- About this course
- Contact information
- Class procedures
- Rules and consequences
- Grading
- Tentative schedule
An Overview of the Course, Expectations, Assignments, and Objectives
/ AP
Biology /
Contact Information / What is AP biology?
Name: Julie Doolittle
Phone: 803-266-8028
E-mail:
Website:
Planning: 4th period (1:30 – 3:00) / AP Biology is a fast-paced and challenging class that offers students the opportunity to experience an introductory college-level course. By using the four big ideas, as well as enduring understandings and science practices, students can develop an appreciation for the study of life and understand unifying principles within biology. Scientific inquiry and critical thinking are very important parts of this course; what we know about biology, and science in general, is a result of inquiry. By the end of the year, students will be aware of how other sciences are integrated in the field of biology, understand how species of all kinds are intertwined, and be knowledgeable about biological issues that will undoubtedly impact their lives.
Materials / Biology, 9th ed.,Campbell
3-ring binder
Pens/pencils
Paper
Index cards
Calculator / Big Ideas
- The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.
- Biological systems utilize free energy and molecule building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.
- Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
- Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.
Nitty-Gritty Details /
Attendance: You are expected to be in class, prepared, and seated when the bell rings. Please remember the tardy sweep policy – no one is to be out of class the first or last 15 minutes of each period. Make sure you are in the door when the bell rings. Don’t run!
Late Work: Unacceptable – you need to meet your deadlines. I will deduct major points for late work.
Make-Up Work: It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain any missed work. I will usually leave it for you in your folder. Make-up assignments need to be turned in within three days, tests and labs within one week. / This and That:
We will work bell-to-bell. Be proud that you’re gaining so much knowledge!
All movement should be conducted with little disruption to the rest of the class. Don’t make a scene; drama is across the hall!
If you need to be excused for whatever reason, ask permission during an appropriate time. In the middle of taking notes or receiving instruction is not an appropriate time.
Being absent the day before a test or major due date does not excuse you from turning in the assignment or taking the test!
Clean up!
No food, drink, gum or cell phones in class.
Behave responsibly in the event of an emergency or any trip out of the classroom.
Ask three, then me.
Please do not crowd me or repetitively yell my name to get my attention/get me to help you. Call me once, I will acknowledge you, and see you as soon as I get a chance.
There will be a lot of work required for this class, both in class and out. If you need help with anything, let me know ahead of time, and not a day before the test or due date. / Points:
Project and Test 50%
Quiz and Lab: 25%
Classwork and homework:
25% / Grades
A = 100 – 93
B = 92 – 86
C = 85 – 78
D = 77 – 70
F = 69 and below
Each semester is 50% of your final grade.
Q1, Q2 = 20%
Midterm = 10%
Q3, Q4 = 20%
Final = 10%
Seniors with a 93+ may exempt the final exam.
Your Responsibilities / My Responsibilities / Some Insight
You will…
Respect others and their property.
Arrive on time and prepared to participate each day.
Read and follow directions the first time.
Conduct all activities, including labs, in a safe manner.
Complete and turn in all assignments promptly.
Ask questions if you do not understand something.
Obey all school rules. / I will…
Create an environment that is student-friendly in which learning can take place for everyone.
Come to class prepared every day.
Design fun and engaging lessons.
Answer your questions and also ask questions that encourage thinking and understanding.
Be accessible outside of class time.
Take your concerns seriously.
Correct incorrect understanding.
Be fair. / We’ll cover a large amount in this class. Keep up!
HW will be frequent and may consist of reading, practice essays, pre- and post-lab write ups, data analysis, etc.
We will do TONS of exam preparation, including practice data-based questions and free response essays.
Each test is a mini-AP exam with multiple choice questions, data sets, and free response questions.
We will read and report on a biology-based novel, as well as have class discussions about it. This year it will be The Hot Zone by Richard Preston.
Students will also engage in current event discussions informed by readings from scientific journals.
Approximately two weeks will be allotted at the end of the year for review.
A released AP exam will be administered in class and graded to give students exposure to the experience of taking an AP exam.
Consequences / Final Thoughts
Verbal or written warning.
Lunch detention and conference.
After school detention and parent contact.
Referral and parent contact.
*Note: Any situation that I deem extreme or is a danger to myself or other students will result in direct contact with the principal. / I am a firm believer in making class fun; that being said, we still have to work – you are in school, after all. Science is a rigorous subject; no matter what branch of it you are in, you will take notes. You will learn a lot of material. You will have a challenging final exam. It won’t be easy, and sometimes it will get boring. It is not only my job, but yours, to make this class interesting. Get all you can. Give all you can. We learn from each other! Remember this – if you’re not learning, chances are someone else isn’t either. Rather than be the cause, try being the solution.
Words of Wisdom…
"The feeling of awed wonder that science can give us is one of the highest experiences of which the human psyche is capable. It is a deep aesthetic passion to rank with the finest that music and poetry can deliver." - Richard Dawkins
Tentative Schedule
Unit / Days / Title/Topic1: Evolution / 9 / Origins of Life and Abiogenesis, Evidence for Evolution, Darwin and Natural Selection; Test 1 – Evol., pt 1
12 / Evolution of Populations, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, Speciation, Phylogeny; Test 2 – Evolution, pt 2
2: Cellular Processes / 11 / Chemical Context of Life, Water and Life, Carbon and Molecular Diversity of Life, Structure and Function of Large Biological Molecules, Enzymes; Test 3 – Biochemistry
9 / Metabolism and Enzymes, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration; Test 4 – Energy and Metabolism
11 / Cell Structure and Function, Endosymbiotic Theory and mtDNA, Transport;
Test 5 – Cell Structure Transport
6 / Cell Communication and Cell Signaling; Test 6 – Cell Communication
7 / Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Cell Division, Cell Cycle Regulation; Test 7 – Cell Cycle
3: Genetics and Info. Transfer / 10 / DNA Structure, DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, Mutations; Test 8 – Central Dogma
7 / Meiosis and Genetics; Test 9 – Genetics
7 / Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gene Regulation; Test 10 – Gene Regulation
6 / Biotechnology; Test 11 – Biotechnology
4: Interactions / 8 / Homeostasis, Nervous System, Endocrine System; Test 12 – Homeostasis Feedback
5 / Respiratory and Circulatory Systems; Test 13 – Respiratory Circulatory Systems
8 / Digestive and Excretory Systems; Test 14 – Digestive Excretory Systems
6 / Immune System; Test 15 – Immune System
6 / Animal Behavior; Test 16 – Animal Behavior
4 / Plant Structure, Plant Transport, Plant Defense and Responses; Test 17 – Plants
14 / Ecology and the Biosphere, Population Ecology, Community Ecology, Nutrient Cycling in Ecosystems, Human Impact; Test 18 – Ecology
Approximately 15 days will be spent reviewing before you take the AP Biology Exam.
After the AP Biology Exam, I hope to take a field trip to Riverbanks Zoo so we can perform an observation-based animal behavior independent study, which you will be expected to write a detailed lab report for. This will be your last assignment for the year.