• Welcome to AP Biology!

    Course Syllabus

    Materials for the 2022-2023 school year:

    1. 1.5" inch or larger 3-ring binder (for class notes, HW assignments, and labs - it would be a good idea to use labeled dividers for these 3 sections)

    2. Graph-ruled composition notebook for labs

    3. Charged Chromebook

    4. Scientific or graphing calculator

    Course Description: AP biology covers a rigorous, first­-year college biology curriculum. Students are expected to read, understand, and interpret biological data and analyze biological processes in the areas of cell biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. The laboratory component offers students opportunities to perform experiments and interpret the results of observations. All students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are required to take the Advanced Placement Examinations in May.

    The Big Ideas:

    1. EVOLUTION: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life.

    2. ENERGETICS: Biological systems use energy and molecular building blocks to grow, reproduce, and maintain dynamic homeostasis.

    3. INFORMATION STORAGE AND TRANSMISSION: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.

    4. SYSTEMS INTERACTIONS: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

    Units of Instruction:

      1. Chemistry of Life

      2. Cell Structure and Function

      3. Ecology

      4. Cellular Energetics

      5. Cell Cycle

      6. Heredity

      7. Gene Expression and Regulation

      8. Natural Selection

     

    Grading Policy

    The following categories are used to calculate your overall grade for each marking period:

    • Major assessments 50% (tests, projects)

    • Minor assessments 30% (quizzes, labs)

    • Homework and classwork  20%

    Each marking period is worth 20% of your final grade, a midterm and final exam are each worth 10%

    Students are exempt from the final exam if they take the AP exam AND have an 85 or better.

    Please use Google Classroom to access class notes, links to resources and videos, and assignments:

    https://classroom.google.com/h

     

    Additional links:

    AP Classroom: https://myap.collegeboard.org/login

    College Board AP biology website: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-biology

    Bozeman Science Videos: http://www.bozemanscience.com/

    Khan Academy AP biology: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology