AP BiologyDr. Sandhya Das

Ball High School

AP Biology

Dr. Sandhya Das

Course Syllabus

2017-2018

COURSE TITLE: AP Biology

Welcome back to school and to the AP Biology Program! I am so very excited that you have chosen to take this college level class this year

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is structured around the four big ideas and the enduring understandings identified in the Curriculum Framework.All essential knowledge will be taught and all learning objectives will be addressed through this curriculum. The course will focus on inquiry-based laboratory work and the use of the seven science practices in both lab and non-lab activities.

The four Big ideas are:

Big idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

Big idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis.

Big idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes.

Big idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

Students will be given a copy of the big ideas and enduring understandings

Attached please find a detailed copy of the curriculum as suggested by the College Board that will be followed this year.

GRADING SYSTEM:

For the grading system, kindly refer the GISD student Handbook. Students will be graded as follows:

  • Performance Grade (tri-weekly Tests, Quizzes and Projects)
  • Formative Grade (Portfolio, Classwork and Homework)
  • Final exam Grade

REQUISITES:

Students are required to complete a Biology course by the end of grade 10 and an Algebra 1 course by the end of grade 9.

REFERENCES:

Please visit the AP Biology section on the College Board website for details regarding this program.

Please refer theAP Biology Course Overview(PDF)and AP Biology Course & Exam Description(PDF).

MATERIALS NEEDED

  • Three Ring Binder (1 ½ to 2 in minimum)
  • Composition notebook (not spiral)
  • Tabs for the binder (binder tabs that can be labeled – style does not matter)
  • 6 dividers for the binder
  • One package of disinfecting wipes (generic is fine)
  • Pen (blue or black ink only for daily use – replace as necessary)
  • For all lab journaling, pencils are NOT acceptable. Make sure you always have a pen.
  • Flash drive – this is recommended for any student that does not have internet access at home.

The school will provide the following: labcoat, safety glasses, gloves and lab journal.

Textbook- Campbell Biology- 9th Edition -A classroom set will be provided.

PORTFOLIO

You will be keeping a portfolio of all the work you do throughout your 2 semesters in this program. You will be given guidelines on what are the components of this portfolio. This is an excellent tool for you to use at the end of this intense curriculum to showcase all the skills and knowledge you have gained. You will turn in the portfolio for a portion of your grade. DO NOT THROW ANYTHING AWAY during the semester as it maybe needed as you build your portfolio.

WRITING COMPONENT

  • For each unit, there will be notes, activities, homework, classwork, labs, lab write-ups, projects, notebook work etc. in which the students will demonstrate their mastery of the writing process. You will be asked to write professional level discussions and conclusions. This is often one of the hardest tasks to get used to in the beginning. Make sure you are putting forth your best effort at all times.

PLAGIARISM / ACADMEIC DISHONESTY

  • Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are serious offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort.
  • Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used.
  • To represent ideas or interpretations taken from any sources without giving credit is a flagrant act.
  • To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism.
  • To use another student’s work is also plagiarism
  • Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty will receive a “zero” for that assignment/ test. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
  • Your work represents your integrity as a professional. Make sure you always work toward having high standards and thus a respectable reputation as a professional.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1.Be on time - this means inside the room when the bell rings with all materials ready - we have many activities to do this year and we need every minute to get them done.

2.Wear appropriate clothing. (1) Follow the school dress code (2) but also follow our Laboratory dress code. We will do many labs and you will need to wear proper clothes and shoes. Make sure you pay attention for upcoming lab dates so that you dress appropriately.

3.Closed toed shoes for all labs: If you don’t have closed toed shoes on a lab day, you cannot participate in the lab! This means you lose your lab participation points.

4.Be RESPECTFUL of yourself, your classmates, and your teachers!

5.Take responsibility for your work in all situations.

  1. Missed work:Students who are absent the day homework is assigned have until the day after the assigned due date to turn the work in for full credit (For example: If you are absent on Sept. 16th, and homework is assigned during that class to be due Sept 18th, you would have until Sept 19th to turn the work in for full credit.).

It is up to the student to arrange times for make-ups if they are absent for tests, labs, or quizzes. Make-up sessions should be scheduled for tutoring times immediately upon the students return. Students will be given advanced notice of upcoming Tests and Quizzes;therefore, students are expected to be prepared to make-up the missed test or quiz immediately upon their return.

A student who knows they will be absent from class on a particular date (due to sports, vacations, academic activities, etc.) is still expected to hand in any work that was assigned to be due for that day. You may hand in work the day before it is due, or the morning of, but any work handed in later than the assigned class time will be counted as late.

If you are having trouble with the content of class, please seek help! I am more than willing to help you in any way that I can, but you have to let me know that you need help. My tutoring times are: Monday- 4:00pm-5:15pm and Thursday 7:15am- 8:00am.

7.NO CHEATING - this includes copying conclusion questions, tests, homework,

etc. from any source. NO FORM OF CHEATING WILL BE TOLERATED. Both the copier and the one who allows the other to copy will receive a zero on the assignment and an office referral!

8.Follow all lab procedures - no goofing off, everyone mustactively participate in the lab activities; no standing back and just watching. Absolutely no eating, drinking or chewing gum in the class and lab area. Doing so is a huge health risk!

9.Follow ALL lab protocols - wear your protective goggles, gloves, and aprons at all times during labs! Failure to follow lab dress code during labs and/or participate will cause your lab privileges to be suspended for the day and/or detention and/or administrator involvement.

10.Work should be turned in ON TIME, COMPLETED and at the ASSIGNED STATION.

All late work will be graded according to GISD policies for the same ( )

Days Late / Penalty off
Assessed Grade
No less than
1 Day / 30 points
No less than
2 Days / 40 points
No less than
3 Days / 50 points

Any work that is not at the assigned station will not be graded immaterial of it being on time or not. All late work should be handed to me personally in my hands.

KINDLY RETURN THIS SECTION TO THE TEACHER by _____09/12/2017______:

I have reviewed the attached course syllabus, rules, and procedures for AP Biology. I understand that I/ my child must comply with the expectations.

Student Name:______Student signature:______

Parent Name:______Parent signature:______

Parent email address: ______

Best phone no. to contact parent: ______

Date: ______

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