AP Biology Syllabus
Martin Luther High School
AP Biology – Mrs. Moore
Instructor Information:
Email: gmoore@staff.martinlutherhs.org
Phone: (414)421-4000 ext. 291
Textbook: Campbell, N.A Biology Edition 4
Supplies:
3 ring binder with dividers
blue or black pens
pencils for labs (microscope labs must be completed in pencil for credit!!!)
colored pencils
highlighters
metric ruler
paper for notes
CAVEATS: You should check with the college or university you hope to attend for their policies related to AP exam
credit. Policies vary from school to school and are subject to change over time.
Because class sessions will introduce new material, allow time for questions, include performance of labs with highly
perishable materials/organisms, and include special instructions, there is really no way to fully make up a missed
class or most of the labs. It is, therefore, essential that the student make a conscientious effort to attend every class
and be prepared to participate. Although missing labs will be excused, the information missed will affect test grades.
NOTE: It is my expectation that ALL students in AP Biology WILL take the AP exam. I expect ALL of those who
enroll in AP Biology to prepare for and take the exam. I consider this a team effort! If you don’t want to step up to
the challenge of taking the exam with us – please find another class to take. (there are a few exceptions to this, if
your college does not accept AP Biology exam credits, see me)
Note: You can visit the following site to find out how your college/university awards AP credit:
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/colleges/34487.html
STUDY SUGGESTIONS:
 Focus in class – paying attention in class can save you hours of studying outside of class.
 This is a college level course and the class will be handled as such, you will be graded primarily on tests and
labs and you will be expected to monitor and analyze your own learning.
 Biology is different from other introductory courses in terms of the amount of vocabulary involved to get a
basic understanding of the science. You must study some every day. Waiting to review your notes until just
before the exam is a bad idea. Staying on top of the material will help you develop a deeper understanding
and keep the material from seeming overwhelming and confusing.
 Make use of ALL online resources, especially practice quizzes, both on Blackboard and on the Campbell site.
 Come in for help or get help from a classmate as soon as you have trouble with a concept, you need to be an
advocate for your own learning. Consider forming a study group, even if it’s only with one other person.
 Keep an organized lab notebook and organized notes.
 Your syllabus is your best friend in this class – check it frequently and use it to plan your studying – you
always have homework in AP Bio, if nothing else, start reading ahead.
 After a quiz or test take time to figure out why you missed questions – think about whether you misread the
question or needed to study more. If you needed to study more, do it right away – the concepts build on
each other AND you will be having comprehensive exams at the end of both semesters. And, of
course, remember you are always working toward your AP exam on May 12, 2014!
 Make sure you do your labs carefully and completely and that you understand what you’re doing and why
you’re doing it. Labs are an important part of your preparation for the AP exam, especially for the essay
questions (which are 40% of your score).
LATE WORK AND TEST CORRECTIONS:
Any work not turned in by the end of the day due is considered late and will receive NO MORE THAN 50%
CREDIT!! This includes test corrections and lab write-ups.
After a test is handed back you have three days to look over the test, and make corrections. If you do not turn your
test back in (with corrections or without) you do not receive credit for the test. Corrections will allow you to earn
back ½ of the points you miss. If you earn less than an 82% YOU MUST CORRECT YOUR TEST!
Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating will not be tolerated. I expect that when working in groups on labs, portions of your lab reports will be the
same, but conclusions and written portions will be orginial. The effort you put into copying can be put into actually
learning the materials and you will do much better in the end. Scores on reports that are copied will be divided by
the number of individuals involved. I will contact parents on the second offense.
Extra Help:
I am here in the mornings (but on Mondays and Wednesdays there are teacher meetings) and after school for at
least 30 minutes. If you need extra help, please ask and we can find a time to meet. I will come in earlier or stay
later if needed. I want you to do well in this course! Studying in groups is also highly encouraged.
I Strongly recommend picking up a study guide for AP Biology. There are several versions out there, the best one I
have seen is Cliffs AP Biology by Philip E. Pack
Schedule:
This is an approximate schedule, it may change slightly.
**Prefix, suffix and root vocab quizzes will occur every other week, with an AP essay following. (These will occur on
odd weeks, starting with the first Friday of class)
Please be sure to check the readings for the week and complete them BEFORE class.
Unit and Topics
Unit 1 – Intro. to AP Biology
Dates:
8/19-8/22
Reading Assignments:
8/19 – read ch. 1
Tests/Quizzes
8/21 Ch 1 Quiz (over
readings)
Chapter 1
Unit 2 – Biochemistry
8/23-9/10
Chapters 2-5
Unit 3 – Cells
9/11-9/30
8/23 – read ch 2
8/29 – read ch 3&4
9/4 – read ch 5
9/11 – read ch 6
9/16 – read ch 7
9/19 – read ch 12
9/25 – read ch 11
10/01 – read ch 8
10/10 – read ch 9
8/23 VQ#1
9/6 VQ#2
9/10 Biochem. Test
9/20 VQ#3
9/30 Cells Test
Chapters 6,7,11,12
Unit 4 – Enzymes &
Metabolism
Chapters 8 & 9
10/01-10/23
10/04 VQ#4
10/18 VQ#5
10/23 Enzymes & Meta.
Test
Unit 5 – Evolution
10/24-11/13
Chapters 22-25
Unit 6 – Photosynthesis
11/14-11/21
Chapter 10
Unit 7 – Plants
11/22-12/12
Chapters 35-39
Unit 8 – Diversity
12/13-1/8
Chapters 26-31
Unit 9 – Heredity
1/14-1/29
Chapters 13-15
Unit 10 – Molecular
Genetics
1/30-2/18
Chapter 16-21
Unit 11 – Animals
2/19-4/14
Chapters 32-34 & 40-51
Unit 12 – Ecology
4/15-4/30
Chapters 52-56
REVIEW FOR EXAM
5/1-5/9
10/24 – read ch 22
10/29 – read ch 23
11/04 – read ch 24
11/06 – read ch 25
11/15 – read ch 10
11/25 – read ch35 & 36
12/02 – read ch 37
12/05 – read ch 38
12/09 – read ch 39
12/13 – read ch 26
12/17 – read ch 27
12/20 – read ch 28-30
1/14 – read ch 13
1/17 – read ch 14
1/22 – read ch 15
1/30 – read ch 16 & 17
2/5 – read ch 18
2/7 – read ch 19
2/11 – read ch 20
2/14 – read ch 21
2/19 – read ch 32 sec2 and 33
2/24 – read ch 34
2/25 – read ch 40
2/27 – read ch 41
3/04 – read ch 42
3/06 – read ch 43
3/11 – read ch 44
3/25 – read ch 45
3/28 – read ch 46&47
4/1 – read ch 48&49
4/3 – read ch 50
4/7 – read ch 51
4/15 – read ch 52
4/17 – read ch 53
4/23 – read ch 54
4/25 – read ch 55
4/28 – read ch 56
11/01 VQ#6
11/13 Evolution Test
11/15 VQ#7
11/21 Photosynthesis
Test
11/26 VQ#8
12/12 Plants Test
12/13 VQ#9
1/3 VQ#10
1/8 Diversity Test and
Lab Practical
1/17 VQ#11
1/29 Heredity Test
1/31 VQ#12
2/14 VQ#13
2/18 Molecular Genetics
Test
2/28 VQ#14
3/13 VQ#15
3/28 VQ#16
4/11 VQ#17
4/14 Animals Test
4/25 VQ#18
4/30 Ecology Test
5/12 AP EXAM