AP® BIOLOGY
SYLLABUS
PHILOSOPHY
The process of science is the most important concept that I can teach my students. It is the foundation by which we base all of our modern lives. Through scientific discovery we can understand our natural world and learn how to exist within its ever-changing and truly revolutionary forces such as the natural forces that shape our environment and how life responds through evolution. I believe that the best way to teach students science is by doing.
COURSE OVERVIEW
This AP Biology course is aligned to the standards instituted by the College Board and covers all topics outlined in the AP Biology Course Description. This course will emphasize the biological concepts of Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations. This class will stress science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts and the recognition of evolution as the foundation of modern biological models and thought [C4] [C5].
Students will demonstrate the above said course topics by:
· Content knowledge and skills acquired in the 12 Recommended AP® Biology Labs [C8], Exams, Lecture/Discussions and Problems in which students will:
o Apply biological knowledge and critical thinking to environmental and social concerns[C7]
o Understand the process of science. [C4]
o Identify and interpret patterns collected in data to solve scientific problems. [C5]
Textbook Biology, 7th Edition, Campbell/Reece, 2005
Companion AP Test Prep Workbook for Campbell, Biology, 7th Edition 2005.
AP® Biology Lab Manual for Students.
Additional labs above and beyond the 12 Recommended AP Labs [C8] will be teacher-generated.
Topics / Units / Explanation of UnitsMolecules and Cells / 5 / 1) Science as a process
2) Inorganic Chemistry
3) Organic Chemistry
4) Evolution of Cells
5) Evolution of Cellular Energetics
Heredity and Evolution / 4 / 1) Heredity
2) Molecular Genetics
3) Viruses, Prions and emerging technology.
4) Evolutionary Biology
Organisms and Populations / 7 / 1) Evolutionary Patterns
2) Survey of the Diversity of Life
3) Classification of Evolutionary Relationships
4) Structure and Function of Plants
5) Structure and Function of Animals
6) Ecology
7) Ecological Issues
BIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS:
TOPIC: Molecules and CellsRepresents 25% of the Material Covered in this Course (Term One)
Overview Units:
(1) Science as a Process.
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology emphasizing an understanding of science as a process rather than an accumulation of facts. [C4]
(2) Inorganic Chemistry
· Students will review the essential characteristics of chemistry including but not limited to periodic properties that govern bonding, energy levels, and electron affinity.[C6]
(3) Organic Chemistry
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for the chemistry of life. Which include the characteristics of water, macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), energy within a system and how it can change form yet remain constant, and the biological importance of globular proteins (Enzymes) and how they regulate metabolic functions. [C6]
(4) Evolution of Cells
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding the complexity of cellular function through the perspective of evolutionary changes that lead to structural and physiological adaptations that lead to the emergence of eukaryotic cells from a prokaryotic ancestor. [C4] [C5] [C6]
(5) Evolution of Cellular Energetics
· Students will be provided an opportunity to understand the cyclic relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration and how the continued evolution of structural and physiological components of these metabolic reactions leads to the evolution and advancement of eukaryotic cells. [C4] [C5] [C6] / Week / Units / Reading / Assignments/
Activities / Labs
1 / 1, 2 / 1.1-1.6
2.1-2.4 / ------/ Inquiry
Mythbusters(1)
2 / 3 / 3.1-3.3
4.1-4.3
5.1-5.5 / Problem Set #1
25 Latin/Greek Roots / AP LAB 1(2)
3 / 4 / 6.1-6.7
7.1-7.5 / Campbell’s AP Study Guide Chpt 1 / AP LAB 2(3)
Lactose Intolerane(4)
4 / 4 / 11.1-11.4
12.1-12.3 / Problem Set #2
25 Latin/Greek Roots
Nova “Cancer Warrior” / AP LAB 3(5)
5 / 4, 5 / 8.1-8.5 / Demonstration of Plant Growth vs. Wavelength
AP Study Guide Chpt 2 (Part 1) / ------
6 / 5 / 9.1-9.6 / Problem Set #3
25 Latin/Greek Roots
AP Study Guide Chpt 2 (Part II) / AP LAB 4(6)
Calorimeter(7)
7 / 5 / 10.1-10.4 / Midterm Review—Strategies for Success / AP LAB 5(8)
Students will receive 47hrs of Instruction for Units 1-5. of which students will engage in 15.5 hrs of hands-on Labs, which will comprise 33% of all instruction time. Labs will be conducted in class and on mandatory Wednesday and Saturday lab classes.
TOPIC: Heredity and Evolution [C2]
Represents 25% of the Material Covered in this Course (Term One)
Overview Units:
(6) Heredity.
