Lynn English High School AP BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS

Transcription

1 Lynn English High School AP BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS Lynn English High School Mission Statement The mission of the LEHS community is to provide all students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills within a safe and supportive environment and to promote respectful, responsible behavior. Course Overview Advanced Placement Biology is an intensive, interactive course that is the equivalent of a two semester introductory college biology class. AP Biology differs from a regular high school biology course demanding significantly more commitment by students to be successful. The course is organized around 3 overarching topics: Molecules and Cells, Heredity and Evolution, and Organisms and Populations which will be integrated through eight themes: 1. Science as Process 2. Evolution 3. Energy Transfer 4. Continuity and Change 5. Relationship of structure to Function 6. Regulation 7. Interdependence of Nature 8. Science, Technology, and Society These themes will be woven through the entire curriculum and will form the basis of understanding the interrelationship of the various areas. Each major recurring theme will be studied in detail based on percentages recommended by the College Board, giving rise to questions about related topics. For example, concerns about pollution and ideas about recycling would be related to understanding societal impact on the environment. More than 25% of class time will be devoted to laboratory investigations including the completing of the 12 required AP Biology labs as well as supplementary activities to reinforce key concepts. Students will be expected to take the AP Biology exam in May 2010 will be prepared to pass the Biology MCAS exam, The school operates on a rotating 7-day cycle. The class will meet for 5 fifty-minute periods and 1 ninetyminute period out of each cycle. Subtracting time missed for testing and assemblies, the total class meeting time is about 122 hours. Laboratory investigations will take a significant amount of class time. To maximize classroom instruction time, students will complete summer assignments and should expect to take an examination on that material within the first week of school. Students will be expected to complete all reading assignments and pre-lab activities prior to class to further maximize classroom instruction time. The class format will be organized around the student being a responsible, independent learner. Lecture and power point presentations will be given to introduce and clarify topics. Students are expected to be active learners: participating in discussions, asking and answering questions. Students will participate in small, cooperative group activities. By engaging each other in content material, students will maximize understanding and cement learning... This course is designed to: Present an in-depth college level study of the biological sciences. Help students develop college level critical thinking and analytical skills, writing skills, and study habits. Help prepare students for the AP Biology exam, which will enable students with a score of 3 and above to earn college credit.

2 Basic Information School: Lynn English High School Teacher: MS. MEZZETTI Room: 308 Night Back: Wednesdays and by appointment Course Number: Credits: 6 credits Prerequisites: A- or higher in Honors Biology, or A in Introduction to Biology Textbook: Biology (Seventh Edition) by Campbell, Reece, & Mitchell Lab Manual: The College Board, AP Biology Lab Manual, 2001 Optional: Princeton Review, AP Biology or any other AP Biology preparation textbook found in most bookstores. Materials Required: 3 ring binder Notebook paper or a notebook that fits into the binder for notes Folder for labs, handouts and assessments Colored pencils, pack of 12 Scientific calculator Access to the Internet (at home, school library, or public library) ALWAYS come to class prepared with a pen or pencil. Course Expectations: Engage in independent learning Work to the greatest potential Ask questions Come to class prepared to participate fully in all discussions and activities by reading all assignments and completing homework before class. Be responsible for making up missed work due to an excused absence in a timely manner. All students enrolled in AP Biology must take the AP Biology exam offered in May, Course Assessments: Assessments will take many forms throughout the year. Unit examinations will have objective and open response-components. Some objective questions will be taken from actual AP exams. Students will complete several open response assignments weekly as homework to enhance understanding of content. Once a week, students will complete one timed open writing prompt in class to practice timing. The midyear exam will be a full practice AP exam. Students will complete formal lab reports following a prescribed format. Students will complete one group project each quarter. Students will also have formative assessments based on classroom performance, participation, and homework. Grading Policies: The quarter grade will consist of the following: 1. Quizzes points 2. Exams 100 points 3. Collins Writing Assignments 100 points 4. Projects points 5. AP Lab Reports 100 points 6. Homework 5-25 points 7. Activities points 8. Classroom performance and class work 5-25 points 9. Mid-year and final exam TBD The quarter grade is calculated using a point system. When an assignment is given, it has a predetermined maximum number of points. That number of points is based on the complexity of the assignment. At the end of the quarter, all awarded points are added together and divided by the total possible points and a percentage is calculated.

