Welcome to AP Biology
• We will meet every day – 6th hour
• Good way to contact me – by
email
pdunning@dps61.org
or
HensonStables@gmail.com
• Please put ‘AP BIO’ in subject
• I am usually available after school
Course Description
• AP Biology is designed to be
the equivalent of an
Introductory College Biology
Course
• This is not a regular High School
course
• It is recommended that students
spend 1-2 hours prep time per
hour of class
What are the advantages of
taking AP Biology?
• Students may need fewer courses
for a college degree saving time
and money.
• Biology majors may be able to
advance placement into higher
level courses.
What are the advantages of
taking AP Biology?
• Non-biology majors may be able
to fulfill their college science
requirements allowing more time
for other courses
• College admission officers often
favor applicants in AP courses.
• Students get an advanced
experience with the challenges of
college level courses.
AP Biology - Goals
• Aims to provide students with the
conceptual framework, factual
knowledge, and analytical skills
necessary to deal critically with
the rapidly changing science of
biology.
• To prepare for the AP Exam
• Practice and train in exam
strategies and essay writing skills
Student Prerequisites
• Take responsibility for your
own learning
• Advocate your needs
• Have the necessary time to
keep up with the workload
AP BIO
• AP Biology relies heavily on the
student’s previous knowledge as
the foundation for more advanced
topics. Therefore, AP Biology is
designed to be taken by students
after the successful completion of
a first course in high school
biology, chemistry, and Human
Anatomy.
Course Framework
• “Nothing in Biology makes
sense except in the light of
Evolution” Theodosius Dobzhansky
American Biology Teacher
• This will be the “lens” that
we will use to study living
things
Textbook
• 7th ed. of “Biology” by Campbell
& Reese
• Used primarily as a reference
and does not need to be brought
to class on a daily basis
• I will have texts in the
classroom for your use, but
please do not take these out of
the room
Academic Dishonesty
• You are allowed (even
encouraged) to collaborate
and study together, but all
written work must be your
own work.
• Violators will be prosecuted!
Students will be successful in
AP Biology if:
• They are self-motivated workers
and take responsibility for their
own learning.
• They advocate their needs to the
instructor.
• They have the necessary prerequisites and learning skills.
Students will be successful in
AP Biology if:
• They have the study time needed
for success in a college level
class.
• Also helpful if they have easy
internet access for viewing course
materials and e-mailing the
instructor.
AP Biology –
the study of living things
• Each of you will keep a portfolio for
this class. This year we will have
electronic portfolios!.
• Bring the supplies you need to each
class! These supplies include your
Mac, pencil or pen and paper.
• You are expected to have assigned
reading done prior to class time.
AP Biology
• There will be outside class
assignments. You will need to read
on your own. There is much to do in
this class. The only way to get it all
done is to work outside of class on
some of it!
• There are the AP exams in the
Spring you are expected to take. I
do not make these exams. So we
need to get through all the material
so you may be prepared for these
exams.
AP Biology
• I expect NO discipline problems in this
class!
• This is a college level class. No high
school behavior problems allowed.
• We have a lot to do in this course, there
is not time for tardiness, truancy,
texting in class, or chatting in class
• You are responsible for your learning,
your are responsible for your behavior
Old Idea –
8 Major themes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Science as a Process
2. Evolution
3. Energy Transfer
4. Continuity and Change
5. Relationship of Structure to Function
6. Regulation
7. Interdependence in Nature
8. Science, technology, and Society
New This
Year!
4 Big Ideas
The Big Ideas
•Evolution
•Energy
•Information
•Interactions
AP Biology Curriculum Is Framed
Around Four Big Ideas
BIG IDEA
BIG IDEA
BIG IDEA
BIG IDEA
1
Evolution - The process of evolution drives the
diversity and unity of life.
2
Energy - Biological systems utilize energy and
molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and
maintain homeostasis.
3
4
Information - Living systems retrieve, transmit, and
respond to information essential to life processes.
Interactions - Biological systems interact, and these
interactions possess complex properties.
AP Biology New Exam Design
Section Information:
Item Types & Weight
Multiple Choice + Grid-ins
(50% of exam weight)
Question Types and Distribution
63 multiple choice
6 grid-in questions
(New type: mathematical
manipulation/calculation. Students will
write and bubble in numerated answer)
Timing
90m
Ten Minutes Required Reading Time in Advance of the Free Response Section
Free Response
(50% of exam weight)
2 long free response questions, 1 of
which connects to the lab experience
6 short free response questions
80 minutes + 10minute reading
period
AP BIO
• I am really looking
forward to this class,
and I hope you are too!
• I think you are the
best students in this
school!