AP Biology
Course Requirements and Procedures
Mr. Wilson
Course Overview
AP biology is a college course taught in the high school. Colleges expect students to have had an equivalent experience to the freshman biology course that they offer. Many colleges give credit for introductory biology if you receive a 3 or higher on the AP exam if you are not a science major. I recommend that you contact the university to inquire about their AP credit acceptance policy. AP biology is an excellent preparation for future college science classes and will definitely give you a head start.
Topics that we will cover include biochemistry and cells, animal systems, genetics and heredity, ecology and evolution, classification, animal behavior, plants, photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Each student enrolled in the course is required to take the AP biology exam. The two part exam consists of a multiple choice section (100 questions) and a free response section (4 questions). Failure to take the AP biology exam will result in a letter grade reduction for the AP biology course. The cost of the test is paid for by the district.
General Expectations
§ Come in for help if you are having difficulty with a topic.
§ Be in class, seated and ready to learn.
§ Treat everyone with respect.
§ Be prepared. Late work is not accepted. AP biology moves at a fast pace and failure to complete coursework will result in you falling behind!
§ Make every effort. This includes retakes and taking advantage of any extra credit opportunities.
§ Participate.
Test Taking Procedures & Academic Dishonesty Policy
Any violations of the following will result in a grade of “0” and a “U” in citizenship and may result in further disciplinary action.
1. All backpacks and papers will be placed in the front of the room.
2. There is to be no communication of any kind once the tests are handed out and until the testing session is over. This includes cell phones.
3. Eyes must remain on your own tests.
4. Students must never present someone else’s work as their own.
5. Tests may be retaken on your own time, one time. The new score will be averaged with the old. There is a specific time period, generally a week after the first test, in which you can retake the test.
6. If you are absent the first time a test is given, you must take it the day you return. You are unable to retake a test if you are absent for it the first time it’s given.
7. If a test is missing or is removed from the classroom, the student becomes ineligible to retake the test.
8. Students are allowed to retake all unit tests for the course during on an assigned date within one week of the original test. If students are unable to retake the test on the assigned date, they need to arrange with their instructor to retake on a date before the assigned date. If students miss the retake period, they will not be allowed to retake the test.
9. Retake test scores are averaged with the original test score. Students may only retake a test one time and cannot retake a test if they received an 80% or better on an assessment.
Make Up Work
If you were absent the day an assignment was due, it becomes due the day you return. If you are absent the day of a test, you will be taking it in class the day you return. Being absent for the first test makes you ineligible for a retake. This is a college level course taught in the high school- late work is not accepted.
Office Hours
Mornings Monday-Friday
(by appointment only) 7:00-7:45
Afternoons Monday-Friday, Excluding Wednesdays
2:40-3:30
Grades
Grades are not rounded!
A- 90-100%
B- 90-99.9%
C- 70-89.9%
F- <60.0%
You may access your grades online, in the back of my classroom or during my office hours. Assessments are weighted 70%. Assignments, labs, essays, and all other work for the course is weighted 30%.
Materials
Some materials that will be helpful:
#2 pencils
3 ring binder
Composition notebook
highlighters
Cliffs AP Biology book
In addition, there is a flashcard website you will need to use, www.quizlet.com. You will need to register on this site and use it to practice the large number of vocabulary words we will be responsible for over the course of this year. They are separated into units for your convenience. Create an account and search for “gwilson1010.” Then, on the right, is the window, “Classes;” in this window will appear the flashcard groups.
Group Work
Throughout the semester students will be expected to participate in group work. This is an essential skill for scientists and students will work in my class on developing this skill. When working in groups, students will receive a group grade based on the overall work of the group. In certain cases, peer evaluations will be done and will impact individual scores. If a student is having difficulty with their assigned group they need to contact the instructor as soon as possible to resolve the conflict. Difficulty with working with peers will not be accepted as an excuse after the date an assignment is due.
Lab Work
An estimated 30% of the AP exam questions are related in some way to the twelve required AP biology labs. Students will receive a lab packet at the beginning of each semester which contains the protocol and assignments for each lab. Students will receive a lab safety contract, which is attached, and must have this returned to participate in labs. Failure to follow lab rules will result in a removal from lab and a zero on the assignment.
Essay Portfolios
Forty percent of a student’s AP exam score is derived from answering four free response questions/essays. Throughout the semester students will practice answering free response essay questions both in class and out of class as homework. Students will have assigned essays to complete outside of class for each unit. Students are expected to practice answering these questions under timed conditions. They are also expected to grade their responses using a rubric provided to them and to re-write the essay if an average score wasn’t achieved. They will keep their essays in a portfolio that will be collected at the end of the semester. I may pick a few essays from the porfolio to grade. If students haven’t completed these particular essays that were chosen to be graded, they will receive a zero for the assignment even if they have completed the rest of the portfolio.
AP BIOLOGY
Student Name: ______
Period: ______
Dear Parents/Guardians:
I welcome you and your son/daughter to AP biology! The preceding course policies and procedures will be followed during the school year. This information is given to avoid any future questions that may arise concerning conduct and grading policies in my class. Please sign below, indicating that you understand the information provided in this syllabus.
You and your student may access grades online. Grades are generally updated after each major test. All grades are confidential to the student and his/her parents. The grades can only be accessed using the students’ individual password.
Please feel free to contact me with any question or concerns throughout the school year. If you need to reach me please call 623-915-8158 or email me at . I will return your call/email as soon as possible. I look forward to having a wonderful year with your student!
Sincerely,
Glade A. Wilson
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Student signature Date
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Parent signature Date