AP Biology

This course offers students a college level curriculum equivalent to an introductory biology course in the freshman year of college and follows the syllabus set by the Development Committee of the College of the College Boards.  Two major goals of AP Biology are to help students develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to help students gain an appreciation of science as a process. Included within this course are the twelve advanced laboratory investigations, which are experimental, analytical, and qualitative in nature. Students will be using a college text, and the student completing this course in May, will have a well-rounded preparation to take the Advanced Placement Biology exam for college credit.

*Source: CollegeBoard

At the end of the course, each student will be able to –

• demonstrate skills in using various types of biological instrumentation and scientific methodologies;
• learn how to read and critique information about the field of biology;
• practice finding and using patterns in collected data to solve scientific problems;
• exhibit mastery of the major principles of biology;
• apply critical thinking to environmental and social concerns, and;
• display responsibility as caretakers and stewards of the living world.

The AP Biology Exam is scheduled on the morning of May 10th.  Some students may not take the exam; however, this course will be presented with this goal in mind.

Students not taking the AP exam will be taking the regular finals in addition to doing a project.

TEXTBOOK

• Campbell, Neil A. and Jane B. Reece .  Biology, 6th ed.  2002.  (provided by school)

BOOK REPORTS

•  Summer Reading (for Fall semester, choose one)

• Dawkins, Richard.  The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition. 2006.
• Huxley, Aldous.  Brave New World and Brave New World Revisited.  2005.
• Pollan, Michael.  The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.  2007.
• Shubin, Neil.  Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body.  2008.
• Weisman, Alan.  The World Without Us.  2008.

• Winter Reading (for Spring semester)
  • Ridley, Matt.  Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters.  1999.

SUPPLIES

• Three-ringed hardback BLUE binder (1.5 to 2 inches, for your portfolio)
• Three tabs or dividers
• Spiral notebook OR binder with paper (for your notes)
• Pencils (and eraser)
• Pens (standard blue or black only)
• USB flash drive (to be used in all classes)
• Box of tissues or Paper towels

Your grades are computed as follows:

• Tests / Quizzes           40% (Note: Tests count twice more than quizzes)
• Labs / Activities           30%
• All Others                    30%