AP Biology Syllabus 2014-2015 AP Biology Exam: Monday, May 11, 2015 I. Scope & Sequence Fall Semester Evolution Mechanisms Phylogeny Speciation Modern Examples History /Origins Building Blocks/ Cells/Membranes Macromolecules Enzymes Water Cells Cell Membranes Signaling/Communication/Endocrine Homeostasis Nervous Immune/HIV Free Energy ATP & ADP Metabolism Respiration/Photosynthesis Spring Semester Genetics Cell Cycle/Divisions Mendel/Chromosomes DNA Proteins/Gene Expression Regulation Mutations Biotech Interconnections Organismal Behavior/Timing Populations Communities Ecosystems Review AP Exam Dissection/End of Year Activities The content to be taught in AP Biology contains 4 Big Ideas. This course will be based on inquiry based laboratory work and the use of the science practices in both lab and non-lab activities. 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.
II. Classroom Procedures Grading Policies Daily Work 20% Labs & Quizzes 20% Exams (unit tests & lab practical) 60% Lab Practical Late work Extra Credit Makeup work Cheating School sponsored activities Tardies Due to their nature, they are not re-testable 30pt deduction/day. After 1 day late, grade will be a zero. available (chapter work, models, creative ideas) see teacher; due 5 th Thursday of the 6 weeks, so don t wait too late to get started!! up to 5 days (acc d to Student Handbook) The expectation is no cheating or sharing of individual work. Consequence for violating this trust will be a zero on assignment with no make up or replacement assignment allowed. This applies to both (all) parties involved. Student is responsible for gathering work prior to absence (Student Handbook) III. Videos that may be shown in AP Biology, time permitting, include: Lorenzo s Oil Genetics, Nervous System, & Biochemistry (PG-13) GATTACA DNA Technology (PG-13) Various course related shows from Discovery Channel, TLC and BBC House, M.D. relevant excerpts IV. Equipment PASCO District bond funds and monies from a technology grant allowed us to obtain computers and computer probes for gathering data in AP Biology. Besides the traditional probes you would expect to find in a science lab (motion detectors, ph, pressure, & temperature probes), you will get to use heart rate probes and colorimeters(~spectrophotometer). You will be responsible for any damage (or loss) of this equipment due to horseplay or misuse. V. Lab & Safety Rules See additional lab safety sheet. VI. Miscellaneous Information From time to time I will send you email assignments (usually extra credit), text/quiz reminders and hints for class. If you do not already have an email account set up, please let me know and I will help you with it. I have set up a website with course information, PowerPoint notes and many other useful items for class. Please bookmark this site: http://dpisd-moodle.dpisd.org/moodle/ - Look for South campus, then AP Biology. You can set up a personal login using your first initial and last name (Jane Doe = jdoe) as the username and your student ID # as the password. - Or you may just log in as guest to view the files
You will need to set up an account to access the online textbook. This is the most recent edition. - Go to the following website 1. www.pearsonschool.com/access 2. Obtain a code from your teacher: 3. Type in the first 5 letter of the code 4. Follow the prompts on the given website to set up your textbook account 5. You may want to write down your user name and password somewhere it can easily be found so you don t forget it. 6. You can access the text by going to www.masteringbiology.com and entering your username and password. 7. Please don t hesitate to ask if you have trouble setting up your account. I would be happy to help. - Click on launch etext for view the contents of the book. - Feel free to explore the site. There are quizzes and other great resources that may be helpful when studying. This year, the counselors are asking us to have a conference with your parent if for some reason you decide that AP Biology is not for you. Please know that you will not be able to drop this class until the conference has taken place. (BUT, we re going to have so much fun that you will never want to leave!!) VII. Tips for Success in AP Biology I do not wish for any student to be unsuccessful or fall behind, therefore tutoring will be available from 8:00-8:40 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and 3:45-4:00 each afternoon by appointment. Students should make an appointment with the teacher to ensure they get one-on-one help during that time. Study sessions will be offered throughout the year, mainly in the spring semester, to help with AP test preparation. There is a strong correlation between attending these study sessions and a high AP test score--- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!!! I expect each student to take the AP Exam. This will require a fee to take the exam but can save you money on tuition hours in the future! You will be expected to keep a notebook for this class. Aside from helping you learn organizational skills, this notebook can be used to defend the hours you earn from AP Biology. Some students in the past have had to show their notebook to the college they attended to prove they truly earned AP credit by completing the required labs in addition to their AP test score. One test grade per six weeks will be solely based on this notebook, which will include all class work in addition to homework, notes and other items. Because we such a limited amount of class time, you MUST be prepared in advance for labs. You must read the labs carefully and ask questions before we begin each lab. Most labs will take multiple days. It is important that you carefully take notes and record data during the lab, and properly label all materials, or you may lose important lab time. Occasionally the lab will require that one or more students take data, or do set-up, before or after school, so choose your partners wisely. Pre-lab assignments MUST be completed before you will be allowed to participate in labs. You are encouraged to form study groups. In your study groups you may discuss concepts and study for the course together. Different students will have different strengths and you can learn a great deal from each other and by explaining concepts to other people. You may not use this as an excuse to turn in the same work! Study groups can be very beneficial, but be careful who you choose to put in your study groups.
I know it sounds tough and like a lot of work, but I want you to know that you are really going to do some neat things and we are going to have a great time learning together this year! Remember that your true rewards will be in meeting the challenges, gaining the experiences, and enhancing your discipline for learning. You will also gain the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. I commend you for signing up for this course. I know that most or all of you are taking multiple AP courses, are involved in extra-curricular activities, and have commitments and responsibilities beyond school. We will all work together to make this a great year! CONTACT INFORMATION Course: AP Biology Room: 2336 Teacher: Mrs. Kristen Sledge Conference Period: 7th period Mon. Fri. 3:00-3:45 Room Phone number: (832) 668-7200 ext 72336 School email: ksledge@dpisd.org
Dear Parent or Guardian, I am looking forward to the coming school year and the opportunity to teach your son/daughter in AP Biology. Please contact me at anytime during the school year if you have any concerns or questions. I can be reached at 832-668-7200, ext. 72336 or at ksledge@dpisd.org. I will return your call or e-mail as soon as possible. I hope to help your child have a very successful experience this year in AP Biology. Please sign below indicating that you have read the classroom procedures/polices, scope & sequence, and laboratory safety forms. This form should be signed and returned the next school day. Thank you. Sincerely, Kristen Sledge student name (print) student e-mail address student signature date parent name (print) daytime phone number parent signature date parent e-mail address **From time to time, I like to take photos and/or video the students during their labs and put these photos and videos on our class website to be used for review and so that you can see what exciting things we are doing in AP Biology! Please initial here if that is acceptable for you and your student: (parent initials)