AP Biology Course Syllabus 2017-2018

Joanne Johnson

AP Biology 1,2 is a college course designed to integrate an interactive approach to problem solving and concept mastery. The following themes cut across all biology topics studied and serve to unify the diverse topics we explore:

  • Science as a Process
  • Organisms, Populations, and Ecosystems
  • Molecules and Cells
  • Energy Transfer
  • Genetics, Heredity and Evolution
  • Regulation
  • Communication
  • Interdependence in Nature
  • Science, Technology, and Society

Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in science practices designed to coordinate knowledge and skills to accomplish a task or goal.

The AP exam focuses on the following four Big Ideas:

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.

A full AP Biology course and exam description is available on my website.

Course Expectations

Students are to DAILY engage in the activities posted on the class website:

All assignments and course resources are posted on this website.

  • Assignments are to be submitted on or before the posted due date. There is a Late Work penalty of 20%.
  • Lab Reports: All labs must be completed and submitted using the CLEAR Lab Report Template posted on the website.

Grading: ALL points count! Test, quizzes, assignments, labs and projects are given a point value. Grades are calculated as a percentage of total points possible for the grading period: Student earned points X 100 = %

Possible Points

Supplies: Students are expected to have the following items each class:

  • Barron’s AP Biology Review Book (student owned).
  • Pens (blue and red), yellow highlighter, and pencil
  • Computer – fully charged
  • Assignments: due and in process

School Issued Textbooks: Each student must check out a course textbook and AP Exam Review Book from the Library. This text is to be used primarily at home for study and assignments. The test prep review book is to be with the student daily in class.

  • Text: Campbell Biology AP Tenth Editionby Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, and Jackson.
  • Campbell Biology AP Tenth Edition AP Test Prep Workbook (NON-consumable).

AP Exam: The college board has scheduled the AP Biology Exam for Monday morning May 14, 2018. Students who are successful on this exam may receive college credit. Students are not required to take this exam, however, they may not receive college credit without exam success.

Student Supports:

Extra Help and Missed Work: I am available daily for extra help after school and often at lunch. I host Science Zone after schoolin my classroom 703 most Mondays through Thursdays. This time slot is used for enrichment, remediation, and computer access.

Contact Information: Parents and students may contact me by phone or e-mail whenever there is a question or concern:

classroom phone: 858-496-8370 # 4703

I am looking forward to a WONDERFUL year!

Sincerely yours,

Joanne Johnson “JJ”