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
