AP Biology Summer Assignment 2014
What is AP Biology?
This course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory biology
course usually taken in the first year of college. Throughout the course, you will
become familiar with major reoccurring BIG IDEAS and 7 practices.
Big Ideas
 Big Idea #1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life
 Big Idea #2: Biological systems utilize energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to
reproduce, and to maintain homeostasis.
 Big Idea #3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life
processes.
 Big Idea #4: Biological systems interact, and these interactions possess complex properties.
There are also 7 practices that students are expected to be able to use and apply these skills during the
AP Biology exam.
 Science Practice #1: The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific
phenomena and solve scientific problems.
 Science Practice #2: The student can use mathematics appropriately.
 Science Practice #3: The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to
guide investigations within the context of the AP course.
 Science Practice #4: The student can implement data collection strategies appropriate to a
particular scientific question.
 Science Practice #5: The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence.
 Science Practice #6: The student can work with scientific explanations and theories.
 Science Practice #7: The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales,
concepts and representations in and across domains.
To successfully complete the course and meet all of the required objectives, you are required to do
independent work both during the summer and throughout the school year. I chose Chemistry for you
to cover over the summer because it will serve as a review of what you should know from having
already taken Chemistry, and will allow us to get right into Biological Processes at the beginning of the
year. For your summer assignment, as well as for the year, you will be using the 7th edition of Biology
by Campbell and Reece.
It is necessary for each student to have access to the Internet and a personal e-mail address either
through a public library or at home. Additionally, you can use the school computers during the school
year. I will be e-mailing you assignments and information about class throughout the year, so choose
or create an e-mail that you do not mind me having, and make sure to check it regularly! This is
where you will print off all parts of the summer assignment.
If you have any questions regarding any part of the summer assignment, do not hesitate to e-mail me.
My e-mail is aporter@cnusd.k12.ca.us
What do I do now?
1. Visit my website:

You will need to visit the web address below
o Web address: http://www.classjump.com/a/alleenporter/
o

Click on AP Biology- this is where you will print off your assignments.
Any questions please email me at the below email address.
o
School email: aporter@cnusd.k12.ca.us
2. Buy a big spiral bound notebook (preferably the kind where the pages do not tear out!)
AP Biology Science Notebook Set – Up Directions
The notebook must be spiral bound. Pages should NEVER be removed from the notebook. Handouts and
worksheets must be glued, taped, or stapled into the notebook. THE NOTEBOOK SHOULD FOLLOW A
SPECIFIC FORMAT.
Open up your notebook.
Inside front
cover
Table of
Contents
Table of
Contents
Table of
Contents
Set up a table of contents for the first 2 pages front and back.
i. Make 3 columns and label them-
Date/Assignment/Page #
Number your pages.
a. Number the pages on the BOTTOM CORNER of every
page. All fronts and backs of pages should be numbered.
Table of Contents for the notebook should look like this and where
your assignments should be stapled:
 Fold assignments in half and then turn them sideways. Put one
staple into the assignment to secure it to the notebook.
 No pages can be hanging out of the notebook!
Date
Assignment
Chapter 2 Study Guide
Chapter 2 Videos: Atomic/Periodic
Chapter 3 Study Guide
Chapter 3 Videos: Water: A Polar
Molecule/Acids and Bases
Chapter 4 Study Guide
Chapter 4 Video: Molecules of Life
Chapter 5 Study Guide
Chapter 5 Video: Biological Molecule
Table of
Contents
Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
3. Finish all parts of the assignment to start off the year with an “A”: Access all the assignments on my
website!!! DUE 1st DAY of SCHOOL
a. Print off Chapters 2-5 Study Guides from my website and fill them in using your book.
b. You will visit the video links and take notes on each video in your notebook using
Cornell style of note taking. Add loose leaf paper to the page if you need more room!
i. Video Links are also found under Pictures and Videos.
c. Do your Biology Photo Album! Print off the guidelines from my website and complete.
4. Expect a test on this material the 1st day of school.
a. Print off and complete the review sheet to help you study for the test.