AP Biology Syllabus
2011 - 2012
GENERAL INFORMATION
Teacher: Pamela Bowman
Room #: G115
Text: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (Starr and Taggart; 10th edition)
Required Materials: 3-ringed binder (at least 2”), 4 dividers (notes, homework, lab, exams), paper, pen, pencil, colored pencils, highlighter, scientific calculator
TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION
Available Times: planning period (3rd period) or after school
Tutoring: available on a per need basis or afternoons before exams
School Phone: (704) 876-4191 x1395
E-mail Address:
Website Address: http://iss.schoolwires.com//Domain/3017
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
AP Biology is a college level, in-depth study of living things. This course will emphasize application, processes, and critical thinking over simple memorization of facts. An excellent work ethic is expected since this course mimics a college biology course. In this course, advanced concepts of biology will be taught through lecture, hands-on activities and labs, independent research, group inquiry and discussion, and readings (books, articles, etc.). Lab work will compose at least 25% of the course time.
This course will cover all topics set forth by the AP College Board in the AP Biology Course Description. There are three major topics that will be further subdivided into subtopics. These topics are:
1. Molecules and Cells
2. Heredity and Evolution
3. Organisms and Populations
Furthermore, these topics will be integrated into the eight major themes from the AP Biology Curriculum Requirements:
· Science as Process
· Evolution
· Continuity and Change
· Energy Transfer
· Relationship of Structure to Function
· Regulation
· Interdependence in Nature
· Science, Technology, and Society
Evolution is considered to be the central theme in biology. Although this topic is stressed in a major unit, threads of evolution will be seen in lectures, labs, and activities throughout the course of the year. For example, the genetic code is universal, suggesting evolution from a common ancestor. Students will be required to make connections between every unit and evolution.
Course Planner (tentative)
First SemesterUnit / Topics / Readings/General Assignments / Labs/Projects/Demos / Length
Themes, Scientific Method, Intro to FRQ / Lab #11 – Animal Behavior / ½ week
13 / Ecology
- populations, communities,
ecosystems, biomes, biosphere
- conservation biology / (Summer Reading and Worksheets)
Chapters 45, 47-50, 27 / Mark and Recapture Activity
Graveyard Data Lab
Lab #12 – Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity
Biome Project
GSMNP Field Trip on 9/22 / 2 weeks
1 / Chemistry and Biochemistry
- chemistry
- water
- carbon
- macromolecules
* I will be available for tutoring afterschool for those who have not had chemistry yet. / Chapters 1-3
Journal article / pH Activity with cabbage juice indicator
Organic Models
Macromolecule Lab / 1 ½ weeks
2 / Cells
- cell organelles
- types of cells
- microscopy
- plasma membrane
- types of cell
transport
- cell communication/signaling / Chapters 4 and 5, 28.5
Supplemental Reading on signaling / Cell Organelle Collage
Compound Microscopy
Lab #1 – Diffusion and Osmosis
Cell Size Lab / 3 weeks
3 / Cell Energetics
- metabolism
- cell respiration
- photosynthesis / Chapters 6 – 8 / Lab #2 – Enzyme Catalysis
Lab #5 – Cell Respiration
Lab #4 – Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis / 2 ½ weeks
4 / Cell Reproduction
- mitosis
- meiosis / Chapters 9 and 10 / Lab #3 – Mitosis and Meiosis / 1 ½ weeks
5 / Heredity
- Mendelian genetics