3 Grades are posted biweekly at You will be given a password. Parents can also get a password by ing me at mezzettil@lynnschools.org. Notebook / Binder: Students are required to maintain a three ring binder to organize class notes, handouts, laboratories, and other activities. Organization of study materials will be a key ingredient for success in Advanced Placement classes. Make up work: All work is to be passed in on time. Any work missed due to absence is due by the following, Wednesday, which is the Science Department night back. It is important to be present on lab days. Many labs will take multiple days to complete and make-ups will be difficult and time consuming. All assessments are to be made up by the next week or you will not receive any points for that assessment or quiz. Projects must be passed in on the due date. It s like a job, if you don t show up, you don t get paid! Homework: Your homework assignments will be reading your text and answering questions from the textbook or worksheets each night. You will be given a homework assignment sheet each week. All assignments will be due on Fridays, Mondays for those students who do not have me on Friday. The assignment sheet should be properly checked off and attached to the assignments in order. Have this ready to pass in when you enter class on Friday. There will be pre-lab activities such as Lab Bench, which need to be completed at home prior to the start of each lab. You should expect to spend a minimum of 1 hour each night preparing for AP Biology. Labs: Lab reports will follow a strict format and all questions must be answered in complete and coherent sentences. Labs are to be neat, analyzed and concluded. All charts, diagrams, and graphs must be labeled. Take the time to think about what you did and how it pertains to the material you have been studying. We will be responsible for practicing safe lab procedures as well as adhering to lab rules. Assessments will be as follows: 1. Every Friday you will have a timed open-response question. 2. Every Friday (Monday if class doesn t meet) that week s homework and open are due. 3. Unit exams as necessary. 4. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make it up. *My Night back is Wednesday* 5. Alternative assessments such as projects or writing assignments will be assigned as we go. 6. Portfolios: we will be using these so you can self-assess your work. Cheating / Plagiarism When you turn in work that you did not complete, you are cheating. This applies to homework, quizzes, tests, and papers. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment and be impacted by school policy. You have committed plagiarism when you copy work without citing the source. Any plagiarism will be addressed per school policies. Parents / guardians will be notified as well. SIMPLE CLASSROOM RULES 1. You will adhere to all school policies addressed in the student handbook. 2. Please respect your classmates and me 3. Arrive on time ready to work. 4. Complete at reading assignments and homework before class. 5. NO FOOD, GUM OR DRINK IN THE CLASSROOM 6. ALL STUDENTS MUST ADHERE TO LAB SAFETY RULES Acknowledgement of AP Biology Syllabus and course policies *Please detach the following, sign and have your parent or guardian sign acknowledging that you have read all the above information and agree to adhere to all classroom policies. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date

4 Calendar AP Biology This calendar lists weekly reading assignments and topics. More specific reading assignments may be given daily. Each student is expected to complete the Testing Your Knowledge questions at the end of each chapter as well as the corresponding Testing Your Knowledge questions in the study guide. These questions, along with the weekly open response questions will be due each Friday (or Monday if class does not meet on Friday). Assignments and dates will be adjusted as necessary Week of Review Summer Assignments for Ch Sept Lab Activity: Scientific Method Design-*AP Lab 11 Animal Behavior Review Ch. 50 Introduction to Ecology and Biosphere* Review Ch. 52 Population Ecology* Review Ch. 53 Community Ecology* Review Ch. 54 Ecosystems* Lab Activity: *AP Lab 12 Dissolved Oxygen and Primary Productivity Assessment: Objective test Ch , take home open Oct 1 Oct 13 Oct 19 Oct. 2 Review Chapters 1-7; Cell Structure and Transport Lab Activity: Cell Organelle Project Microscopy-cell organelles *AP Lab 1 Osmosis and Diffusion Assessment: Objective Test Ch. 6 and 7, take home timed open Read Ch. 8 Introduction to Metabolism Lab Activity: *AP Lab 2 Enzyme Catalase Read Ch. 9 Cellular Respiration Lab Activity: AP Lab 5 Respiration Read Ch. 10 Photosynthesis Lab Activity: *AP Lab 4 Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis Assessment: Objective test Ch. 8-10, take home and timed open Read Ch. 11 Cell Communication Read Ch. 12 Cell Cycle Lab Activity:Factors that Impede Cell Communication at Assessment: Objective Test Ch 11-12, take home and timed open Nov 2 Nov 16 Read Ch. 13 Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles Read Ch. 14 Mendel and Genes Lab Activity: *AP 3a and 3b Mitosis, Meiosis Assessment: Objective Test Ch , take home and Read Ch. 15 Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance Read Ch. 16 Molecular Basis of Inheritance Lab Activity: *AP Lab 3b1 Crossing Over timed open

