"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." Andre Gide
The AP Biology course is the equivalent of a two-semester introductory biology course for biology majors in college and reflects the outline provided by the College Board. There is an emphasis on ‘hands-on’ laboratory work incorporated within the course.
The two main goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for biology and an appreciation of science as a process. Our emphases will be on developing an understanding of concepts. Essential to this conceptual understanding is a grasp of science as a process; personal experience in scientific inquiry; recognition of unifying themes; and application of biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns.
Discussion and applications of these listed topics occurs throughout the year incorporating current news events and/or major historical events.

AP Biology Laboratory Manual for Students; The College Board; 2001

2 or 3 inch “ 3-ring Binder

Highlighters

Colored Pencils

Black/blue pens

USB drive

Graphing Calculator (highly recommended)

Biology, 6 th Edition; Raven, Peter H., Johnson, George B. McGraw-Hill Publisher.2002; ISBN 0-07-303120-8

Biology, 8 th Edition AP; Campbell, Neil A., Reece, Jane. Benjamin Cummings Publisher. 2007; ISBN 0321543254
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The course will include those themes, topics and concepts regularly covered in a college level course. The themes that will guide the study of biology are:
1.
Science as a process
2.
Evolution
3.
Energy Transfer
4.
Continuity and Change
5.
Relationship of Structure and Function
6.
Regulation
7.
Interdependence in Nature
8.
Science, Technology, and Society
This course provides for an in-depth approach to biological principles and processes with an emphasis on laboratory experimental design and documentation. College level texts and laboratory work are used in this course. The AP course is designed for students who have successfully completed one year of high school biology and one of chemistry.
Because of the scope of the curriculum and because of our time limitations, students must assume further responsibility for their learning than required in their first year high school biology course. Students in this course are expected to become independent learners, studying the material in greater detail than in their previous biology course, and are expected to cover some of the material on their own outside of class.
To fully grasp the biological world and gain an appreciation for the scientific process, students will be involved in the following activities and assignments: lecture discussions (note-taking), class inquiry activities and demonstrations, video discussions, literature readings, labs, lab reports, AP essays, exams (tests), quizzes, graphic organizers, in-class debates, current event reviews, projects and field trips.
1.
The Three T’s: Trust, Time, and Team Work
Trust: Be truthful in your scientific investigations. Your hypothesis/predication may not always be correct but that is ok! It will be important to explain why you think the way you do and back up your reasoning with data/evidence collected in experiments. Trust and respect those around you and do not hesitate to come to me when you need assistance. Trust is the foundation of a successful working environment!
Time: This year is going to be very demanding, not only in AP Biology, but in all your other classes as well. Use your own calendar to keep track of all important deadlines and set aside time to complete your tasks. Prioritize!
Team Work: Two minds are better than one, three minds are better than two! I view this course as a team effort. While each person needs to complete and hand in their own work, study groups and cooperative effort are strongly encouraged. You never learn something as well as when you have to explain it to someone else.
2.
Attendance: Students are expected to be on time to class every day. If you have an unexcused absence, you will receive no credit for the activities of that day. Students have the number of class days to make up work as days they have missed. You will not be permitted to track down your teachers on the day you do not have us for class. Therefore, if you miss AP Biology on Monday, you will receive your make up work on Wednesday and should be completed by Friday. Exams will need to be made up within one week of your absence scheduled during FLEX. Other make-up work or labs can be completed during FLEX, after school or before school via appointment only. If you do not miss more than two days of class per nine weeks, I will drop your lowest assignment grade (up to 50 points only). This attendance policy is like the senior exam exemption policy in
that the only excused absences will be those related to a school function or religious observance.
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3.
Binder: Keep a 2 or 3 inch 3-ring binder notebook for only AP Biology. You will use divider tabs to separate your units. Label your dividers as: Class info, Diversity of Organisms, Evolution, Ecology, Chemistry of life, Cells,
Cellular Energetics, Heredity, Molecular Genetics, Animal S & F, Plants S & F, AP Practice & Essays, Science
Articles, and Misc.
4.
Labs: AP Biology has 12 recommended lab activities. We complete these and additional labs through College
Board labs, supplemental labs, computer simulations and field trips. Pre-lab assignments must be completed prior to the lab to prepare you for lab day. You will also complete one lab report per quarter. Standard lab format will be discussed in class prior to your first major lab assignment. Please see section “Lab Report
Format” for detailed instructions.
5.
Homework: a.
Textbook Reading Guides- very important! Read the book nightly, stay up-to-date to be prepared for lecture. Chapters should be read BEFORE class lecture and then AFTER class lecture for reinforcement and clarification. The reading guides will help you prepare for the reading quizzes. See section “Topic Schedule” for a detailed few of the upcoming year. b.
Assignments- Homework/finishing classwork is assigned nightly. It will be checked or graded ASAP. Keep them in your notebook. If you are absent, you are expected to schedule time to see the teacher to determine what you missed. c.
