Union City High School

Union City High School

Advanced Placement Biology

Mr. Gregory Campbell

Room 4225

Course Overview

The AP biology course is taught as a college level review course in biology. Our focus is to thoroughly cover each of the concepts and topics outlined in the AP Biology Course Description. Our course will be divided into the three main topics covered by Collegeboard; Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations.

Each of the eight major themes highlighted by the AP Biology Curriculum Requirements are clearly posted in the classroom. Students are expected to address each theme, Science as a Process, Evolution, Energy Transfer, Continuity and Change, Relationship of structure to Function, Regulation, Interdependence in Nature, and Science, Technology, and Society, and relate them to every topic of study throughout the course.

Students are asked after each unit is completed to stand before the class and explain in an oral presentation how one of the eight themes is covered by that topic or concept.

Specific to the eight themes, our course will focus on the second theme of Evolution. Students will be asked to relate the structure and function of cellular components, organisms, and ecosystems to evolution.

Text

Union City High School

Advanced Placement Biology

Biology

Campbell, N. and Reece, J.

8th AP Edition

Pearson Education, Inc.

AP Biology Laboratory Manual for Students

AP

2001 Edition

College Board

Union City High School

Advanced Placement Biology

Student Responsibilities

Students in an AP course are held to the highest possible standards of academics, character, and responsibility. They are expected to be on time for every class and meeting without exception. They should be prepared with their textbook, notebook, pencil, and any assignments or supplementary materials needed. They must use every resource at their disposal to succeed in class. All assignments are to be completed on time, and will be graded on content and accuracy, not completion. Any student falling behind must make arrangements for extra help with someone outside the class. The course schedule will not be changed for lagging students.

Course Outline

The course is divided into four quarters. Within each quarter, students will study topics organized into units. Each unit lasts for approximately two weeks. At the end of each unit, students are given a unit exam. At the end of each quarter, students are given an exam covering each unit in that quarter. In addition, at the end of each quarter, students are given a lab exam that covers the practical applications of each lab covered in that quarter as well as the concepts demonstrated by the labs. Within each unit, student readings are assigned, relevant hands-on activities and AP recommended labs are performed, and in class review sessions are performed. One week consists of two 40-minute periods and three 80-minute periods.

