Advanced Placement Biology Syllabus
2014-2015
Teacher: Kelly Shaw
Email: kelly.shaw@metcalfe.kyschools.us
School Phone: 432-2481
Goals & Expectations: The goal of A. P. Biology is to provide an overview of major biological
themes and processes. This course is designed to be a college level course for biology majors;
therefore, the expectations and requirements will reflect that of a first year college student.
Students enrolled in this course must be self-motivated and self-disciplined in order to accomplish
all of the expected requirements.
Themes & Concepts: The A.P. Biology exam is broken into four big ideas:
1. The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
2. Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to
reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
3. Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life
processes.
4. Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex
properties.
From this detailed course description it is easy to observe that the amount of content and facts can
be overwhelming. However, it is important to keep in perspective the “big picture.” The facts and
information are not important if we cannot connect and apply these facts to the overarching themes
of biology. The study of Biology is a science of how all living organisms are interrelated, and how all
factors both biotic and abiotic influence the process of life.
When taking this course keep everything in perspective. Always focus on the “big picture” and how all
of the components work together. For instance with the four major topics you should recognize that
without molecules and cells there would be no life, and without the life processes of heredity and
evolution organisms and populations would not exist. Therefore, a major component of this course will
be the application and recognition of relationships between themes and content.
Course Outline: The chart below is a schedule for the following year. This schedule may change
with respect to the addition of activities.
Week
Unit
Text Reference
Key Concepts
Activities
1(2 days)
2-3
4-6
I: Introduction to
Biology
II: Biochemistry
III: Cell Structure
& Cell Function
Ch. 1
Ch. 2,6-7
Ch. 4-5, 19
1. How to approach the
study of Biology
2. Themes in Biology
1. Molecular bonding
2. Properties of Water
3. Structure and
Function of
Carbohydrates, Lipids,
Proteins, & Nucleic
Acids
4. Prions
1. Prokaryote &
Eukaryote structure
2. Schopf- evidence of
cyanobacteria
3.Cell MembranesPassive and Active
Transport
1. Journal Reading
1. Lab: Idenitification of
Carbohydrates, Lipids,
and Proteins. (1 day)
2. Lab: Water Properties
and pH (.5 day)
3. Model Project
1. Lab: Recognition of
different cells. (1day)
2. Recognition of
different microscopes
3. Cell Fractionation
4. AP Lab # 1: Diffusion
and Osmosis (4 days)
7-11
IV: Cell
Energetics and
Enzymes,
Body Systems
Ch. 6-7, 15
12-14
V: Mitosis &
Meiosis
Ch. 9,17
15-17
VI: DNA and RNA
Ch. 11-14,16-17
18-19
VII: Evolution
Ch. 21-23, 26-27
4. Organelles Structure
and Function
5. Cell cycle
6. Cell Signaling
7. Cell Differentiation
1. Cell energetics
2. Cellular Respiration:
glycolysis, cell
respirations, and
fermentation
3. Photosynthesis
1. Mendel
2. Mitosis and Meiosis
3. Gametogenesis
4. Chromosomes
5. Inheritance Patterns
6. Polyploidy and
Mutations
7. Apoptosis, Necrosis,
Cancer
1. Major contributions of
scientists
2. Replication,
Transcription, and
Translation
3. Gene regulation
4. Mutations: types and
causes
5. Viruses
6. Biotech. Issues:
agriculture, ethics
7. Human Genome
1. Earth’s History
2. Evolutionary Rates
among organisms
3. Darwin
4. Hardy-Weinberg
5. Evolutionary change
through allelic and
genotypic frequency
6. Evolutionary
Evidence: prokaryote
and eukaryote
7. Endosymbiosis
5. Stem Cell Resaerch
Reading
1. AP Lab #2: Enzymes
2. Toothpickase (5 days)
3. AP Lab#5: Cell
Respiration (4 days)
1. HeLa Cells Debate
2. AP Lab #3: Meiosis (3
days)
3. Webquest:
Inheritance Patterns
4. Polyploidy
agricultural uses
1. AP Lab # 6: Molecular
Biology (6 days)
2. AP Lab # 7: Genetics
of Organisms (4 days)
3. DNA/RNA Model
Project
1. AP Lab# 8:
Population Genetics and
Organisms (2 days)
2. Journal Reading
50% of AP Material Covered: Christmas Break Begins
20-21
VIII: Organismal
Diversity
Ch. 23, 26, 27
22-24
IX: Plants and
Fungi
Ch. 8, 29,30, 3438
25-30
X: Kingdom
Animalia
Ch. 31-33, 40-51
1. Speciation
2. Origin of
diversification:
prokaryotic and
eukaryotic
1. Photosynthesis
2. Evolutionary
mechanisms allowing
land plants to thrive
3. Gymnosperms and
angiosperms
4. Plant growth,
nutrition, transport, and
reproduction
5. Fungi: tyoes, life
cycles, and relationship
with other organisms
1. Phylogeny
2. Life cycles
3. Food Acquisition
4. Physiology,
homeostasis, and
temperature regulation
1. AP Lab #4:
Photosynthesis (3 days)
2. AP Lab # 9:
