Welcome to AP Biology
Get ready to learn, work, and
have fun!
What is AP Biology?
 Advanced Placement Biology is a program
overseen by the College Board
 If a student “passes” the AP Exam, they may
receive college credit for the course (up to the
discretion of each college)
 While the College Board accepts a 3 or higher as
passing (on a 1-5 scale), many colleges will only
give credit for scores of 4 or 5.
 Colleges may also weigh AP courses more highly
then standard courses (again, up to the discretion
of the individual college) potentially allowing
students to receive higher than a 4.0 GPA.
What level is AP Biology?
 College-level information
 College pace
 College-level skills will be
developed
What topics will we cover?
I.
Molecules and Cells (25%)
A. Chemistry of Life
B. Cells
C. Cellular Energetics
II. Heredity and Evolution (25%)
A. Heredity
B. Molecular Genetics
C. Evolutionary Biology
III. Organisms and Populations (50%)
A. Diversity of Organisms
B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals
C. Ecology
How fast will we move?
Chapter Week
Sat/Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thu
Fri
Outline
Chapter
Lecture & Group
Group
Study Quiz &
Discussion Project &
Project & Guide Intro
of Chapter Discussion Discussion &
next
Essay chapter
Due
Lab Week
Sat/Sun Mon
Read
Lab
Tues
Pre-Lab
Lab
Discussion Part I
Z-Block
Thu
Fri
Lab
Part II
Post-Lab
Quiz
Discussion &/or
In-Class
Essay
based
on the
Lab
How much homework will I have?
 Depends on you- but expect to do the following each
Chapter Week:
A) Read one chapter (~20 pages)
B) Outline one chapter (4-8 pages)
C) Complete one essay per week (1-2 pages)
D) Finish any study guide or minicourse questions
not completed in class
E) Study for Quiz/Exam
I estimate that you will spend anywhere from 2 to 7
hours a week (again, depending on you)
Lab Week Homework
 Expect to do the following during lab weeks:
A) Read entire Lab (~8 pages)
B) Finish any lab packet questions not
completed in class
C) Study for lab-related quiz &/or prepare for
in-class essay
I estimate that you will spend 1-4 hours a week
on lab homework (depending on you)
Essays
 Short- NO FLUFF!
 Usually have 3 parts
 Each essay is worth 10 points
 Expect weekly essays
What college-level skills will I
learn?
 Time-management
 Organization
 Essay-writing
 Lab skills
 Note-taking skills
 Study skills
 Test-taking strategies
How will my grade be calculated?
 Labs/Lab Reports
 Essays
 Quizzes/Exams
 Article/Journal Assignments
 Outlines & Minicourse Answers
25%
20%
30%
5%
20%
Summer Assignment
 Outline 6 chapters (Ecology)
 Ecology Lab Part A
 Lab Report
 Test the 1st week back
 Outlines and Lab Report due
July 27th (in main office or via
email)
Questions/Concerns?
 Extracurricular Activities- I will work with
you, but you must take responsibility for
any Lab/assignments/quizzes you miss
 Visit my website: smchigh.org/fshafai
 If you have any further questions or
would like to discuss any portion of this
course with me, please contact me at
fshafai@stmchs.org