Course Schedule

Topic / Chapter / Lab
First Quarter
Introduction (2 Days)
Review Course requirements and Procedures
Return and Review Summer Work / AP Lab 12: Dissolved Oxygen
Ecology Unit Exam / Chapters 52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Biochemistry (15 days)
Atoms, Molecules, Bonding, Chemical Reactions / Chapter 2
Water, pH / Chapter 3 / Measuring pH and Using Buffers (Teacher lab)
Carbon Chemistry, Functional Groups / Chapter 4
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids / Chapter 5 / Nutrient analysis (Teacher lab)
Free energy changes, Equilibrium, Enzyme Structure and Function / Chapter 8 / AP Lab 2: Enzyme Catalysis
Review
Biochemistry Unit Exam / Chapter 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Follow-up on Unit Test
Cells and Membranes (12 days)
Organization of Cells / Chapter 6
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells, Plant and Animal Cells / Chapter 6 / Gram Stain Lab
Cell Communication / Chapter 11
Biological Membranes, Transport / Chapter 5 / AP Lab 1: Diffusion and Osmosis
Review
Cells and Membranes Unit Test / Chapter 5, 6, 11
Follow-up on Unit Test
Energy Transfers (14 days)
Intro to Metabolism, Review Enzymes and ∆G / Chapter 8
Glycolysis / Chapter 9
Aerobic Pathways / Chapter 9 / AP Lab 5: Cell Respiration
Fermentation / Chapter 9 / Measuring Yeast Fermentation (teacher lab)
C3 Photosynthesis / Chapter 10 / AP Lab 4: Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis
C4 and CAM Photosynthsis / Chapter 10
Review
Energy Transfers Unit Exam / Chapter 8, 9, 10
Follow-up on Unit Test
Review for End of Quarter Exam
End of Quarter Exam Wednesday, 11/7
End of Quarter Lab Exam Friday, 11/9
Second Quarter
Continuity of Life (21 days)
The Cell Cycle / Chapter 12
Chromosomes, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis / Chapter 12 / AP Lab 3: Mitosis and Meiosis
Meiosis and Crossing Over / Chapter 13
Basic Principles of Heredity / Chapter 13, 14 / AP Lab 7: Genetics of Drosophila
Advanced Mendelian Genetics / Chapter 15
Review
Continuity of Life Unit Exam / Chapter 12, 13, 14, 15
Follow-up on Unit Test
Molecular Genetics (23 days)
DNA Structure and Function / Chapter 16 / AP Lab 6: Molecular Biology
DNA Replication / Chapter 16
Transcription and Translation / Chapter 17
RNA and Protein Synthesis / Chapter 17
Control of Gene Expression / Chapter 18 / Green Gene Transformation lab
Biotechnology / Chapter 20 / pBlu Transformation Lab
Review
Molecular Genetics Unit Exam / Chapter 16, 17, 18, 20
Follow-up on Unit Test
Review for End of Semester Exam
End of Semester Exam Monday, 1/21
End of Semester Lab Exam Wednesday, 1/23
Follow-up on Exams
Third Quarter
Evolution (14 days)
Genomes and Their Evolution / Chapter 21
History and Early Theories of Evolution / Chapter 22
Evolution of Populations and Speciation / Chapter 23, 24
Genetic Basis for Evolution / Chapter 23
Natural Selection / Chapter 23 / AP Lab 8: Population Genetics and Evolution
History of Life on Earth / Chapter 25
Review
Evolution Unit Exam / Chapter 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Follow-up on Unit Test
Diversity of Life (15 days)
Classification / Chapter 26
Prokaryotes, Viruses, and Protists / Chapter 19, 27, 28 / Microscope Identification lab
Plants Overview / Chapter 29, 30
Fungi / Chapter 31
Invertebrates Overview / Chapter 32, 33 / Dichotomous Key Lab
Vertebrates Overview / Chapter 34 / Earthworm and Jellyfish Dissection
Review
Unit Test on Diversity of Life / Chapter 19, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34
Follow-up on Unit Test
Anatomy and Physiology of Plants (10 days)
Plant Tissues / Chapter 35, 36 / AP Lab 9: Transpiration
Plant Nutrition / Chapter 37
Plant Reproduction / Chapter 38 / Identification of Monocots and Dicots Lab
Plant Responses to Stimuli / Chapter 39
Review
Anatomy and Physiology of Plants Unit Exam / Chapter 35, 36, 37, 38, 39
Follow-up on Unit Test
Exam Review
End of Quarter Exam Wednesday, 4/2
End of Quarter Lab Exam Friday,4/4
Fourth Quarter
Anatomy and Physiology of Animals (20 days)
Tissues, Organ Systems, and Homeostasis / Chapter 40
Animal Nutrition / Chapter 41 / Squid Dissection
Circulation and Gas Exchange / Chapter 42 / AP Lab 10: Physiology of the Circulatory System
The Immune System / Chapter 43
Excretory System / Chapter 44 / Perch Dissection
Endocrine System / Chapter 45 / Frog Dissection
Reproductive System / Chapter 46
Animal Development / Chapter 47
Neurons and Signaling / Chapter 48 / Dogfish Dissection
Nervous System / Chapter 49
Sensory and Motor Mechanisms / Chapter 50 / Rat Dissection
Animal Behavior / Chapter 51
Review
Anatomy and Physiology of Animals Unit Exam / Chapter 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
Follow-up on Unit Test
REVIEW (4 days)
Review of Themes and Major Concepts
Lab Review
Practice Exam I
Follow-up on Practice Exam
Practice Exam I
Follow-up on Practice Exam
AP EXAM
**Monday, May 9, 2011**
8:00 AM
End of Year Research Projects / TBA / TBA

Due to time constraints, labs and some study sessions will take place after school or on weekends.

AP Biology Required Laboratory Investigations

Lab 12: Dissolved Oxygen

Lab 2: Enzyme Catalysis

Lab 1: Osmosis and Diffusion

Lab 4: Photosynthesis

Lab 5: Cell Respiration

Lab 3: Mitosis and Meiosis

Lab 7: Drosophila

Lab 6: Molecular Biology

Lab 8: Population Genetics

Lab 9: Transpiration

Lab 10: Circulatory System

Lab 11: Animal Behavior

Laboratory Component

There are two types of laboratories conducted throughout the year. The first component includes the twelve recommended labs taken from the AP Biology Lab Manual for Students. These labs are usually completed during two 80-minute periods, or one 2-hour after school session. The first period is devoted to organization and preparation. Students thoroughly read the lab procedure, identify and organize all of the materials they will need, and prepare stock solutions or put together needed equipment. During the second 80-minute period, labs are run and data is collected.

The second lab component includes demonstrations and lab activities developed by myself, the school curriculum committee, or the students themselves. Teacher developed labs include dissections, DNA isolations, plant identification labs, microbiology labs in which protozoa, fungi, and bacteria are identified, differential and simple staining of bacteria, and nutrition analysis labs. Throughout the year, students are asked to design their own lab activities that will demonstrate concepts covered in readings and that will allow them to investigate various questions that come up throughout the year.

Students write lab reports for both the AP recommended labs and teacher constructed labs. Once each quarter, students are required to complete a full lab report complete with abstract, complete introduction, results, and analysis. All other lab activities have pre-designed forms with analysis questions that must be answered.

Evaluation

Students are evaluated with the following criteria:

Weekly Quizzes / 5%
Unit Exams / 50%
Lab Reports / 20%
Homework / 10%
Class Participation and Oral quizzes / 5%
Quarter Exams and Lab Exams / 10%

In addition to the above chart, credit is sometimes given for research projects, debates, and attendance and participation in after school and weekend study sessions.