Course Outline- A.P. Biology

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Course Outline

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP®) BIOLOGY 3-4 Textbook: Campbell, Neil A. 2005. Biology. Seventh edition, with study guideLecture notebook and AP Laboratory manual: provided by instructor Instructor: Ms SimunRedondo Union High School, (310) 798-8665; Voice mail-X4107, E-mail: msimun@rbusd.orgWeb: http://simun.inspiringteachers.com/ PrerequisitesThe 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                                                                 Pointso       Tests (3 to 4 per quarter)                                         75-100 each testo       Homework, Quizzes, Labs, Fieldwork                    300-400 per quartero
      Final                                                                            200 each semester
Coursework· 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). ·        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. ·        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.o       Field work: students will engage in 4 hours of field work during the school year to experience biology in action! ·        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. ·        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.  ·        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 ·        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 BiologyI. 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 regulationo 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 applicationso Evolutionary Biology

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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 developmentStructural, 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 1Biology survey 1Chemistry 2, 3, 4, 5Cell Structure 6, 7Cell Function and energy 8, 9, 10, (11)Mitosis and Meiosis 12, 13Genetics 14, 15, 16, 17Genetic technology 20 Semester 2

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

Plant and animal diversity 29, 30, 32, 33, 34Ecology 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55Animal anatomy and physiology 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49Plant anatomy and physiology 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 Lab Work by Topic: Topic Labs Semester 1Biology survey: UV BeadsChemistry: 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 labGenetic 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 labEcology: LA Co. sanitation sewer science (1 week), Lab 12Animal 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 labPlant anatomy and physiology: Lab 9 Formal lab report write-ups will be required for specified labs, to be determined during the course.

A.P. Biology Scheduled Assessments

Chapter 1: Biology Survey QuizChapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life QuizChapter 3 Water and the Fitness....QuizChapter 4: CARBON!! It's All about the....QuizChapter 5: Macromolecules QuizChemistry TestChapter 6: A Tour of the CellChapter 7: Membrane Structure and Function QuizCell Structure and Function TestChapter 8: An Introduction to Metabolism QuizChapter 9: Cellular Respiration QuizChapter 10: Photosynthesis Quiz Metabolism, Respiration and Photosynthesis TestChapter 12: The Cell Cycle Mitosis QuizChapter 13: Meiosis and SEXual Life Cycles QuizMitosis and Meiosis TestChapter 14: Mendelian Genetics QuizChapter 15: Chromosomes QuizChapter 16: The Molecular Basis of Inheritance QuizChapter 17: From Gene to Protein QuizDNA and Protein Synthesis Test (follows instruction on Chapters 16-19)Chapter 20: DNA Technology and GenomicsSemester 1 Final ExamChapter 21: The Genetic Basis of Development QuizChapter 22: Descent With Modification QuizChapter 23: The Evolution of Populations QuizChapter 24: The Origin of Species QuizEvolution Test (Chapters 21-24)Chapters 29, 30: Plant Diversity QuizChapter 50-55: Ecology Grande Quiz (Order in sequence may be rearranged)Chapter 32: Animal Diversity QuizChapter 33: Invertebrates QuizChapter 34: Vertebrates! QuizChapter 40: Animal Form and Function QuizChapter 41: Animal Nutrition QuizChapter 42: Circulation and Gas Exchange QuizChapter 43: The Immune System QuizChapter 44: Osmoregulation and Excretion QuizChapter 45: Hormones QuizChapter 46: Animal Reproduction QuizChapter 47: Animal Development QuizChapter 48: Nervous System QuizChapter 49: Sensory and Motor Mechanisms QuizChapter 35: Plant Development QuizChapter 36: Transport in Vascular Plants QuizChapter 37: Plant Nutrition QuizChapter 38: Angiosperms!! QuizChapter 39: Plant Responses QuizPlants Test (Chapters 35-39)

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?