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Course Outline

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 3-4

2007-2008

Textbook: Campbell, Neil A. 2005.  Biology. Seventh edition. Lecture notebook and AP Laboratory manual: provided by instructor

http://www.aw-bc.com/campbell/

Instructor: Ms Simun
Redondo Union High School, (310) 798-8665; Voice mail-X4107
E-mail:
msimun@rbusd.org
Web: http://simun.inspiringteachers.com/



Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this course are the completion of Biology CP or Honor's and Chemistry CP or Honor's, with an A or B grade, or teacher recommendation.

Course Description

An Advanced Placement Biology course in a secondary school is designed to meet the objectives of a general biology course at the college level, and is structured to prepare college-bound students for the Advanced Placement Examination for college credit in biology. Two main goals of this course are to provide students with an overview of the world of biology through a conceptual framework, and to appreciate, understand and use the process of science. Biology today is one of the most dynamic subjects a student can study, and great care will be taken to incorporate current research, ideas, theories and methodologies into this course.  Emphasis is placed on the scientific method of problem solving: observation, hypothesizing, experimentation, and interpretation. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are emphasized heavily. This course emphasizes three major areas: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, Organisms and Populations. This is a transition course from high school to college biology and will help students perform successfully in college. This thorough presentation of advanced biology involves the use of concepts learned in both biology and chemistry.  

Schedule

Class meets three times per week, once for 50 minutes and twice for one hour and fifty minutes. This allows adequate time to complete some labs in one class period. Approximately forty to fifty percent of class time is spent engaged in activities and laboratory work. 

Requirement

All students will take the Advanced Placement Biology Examination for college credit. 

Course Objectives

As a result of completing Advanced Placement Biology, students will:v     develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and understand that science is a process.v     understand the means by which biological information is collected, how it is interpreted, and how one formulates hypotheses from available data and makes further predictions.v     gain the knowledge and insight necessary to make decisions and judgments when science is applied at the social level.   

Grades         

 Grades are calculated using a point system, based on the total number of points a student accumulates relative to the total possible points that may have been earned. Laboratory activities and assessment are emphasized; failure to complete laboratory reports following the specified format or regular assessment failure will result in a failing grade for this class.                  

Assignments                                          Pointso      

Tests (3 to 4 per quarter)                 75-100 each testo      

Homework, Quizzes, Labs               100-200 per quartero      

Final                                                    200 each semester

Coursework

v     Testso       Exams cover several chapters. The format is similar to that of the A.P. exam, including multiple choice, short answer and essay.o       If you are absent the day of a test, you are expected to take the test the day you return to school. Ten percent will be deducted from your test score for each day after the originally scheduled test date.o       Semester final exams are worth two exam scores (200 points).o       Take-home exams cover large amounts of material contained in the textbook and student notes.o       Several practice AP exams will be gives, along with numerous practice free-response questions (in a variety of formats). 

v      Quizzeso       Announced quizzes cover one or two sections of the text, or lab work.o       Unannounced quizzes are either open book, or used to test previously assigned laboratory preparation or homework.o       Take-home quizzes may be given for review, or for covering easier topics that need not or cannot be covered in class.o       Collaborative group work is done in class. 

v     Activitieso       Prior to chapter lectures, students will engage in a preparatory activity that involves circulating around the lab stations answering questions with the assistance of visual and manipulative aids. Assigned chapters are read in advance of this activity and are followed by lecture.o       Students will read science journal articles (Nature, Science, etc.) for homework and prepare a three-minute oral presentation for the class. Each student will complete one per semester. 

v     Laboratory Worko       Each laboratory activity is worth points, and must be kept in a standardized laboratory notebook (1”, 3-ring binder).o       In general, laboratory activities cannot be made up due to the expendable nature of lab materials, and safety requirements. If you miss a lab activity, you will not receive participation points, but will still write up the lab in your notebook to attain the information and lab report points.o       Formal written laboratory reports following a specified format are required for all major laboratory experiments; failure to complete lab work or reports will result in a failing grade for this class (this is a laboratory course).o       Students may be asked to assist in laboratory preparation, set-up and clean up. 