AP Essay Assignments- Essays are an integral part of the AP Exam. Essays are assigned throughout the term to prepare for the AP Exam. Essay assignments will be incorporated into your Exam & Quiz grade. Essays will be assigned in 4 different ways: homework and need to be brought back on the due date; previously announced essays will be timed and written in class; “Pop” essays will not be announced and they will be timed and written in class; and finally, there will be up to 2 essays on each exam (test) given. The timing for the essays will be exactly 22 minutes each.
6.
Exams: Exams are composed of AP multiple choice questions and well as AP style essays. All exams will be modeled after the AP Biology Exam and timed (4o minutes for the 50 multiple choice questions and 22 minutes per essay question). All exams are scored just as the AP Exam itself.
7.
AP BIOLOGY EXAM: The AP Biology Exam will be three hours in length and is designed to measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of modern biology. The exam consists of the following: 100 multiple choice questions (80 minutes), 10-minute reading period, and four free-response essay questions (90 minutes). In the free-response portion of the exam, usually one essay question is taken from Area I of the topic outline
(Molecules and Cells), and another question focuses on Area II (Heredity and Evolution). Two questions generally focus on Area III of the outline (Organisms and Populations). Any of these four questions may require the student to analyze and interpret data or information drawn from laboratory experience, as well as from lecture material, and may require students to integrate material from different areas of the course. More information will be provided throughout the year. The date for the AP Biology Exam is to be announced, but generally occurs in early May.
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8.
Grading: Grades will be calculated by points earned/total points possible. Each student earns their grade based on the quality and accuracy of work they complete. I do not grade on a “bell curve.” The following is an approximation of a quarter’s grade distribution. Late work will be subject to up to 25% off penalty depending on how late the assignment is. The farther behind you get, the harder it can be to catch up! Stay on top of your work! The approximate breakdown of the course is as follows: a.
Exams, Essays & Quizzes, Projects – 50% b.
Lab & Lab Reports - 25 % c.
Homework, Class work, Class Participation – 25%
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Topic Outline:
This course is divided into three major topics that will be represented on the AP Biology Exam the student will take in May. The percentage coverage is in three general areas with a further breakdown by subtopic:
I.
Molecules and Cells (25%)
A.
Chemistry of Life (7%)
1.
Water
2.
Organic molecules in organism
3.
Free energy changes
4.
Enzymes
B.
Cells (10%)
1.
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
2.
Membranes
3.
Subcellular organization
4.
Cell cycle and its regulation
C.
Cellular Energetics (8%)
1.
Coupled reactions
2.
Fermentation and cellular respiration
3.
Photosynthesis
II.
Heredity and Evolution (25%)
A.
Heredity (8%)
1.
Meiosis and gametogenesis
2.
Eukaryotic chromosomes
3.
Inheritance patterns
B.
Molecular Genetics (9%)
1.
RNA and DNA structure and function
2.
Gene regulation
3.
Mutation
4.
Viral structure and replication
5.
Nucleic acid technology and application
C.
Evolutionary Biology (8%)
1.
Early evolution of life
2.
Evidence for evolution
3.
Mechanisms of evolution
III.
Organisms and Populations (50%)
A.
Diversity of Organisms (8%)
1.
Evolutionary patterns
2.
Survey of the diversity of life
3.
Phylogenetic classification
4.
Evolutionary relationships
B.
Structure and Function of Plants and Animals (32%)
1.
Reproduction, growth and development
2.
Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations
3.
Response to the environment
C.
Ecology (10%)
1.
Population dynamics
2.
Communities and ecosystems
3.
Global issues
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Topic Schedule for the 2010-2011 Academic Year
This is a tentative schedule that will be followed to help the student time manage the AP Biology course leading up to their AP Biology Exam! The chapters provided will be read before lectures and labs completed.
Symbol representation:
Quarter Tentative
Q1
Q1
Q1
Q1
Dates
8/29 to
9/2
9/6 to 9/9
9/12 to
9/16
Q=Quarter,TBA=To Be Announced
Subtopics
Class Orientation/Procedures, Intro to Biology, 8 major themes, scientific investigation
Classification of organisms; Taxonomy and Evolution; Six
Kingdom Three Domain System
Comparative embryology & animal behavior and evidences of
Evolution
Origin of Life; Evidence for Evolution, Natural Selection
Raven &
Johnson
Chapters
1
32
26, 27
4, 21, 23
AP Labs and/or additional requirements
AP LAB #11:
Animal
Behavior
Q1
9/19 to
9/23
9/26 to
9/30
Hardy-Weinberg Principle and Neo-Darwinism; Speciation and
Adaptive Radiation; Patterns of Evolution, gradualism vs. punctuated equilibrium
20,22
Q1 10/3 to
10/7
Wallops Island Marine Ecology Field Trip!
AP LAB #8:
Population
Genetics and
Evolution
(Hardy-
Weinberg)
AP LAB #12:
Dissolved
Oxygen and
Aquatic
Primary
Productivity
Q1
Q1
Q1
Q1
10/11 to
10/14
10/17 to
10/21
10/24 to
10/28
10/31 to
11/4
October 10 th : Columbus Day (no school)
Population Ecology: Populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes and biosphere; dynamics of ecosystems (biogeochemical cycles and trophic levels)
Population Ecology: Populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes and biosphere; dynamics of ecosystems (biogeochemical cycles and trophic levels)
Water, Acids, Bases & Buffers Start Carbon, Functional Groups &
Macromolecules
Enzymes & Metabolism
24, 25,
28, 29
24, 25,
28, 29
2,3
3,5,8
Q2
End of 1 st Quarter for AP BIOLOGY
November 7 th and 8 th : Teacher Work Days (no school)
Enzymes & Metabolism 3,5,8
Q2
11/9 to
11/11
11/14 to
11/22
Enzymes & Metabolism 8 AP LAB #2:
Enzyme
Catalysis
Q2 11/28 to
12/2
November 23 th - 25 th : Thanksgiving Holiday (no school)
Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes; Autotrophs & Heterotrophs; Cell
Structure-Animal and Plant cells; Cell movement & cell organization
5
6

