AP Biology
Instructor: Mr. Jeffrey Koch
Contact Info: kochj@hasdk12.org
Course Overview:
Using evolutionary thinking as a unifying concept, this first year college level biology course has students
making interconnections between the big ideas within the AP Biology Curriculum Framework. On completing
this course, the student is expected to take the Advanced Placement Biology Examination.
My philosophy is to create an exciting, stimulating, and inquiry-based learning environment by challenging the
students with a vast amount of hands and minds-on opportunities to increase their knowledge and skills in
biology. My goal for this course is for the students to leave my classroom with a greater appreciation about
science and the world around them.
Lab techniques are learned through researching journal articles, hands-on labs which make up at least 25% of
instructional time, and field trips to at least the local hospital’s microbiology department and Nescopeck State
Park. [CR7] Labs will emphasize development and testing of hypothesis, collection, analysis and presentation
of data, as well as discussion of results to discover unanswered questions about the particular topics addressed.
A minimum of two labs in each big idea will be conducted. [CR6] Students are required to report on all
laboratory investigations. [CR8] The student-directed and inquiry-based laboratory investigations used
throughout the course enable students to apply the seven science practices as defined in the Curriculum
Framework.
Materials:
Campbell, N.A., Reece J.B., Urry, L.A., Cail, M.L., Waserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Jackson, R.B.
Biology 10th edition, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings, 2014. [CR1]
Additional Readings and Videos: From various scientific libraries (handed out in class)
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Skloot, Rebecca.
Readings:
Include AP Biology Central Website/textbook/journal/additional websites, which are structured around the
enduring understandings within the big ideas as described in the AP Biology Curriculum Framework. [CR2]
Students are provided with guided reading questions and are required to take notes.
Lectures:
At least 3 hours per week. Lectures will consist of teacher, student, or Internet/web driven, which are structured
around the enduring understandings within the big ideas as described in the AP Biology Curriculum
Framework. [CR2] Students are required to take notes.
Activities/Projects/Labs: 3 hours per week. Some activities and projects are expected to be performed outside
of class time and students are expected to hand in lab reports for evidence of completion. In addition a nonspiral lab notebook is required for the course. At least twelve out of the thirteen required AP Biology Labs will
be conducted throughout the year. [CR6]
Assessment: A variety of formative and summative assessments will be used throughout the course; including:
activities, labs, projects, quizzes, and exams. [CR4]
AP Biology Course Scope and Sequence (tentative): [CR3, CR5]
Summer:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Skloot, Rebecca.
Properties of Water
September:
Darwinian Evolution
Darwin Project (ongoing)
Artificial Selection: Lab 1
Sustainable Garden Project (ongoing)
Ecology
Clay Caterpillar Project (ongoing)
Animal Behavior: Lab 12
Chemistry and Organic Molecules
The Biology Project: Biochemistry – University of Arizona Website Activity
Identifying Macromolecules in Our Foods Activity
Enzyme Activity: Lab 13
October:
Cell Structure and Function
Cells Alive! Website Activity
Microscope Techniques for Observing and Measuring Different Types of Cells Activity
Cell Transport and Homeostasis
Diffusion and Osmosis: Lab 4
November:
Energy
Energy Dynamics: Lab 10
PA Trout in the Classroom Activity (ongoing)
Photosynthesis
Stomata Peel Activity
Photosynthesis: Labs 5
Cellular Respiration
Cellular Respiration: Lab 6
Alcoholic and Lactic Acid Fermentation Activity
December:
Cell Communication and the Cell Cycle
Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis: Lab 7
Cancer
The Biology Project: Cell Biology – University of Arizona Website Activity
Mendelian Genetics
The Biology Project: Mendelian Genetics – University of Arizona Website Activity
Learn. Genetics – University of Utah Website Activity
Mathematical Modeling: Hardy-Weinberg: Lab 2
Protein Synthesis
Comparing DNA Sequences to Understand Evolutionary Relationships with BLAST: Lab 3
Epigenetics
Learn. Genetics – University of Utah Website Activity
Genes and Gene Regulation
PhET Simulations – University of Colorado Website Activity
January:
Biotechnology
Learn. Genetics – University of Utah Website Activity
Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation: Lab 8
Biotechnology: Restriction Enzyme Analysis of DNA: Lab 9
Bioethics (Stem Cell Research, Antibiotic Resistance and the Problems with Improper Antibiotic Use,
Genetically Modified Food, The Use of Genetic Information)
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (NCCSTS) – University at Buffalo Website Activity
February:
Phylogeny
Cladograms
Taxonomy
March:
Kingdom Biology
Characteristics of Life (Reproduction, Respond to Stimuli, Homeostasis)
Reproductive System
Nervous System
Transpiration: Lab 11
Endocrine System
April:
Immune System
Viruses
May:
AP Test
Circulatory System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
Urinary System
June:
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Grading:
1st Half
Exam #1 (10%)
Midterm Exam (Covers all of 1st half) (20%)
Quizzes (4 – dropping the lowest each half) (5%)
Projects (3 each half) (20%)
Labs (6 each half) (20%)
Class Participation (25%)
2nd Half
Exam #2 (10%)
Final Exam (Cumulative 1st and 2nd half) (20%)
Quizzes (4 – dropping the lowest each half) (5%)
Projects (3 each half) (20%)
Labs (6 each half) (20%)
Class Participation (25%)
***The 3rd and 4th Quarters will follow the same grading policies***
Grade Determination:
A grade will be awarded for this course on the following basis.
A
B+
B
=
=
=
93% – 100% C
89% – 92% D+
85% – 88% D
=
=
=
77% - 80%
73% - 76%
70% - 72%
C+
=
81% – 84%
F
=
69 and below
Example:
1st Half
Exam #1 – 80 x 0.10 = 8
Midterm Exam – 90 x 0.20 = 18
Quiz #1 – 90
Quiz #2 – 85 ->dropped
Quiz #3 – 100
Quiz #4 – 90
Quiz Grade 93 x 0.05 = 4.7
Project #1 – 95
Project #2 – 90
Project #3 – 95
Project Grade 93 x 0.20 = 18.5
Lab #1 – 90
Lab #2 – 80
Lab #3 – 85
Lab #4 – 90
Lab #5 – 75
Lab #6 – 80
Lab Grade 83 x 0.20 = 16.7
Class Participation 95 x 0.25 = 23.8
1st Half Grade (8 + 18 + 4.7 + 18.5 + 16.7 + 23.8) =
90% or B+
2nd Half
Exam #2 – 90 x 0.10 = 9
Final Exam – 80 x 0.20 = 16
Quiz #5 – 80 ->dropped
Quiz #6 – 85
Quiz #7 – 100
Quiz #8 – 90
Quiz Grade 92 x 0.05 = 4.6
Project #4 – 85
Project #5 – 90
Project #6 – 90
Project Grade 88 x 0.20 = 17.5
Lab #7 – 95
Lab #8 – 85
Lab #9 – 80
Lab #10 – 90
Lab #11 – 75
Lab #12 – 70
Lab Grade 83 x 0.20 = 16.7
Class Participation 95 x 0.25 = 23.8
2nd Half Grade (9 + 16 + 4.6 + 17.5 + 16.7 + 23.8) =
88% or B
Final Grade (Average of 1st and 2nd Half Grades) =
89% or B+