A.P. Biology Syllabus
Teacher – K. Farris-Renner
Units and approximate time line
1. Introduction – (3 days – Chapters 1-3)
a. Safety and scientific method – Labs- Scientific Investigations
Animal Behavior *
b. Basic chemistry review
c. Water chemistry
2. Cells – (8 days – Chapters 6/7)
a. organic molecules and metabolism
b. cell structure and function
c. cell membrane and transport
Labs – Enzyme Catalysis*
Microscopes and Cells
Cell Structure and Function
Diffusion and Osmosis*
3. Plants and Organic molecules (10 days – Chapters 5, 29,30, 35-39)
a. Plant evolution and diversity
b. Plant form and function
Labs – Chemical Composition of Cells
Transpiration*
Seedless Plants
Seed Plants
Organization of Flowering Plants
Reproduction on Plants
Plant Hormone Computer Simulation
4. Photosynthesis/Respiration (6 days – Chapters 9/10)
a. Photosynthesis
b. Respiration
Labs – Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis*
Alcohol Fermentation
Cell Respiration*
5. Cell Reproduction (5 days – Chapters 12/13)
a. Chromosome structure and function
b. Mitosis
c. Meiosis
Labs – Mitosis and Meiosis*
6. Genetics (12 days – Chapters 15-20)
a. Inheritance patterns – Mendelian genetics
b. RNA and DNA – structure and function
c. Gene regulation
d. Mutations
e. Nucleic acid technology and applications
Labs – Chi Square and Mendelian genetics
Mendelian Genetics and Drosophila*
Pedigree Lab
Bacterial Transformation – Molecular Genetics
Restriction Enzyme Cleavage of DNA and Electrophoresis*
Genetic Testing and Counseling Computer Simulation
7. Evolution (8 days – Chapters 22-26)
a. Origin of Life
b. Evidence of evolution
c. Mechanisms of evolution
Labs – Evidences of Evolution
Population Genetics and Evolution – Hardy Weinberg*
Sexual Selection Computer Simulation
8. Viruses and Bacteria (3 days – Chapters18, 27)
a. Viral Structure and Replication
b. Prokaryotes – bacteria
c. Disease and Genetics of bacteria
Labs - Bacteriology
9. Protists and Fungus ( 2 days – Chapters 31/28)
a. origins of eukaryotes
b. Protists diversity
c. Fungus diversity and function
Labs – Protists and Fungi
11. Ecology – (7 days – Chapters 50, 52-54, parts of 51 and 55)
a. Population dynamics
b. Communities and ecosystems
Labs – Biome Identification
Sampling Ecosystems
Mark/Recapture
Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity*
12. Animal Systems (12 days – Chapters 40-49)
a. structure and function
b. nutrition
c. circulation and gas exchange
d. defense
e. regulating internal environment
f. chemical signals
g. reproduction and development
h. nervous and sensory system
i. locomotion
Labs – Vertebrate Anatomy I – The Skin and the Digestive System
Vertebrate Anatomy II – The Circulatory and Respiratory System
Physiology of the Circulatory System*
Tidal Volume and Vital Capacity Lab
Vertebrate Anatomy III – The Excretory, Reproductive and
Nervous Systems
Physiology of the Senses
Study on own – Chapters 32-34.

These labs are required AP Biology Labs
A semester project will be assigned – it involves researching, designing, implementing
and presenting a scientific investigation of your choosing. A description of this project
and the rubric that will be used will be provided at a later date.
Advanced Placement Biology Grading Policy
Grade Weights
Assessments – quizzes, tests and projects – 65%
Labs – 35%
Homework – expected to be done – but not added to grade
Tests will be A.P. style tests. They will be multiple choice and essay. Some will be
timed. The lab grade consists of write-ups. Some lab practicals will be given.
Grading scale
92-100% A
83-91% B
74-82% C
65-73% D
below 65% F
I will update grades weekly. I also plan to use the agenda website to post
assignments and test dates.
Policies
1. Homework will be assigned almost daily. I will always go over homework and
sometimes I will simply check it for completion. Homework is your
responsibility. It is assigned to help you learn the material, either by reinforcing
something learned in class or preparing you for an upcoming lesson. Students
who do homework are more prepared and more successful.
2. Labs will be done in class. If you do not finish the lab or the write-up it is your
responsibility to complete it on your own.
3. Quizzes will be given, some without warning.
4. Tests will be given after each unit. I will give you at least one weeks notice to
study for all tests. Some assessments will be written tests, some will be
performance assessments.
5. When you are absent, you will have two days for each day you are gone to
complete missed work. If you have work to make up, see me before or after
school. Make up work will not be given during class time. Extra copies of the
assignments and class activities can be found in the file box in my room. Test can
be made up during my planning period, during lunch or after school. You must
arrange the time. You are responsible for making up late or missing work.
6. It is better to turn something in late than not at all. You will receive one letter
grade off for each day an assignment is late.
7. If you don’t understand something, please ask. If you want or need extra help, I
will be more than willing to help you after school or during my planning period.