v     Homeworko       Since this course includes extensive reading and completion of the entire Campbell text (1200+ pages), prior to the May examination date, an average of 45-90 minutes of preparation per night is advised and expected.o       Homework is assigned on a weekly basis, which includes the study guide, chapter questions, and take-home essays and quizzes.o       Routine: for each assigned chapter, read the chapter and complete provided outline notes in notebook, complete any worksheets, data tables and assigned homework for that topic. For review, complete self-quiz in text. Notes, worksheets, quizzes and homework are all due the day of the test for that set of chapters. Use the text CD for animations, practice, diagrams, etc.

v     Lectureo       Lecture and discussion using Powerpoint presentations will accompany each topic. Additional visuals may also be used (DVD, CD rom, web sites, newspapers, journals, etc.)o       Notebook§         Students will keep a three-ring binder with dividers, to be checked on a quarterly basis for points (part of the homework grade).§         The notebook is to be subdivided according to the following topics:                                   

Biochemistry                          Evolution and Diversity                                    Cells                                       Plants                                    Cell Energetics                                              Animals                                    Genetics                                 Ecology 

v     Late Assignmentso       Assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the specified due date. No late homework will be accepted. Late = ZERO. o       Illness policy – one day to make up the work for each day missed, unless otherwise specified by your instructor. For anticipated absences, including school activities, you are expected to turn in your assignments on time with the rest of the class.o       Long-term projects, such as lab reports, are due at the beginning of the period on the due date regardless of absences. Late long-term projects will be accepted at a penalty of 10% grade reduction per day. It is your responsibility to determine what assignments you have missed.  

Need Help?!?!?If you need help or have a question, just ask!! I am here to help. By appointment I can meet with you most days before or after school, and some days during lunch and snack.  

Major Themes of Biology

I.    Science as a process

II.    Evolution

III.    Energy transfer

IV.    Continuity and change

V.    Relationship of structure to function

VI.    Regulation

VII.    Interdependence in nature

VIII.    Science, technology and society 

Topic Outline and Percentage Goals 

TOPICS                                                                      PERCENTAGE GOALS

v     MOLECULES AND CELLS                                                      25%

Biological Chemistry                                                             07%

Cells                                                                                       10%

Cellular Energetics                                                               08%

v     HEREDITY AND EVOLUTION                                                  25%       Heredity                                                                                  08%

Molecular Genetics                                                               09%

Evolutionary Biology                                                             08%

v     ORGANISMS AND POPULATIONS                                          50% 

Diversity of Organisms                                                         08%

Structure and Function of Plants and Animals                   32%       Ecology                                                                                  10%

Topic and Chapter Sequences: 

Topic                                                              Chapters                               

Semester 1

Biology survey                                                 1

Chemistry                                                       2, 3, 4, 5

Cell Structure                                                  6, 7

Cell Function and energy                                  8, 9, 10, (11)

Mitosis and Meiosis                                         12, 13

Genetics                                                         14, 15, 16, 17

Genetic technology                                          20 

Semester 2

Evolution                                                        21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Plant and animal diversity                                29, 30, 32, 33, 34

Ecology                                                          50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55

Animal anatomy and physiology                       40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49

Plant anatomy and physiology                          35 , 36, 37, 38, 39   

Lab Work by Topic:  Topic                                                              Labs                          

Semester 1

Biology survey                                               Beads of science, magic

Chemistry                                                       pH lab, build molecular models

Cell Structure                                                dissect earthworm, cell microscopy lab,

Cell Function and energy                                Lab 1, Lab 4, Lab 5, plasmolysis lab,                                                                        Stomata lab

Mitosis and Meiosis                                     Lab 3

Genetics                                                         Lab 7 {computer simulation Ward’s CD Rom or                                                   fast plants (Brassica)}, beaker babies lab

Genetic technology                                       Amgen biotech lab series (3 weeks)- Lab 6 substitute 

Semester 2

Evolution                                                        Lab 8, goldfish lab, Chi Square simulation lab,                                                     allelic frequencies/taste paper lab, fossil classification lab,

Plant and animal diversity                            plant classification lab, dissect crayfish,                                                                          Angiosperm reproduction lab

Ecology                                                          LA Co. sanitation sewer science (1 week), Lab 12

Animal anatomy and physiology                  dissect eye, heart, brain, frog, fetal pig,                                                                         Fish protein analysis (1 week), Lab 2, Lab 10, muscular                                             system lab, shark and bony fish dissection, kidney dialysis lab, blood typing lab

Plant anatomy and physiology                     Lab 9


Galapagos Blue-Footed Boobie
See the baby underneath the parent?