Q2 12/5 to
12/9
Principals of water movement, diffusion and osmosis; transport across the cell membrane
6
Q2 12/12 to
12/21
Principals of water movement, diffusion and osmosis; transport across the cell membrane
6
December 22 nd -January 2 nd : Winter Break (no school)
Q2 1/3 to 1/6 Glycolysis and Fermentation, Kreb’s Cycle, ETC and the basics of chemiosmosis
8,9
Q2
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
Q3
AP LAB #1:
Diffusion &
Osmosis
AP LAB #1:
Diffusion &
Osmosis Cont.
1/9 to
1/13
1/24 to
1/27
1/30 to
2/3
2/6 to
2/10
2/13 to
2/17
2/21 to
2/24
2/27 to
3/2
Light Dependent Reactions, Light Independent Reactions, photosynthesis rate & regulation, C3 and C4 photosynthesis; products of photosynthesis
Plant organ systems. Water movement in plants
(Transpiration), sugar movement (Translocation), hormones and regulation of plant growth
Early ideas about heredity and Mendel’s experiments
February 20 th : Presidents’ Day (no school)
Monohybrid Inheritance, Dihybrid Inheritance and Test crosses.
Meiosis, Ploidy, and Life Cycles
10
38,39,40,
41,42
13
AP LAB #9:
Transpiration
12,13
3/5 to 3/9 Modifying Mendel: Multiple alleles, sex-linked characteristics, and epistasis. Chromosomal abnormalities and genetic counseling
3/12 to
3/16
3/19 to
3/23
3/26 to3/30
Regulation of Cellular Respiration; other catabolic pathways and
Biosynthesis
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End of 2 nd Quarter for AP BIOLOGY
January 16 th : Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school)
January 17 th -20 th : Midterm Exam days
January 23 rd : Teacher Work Day (no school)
Light, Pigments, & Photosynthetic membranes 10
Phases of Meiosis; Mendel’s Laws and Meiosis
(Mitosis overview)
Gene-enzymes/polypeptide relationships; phage experiments and DNA and chromosomal structure; Watson and Crick model of DNA and chromosomal structure
DNA Replication; Transcription and RNA processing; Triplet
Code; Translation
Mutations and Mutagenesis; Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes; Transposable elements, cancer and stem cell research Cell communication; Cell Cycle (Mitotic Cell Division), intro to cancer & stem cell research
11, 12,
13
13
14,11
14, 15
16, 18
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AP LAB #5:
Cellular
Respiration
AP LAB #4:
Plant Pigments and
Photosynthesis
Start AP LAB
#7: Genetics of
Organisms
(Fruit Flies and
Chi Squares)
AP LAB #3:
Mitosis &
Meiosis
End AP Lab #7
(Do Chi-square analysis and report due after winter break)
AP LAB #6:
Molecular
Biology Colony
Transformation
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Q4 4/10 to
4/13
Basic Virology, AIDS, Gene technology/Genetic engineering 33, 19 Debate: Genetic
Engineering and alterations
Q4
Q4
4/16 to
4/20
4/23 to
4/27
End of 3 rd Quarter for AP BIOLOGY
March 31 st to April 8 th : Spring Break
April 9 th : Teacher Work Day (no school)
Vertebrate locomotion (Skeletal & Musculature Systems);
Vertebrate digestion system.
Vertebrate circulatory, gas exchange systems
50, 51
52, 53 AP Lab #10:
Physiology of
Circulatory
System
Q4
Q4
4/30 to
5/4
5/7 to
5/11
Vertebrate regulation (homeostasis): integument system, urinary system, temperature regulation. Vertebrate Integration
Systems: Nervous & Endocrine system. Reproductive system.
REVIEW FOR AP EXAM
58, 54,
55, 56,
59, 60
All chapters from
Raven and
Johnson and all
12 AP labs
Q4
Q4
5/15 to
5/18
5/21 to
5/25
AP EXAM: Monday, May 14 th 8:00 AM
Review of vertebrate anatomy
Review of vertebrate anatomy
54-60
54-60
Pig Dissection
Lab
Pig Dissection
Lab
Q4 5/29 to
6/1
May 28 th : Memorial Day (no school)
TBA
End of 4 th Quarter for AP BIOLOGY
