PREREQUISITIES:
**Passing grade in Biology course and SOL
**Passing grade in Chemistry course and SOL
AP BIOLOGY
MATH LEVEL REQUIREMENTS: none
DESCRIPTION FROM LCPS COURSE CATALOG:
In science, a special emphasis is placed on the research process in all grades. This includes making decisions about the
generation and testing of ideas; prediction, measurement, data collection and representation; evaluation of sources of
information; collaborative investigation; interpretation and communication of findings; evaluation and verification of
findings and considerations relating to the social context of research. The AP Biology program offers students the
opportunity to extend their understanding of biology and biochemistry. The material studied is comparable to that in a
freshman college level course and includes as many extended lab experiences as possible. The course emphasizes
evolution, energy dynamics, maintenance of homeostasis and ecology using inquiry based learning. Students are
encouraged
to take the AP Biology examination for possible college credit.
Note: Students enrolled in life science courses may participate in animal dissection. Students who decline to participate
will be offered alternatives to dissection. A student’s objection to participating in an animal dissection should be
substantiated by a signed note from his or her parent or legal guardian.
TIME COMMITMENT TO HOMEWORK:
Students should expect to spend at least 1 hour each night on this AP course. This includes:
 completing homework assignments for each concept
 rereading notes from last class
 compiling questions for next class based on the night’s readings
 completing Pre Labs before the Lab Day
 completing Post Lab Write Ups after Lab Day (formal lab write up with rubric given, 3-4 pages)
 any other assignments the teacher may give
AVERAGE DAY:
This is a college level class and students will be expected to rise to a college level. With that being said:
 warm up essay (parts of previous AP Test long free response questions)
 review homework and essay (go over questions students have and parts I want to review)
 reinforcement activities or labs
Tentative Topic Schedule
 quiz on concepts from homework and reviewed that day
st
1
quarter
 Formal AP Labs with post lab write-ups will take the entire
 Biochemistry
class time. If students are absent, there may not be enough
 Cells
time or materials (as some are time sensitive) to make up a
 Energy
lab.
 Students are given the outline (due dates and all homework
2nd quarter
assignments) at the beginning of the unit so that they may
 Energy
work at their own pace to turn assignments in on time.
 Heredity
OTHER REMINDERS:
 Students are encouraged to purchase an AP Test Prep/Review
book if they plan to take the AP test.
 Students are not required to take the AP Test if they are
enrolled in the class.
 Not all colleges accept AP credit. Be sure to contact the
colleges you are interested in to see if they even accept AP
credit.
3rd quarter
 Ecology
 Evolution/Classification
4th quarter
 Plant and Animal Anatomy and
Physiology
 AP Test (usually 2nd Monday of May
at 8 am)
 Dissections