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AP Course Information

Advance Placement Biology Syllabus 2012-2013

 

Instructor

Christina Ross

Room 138 Midlakes High School

Assistance is available daily 9^th period (2:15 – 2:55 PM); by appointment or just drop by.

            Email: cross@midlakes.org

 

Objective

AP Biology will introduce students to many of the fundamentals of biological organization and processes while emphasizing the continual examination of organism diversity and the adaptations that have evolved as organisms interact with each other and their environment.

 

The AP Biology course as recommended by the College Board is considered to be the equivalent of two semesters of a college introductory biology course taken by biology majors. Students who prove themselves extremely well qualified may be able to enter upper level biology courses at the college or university levels.

 

Prerequisites

The Midlakes Science Department, College Board, and Pupil Support Services recommend that students taking AP Biology successfully complete 40 week courses in high school Biology (Living Environment) and Chemistry. This includes successful completion of the 1200 minute laboratory requirement and passing the NYS Regents Examination in each respective course.

 

Course Expectations

      An independent work ethic as well as a sincere interest in understanding and applying basic biology concepts is essential for a student’s success. Students are expected to display responsibility by being prompt & prepared for class.

 

Schedule

AP Biology will meet daily and will have back-to-back laboratory periods on day 4 and 6

·         Days 1-3, & 5: 3^rd period (9:15 – 9:56AM)

·         Days 4 & 6: 2^nd and 3^rd periods (8:30 – 9:56AM) OR 3rd and 4th periods (9:15- 10:41)

 

Required Materials

• Large 3 ring binder
• Loose leaf paper
• Pen and/or pencil
• Book as requested

 

Text Book:   Biology, Neil A. Campbell, Jane B. Reece, 7^th Edition: 2004, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. Students are not expected to carry the text book to class, but are expected to complete the assigned reading in a comfortable study area.

 

Review Book   The most recent edition of the AMSCO AP Biology Review Book has been paid for and ordered by the school district. These will be made available to students later on in the academic year prior to the Advance Placement Examination in Biology scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2013. The review book provides a concise review of the major biology topics; a summary of AP Biology Laboratory Experiences; a glossary of terms; as well as practice exams.  

 

Grading

Categories	Grade Percentage	Description
Classroom Work	20%	Class room work will consider a student’s: ·         Attendance ·         Active participation ·         Quiz responses to assigned reading ·            Completion of assigned problem sets or any other activities listed on the weekly outline. (Late homework will not be accepted.)
Laboratory Reports	30%	Laboratory grades are based on: ·         Actual participation ·         Lab completion ·         Lab analysis ·         A formal laboratory write-up. (Late lab reports begin at 65%)
Examinations	50%	Examinations will consist of a series of multiple choice and free response questions. The multiple choice questions: ·         Will have 4 possible responses ·        Will count as 60% of the Examination Grade. The free response question(s): ·         Will count as 40% of the Examination Grade ·         Are like those found on the  Advance Placement Biology Examination ·         Require students to compose answers using their skills of knowledge, comprehension application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
MARKING PERIOD GRADE	100%

             

Laboratory Work will be scored using a rubric to assess a student's independent understanding of the overall concept presented by the activity. There are thirteen required AP Laboratory activities that will be performed. In addition to these key laboratory activities, additional laboratory activities will be performed and assessed. Students are expected to be an active participant in the manipulation and data collection experience. Class discussion regarding the laboratory outcomes and analyses are to be completed. An independent summary of the lab including a title, purpose, abstract, materials, procedural summary, data tables, graphs, and a final Analysis are to be submitted along with the completed lab report. Word-processed reports are preferred and should be submitted on time.