June 4 th to June 8 th : Final Exams (AP Biology students will be completing a project in lieu of a final exam since the AP BIOLOGY Exam accounts for a final)
Congrats you made it! Good luck in your senior year! I am very proud of you!
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AP BIOLOGY: Formal Lab Reports
Please follow all directions as listed below and refer to the sample given in class. If you have questions, please see me a FEW DAYS BEFORE the lab report is due. Late lab reports are subject to 20% penalty for the first day late and
5% for each day class day thereafter. All lab reports must be typed, no larger than 12 font and must be written in one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, or Tahoma style font.
I.
Cover Sheet
A.
AP Lab # and Title lab with a visual prompt to help you remember the lab
II.
B.
Your Name, Your Lab Partners’ Name, Date, Block
Background
A.
¾ of a page discussing the topic of the lab and relating it to at least ONE of the Themes of Biology (see page 1 of the syllabus for the list)
B.
2 sources other than your lab sheets and textbook must be cited in APA format
Use citation machine at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/07/
III.
Objectives
(If they are available and this applies to the lab)
A.
List Pre-lab Objectives (To Understand…)
B.
List Post-lab Objectives (Be able to…)
IV.
Hypothesis (es)
A.
Include your hypothesis and null hypothesis in a statement
V.
Procedures
A.
Written in paragraph form, a description of the general procedure
VI.
Data
A.
A chart (data table) that provides data from experiment
VII.
Graph
A.
Use an appropriate graph to analyze data
B.
Must have a title, axes labeled, and a key
VIII.
Analysis
A.
In a paragraph form, answer all questions and explain data using mathematical analysis (when applicable use t-tests, chi-squares etc.)
B.
Explain if your hypothesis was accepted or rejected with supportive evidence
C.
Explain if your null hypothesis was failed to reject or rejected with supportive evidence
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Student and Parent Information Form-AP Biology 2010-2011
Thank you very much for reading the provided materials. After reading, please fill out and sign this form. Have your child return it to your teacher by ___________.
Student’s Name (print): _____________________________E-mail: ________________________________________
Parent Name (print): _______________________________E-mail: ___________________________________________
Home Phone: _____________________________________Work Phone: _____________________________________
Cell Phone: ________________________________________Best time to call? _________________
Please circle the BEST way (from above) for me to reach you.
Dr. Kagan has my permission to discuss grades (letter and percentages) over email any time during the school year.
Please initial the one that applies. ________YES (initial) ________NO (initial)
We have read the entire AP Biology Syllabus and understand the following:

Time requirements, workload and pace of class

Homework and other assignments

Labs and Lab report format requirements

Lab safety rules (please see separate Safety Contract and sign)

Penalties for late work

Exams (Tests), Quizzes and Essays

Grading System

We are aware that our child must be motivated and committed toward mastery of Biology in order to be a successful AP Biology student, and to be successful on the AP Biology Exam.
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ______________________
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ _ Date: ______________________
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