ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

MRS. CLARK
2013-2014

Goals of the Course:

1. Present to you an exciting college-level course in Biology.
2. Further your interest in Biology.
3. Make you aware of the world of Biological Research.
4. Prepare you for success on the AP Exam.

Course Materials:
Text: Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, 10th edition, Starr & Taggart

Lab Manual: AP Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry Based Approach, (2012)

Additional references: AP Biology Laboratory Manual for Students, (2001)

Study Guide and Workbook: An Interactive Approach for Biology: The Unity and Diversity of
Life, 10th edition (2004)

Supplement Text: Campbell, Neil A., J. Reece, and L. Mitchell, Biology, 7th edition (2005),
Prentice Hall - Classroom set for students’ use and classroom reference

You should also have: 3-ring binder with dividers for each unit, calculator, earbuds (we
work on netbooks), and access to the internet

Lab Notebook: Graph/grid type will be provided

Other materials you may want – Review books for the AP Biology exam (2013 or later)

Expectations:
1. Expect homework every night. If there is no assigned homework, you should be
reviewing the material covered. Make a commitment early to meet the demands of
this course.
2. Each unit will require reading, student discussions, study guides/worksheets,
written work, one or more labs, activities, pop quizzes, and exams.
3. Exams are in AP testing format, with multiple choice questions and essay questions.
To insure students have maximum exposure to AP-style questions, the essay
question is always taken directly from a previous College Board AP exam.
4. Each marking period you will have several formal writing assignments to prepare you
for the AP exam. In addition you will be expected to do journal reviews and write
formal lab reports.
5. Expect at least one project per marking period.
6. An up-to-date and organized notebook is mandatory. There will be notebook checks
each marking period.
7. Laboratory work is an important part of this course. Every effort should be made to
be present and prepared for lab. All labs will have pre-lab work that must be
completed before you are allowed to begin a lab.
8. The final exam for this course is cumulative.
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Grades:
1. Copying another student’s work is unacceptable and will not be permitted. All
work that is copied will be given a “0” grade.
2. Per district-wide policy, work one day late will earn 10% deduction off grade
earned. No late work accepted after one day.
3. Grades will be accessible online through the district website for both yourself and
your parent/guardian(s). Please check your grade regularly and keep your
assignments up to date. Students are expected to keep all returned papers. In
case of a grade discrepancy, the burden of proof rests entirely on the
student! Keep all papers!
4. All assignments are graded based on points earned out of points possible.
5. Your overall class grade will be calculated using the following weighted system:
a. Summative assessments – unit tests, culminating projects/formal labs 50%
i. No re-takes permitted
ii. No extra credit permitted
b. Formative assessments – quizzes, labs, activities, small projects 25%
i. No extra credit permitted
c. Miscellaneous – homework, classwork, participation 25%
i. Absentee late work follows district guidelines
ii. If work is gone over in class, late work may not be accepted
iii. No extra credit permitted
Absences:
Getting assignments from home – I encourage you to check my moodle page often. Not only
can you find assignments you missed, but all notes are posted before we discuss them in
class. You may also get missing assignments by e-mailing me at aclark@cdschools.org.

Laboratory – due to supply constraints, it is often difficult to make up a lab missed. Make
every effort to be in class on lab day. If you miss a lab, you may be required to write a
paper based on the topic covered instead of making up the lab.

Classwork/homework – All work is due on time. Late work is not accepted, except from
those following the school’s policy for handing in late work when absent.

Tests – You are only exempt from a test if you missed a significant amount of classtime for
that topic. If you are absent on test day, you are expected to make up the test the first day
you return to school. You are not exempt from a test if you missed a review day.

AP Exam:
Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP Exam offered May 12th. All
attempts will be made to cover the topics found on the exam. However, due to time
constraints, students taking the exam may have to study topics not covered by the May
exam date. The AP exam will not affect a student’s GPA. That exam score is not included
in your grade. Students may opt to take the AP exam in place of the final exam for the
course.
We will begin study sessions and reviews for the AP exam in March.

Contact information:
E-mail – aclark@cdschools.org Phone – 541-1662 x 237 Homework x 1237

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Topic: Chapter(s):
I. Ecology (summer assignment)
1. Population dynamics 45
2. Communities & ecosystems 47, 48, 49
3. Human Impact 50

II. Chemistry of Life

1. Review of Basic Inorganic/Organic
Chemistry 2
2. Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and
Nucleic Acids – The Macromolecules 3, 6

III. Cells
1. Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes / Plant vs. Animal 4
2. Basic Structure of Cells 4
3. Organelles, Cytoskeleton, Components of Motility 4
4. Structure & Function of Cell Membranes 5
5. Cell communication

IV. Cellular Energetics

1. ATP, Energy Transfer, Chemiosmosis 6
2. Photosynthesis (C3 & C4 Pathways) 7
3. Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis, Aerobic Resp.,
Anaerobic Respiration 8

V. Cell Reproduction
1. Cell Cycles, mitosis 9
2. Meiosis, cancer 10

VI. Patterns of Inheritance

1. Meiosis (Revisited), Gametogenesis 10
2. Mendel’s Laws: Inheritance Patterns, Genes,
Eukaryotic Chromosomes, Interactions 11, 12

VII. Molecular Genetics/Biotechnology

1. DNA: Structure & Replication 13
2. RNA: Transcription, mRNA Editing, Translation 14
3. Gene Regulation 15
4. Mutations, Recombinant DNA Technology,
Cloning, Hybridization, Sequencing, PCR 16

VIII. Evolution
1. Origin of Life 20
2. Natural selection, Population Genetics 17
3. Speciation, Patterns of Evolution 18, 19

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IX. Diversity of Organisms
1. Evolutionary Patterns 21
2. Principles of Taxonomy & Systematics 21
3. Classification: Eubacteria, Archaebacteria,
Protista, Fungi, Plantae, & Animalia 22 – 27

X. Structure & Function of Plants and Animals

A. Animals
1. Tissues, Organs, Systems 33
2. Support & Movement 37
3. Neural Controls 34, 35
4. Circulation & Gas Exchange 38
5. Digestion & Nutrition 41
6. Thermoregulation, Osmoregulation, and
Excretion 42
7. Reproduction & Development 43, 44
8. Defense & Immunity 39
9. Hormones & the Endocrine System 36

B. Plants
1. Structure/Growth / Development 29, 32
2. Transport in Vascular Plants 30
3. Hormonal Regulation / Nutrition / Reproduction 31, 32

Please return this page, signed, to Mrs. Clark TOMORROW

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The Syllabus is to be kept in the student’s Science notebook.

_________________________________________
Student’s Name PRINTED

________________________________________ , I have read and understood the course syllabus.

Student’s Signature

_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name PRINTED

________________________________________ , I have read and understood the course syllabus.

Parent/Guardian Signature

Parents & Guardians, please take the time to write any comments or information regarding
your student that you feel I should know. Also, if you would like to contact me via e-mail
regarding your student, please do so at aclark@cdschools.org. I look forward to working with
you and your student this school year.

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