AP BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS 2010-2011 Mr. Nelson Email: jnelson@pointpleasant.k12.nj.us Website: http://sites.google.com/site/mrnelsonsapbio/ Textbook: Biology – 7th edition, Neil A. Campbell, Jane B. Reece, Benjamin Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. Course Description: Advanced Placement Biology is a rigorous year-long college-level course typically taken by first-year biology majors. AP Biology encompasses a large volume of course-work and moves at a very fast pace (almost one chapter per class). It is absolutely necessary to manage your time well and to dedicate time every night to reading and homework. This class is for students who intend to major in college biology. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course students will have a good understanding of the major biological processes, mechanisms, and principles. Major objectives include: • To familiarize students with the use, value, and practical applications of the scientific method. • To enhance appreciation for all life and life processes. • To understand biological science as a process rather than a simple accumulation of facts. • To encourage students to think and write analytically. • To help students prepare for success in taking and passing the AP exam. • To apply biological knowledge, critical thinking, and the scientific method so students can make informed decisions concerning environmental and ethical issues. Required Materials: • 3-ring binder, with loose-leave paper and dividers (daily). • 1-inch binder for lab • Black or blue pen and #2 pencil (daily). • Texbook • AP lab manual Class Procedures/Rules: • Bring required materials to class daily • Turn in all work on time. No late work will be accepted. • Be on time to class. You are late if you are not in your seat when the bell rings. • Eat a healthy breakfast every day (before you get to class), especially on lab days. • No eating, drinking, or chewing any substance in the class/lab room. • Please do not touch any lab equipment unless instructed to do so. • Read, understand, and follow the Safety Contract. • Cheating will not be tolerated. Cheating includes (but is not limited to) copying another student’s quiz or test answers, letting someone else copy your assignments, and informing other students of test/quiz materials. Teaching Methods: Most of class time will be spend in lecture and/or class discussion or lab-related activities. Discussions will be supplemented with PowerPoint presentations, videos, and scientific articles. Students are expected to take their own notes. Whenever videos are shown or readings assigned, you are required to answer discussion questions that will help evaluate key concepts. Discussion topics are reinforced to ensure success and to prepare each student for the AP Exam in May by: • Teacher generated chapter-reading questions • Teacher generated chapter quizzes • Study guides: both teacher generated and Campbell & Reese study guides. • News headlines & articles are often discussed to demonstrate the relevance of biology in everyday life. • Practice of AP free response and multiple-choice questions from AP Central appropriate for each chapter. • Tests (multiple choice & short answer). Major Themes/Concepts in AP Biology:
• Science as a process • Evolution • Energy transfer • Continuity and change • Relationship of structure and function • Regulation • Interdependence in nature • Science, technology, and society (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: ELSI) Labs: We perform all 12 AP Biology labs, molecular biology labs, microbiology labs, and an extensive fetal pig dissection. Laboratory exercises are designed to familiarize students with organisms, lab equipment, and techniques in a “hands-on” manner and to reinforce major concepts covered in lecture. A formal lab report will be required for all 12 AP Biology labs. Lab reports will include an Introduction, Materials & Methods, Results, Discussion section, which must include answers to all of the “Analysis” questions from the AP lab manual. The emphasis is on critical thinking and understanding of underlying mechanisms that produced your results. Labs comprise approximately one hour for every four hours of instructional time (i.e., 25%). Further instructions & guidelines on lab procedures and write-ups will be provided later. The 12 AP Laboratory Topics Evaluation: • Diffusion & osmosis • Enzyme catalysis • Mitosis & Meiosis • Plant Pigments & photosynthesis • Cell respiration • Molecular biology • Genetics • Population genetics & evolution • Transpiration • Physiology and the circulatory system • Animal Behavior • Dissolved Oxygen & aquatic primary productivity. Marking period grades will be based on unit tests, reading quizzes, laboratory reports, homework, and projects. Materials for tests will come from class discussions, lecture notes, student readings, and lab exercises. Marking period grades are calculated as follows: • 25% - Assignments (hwk, projects, class participation, etc.) • 25% - Labs • 40% - Tests • 10% - Quizzes AP Exam: All students are required to take the AP exam in May. However, your AP exam scores will not be factored into your overall course grade. How to Succeed in AP Biology: 1. Always eat breakfast (before class). 