AP Biology
Ms. Miller
Course Purpose
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. It is a fun, yet challenging
course which includes those topics regularly covered in a college biology course for majors. It
aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills
necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. As this is a college
course, you will be held to high expectations just like a college freshman.
Textbook
Raven, et. al. Biology, 9th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
Attendance
Good attendance is essential to do well in school. This is especially true when you are taking a
challenging AP class with numerous labs. If you are illegally absent, you will get no credit for
the activities of that day. Students must make up exams missed the DAY YOU RETURN and
must make up labs during extra-help sessions after school. Students are expected to be on time to
class every day. If you are late without a legitimate pass, you will be marked late unexcused and
assigned detention.
Grading Policy
Your grade will be determined by your performance on unit tests, labs, and other assignments.
Each assignment will carry a specific point value. For example, a chapter test may have a point
value of 100. Adding up the total points earned and dividing by the total points possible will
determine your quarter grade.
Labs
We will complete many labs and activities throughout the year. Some of them are demonstration
or simulation activities and some of them are actual scientific research. All labs are due one (1)
week after the lab is completed. After that, you will lose 5 points on your lab for each day it is
late. The absolute last day a lab will be accepted is the last day of the quarter.
Homework
At the start of each quarter, you will be given a schedule of reading and guided notes
assignments. It is important that you follow this schedule to stay up-to-date with your reading
and guided notes in this class! The guided notes will be collected and you will receive points for
completion. If they are late, you will lose points. The absolute last day to turn in your guided
notes is the day of the unit exam. I will try to limit homework assignments other than the
reading and guided notes.
Exams
Exams are composed of AP-style exam multiple-choice questions as well as AP-style Free
Response Questions (“essays”). Exam questions will be based on class notes and the textbook.
Extra Help
I am available for extra help during my prep periods and after school most days. Please confirm
that you plan to attend. Come prepared with specific questions, problems, or labs.
Course-Long Outline
Quarter 1:
1. Introduction, Scientific Method (7 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapter 1
b. Lab
i. Blackworm Heart Rate Lab
2. Evolution and The Tree of Life (16 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 20-24, 26
b. Labs
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 1: Artificial Selection
ii. Hardy-Weinberg Lab
iii. Cladogram Lab
3. Ecology (12 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 55-60
b. Lab
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 10: Energy Dynamics
ii.
4. Biochemistry (7 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 2-3
b. Lab
i. Building Molecules
Quarter 2:
5. Cells (12 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 4, 5, 9, 10
b. Labs
i. Diffusion and Osmosis Lab and Limits to Cell Size Lab
ii. Mitosis and Cancer Lab
6. Enzymes and Energy Flow (Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis) (18 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 6-8
b. Labs
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 5: Photosynthesis
ii. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 6: Cellular Respiration
iii. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 13: Enzyme Activity
7. Heredity (8 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 11-13
b. Labs
i. Meiosis Lab
ii. Virtual Fly Lab
Quarter 3:
8. Molecular Genetics (15 days)
a. Reading
b. Chapters 14-17, 19
c. Labs
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 8: Biotechnology: Bacterial Transformation
ii. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 9: Biotechnology: Restriction Enzyme
Analysis of DNA
9. Animal Form and Function (20 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 43-46, 48-52, 54
b. Lab
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 12: Fruit Fly Behavior
Quarter 4:
10. Plant Form and Function (15 days)
a. Reading
i. Chapters 36, 38-40, 42
b. Labs
i. AP Lab (2012) Investigation 11: Transpiration
ii. Pollen Tube Growth Activity
***AP Biology Exam, Monday, May 11th, 2015 at 8:00 am***