work given to be done during class time. The rubric for the binders and the Projects will be given when assigned.
**Homework assignments are given to be completed at home and will include reading passages.
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Students will receive online grades, including a percentage and letter grade. You can monitor your child’s grades on IMPACT. To do so, you can reach the Parent Portal at https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx
.
If you have not set up an account yet, you can begin at www.cps.edu
and click on ‘Check my child’s grades’ for information on how to begin. All coursework including due dates and handouts will also be posted on the Morgan Park website.
Reference to school website: http://morganpark.cps.org
and IMPACT parent portal: www.impact.cps.k12.il.us
LABS:
Students are required to complete twelve (12) labs set forth by The College Board Advanced
Placement Program. Students are expected to read each lab carefully before coming to the laboratory and are responsible for following all correct laboratory and safety procedures.
Students should also use the lab aid, LabBench, to make sure they understand all lab procedures before beginning a lab exercise. Due to the large amount of time required for laboratory set-up, it is essential that you are always present on lab days. Please be prepared to stay after school to finish long labs that you are unable to complete in the allotted lab time. Additional labs will be included such as bioremediation of oil and industrial pollutants, gram staining techniques, and dissection of the fetal pig. Within one week of completing the lab, students will turn in professional quality, typed lab reports in the format provided by the instructor. Helpful lab links include:
LabBench: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/
Lab Report Format: http://www.biologyjunction.com/lab%20reports.htm
LabWrite: http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/
AP EXAM PREPARATION
All students are required to take the Advanced Placement test given in May; therefore, throughout the course students will use past AP Biology essay questions to improve their skills in writing answers to scientific, free-response questions. Also, all major exams will follow the AP testing format of 60% multiple choice and 40% essay questions. It is strongly recommended that students purchase an AP Biology test prep book. There are many, many varieties and they all can be found at a local bookstore. Take the practice tests in these books so that you can become familiar with what to expect. When trying to find an AP
Biology test prep book, choose one that also lets you see sample essays. Some books just focus on the multiple choice, and you need to be exposed to both parts of the exam.
AP Biology Exam Review Sites:
Exam Questions & Standards: http://www.csun.edu/%7Evceed002/biology/AP_biology/index.html
UGA AP Biology: http://apbio.biosci.uga.edu/exam/Essays/html/index.html
Outline of the AP Biology Exam:
 100 multiple choice questions in 80 minutes = 60% of test
 Four (4) Free Response Essay Questions in 90 minutes (10 minutes reading time) = 40% of test
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