- complex inheritance patterns
- chromosomal basis of inheritance / Chapters 11 and 12
Journal article / Probability Activity
Lab #7 – Genetics of Organisms
Corn Genetics / 2 weeks
6 / Molecular Genetics
- DNA and RNA structure
- replication, transcription,
translation
- eukaryotic gene regulation / Chapters 13 – 15
Journal article / DNA or other model / 2 ½ weeks
7 / Recombinant DNA Technology
- microbe genetics
- recombination technology / Chapter 16
Journal article / Lab #6 – Molecular Biology
Genetics Ethics Debates / 1 ½ weeks
Second Semester
Unit / Topics / Readings/General Assignments / Labs/Projects/Demos / Length
8 / Evolution
- Darwin, descent with
modification, and natural selection
- population genetics
- speciation
- early earth and origin of life / Chapters 17 – 20
Journal article / Natural Selection Activity
Lab #8 Population Genetics and Evolution / 2 weeks
9 / Viruses, Prokaryotes, Protists, Fungi
- diversity
- structure/function / Chapters 21, 22, 24, and 28
Journal article / Gram staining lab
Protist Lab
Importance of fungi presentations / 2 weeks
10 / Plants
- diversity
- structure and growth
- transport
- nutrition
- reproduction
- control systems / Chapters 23, 29 – 32
Article Summary from NC Wildlife Magazine / Lab #9 – Transpiration
Microscope Drawings of Plant Parts
Flower Dissection / 3 weeks
11 / Animal Diversity
- invertebrates
- vertebrates
- behavior / Chapters 25, 26, and 46
Article Summary from NC Wildlife Magazine / Dissections:
- worm
- grasshopper
- crayfish
- fish
- frog / 3 weeks
12 / Animal Structure and Function
- nutrition
- circulation
- immunity
- homeostasis
- chemical signals and the nervous
system
- reproduction and development / Chapters 33 – 44 / Lab # 10 – Physiology of Circulatory System
Fetal Pig Dissection / 3 weeks
Review / 2 weeks
Study Sessions (after school) and AP exam (May 14, 2012, morning)
Insect Study and Collection
TENTATIVE HOMEWORK, PROJECT, AND EXAM DATES FOR FIRST 9 WEEKS (through OCT 27)
Date / Assignment/Exam8/25/11 / Ecology Packets Due (Chapter 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 27)
8/29/11 / Quiz on Intro Material
Animal Behavior Lab (Lab #11) Presentations
8/30/11 / Mark and Recapture Activity Due (will be completed in class)
8/31/11 / Graveyard Data Due
9/1/11 / Graveyard Lab Due
9/2/11 / Top 3 Colleges Research Due
9/6/11 / Work on Biome Presentation During Class
9/7/11 / Biome Presentations
9/8/11 / Lab #12 Prelab Due
9/12/11 / Lab #12 Due (Worksheets)
9/12/11 / Afternoon Study Session for Ecology Exam (optional)
9/13/11 / Ecology Exam
9/14/11 / Chapter 2 Packet Due
9/19/11 / Chapter 3 Packet Due
9/20/11 / Macromolecule Lab Due
9/22/11 / Field Trip to GSMNP (must complete alternative assignment if unable to attend)
9/22/11 / Study Session on Bus for Biochemistry Exam
9/23/11 / Biochemistry Exam
9/26/11 / Chapter 4 Packet Due
9/26/11 / Work on Cell Parts Presentation During Class
9/27/11 – 9/28/11 / Cell Parts Presentations
9/29/11 / Cell Organelle Model Due
10/4/11 / Microscope Lab Due
10/5/11 / Chapter 5 Packet Due
10/6/11 / Lab #1 Prelab Due
10/10/11 / Submission of Lab #1 Group Lab Report Rough Draft (optional)
10/12/11 / Cell Size Lab Due
10/12/11 / Supplemental Reading on Cell Signaling Due
10/13/11 / Lab #1 Group Lab Report Due
10/13/11 / Afternoon Study Session for Cell Exam (optional)
10/14/11 / Cell Exam
10/17/11 / Chapter 6 Packet Due
10/19/11 / Lab #2 Prelab Due
10/20/11 / Chapter 8 Packet Due
10/24/11 / Lab #2 Individual Lab Report Due
10/25/11 / Lab #5 Prelab Due
10/26/11 / Chapter 7 Packet Due
“Failure to plan on your part does not require an emergency on my part!”
