AP Biology Syllabus
Mr. Dodd
2006-2007
Course Description:
The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester college introductory biology
course usually taken by biology majors during their first year. After showing themselves to be qualified on the
AP exam, some students, in their freshman year, are permitted to undertake upper level courses in biology or to
register for courses for which biology is a prerequisite.
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 the topics covered, the type of laboratory work done
by the students, and the time and effort required of students.
The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students after successful completion of a first course in
high school biology and on in a high school chemistry as well.
(*taken from apcentral.collegeboard.com)
Expectations for students:
Remember that this course is the equivalent of a college level class. You will be expected to cover a great
amount of information throughout the year. This course will be very demanding of your time and skills. Plan to
spend at least an hour or more at home: reading ahead, studying, or doing homework.
This course is designed to be a lab intensive course, and so we will be doing quite a few labs throughout
the year. The labs will be done in groups, so you will have to be able to work with others well. Leave your
“grudges” at the door when you enter.
Chapter guideline:
Time Frame:
1st Semester:
Time Frame:
2nd Semester:
Chapter 22: The darwinian view of life
1 week
Chapter 23: The evolution of populations
1 week
Chapter 24: The origin of species
1 week
Chapter 25: Phylogeny and systematics
1 week
1 week
Chapter 26: Early earth and the origin of life
1 week
Chapter 7: A tour of the cell
1 week
Chapter 27: Prokaryotes
Chapter 28: Eukaryotes
Chapter 29: Plant diversity I
Chapter 30: Plant diversity II
1 week
Chapter 8: Membrane structure and function
1 week
1 week
Chapter 31: Fungi
Chapter 32: Animal evolution
Chapter 33: Invertebrates
Chapter 34: Vertebrates
1 week
Chapter 9: Cellular respiration
Chapter 10: Photosynthesis
1 week
Chapter 11: Cell communication
Chapter 12: The cell cycle
1 week
Chapter 13: Meiosis and the sexual life cycles
1 week
Chapter 14: Mendel and the Gene Idea
1 week
Chapter 15: The chromosomal basis of inheritance
1 week
Chapter 16: The molecular basis of inheritance
1 week
1 week
Chapter 50: Ecology and the biosphere
Chapter 51: Behavioral biology
1 week
Chapter 17: From gene to protein
Chapter 18: The genetics of viruses and bacteria
1 week
Chapter 52: Population ecology
1 week
Chapter 53: Community Ecology
1 week
Chapter 54: Ecosystems
1 week
Chapter1: Introduction to the 10 themes in the study of life
Chapter 2: the chemical context of life
1 week
Chapter 3: Water and the fitness of the environment
1 week
Chapter 4: Carbon and the molecular diversity of life
Chapter 5: the structure and function of macromolecules
1 week
Chapter 6: An introduction to Metabolism
**(This is a guideline only, and is subject to change)
Chapter 35: Plant structure
Chapter 37: Plant nutrition
Chapter 36: Transportation in plants
1 week
Chapter 38: Plant reproduction
Chapter 39: Plant response to stimuli
1 week
Chapter 40: Animal structure
Chapter 41: Animal Nutrition
Chapter 42: Gas exchange
1 week
Chapter 44: Homeostasis
Chapter 45: Chemical signals
Chapter 46: Reproduction
Chapter 47: Development
1 week
**(When multiple chapters are listed, only parts from each will be studied)
Classroom Rules:
1. Come to class prepared and on time.
2. Treat everyone with the proper respect.
3. Be Responsible for your own actions.
4. Try your best.
Grading:
Grading will be done on a point system. Here is an example: 24/26 = 92.3%
Here is an approximation of where your grade will come from:
Test and Quiz:
40%
Homework / Classwork:
25%
Labs:
20%
Notebook / Question of the day:
15%
Tests are usually worth around 100 points. Expect to see tests often.