Advanced Placement Biology - Introduction

To dowload your the syllabus - coming soon!

This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course usually taken by biology majors during their freshman year. The two goals are to develop a conceptual framework for modern biology and to gain experience and appreciation of biology through experimentation and inquiry. Content surveys all levels of biology in greater depth than in the first-year biology course: Organic molecules, cellular structure and function, biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis, mechanics of cell division, genetics, DNA and protein synthesis, evolution, structure and function of plant and animal systems, and ecology are treated in depth. The process of evolution integrates all concepts.

Coursework Specifics

The coursework is based on the AP Exam. As the letter I sent home specifies, the exam will be held in early May 2008. According to the College Board, there are specifics on what topics are to be taught and what percentage of the total course each topic is. In turn the AP Exam is made up of the same percentages.

• Molecules of Life (25%)
• Heredity and Evolution (25%)
• Organisms and Populations (50%)

What to Bring to Class

You are required to bring the following items to class EVERY day. Failure to do so WILL result in detention.

• Your textbook (Campbell)
• Pen (blue or black ink)
• Notebook or looseleaf (you can decide which to use - if notebook, use it only for this class)
• A folder
• A pencil (only needed when you take multiple choice tests)

About the Exam

I am going to admit - this is NOT a fun exam. The exam covers approx. 51 chapters of our textbook (Campbell). The exam is divided into 3 basic categories:

• 80 to 100 multiple choice questions (60% of your grade)
• 10-minute reading period to prepare you for the last part of the exam
• 4 essays (40% of your grade)

Grade Breakdown

Each marking period, you will be evaluated on your performance on unit exams, free-response questions, laboratory assignments and homework. The table below indicates the number of points and percentage that each category is worth per marking period. Your marking period grade is determined by the percentage of the total points earned. Note that your mid-term and final exam grades are not included in this calculation. As per school procedures, mid-term and final exam grades impact the fall and spring semester grades only. Each exam is worth 30% of the semester grade.

Assignment	Points	Percentage of Grade
Unit Exams	100	70%
Free-Response Questions	25	15%
Laboratory	15	10%
Homework	5	5%
	145	100%

If You Are Absent... 

If you are absent for any reason - IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBLITY to get the materials that you missed. This is a college course and I am going to treat you as if you are college students. Use this site to obtain the material you missed or come and see me - I'm sure to have a copy on hand.