5 Nov 30 Dec 14 Jan 4 Jan 11 Jan 18 Feb 1-19 Assessment: Objective Test Ch , take home and timed open Read Ch. 17 Genes to Proteins Review Ch. 18 Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria Lab Activity: *AP Lab 6 Molecular Biology/Bacterial Transformation Read Ch. 19 Eukaryotic Genomes Read Ch. 20 DNA Technology Lab Activity: *AP Lab 6 Molecular Biology/DNA Restriction Analysis Assessment: Objective test Ch , timed open response Read Ch. 20 Genetic Basis of Development Lab Activity: *AP Lab 7 Genetics of Organisms Read Ch. 22 Descent of Modification: A Darwinian View of Life Activity: Web quest of Darwin and LaMarck Read Ch. 23 Evolution of Populations Lab Activity: *AP Lab 8 Population Genetics and Evolution Assessment: Objective Test Ch Read Ch. 24 Origin of the Species* Read Ch. 25 Phylogeny and Systematics* Lab Activity: Creating Dichotomous Keys MLK weekend and Mid-Year Exams Read Ch. 26 Introduction to Biological Diversity Read Ch. 27 Prokaryotes Lab Activity: Microscopy- slides Tree of Life activity Assessment: Objective Test Ch , Take home and timed open Read Ch. 32 Introduction to Animal Diversity* Read Ch. 33 Invertebrates Lab Activity: Invertebrate Identification and Classification Read Ch. 29 Plant Diversity: How Plants colonized Land Lab Activity: Comparison of structures of land plants water plants Read Ch. 30 Plant Diversity: Evolution of Seed Plants Read Ch. 31 Fungi Lab Activity: AP Lab 9 Transpiration Assessment: Objective Test Ch , take home and timed open Feb 22 February Break Biodiversity Project

6 Mar 1 Mar Mar 15 Mar 22 Read Ch. 34 Vertebrates Lab Activity: Vertebrate Identification and Classification Assessment: Objective test Ch , take home and timed open Ch. 40 Basic Principles8Read of Animal Form and Function Activity: Compare form and function Read Ch. 41 Animal Nutrition Read Ch. 42 Circulation and Gas Exchange Lab Activity: AP Lab 10 Physiology of Circulatory System Assessment: Objective Test Ch , take home and timed open SpringBreak Read Ch. 43 Immune System Read Ch. 44 Osmoregulation and Excretion Assessment: Key to Understanding questions, take home open Mar 29 Review Ch. 43 and 44 Read Ch. 45 Hormones and the Endocrine System Lab Activity: Simulating Disease Transmission Assessment: Objective test Ch , take home and timed open Apr 5 April 12 Apr 19 April 26 May 3 AP Biology Exam May 17 Read Ch. 46 Animal Reproduction Activity: Comparison-oviparous /viviparous, Internal fertilization-amniotic egg, placental Read Ch. 47 Animal Development Lab Activity: Frog Dissection Assessment: Objective Test Ch , take home and Timed open Read Ch. 48 Nervous Systems Lab Activity: Sheep Brain Dissection Spring Break-Practice Test; Human Body System Project Read Ch. 49 Sensory and Motor Neurons Lab Activity: Cow Eye Dissection Reflexes lab Assessment: Objective test Ch , take home and Timed open Test Taking Strategies Review Practice AP exam TBA MCAS Review

7 June 3-4 June 14- BIOLOGY MCAS Finals