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the patterns of inheritance and how the process of meiosis is the source of all genetic variation within sexual organism and we will specifically focus on how mutation has lead to the evolution and diversity of life. [C2] [C4] [C5] [C6]
(7) Molecular Genetics
· Students will be given a framework to understand the genetic code of life, the structure and function of RNA and DNA and how our bodies control gene expression, and how we can attempt through science to alter our genetic code. [C2] [C4] [C6] [C7]
(8) Viruses, Prions and emerging technology.
· Students will be given an opportunity to develop an understanding regarding how science continues to develop its understanding of life and how technology can aid us in that understanding regarding viral structure and replication and an discuss how emerging scientific methods can manipulating the genome. [C2] [C4] [C6] [C7]
(9) Evolutionary Biology
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding regarding the complexity of life and how that complexity arises due to evolutionary forces. This topic will cover the evidence for evolution, the origin of the species, and events that lead to evolutionary changes of early life. [C2] [C4] [C5] [C6] / Week / Units / Reading / Assignments/
Activities / Labs
8 / 6 / 13.1-13.4
14.1-14.4 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots / AP LAB 7(1)
9 / 6,7 / 15.1-15.5
16.1-16.2
17.1-17.7 / Problem Set #4
Paper: Analyze how the scientific advances in stem cell research will affect society? [C7] / AP LAB 7(1)
AP LAB 6(2)
10 / 7,8 / 20.1-20.3, 20.5
21.1-21.4
18.1-18.4 / AP STUDY GUIDE Chpt 3
25 Greek/Latin Roots / Simulated
Epidemic(3)
11 / 9 / 22.1-22.3
23.1-23.4 / Problem Set #5 / AP LAB 8(4)
12 / 9 / 24.1-24.3 / AP Study Guide Chapter 4
FINAL
Students will receive 35hrs of Instruction for Units 6-9, of which students will engage in 11.5 hrs of hands-on Labs, which will comprise 33% of all instruction time. Labs will be conducted in class and on mandatory Wednesday and Saturday lab classes.
TOPIC: Organisms and Populations [C3]
Represents 50% of the Material Covered in this Course (TERM 2)
Overview Units:
(10) Diversity of Organisms
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop a continuing look at how evolutionary forces drive changes creating the diversity of organisms—where students will analyze evolutionary patterns, survey the diversity of life, analyze and interpret phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships through classification.[C3] [C6] [C5]
(11) Structure and Function of Plants
· Students will be given a framework to understand and explore the evolution, diversity, and specialized adaptations (structural/behavioral/physiological) of plants. Students will gain insight regarding reproduction, growth, development, and how plants have evolved specialized responses to their environment.[C3] [C5] [C6]
(12) Structure and Function of Animals
· Students will be given a framework to understand and explore the evolution, diversity, and specialized adaptations (structural/behavioral/physiological) of animals. Students will gain insight regarding reproduction, growth, and development, with a focus on behaviorism. [C3] [C5] [C6]
(13) Ecology
· Students will be provided an opportunity to develop an understanding regarding the complexity of life and the delicate balance of an ecosystem. Students will be able to connect how evolutionary forces change and influence ecosystems and be able to analyze the effects of global issues on populations, communities and entire ecosystems. [C3] [C5] [C6] [C7]
/ Week / Units / Reading / Assignments/Activities / Labs
13 / 10 / 25.1-25.5
26.1-26.6 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots / Classification Lab(1)
14 / 10 / 27.1-27.5
28.1, 28.8
31.1-31.4 / Problem Set 6
AP Study Guide Chapter 5
15 / 11 / 29.1-29.4
30.1-30.4 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots / Field Trip: Specimen Collection and Identification(2)
16 / 11 / 35.1-35.5
36.1-36.5 / Problem Set 7 / AP LAB 9 (3)
17 / 11 / 37.3-37.4
38.1, 38.4
39.1-39.5 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots
AP Study Guide Chapter 6
18 / 12 / 40.1-40.5
41.1-41.5 / MIDTERM / Cat Dissection(4)
19 / 12 / 42.1-42.6
43.1-43.5 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots / AP LAB 10(5)
20 / 12 / 45.1-45.4
46.1-46.5 / Problem Set 8 / Field Trip:
OHSU Cadaver Lab(6) Primate Research Facility
21 / 12 / 47.1-47.3
48.1-48.4 / 25 Greek/Latin Roots / AP LAB 11 (7)
22 / 12,13 / 50.1-50.4
51.1-51.6 / Problem Set 9
AP Study Guide Chapter 7 / AP LAB 12(8)
23 / 13 / 52.1-52.6
53.1-53.5 / Field Trip
Collect Data on Ochre Star as a Keystone Species(9)
24 / 13 / 54.1-54.4
55.1-55.5 / AP Study Guide Chapter 8
FINAL
Students will receive 96hrs of Instruction for Units 10-13, of which students will engage in 43 hrs of hands-on Labs, which will comprise 45% of all instruction time. Labs will be conducted in class and on mandatory Wednesday and Saturday lab classes.
