Course Outline- A.P. Biology
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP®) BIOLOGY 3-4 Textbook: Campbell, Neil A. 2005. Biology. Seventh edition, with study guide Lecture notebook and AP Laboratory manual: provided by instructor Instructor: Ms SimunRedondo 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: · develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and understand that science is a process. · 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. · 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 Points o Tests (3 to 4 per quarter) 75-100 each test o Homework, Quizzes, Labs, Fieldwork 300-400 per quarter o Coursework · Tests o 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). · Quizzes o 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. · Activities o 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. o Field work: students will engage in 4 hours of field work during the school year to experience biology in action! · Laboratory Work o 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. · Homework o 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. · Lecture o 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 · Late Assignments o 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 · MOLECULES AND CELLS 25% o Biological Chemistry 07% Water, Organic molecules in organisms, Free energy changes, Enzymes o Cells 10% Prokaryotic and eukarytoic cells, Membranes, Subcellular organization, Cell cycle and its regulation o Cellular Energetics 08% Coupled reactions, Fermentation and cellular respiration, Photosynthesis · HEREDITY AND EVOLUTION 25% o Heredity 08% Meiosis and gametogenesis, Eukaryotic chromosomes, Inheritance patterns o Molecular Genetics 09% RNA and DNA structure and function, Gene regulation, Mutation, Viral structure and replication, Nucleic acid technology and applications o Evolutionary Biology
08% Early evolution of life, Evidence for evolution, Mechanisms for evolution · ORGANISMS AND POPULATIONS 50% o Diversity of Organisms 08% Evolutionary patterns, Survey of the diversity of life, Phylogenetic classification, Evolutionary relationships o Structure and Function of Plants and Animals 32% Reproduction, growth, and development Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations, Response to the environment o Ecology 10% Population dynamics, Communities and ecosystems, Global issues 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 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: UV Beads Chemistry: pH lab, build molecular models Cell Function and energy: Lab 1, Lab 4, Lab 5, plasmolysis lab, Stomata lab 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 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 Formal lab report write-ups will be required for specified labs, to be determined during the course.
Chapter 1: Biology Survey Quiz Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life Quiz Chapter 3 Water and the Fitness....Quiz Chapter 4: CARBON!! It's All about the....Quiz Chapter 5: Macromolecules Quiz Chemistry Test Chapter 6: A Tour of the Cell Chapter 7: Membrane Structure and Function Quiz Cell Structure and Function Test Chapter 8: An Introduction to Metabolism Quiz Chapter 9: Cellular Respiration Quiz Chapter 10: Photosynthesis Quiz Metabolism, Respiration and Photosynthesis Test Chapter 12: The Cell Cycle Mitosis Quiz Chapter 13: Meiosis and SEXual Life Cycles Quiz Mitosis and Meiosis Test Chapter 14: Mendelian Genetics Quiz Chapter 15: Chromosomes Quiz Chapter 16: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance Quiz Chapter 17: From Gene to Protein Quiz DNA and Protein Synthesis Test (follows instruction on Chapters 16-19) Chapter 20: DNA Technology and Genomics Semester 1 Final Exam Chapter 21: The Genetic Basis of Development Quiz Chapter 22: Descent With Modification Quiz Chapter 23: The Evolution of Populations Quiz Chapter 24: The Origin of Species Quiz Evolution Test (Chapters 21-24) Chapters 29, 30: Plant Diversity Quiz Chapter 50-55: Ecology Grande Quiz (Order in sequence may be rearranged) Chapter 32: Animal Diversity Quiz Chapter 33: Invertebrates Quiz Chapter 34: Vertebrates! Quiz Chapter 40: Animal Form and Function Quiz Chapter 41: Animal Nutrition Quiz Chapter 42: Circulation and Gas Exchange Quiz Chapter 43: The Immune System Quiz Chapter 44: Osmoregulation and Excretion Quiz Chapter 45: Hormones Quiz Chapter 46: Animal Reproduction Quiz Chapter 47: Animal Development Quiz Chapter 48: Nervous System Quiz Chapter 49: Sensory and Motor Mechanisms Quiz Chapter 35: Plant Development Quiz Chapter 36: Transport in Vascular Plants Quiz Chapter 37: Plant Nutrition Quiz Chapter 38: Angiosperms!! Quiz Chapter 39: Plant Responses Quiz Plants Test (Chapters 35-39)
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. Grades
Final 200 each semester
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Evolution 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Cell Structure: dissect earthworm, cell microscopy lab,
Mitosis and Meiosis: Lab 3
Semester 2
A.P. Biology Scheduled Assessments
Semester 2 Final Exam/Practice AP Exam (Cumulative)
Routine:For each assigned chapter, read chapter and complete outline notes in notebook, complete any assigned homework or worksheets and chapeter quizzes in the text and study guide. 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 CD for practice, animations, diagrams, etc. Extra credit will be assigned for completion and submission of on-line quiz scores.
Galapagos Blue-Footed Boobie
See the baby underneath the parent?