2. Read the assigned textbook chapters before lecture. Write down any concepts that you don’t understand. 3. Take good lecture notes; review and recopy them the same day/evening. 4. Ask/answer questions during class/lecture. 5. Spend quality study time at home or a library. 6. Study groups are strongly encouraged. 7. Practice applying concepts discussed in lecture by utilizing the resources on the Campbell Student Media CD-ROM and answering the “Self-Quiz”, “Scientific Inquiry”, and “Science, Technology, and Society” questions at the end of each chapter. 8. Get extra help early! Do not be embarrassed to seek extra help. 9. Do not fall behind. This is not a course for procrastinators! I have very high expectations for all my AP Biology students. I am confident that you will all meet or exceed my expectations. Although AP Biology is a time-consuming and rigorous course, the rewards are extremely high and I look forward to working together this school year. Semester I:
Semester II:
Major Course Themes: The Advanced Placement biology course offers eight major themes that are applied across the entire curriculum and serve to unify a variety of course concepts and topics. I. Science as a Process – Science is more than mere memorization of fact but rather it is a way of knowing. It involves an interdisciplinary discovery process using inductive reasoning, or it can be a process of testing hypotheses. Example: Development of cell theory, discovery of DNA structure. II. Evolution – Biological changes and mutations in organisms occur over time and are driven by the process of natural selection. Evolution accounts for the diversity of life on Earth. Example: Development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. III. Energy Transfer – Energy is the capacity to do work. All living organisms are active due to the ability to link energy reactions with biochemical reactions inside cells. Example: The energy from sunlight, along with atmospheric gases and water, allows plants to synthesize organic molecules, store energy, and release oxygen to the atmosphere. IV. Continuity and Change – All species maintain a degree of continuity from generation to generation using a genetic code common to all living things. Changes that occur in the genetic code lead to changes over time, or evolution. Example: Mitosis makes exact replicates of cells; meiosis (which allows sexual reproduction) results in genetic changes or variability. V. Relationship of Structure to Function – Structural levels from molecules to organisms ensure successful functioning in all living organisms and living systems. Example: Shape and form of a bird’s wing permitting flight, shape and form of tuna fish tails, enabling long distance swimming. VI. Regulation – Everything from cells to organisms to ecosystems is in a steady-state (state of balance) that must be controlled by positive or negative feedback mechanisms. Example: control of body temperature and appetite by the brain. VII. Interdependence – Living organisms rarely exist without interactions with other organisms. Example: Symbiosis between clownfish and sea anemone. VIII. Science, Technology and Society – Scientific research often leads to significant technological advances that impact society as a whole. Example: Development of vaccines, environmental consequences of toxic wastes and climate change. Topic Outline: Percentage of Course I) Molecules and Cells………………………………………………………………25% A) Chemistry of Life……………………………………………..7% Water Organic molecules Free energy changes Enzymes B) Cells……………...…………………………………………...10% Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Membranes Subcellular organization Cell cycle and its regulation
C) Cellular Energetics...………………………………………....8% Coupled reactions Cellular respiration and Fermentation Photosynthesis
II) Heredity and Evolution…………………………………………………………...25% A) Heredity……………………………………………………….8% Meiosis and gametogenesis Eukaryotic chromosomes Inheritance patterns B) Molecular Genetics……………...…………………………………………..9% RNA and DNA structure and function Gene regulation Mutation Viral structure and replication Nucleic acid technology and applications
C) Evolutionary Biology...……………………………………….8% Early evolution of life Evidence for evolution Mechanisms of evolution
III) Organisms and Populations………………………………………………….……50% A) Diversity of Organisms………………………………………..8% Evolutionary patterns Survey of the diversity of life Phylogenetic classification Evolutionary relationships
B) Structure and function of plants and animals………………………..32% Reproduction, growth, and development Structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations Response to environment
C) Ecology...……………………………………………………..10% Population dynamics Communities and ecosystems Global issues |
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