COURSE GRADING
A grade will be issued based on a points system. Students are expected to examine graded work and check for inconsistencies.
Exams: 70 – 80 points each
Unit exams will be made to mimic the AP biology exam. There will be a multiple choice section and a free-response section. Each exam will have 45 minutes to complete 60 multiple choice questions and 22 minutes per essay question to complete 1-2 free response essay questions. Writing in complete sentences is a requirement for the essay questions! Most exam questions will be accessible through the course website. There will be some questions from chapter reading on each exam.
Quizzes: 5 – 10 points each
There will be other quizzes during the year to check for understanding and/or completion of readings. These may be announced or unannounced.
Homework: 10 – 20 points each
Chapter readings and practice worksheets will be assigned for each chapter. Completing these assignments is imperative to your success in the class and on tests. The teacher will check some assignments for completeness with a sight check. Other assignments will be graded for completeness and accuracy. The selection of these assignments will be at random. Journal article summaries will also be assigned.
Lab Reports: 50 points each
Students will complete lab reports on some of the required labs. Guidelines for these lab reports will be handed out at a later time. Some lab reports will be submitted individually (#2, #7, and #9), while some lab report will be submitted as a group (#1 and #5). Lab #11 (animal behavior) will be reported orally as a group.
Lab Abstracts: 25 points each
An abstract is a summary of what was done in a lab and the outcomes of that lab. A sample abstract will be handed out to serve as a template. The labs that will require an abstract are #10, the first part of #6, and the last part of #4.
Lab Notebook Checks and Lab Worksheets: 25 points each
Some labs will simply be graded using the student lab notebook or worksheets that accompany labs. The AP labs that will be graded this way are #3, #8, #12, the first part of #4, and the last part of #6.
Lab Practicals: 20 points each
Lab practicals are quizzes to check understanding about a lab. They will be given upon completion of some labs.
Projects: 25 – 50 points each
Various projects will be assigned throughout the year to complete individually or as a group.
Other things affecting your grade:
· Cheating on a test results in a grade of 0.
· Make-up work is expected to be completed and turned in within 5 days of being absent. Check the schedule for what you missed. Check your green folder for notes/handouts. Work not made up will be recorded as 0 until made up.
· Late work WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
· Absences and tardies may affect your grade. (Review the school attendance policy.)
· Missed labs
o AP labs have difficult set-ups, and dates for labs will be given well in advance. Therefore, makeup labs will not be allowed. You may miss one lab per semester with an excused absence, but you are still required to do the pre-lab exercise, to obtain the data from your group members, and do the lab assignment. Any labs missed thereafter will be counted as a zero unless there are unavoidable circumstances.
· Labs are very involved and you must be prepared. Failure to complete pre-lab exercises will result in not being allowed to attend lab. Not attending lab because of this reason will result in no credit for the lab assignment.
OTHER INFO:
Tutoring/Group Study Sessions: Students are welcome to come in afterschool for tutoring or group study sessions. You must check teacher availability on the calendar and sign up for a time slot. Students are encouraged to form study groups outside of school as well. There will be study sessions during the afternoon one day before the test.
Field Trip: During the course of the year, the students may take a field trip to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Here, the students will learn about several different types of organisms in the park (for examples, wildflowers and salamanders) and about the park’s ecology.
The students will also learn about the park’s long-term project, the All Taxa Biodiversity Index or ATBI. The ATBI is an effort to identify all species in the park and their interrelationships. This information will further be used to drive conservation efforts and monitor effects of pollution on the park species.
Final Project: After taking the AP biology exam, students will spend the remainder of the year compiling an insect collection. The students will learn field techniques such as using aspirators and nets to catch insects. They will also participate in stringent data collection. Then, students will proceed to identify the insects (down to the family) using insect guides and dichotomous keys. Finally, students will learn correct pinning techniques and use this information to compose their collections.