LABORATORY REQUIREMENTS
The lab component of this class is vital to the students’ success not only to do well in this class but also to do well on the AP test. Students must master at minimum the skills and concepts from the 12 laboratory experiments on the following topics:
1. Diffusion and Osmosis
2. Enzyme Catalysis
3. Mitosis and Meiosis
4. Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
5. Cell Respiration
6. Molecular Biology
7. Genetics of Organisms
8. Population Genetics and Evolution
9. Transpiration
10. Physiology of the Circulatory System
11. Animal Behavior
12. Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
In addition to lab work conducted during school hours, students will need to participate in laboratory work outside of normal class time in order to spend sufficient time engaging in scientific inquiry through hands-on labs. Students will be required to attend mandatory lab sessions every other Wednesday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm and one Saturday a month from 8am – 12pm. [C8]
In addition to the 12 Recommended AP Labs, students will also participate in the following hands on labs—all teacher generated.
(1) Student Directed Inquiry “Mythbusters”
(2) Enzymes—Lactose Intolerance Case Study (Intro Lac Operon)
(3) Simulated Epidemic—Bird Flu
(4) Phylum Classification Lab (Specimens with Dissection)
(5) Collection of Plant Specimens and Classification
(6) Cat Dissection (Systematic Overview of Organ Systems)
(7) Hands-On Cadaver Lab at OHSU
(8) Field Study on Keystone species and Biodiversity
The following information was obtained from the AP Biology Course Description and provides a basis for curriculum in this class. http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/05837apcoursdescbio06_4312.pdf
Major Themes:
Students will demonstrate their proficiency in the following themes through reading the text and primary sources, research papers, labs, and class discussions (Socratic Seminars)
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
The eight major themes will be integrated into the following topic outline, which is the core curriculum for this AP Biology Class.
Topic Outline
Topic Percentage of Course
I. Molecules and Cells [C1]………………………………………25% (Term A) UNITS #
A. Chemistry of Life…………………….. 7% 2-3
Water
Organic molecules in organisms
Free energy changes
Enzymes
B. Cells………………………………….. 10% 4
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Membranes
Subcellular organization
Cell cycle and its regulation
C. Cellular Energetics…………………… 8% 5
Coupled Reactions
Fermentation and Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
II. Heredity and Evolution [C2]……………………………………25% (Term A)
A. Heredity ……………………………… 8% 6
Meiosis and gametogenesis
Eukaryotic chromosomes
Inheritance patterns
B. Molecular Genetics…………………… 9% 7-8
RNA and DNA structure and function
Gene Regulation
Mutation
Viral Structure and Replication
Nucleic acid technology and applications
C. Evolutionary Biology…………………. 8% 9
Early evolution of life
Evidence for evolution
Mechanisms of evolution
III. Organisms and Populations [C3]……………………………… 50% (Term B)
A. Diversity of Organisms………………. 8% 10
Evolutionary Patterns
Survey of the diversity of life
Phylogenetic classification
Evolutionary Relationships
B. Structure and Function of Plants and Animals ……. 32% 11-12
Reproduction, growth, and development
Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations
Response to the environment
C. Ecology ………………………………. 10% 13
Population Dynamics
Communities and ecosystems
Global Issues
TEACHING STRATEGIES:
To help prepare students for the AP Exam, I will utilize authorized AP multiple choice and essay questions for midterm and final examinations, and use a variety personal assessment tools for weekly quizzes. Students will be required to attend weekly review session focusing on content review and test taking strategies.
Students will be encouraged to form study groups to facilitate learning.
I will use technology in lecture and lab components, utilizing microscope cameras, smart boards, PowerPoint’s (available to students), list of internet resources and tutorials, field trips, and the use of Socratic Seminar for discussions.
ASSESSMENTS:
Students will be assessed during weekly quizzes on previously covered material and on their bi-monthly Greek and Latin root word lists. Students will also be assessed on discussions about primary articles, problems sets, and study guide review assignments. Students will be asked to maintain a laboratory manual where they will collect evidence to demonstrate their understanding of science as a process. Students will be asked to write up a formal lab report for each of the 12 AP recommended Labs where they will be required to include: title, question, background information, hypothesis statement/purpose, procedure, data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis (findings, errors, limitations, application for further study) Students will also complete a comprehensive midterm and final.