Scarsdale High School
Advanced Topics in Biology
Course Description and Policies
2012 -2013
Instructor
Ms. Beth Schoenbrun
School Telephone Number with Voice Mail: 721-2314
Office: Room 293
E-mail: bschoenbrun@scarsdaleschools.org
Course Description
Welcome to Advanced Topics in Biology! Although it is not
called Advanced Placement Biology anymore, the curriculum will be
quite similar to it, which was determined by the College Board. This
course differs significantly from the usual high school course with
respect to the kind of textbook used, the range and depth of topics
covered, the kind of laboratory work, and the time and effort required of
students (and teacher).
Remember that this is an introductory college level course and you will be in a college-level
environment. It is IMPERATIVE that you keep up with the reading and work. We will be moving at a
good pace. It is your responsibility to seek extra help when needed. Hard workers throughout the year
who keep up and seek help when necessary will do well in the course and have a very enriching
experience.
It is our goal this year to introduce into the curriculum a series of case studies (also known as
problem based learning or PBL activities) and inquiry based labs, both of which involve group work,
and have been shown to enhance student learning.
You will still be eligible to take the AP Biology exam in May. However, you are not required to
and the grade you receive on it will not count towards your course grade.
Schoolwires Webpage
You should check my Schoolwires Webpage on a DAILY basis. I will post homework
assignments, upcoming test dates, handouts, links to pertinent websites, laboratory information, etc here.
My webpage is:
http://www.scarsdaleschools.k12.ny.us/page/840
You can always access my webpage through the high school’s webpage.
Textbooks and Supplies
The textbook for this year is Biology, 8th Ed. by Campbell and Reece. To organize your class
notes, handouts and labs you may choose any method that works best for you. My suggestion is to get a
1” to 2” binder since you will be receiving many handouts. Clean out the binder after it gets full. It is
essential that you carefully SAVE EVERYTHING as they will create a very comprehensive study
guide for the final exam and optional AP Exam.
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Labs
Labs are an integral part of the AT Biology curriculum. You will need to obtain and keep a
laboratory notebook that will be collected and graded several times over the course of the year. The
College Board has recommended 12 AP Biology labs of which one of them will be found on the free
response portion of the AP Exam. We will do most of these twelve labs as well as several others. Your
presence and active participation in labs are very important. In addition, it is crucial that you read the
lab ahead of time so that you know exactly what you are doing during lab and avoid wasted time.
Several labs will be full lab reports.
The following rules and guidelines must be followed to ensure your safety:
 Read lab carefully.
 Help clean up!
 Make up labs within 1-3
 Follow all written and oral
 Points from lab will be
days since many materials
directions.
deducted if lab rules and
are perishable and limited.
 Be an ACTIVE participant
expectations are not
 Late labs will be penalized.
in your group and be on
followed.
Get labs in on time!
task!
Tests and Quizzes
This is an introductory college level biology course. Like most college classes, this class will
have fewer tests than you are accustomed to which means that each test will include many chapters.
There will be approximately three tests per quarter. Most tests will include two parts: an essay section
and a multiple-choice section.
Like many college courses, there will also be one midterm and one final exam. The midterm
exam includes the first half of the curriculum and the final exam includes the second half of the
curriculum only. The final exam will not include the first half of the curriculum. All tests will include
any pertinent laboratory work.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating on tests, quizzes, written homework assignments, and labs are absolutely prohibited
and will not be tolerated. Students who use any unfair means to pass a test/quiz, complete any written
assignments (including labs) will receive a zero. This also applies to assignments that have been
plagiarized. Students should consider all work individual unless otherwise specified by the teacher. This
applies to labs. Do not copy your lab partner’s answers. Please review this, as it will be strictly adhered
to.
Absences
Check my Schoolwires webpage whenever you are absent for most current information. Please
let me know in advance if you know you will be absent to make up any work, labs and reschedule tests.
I understand that many of you will be visiting colleges. Please make sure you try to keep up. I will
certainly try to accommodate if appropriate.
Grading Policy
The majority of your grade will be determined by your performance on tests. A lesser
percentage will come from laboratories. Grades are calculated by adding all accumulated points for the
quarter, divided by total possible points for the quarter, multiplied by 100 to get percentage.
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