Transpirtation (4 days)
3. Journal reading:
Fungus topics
1. AP Lab #10:
Physiology of the
Circulatory System (2
days)
31-36
XI: Ecology
37
Review
Ch. 52-57
5. Body Systems
1. Biomes
2. Climate
3. Behavioral ecology
and genetic influencing
4. Population ecology
5. Ecosystems and
energy flow
6. Conservation biology
1. AP Lab # 11: Animal
Behavior (2 days)
2. AP Lab #12: Dissolved
Oxygen and Aquatic
Primary Productivity (5
days)
3. Conservation biology
presentation
Monday
May 11, 2013
8:00-12:00
AP Biology
Laboratory Component: To emphasize the process of science, the lab component of this class is
critical in understanding and applying concepts that are presented in lecture. There will be a series
of lab assignments that are assessed on the A.P. exam, as well as other lab exercises both
performance and virtual based.
The laboratory component of this class will take up approximately 25% of our in-class time. Due to
the length of some labs, you will be required to arrive early or stay after on certain lab days. If you
are absent it is your responsibility to understand the lab material covered.
Grading and Assessment:
Because this is considered a college-level course no grades will be given for daily work or
note-taking. Eighty percent of your grade will be derived from the following three areas:
Tests, Quizzes, Projects. . . . . . . . . .65%
Labs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .25%
Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..10%
The remaining 20% of your grade will be determined by the EOC test administered by the
state.
Tests
 Tests will be comprised of multiple choice questions, math questions, and essay questions.
The multiple choice will be worth 50% of the grade, and the written portions will be worth
50% just as the A.P. exam is designed.
 Tests will cover all material in class, as well as all assigned readings.
 Tests will also become comprehensive after the first test.
Quizzes
 These will focus on readings, pre-lab knowledge, and past concepts. Some quizzes are
announced and some are unannounced.
Labs
 There will be a lab report due for each of the labs, as well as some additional labs.
 Technique during the labs will also be assessed for a grade.
Assignments
 Journal Reading: There is a multitude of ways that biological concepts can be connected to
one another (interrelatedness of major themes), as well as the application of biological
principles to other areas or fields. Throughout the course you will be assigned articles


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related to the major themes, as well as be required to find articles that interest you. The
articles must come from a scholarly source or professional journals, not Wikipedia. You may
either have to present your article and make connections as to how it relates to principles
discussed in class, or create an abstract of 50 words relating the major focus of the article.
Presentations: Due to the nature of this course, you will be introduced to a multitude of
facts related to Biology. At the end of each trimester you will present something of interest
to you that was related to the content covered in that trimester.
Research Paper: Research is critical to the advancement of science. Following the A.P. Test
in May. You will be required to complete a research paper in an area of interest to you.
School Breaks: During Fall and Spring break you will be required to complete assignments
due the first day back from that break. That material will also be assessed on the weekly
test.
Required Materials:
 Pen or pencil
 3 Ring Binder with divisions for class notes, handouts, laboratory observations, A.P.
Exam practice questions, or a notebook.
 Textbook: Life: The Science of Biology, Sadava D., Heller H., Orians G., PurvesW., and
Hillis D., 8th edition (2009 ).
Teacher Expectations:
My desire for each student is to enjoy the material presented in this class, and to be able to
at the end of the course understand how all of the facts fit together in one big picture. I expect each
student to strive to do their best, conduct themselves in a dignified manner, and maintain academic
integrity. I have a zero-tolerance policy for cheating as does the College Board, and academic
dishonesty can result in the removal from this class. In order to succeed in this class each student
will need to devote a considerable amount of time to this course. My goal is that each student reach
their full academic potential, and not hesitate to seek help when in need. If at any time you have any
concerns please feel free to contact me.
I have thoroughly read and understand the above syllabus, and I agree to take full responsibility for
my actions.
Student Signature:__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________
Date:____________________
Date:____________________